Decoupage for days! Getting back to my crafting roots for this fun little project…

We’re back with another month of DIY, in our 12 Months on DIY Instagram Challenge! Follow along on Instagram with #12MonthsofDIY and #MayModPodge. Today it’s all things Mod Podge. Mod Podge is the master ingredient to all things decoupage. And, that’s the road I’m going down today! (This post may contain affiliate links. This means, should you end up making a purchase, advertisers give me a small percentage of that sale, at absolutely NO EXTRA COST to you. Click here for full disclosures). 

I broke out my matte finish Mod Podge for a classic decoupage project, and I’m jazzing up a simple step stool — function for my little lady, and some pretty for Mama’s kitchen.

First I started with my Plain Jane step stool. Nothing wrong with it, but it was nothing special. I had the perfect paper waiting in the wings — some wrapping paper from Ikea.

Just look at that sassy-pants ladybug, and the friendly frog on the right. Sweet enough to pass for kids, but fun and interesting for the ‘adult kitchen space’.

Supplies for Decoupage:

• Pretty wrapping paper (I found mine at Ikea)
• Craft sponge (or make-up sponge, if that’s what’s handy)
• Pencil
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Ruler

Here’s my easy trick for handling those mis-matched sized steps in a snap…

(1). I outlined each step with green painter’s tape, and (2). transferred the rectangle to cardboard (in this case an old cereal box). (3). I trimmed around each rectangle, and now I have the perfectly sized template for each step (4).

This allowed me to easily map out exactly what I wanted to show on the two steps, without any trial and error. I could, at a glance, line up my trim marks to include all the cute characters without cutting anyone out. On to the decoupage!

It’s easy as pie. I first applied a thin layer of Mod Podge, with a makeup sponge (use what you have people!), and lined up my pretty paper with the corners of each step on the stool.

Grab a card from your wallet and burnish it down to get out all the air bubbles. Do this step right away, as the wrapping paper will want to set up fairly quickly.

Let it dry and then apply another layer of Mod Podge on top. That is how to decoupage! I continued on, to add a total of 3 top coats to my step stool. When it is finished, you’d never know it wasn’t originally a part of the stool. The finish is super smooth and durable.

Quick tip: In between coats of Mod Podge, I would pop my sponge into a zipper-bag to keep it from drying out.

This kitchen might not be finished, but my new decoupage step stool is! It fits right in. The blues totally belong with our two-tone kitchen cabinets. Our lowers are a almost-black navy.

All the good stuff is at the Kiddo’s fingertips now. Cereal, cookies, applesauce cups… you know, the staples. She’s happy to climb up there, and we’re happy to have kicked our paint-splattered project stool to the curb.

Just one small step in the kitchen reno, done. Did you catch the lack of a backsplash and kick-plate in the photos above? But it’s all coming along, I promise. Our little decoupage project gave me the chance to give a little sneak peek of what’s to come. Can’t wait to share the rest of it with you!

Now it’s time to see the rest of the DIY Mod Podge project ideas from my Canadian blogging friends!

How To Use Mod Podge – A Beginner’s Story from Vin’yet Etc.

Painted Florals on Glassware from PMQ for Two

Geometric Pineapple Art from Life Is A Party

DIY “Home” Wood Sign from Love Create Celebrate

DIY Filing Cabinet Makeover Using Vintage Book Pages from Woman in Real Life

Handy DIY Two Month Receipt Organizer from Time with Thea

Decoupage Foot Stool from Fresh Crush

Make Lace Decoupaged Garden Containers from The DIY Mommy

Paper Flower Lamp Shade from Brooklyn Berry Designs

Easily Upcycled Photo Frames from Sustain My Craft Habit

Kate Spade-Inspired Mug from Mommyzoid

Window Map Art from New House New Home