My intention is to blog regularly. I do crafty stuff all the time, but I always forget to photograph my projects and take notes so I can blog my creations. However, I would rather not blog than to post a craft idea that is untested or doomed to failure. I also will not post craft ideas that are lame or ugly. I read a variety of craft blogs and some of the crap these ladies post is embarrassing. A lot of it is awesome, don't get me wrong, but there are a few wanna-bes out there who do blog on a regular basis (good) but don't have anything worth blogging about so they just post any old crap project (not good).
Not trying to be a hater, I just don't think your doing anyone a favor by posting a crap craft idea just so you have something to post. Case in point: A blogger who I recently began following posted some ideas for Valentines day and one idea was a photo coaster. I was intrigued so I clicked the link for instructions. Basically, buy a coaster size wooden plaque blank, paint the edges and then Mod Podge a photo onto the top. Now I am not criticizing on this idea because it is too easy, some of the best ideas are quite simple, I am criticizing the horrid technique.
First off, she doesn't specify that you need to use a laser copy for this project. You simply cannot use ink jet prints to decoupage. The decoupage medium instantly causes the inks to run and bleed. You must use an laser print or photocopy. Second, this blogger instructs you to seal the coaster with 2 coats of Mod Podge. You could seal it with fifty coats of Mod Podge and as soon as you set your wet glass on it it would be ruined. Mod Podge is not a sealer. It is marketed as such, but it is not. Trust me, I have know from experience. Mod Podge glossy will stay tacky-ish almost indefinitely. Even if you never set a glass on these coasters, if you stacked them they would bond together after a very short time.
I'm not trying to make this a Mod Podge hate fest, but any crafter who tells you to seal a project with Mod Podge is either on their payroll or doesn't really know what they are doing. You must use some sort of sealer over Mod Podge to properly finish it. They make an array of different types of Mod Podge now, so last time I was at the craft store I checked them out. I wanted to see if Mod Podge's Outdoor formula would work for a project I was creating. The instructions, state that it needs to cure for FOUR WEEKS before it can be placed outside. Does that seem reasonable? Not to me. Go buy a can of clear coat for a buck or two at Home Depot and properly seal your project so that it will last a lifetime. You owe it to your crafts and to the special people you make them for.
