Mod Podge, Paint and Monograms

Mod Podge isn't just for girls and all things sparkly.  It's also the perfect thing to whip up something handmade for a boy.  For instance, this monogrammed canvas.  Simple supply list and almost idiot proof.

These are the supplies I used:

1. 8" x 10" canvas
2. Mod Podge--Regular and Fabric
3. Fabric scrap (Jay McCarroll's Habitat)
4. Acrylic paint--white, black and red
5. One sheet of foam to make your own stamp designs 

To begin, paint the canvas with one layer of a background color.  I used white for this bold graphic effect.  While the canvas dries, prepare your stamp designs.  Cut your desired shapes out of the foam and glue them to a second piece of foam for extra handling ease.  Or use found objects with interesting shapes.  (I used a 16 penny nail head to make the red dots.)

Prepare your fabric scrap with Fabric Mod Podge.  Remember to use something underneath it to protect your work surface.  When dry, cut out the letter.  I drew mine freehand but you can also print and enlarge any letter in any font you find attractive.

After the canvas is dry, apply the background design using your newly made stamps.  Unless you glue them to scraps of wood or plastic, they will be flimsy.  This is perfectly fine and you should not worry about any little bits of edges that leave paint behind.  If they really bother you, you can paint over them.  But I would caution against trying for perfection.  Especially if you want to achieve a look like the one I made.  Randomness and unexpected points of color add interest and help set off the more elegantly styled letter.

After all the paint has dried, apply your letter with regular Mod Podge.  Apply several coats, drying between each of them to finish your project.  Hang as is, frame it or set on a display stand on a shelf.

And that's it!  You're done.