Mirror Makeover using Napkins! {Winner Announced}

Thank you Diane of In My Own Style, and  Amy of One Artsy Mama for featuring this project!

This week I finished up a project that brought a POP of color and fun to my living room, and broadened my exposure to the wonders of Mod Podge.

But first!

Freshy Fig Giveaway Winner!
It's time to announce the winner for the Freshy Fig Vintage Jewelry giveaway! Thank you, everybody, so much for participating. The winner is...

Kerry Maclnnes!

Winner was chosen using random.com. Congratulations, Kerry! I'll be contacting you with how to redeem your prize!

Decoupaged Mirror Using Napkins
If you had visited my house last week, you would have seen our rather sad entry. A table, a lamp...the end of my imagination. Here's a rather sad pic of my sad entry from Christmas.

Not a whole lotta cheer going on! Thankfully my latest project is helping to spice things up in here, and it was oh so easy.

Decoupoged Mirror using Napkins

Supplies

• Mirror with wide(ish) frame
• Modpodge
• Brush
• Light weight paper- tissue, napkin, wrapping paper

Step 1. Get Preppy
I lay down a big piece of cardboard for a work surface, set the mirror on top, and taped off the edges of the mirror pane with painter's tape. I ran a damp paper towel along the frame to remove any dust or dirt from the move to our new place.

Step 2. Cutting Down to Size
I brainstormed a lot of different materials to use on this project- cloth, scrapbook paper, wall paper etc. I finally found these sweet Mara Mi napkins at Target for $3. I love the deep blue swirls that almost look like peacock feathers. Fun!

I used the already cut straight edge as my guide and did a loose mock up, leaving about 1 1/2" to wrap underneath the mirror.

Step 3. 'Podge it Up, Baby
I had a jar of Modpodge from my little diy 'podge experiment, where you can learn why I now use real Modpodge vs. a do-it-yourself version. Can you believe it? that's one of my most popular posts!

First, I brushed a layer of 'podge over the mirror frame, then laid down the napkins and gently pressed it down.

I immediately brushed on a generous top coat to seal the paper.

I also tried waiting 'til the base coat was completely dry before adding a top coat. When the top coat dried I couldn't see a big difference in the result, but I did notice the paper was slightly less wrinkly in the section where I put on the top coat right away. Maybe the wet 'podge helped to smooth out the paper while it was still malleable?

Ermagerd, what, Wrinkles??
I think it is the nature of wet tissue paper to wrinkle. Somewhere it's got to be written in a book of elemental properties of the universe or something.

Thankfully this napkin wasn't too bad, and with the matte finish of the 'podge, the wrinkles really almost disappear entirely.

My mother-in-law was even nice enough to say the wrinkles added to the texture of my craft. Thanks, Janet!

Yes, there they are, but I think I can live with it. For some added insurance I didn't apply any sealer to the mirror. If I decide in 2 months that I'm over it, at least it is water soluble!

Results
I let it dry for 2 weeks. Ha. I'm sure it only takes around 24 hours to set. But it sat on my bedroom floor for a few weeks until I could grab Jason to hang it up on the wall for me.

What do you think?

I love the fun vibe! In fact, if I could sum up what I want my home to feel like, "fun" would definitely be top priority. I want my space to feel comfortable, inspired, and relaxed. :)

Sources:
Mirror- $14 from The Alley. I bought this for our upstairs bathroom in our previous house a few years back.
Topiary- $27 from Marshall's. I got this for this post!
Shell Bowl- $15 from Tai Pan Trading Co. a few months ago
Books- $1 a piece from Good Will. Gotta have some colorful prop books around!
Eiffle Tower- souvenier from Jason's trip to Paris last year :) I love personal touches.
Scarf- vintage goodness from Mom's collection
Faux apples- bought for our wedding (fall/fruit theme)
Table- $80 from Ebay

Extremely Difficult Things to Photograph
As a consequence of blogging about this project, I have bumped up "mirrors" on my list of Extremely Difficult Things to Photograph. Here's my running list:

1. Conception of a Seal Pup
2. Mirrors
3. Toddlers
4. Sasquatch 

Dang. If it wasn't the flash going off and causing a paranormal activity-like glare, it was an unattractive reflection of my arm, elbow, camera lens, or noggin. I'm lucky to get the few shots I have! 

How the fuzzy do you take a pic of a mirror?!?! I will ask God about this when I see Him.

Ah well, impromptu modeling shot. Hi!

What are you working on this week? Recovering from Valentine's Day?

Baby's with the sis-in-law, and I'm taking Jason out on a top secret date. He has no idea where we're going! ;) Pics to come!

Sharing Monday at  Mad in Crafts, Boogie Board Cottage, Claire Justine oxox, Craft-O-Maniac, 

Making the World Cuter, The Gunny Sack
Thursday The 36th Avenue, Somewhat Simple, Delightful Order, House of Hepworths,
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Friday Happy Hour Projects, My Romantic Home, Fingerprints on the Fridge, My Repurposed Life,
The Shabby Nest, 504 Main, One Artsy Mama, See Vanessa Craft

P.S. This is the pic we put in Daddy's frame for Valentine's Day. I freaking love this Munchkin!