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Sunday, August 11, 2013

Monday Made-it! Teacher Toolbox re-do with Mod Podge

I'm linking up wtih 4th Grade Frolics for this week's Monday Made-It with a project I did a couple of weeks ago... my updated Teacher Toolbox!

I made my first Teacher Toolbox last year, and LOVED it! In fact, my first TPT product was the label set that I had created for my toolbox. I wish I knew who to credit with the original idea, but I have no idea (aside from that it was on Pinterest). The original directions I read said to use double sided tape to attach your labels inside the drawers, so that's what I did. It worked fine for a little while, but by the end of the year, my toolbox looked like this:

As you can see, the tape definitely lost its stickiness over the course of the year. One of my labels was actually lost!

I kept reading that people Mod Podged theirs on, but I was worried about the ink bleeding since I printed on my inkjet printer. A little internet research was all it took to find an easy, and FREE solution!

HAIRSPRAY! Yep, the solution was right on my bathroom counter. If you spray the entire page with a light coat of aerosol hairspray, it will seal in the color.

The rest of the process is really simple:

Cut out your labels, and get your Mod Podge and brushes together. I used an old envelope to paint on, since it was what I had handy.

I found that the trick is to use a thin, light coat of Mod Podge on each label. Then press it onto the inside of the drawer. Don't worry if it doesn't go on straight, you have a couple of minutes to reposition the label before it starts to dry.

I love how it turned out! Probably more than the original. And I'm so excited that I figured out how to mod podge over printed papers without ruining it!

If you like my Teacher Toolbox Labels, both of these and a dozen other color/pattern options are in my TPT Store. Click on the photo below!
 



7 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you learned how to Mod Podge over printed pages too! I always have that problem but figured that it wasn't *too* noticeable and that I would just have to live with it. Great tip!

    Polka Dots & Teaching Tots

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  2. I need to redo my toolbox too....so much do to so little time!

    Brandi
    Success in Second Grade
    Follow me on Facebook!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the hairspray tip. I have bought the toolbox, but haven't attempted the labels yet.
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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  4. Love your new toolbox! Thanks for the hairspray tip- I just used tape for mine lol we will see how it holds up!

    Liz
    Floating Through Fifth

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  5. Fabulous! I love the Mod Podge idea. Wish I knew that before I did this. Great minds think alike---this is my Monday Made it too! You can see mine if you'd like...

    Ali
    Teaching Powered by Caffeine

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  6. Love the Modge Podge/hairspray combo idea. Modge Podge HATES me, but maybe that would work! Turned out so cute!

    Megan
    I Teach. What's Your Super Power?

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  7. Thanks for the great tips! Now I am definitely inspired to make my own toolbox! I teach in French immersion so I will have to create my own labels, but I'm so happy you showed how to keep the ink from running!

    Nicci
    Chalet RĂ©

    ReplyDelete

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