Creating Rustic Art: Mod Podge Photo Transfer

I did a little crafting this weekend – in attempt to bring some Spring to my kitchen – a little something brighter – by creating some rustic art using Mod Podge

Photo Transfer Medium.

The process was pretty simple, so I thought I would share with you how I did it.

First, what do you need?

Mod Podge Transfer Medium (found at Micheal’s and it comes with the needed foam brush), your photo of choice (make sure if it has lettering on it, you print it in reverse. It should be printed from an ink jet printer on regular paper, not photo paper), scissors (cut away and white space of your printed picture), parchment paper and your wood board (mine is actually the cover of an old hamper found at a yard sale. Almost anything will do, even new wood that you painted and distressed – just make sure it has time to “cure”.) Not pictured is regular Mod Podge in matte finish, a sanding block, sponge and dark wax (I used Miss Mustard Seed’s).

STEP 1: Prepare and place the photo on the wood.

Cut off a piece of parchment paper and place your photo – face up – and cover it fully with a medium level of the Mod Podge Photo Transfer medium. You shouldn’t really be able to see the photo through the medium. The parchment paper is not necessary but makes clean up and placement a little easier.

Use the parchment paper to lift up the image and place it face down on the wood. Clean up any extra medium around the picture.

Here is the important and hard part – LEAVE IT ALONE FOR A FULL 24 HOURS!

STEP 2: Remove the paper.

Using a sponge and water, wet the whole paper so that the picture shows through – leave it alone for 2 minutes.

Keep wetting and rinsing your sponge and begin rubbing off the paper – the image stays behind. Take your time, keep rinsing and keeping it wet. You want to make sure you get all the paper off.

Step 3: Distress the Image

Using a sanding block, rub all over the piece to dull the image. Really work on the edges and the bumps and character areas. The goal is for it to look “blended” into the wood.

Add a coat of dark wax over the top in a thin coat. You can see in the image below where I have added it through the center. It take away the dullness, darkens it and pulls it together with the wood a little more.

Step 4: Seal the overall piece.

Add a heavy coat of matte finish Mod Podge (original). Follow the directions on the bottle for drying time.

And you are done and ready to display and enjoy your new piece of rustic art.

If you would like to watch a video of the whole process, here is a great one to watch. The show you that you can use that Mod Podge Photo Transfer medium on many different surfaces, including fabric. It is a simple and easy way to customize anything in your home, clothing, acessories or as a gift.

If you would like to see another photo transfer project, visit here: