Pottery Barn inspired image transfer

Here is what I worked on tonight! 

But first on a personal note:

Hi Guys, I have had SUCH a great weekend---#1 reason---my little baby sister is engaged!!!  I am beyond happy and that is partly because she is so darn happy and partly because I know I get to have her soon to be husband around forever---he is just great (I feel like that doesn't always happen--extra bonus!)

My weekend was also amazing because the temperature in small town Michigan was 85 degrees today---I love warm weather and I LOVE the little lake in my back yard!  And to top things off not only did I get to play in the sun, paddle boat, eat ice cream, have a campfire and take a walk, but I got to do it with my favorite friend Tessa!  

Finally my weekend was GREAT because I discovered a new technique that I am beyond excited about!  I am in love with graphic fairy images and quotes and am always looking for ways to transfer them onto my projects...I was beyond the moon when I discovered the citra solv technique to transfer images onto fabric (click here if you missed it), I was super excited to learn how to transfer onto candles last week and now this week I have stumbled upon possibly to most amazing and ironically the easiest technique.  Transfering images onto wood---- {insert huge smile on my face here}

Here are my inspirations:

Do you have a store that makes you SO SO SO crazy because you want everything in it?

Because I do, it is called Pottery Barn.

And of course as all favorite stores seem to go, everything in PB costs a million dollars, yet I still faithfully drool over their catalogue every time the arrive in my mail box---just picture every page dog tagged, this is when I begin scheming about how I can create my own versions at a fraction of a cost.  (PB cost for the big canvas-$129.00) (My cost-nothing but time...I had everything I used) 

Thanks to graphic fairy this new-to-pottery-barn vintage chair art work was do-able with my new technique so I thought it was a great fit for my project.

My crafty scrappy happy version:

And just for fun I made this one since I had everything out (I am a multitaske-er what can I say?!?)

I have been wishing to find something with this quote/song on it---why not make it myself?!?

What you need:

a wood surface (painted or not painted work just fine-I tried both)

Mod podge

a paint brush

a graphic printed on plain paper (I used lazer jet ***I don't know how ink jet works because I haven't tried it but read my advice at the end for possible tips for ink jet printers)

Here is how I did it:

I painted my wood surfaces before I added my graphics (which works out great if you are recycling/up-cycling your wood material like I was)

Next pick and print your image ***If you are using anything with words you have to reverse (mirror image) your graphic or quote before you print it.  (If you don't know how I can tell you how I do it--I assume it is the same idea for everyone but there might be different ways of getting there)

Next cover your surface with Mod Podge and place your paper image ink side down and work hard at getting rid of any bubbles that may form

Now for the hard part, waiting for the mod podge to dry-mine took about an hour but my guess is the longer you wait the better

Then bring your work to a sink/grab a spray bottle and get the paper wet and scrub away the paper-gently so your image stays.  I did scrub too hard my first time so I just scrubbed off my image and started over.

Finally, this step is optional but I wanted a uniform mod podge look over my entire work surface so I just did a final thin layer over everything.

Advice:

So here is my disclaimer-my projects are never perfect and I am no pro, just a crafty gal who is always willing to try new things.  I *believe* that if you have an ink jet printer and this technique won't work the way I just described it to you, you have another option.  You can "paint" a layer of Elmers school glue onto a piece of paper (let it dry) and print your image on the glue and then do all of the other steps the same.  Let me know if it works!!! 

Cut the image paper around the image, you will save some scrub time.

Also don't scrub too hard on you image, softly rub....you might rub away your pretty work it you clean too well, I found it was better to go a second time and remove the last little paper bits after you let things dry the first time.

I did also try this technique on a shiny metal pail....and to my disappointment it didn't work...might have been because the surface was shiny (the mod podge rubbed right off) this doesn't mean I won't try again!

Now tell me what you think!!! 

Is your brain turning?  (mine still is)  Do you have all kinds of ideas?  (I have three million)  I would love to hear about them!  Any questions???  I would love to help.  Would you like my sunshine printable?!?!  Shoot me a comment about which you would like (regular or mirror image) and your e-mail-- and then I will send it right your way!

***I am linking up to a few parties this week because I love to inspire other crafters and DIY-ers---check out my page at the top of my blog to see where to go to be inspired!!!***

Thank you for stopping by!