I’ve always enjoyed special decorative mailboxes. There’s are a wide variety of curbside interpretations as to what constitutes “special,” including wood add-ons that turn them into animal shapes, but mine tend to feature some type of hand-painted element—usually flowers.
Most of the mailboxes in our neighborhood are the larger, rural sized versions, and my last one featured Mackenzie-Childs-inspired checks.
Although I love painting mailboxes, I have yet to discover the secret to their longevity outdoors. Even with many and updated coats of varnish, they take a beating from the elements and really only last about two years, if I’m lucky. Since a replacement for the one above was long overdue and the time to paint a new one is a little scarce, I decided to take a shortcut and try using ModPodge.
A decoupage staple that I’ve used for other indoor and outdoor crafts, basic ModPodge is fairly weather resistant, so I’m hoping their outdoor version wears like iron.
I still loved the checked pattern on the old mailbox, so I decided to use gift wrapping paper I had purchased from Mackenzie-Childs as a short cut on the bottom of the new one, and chose a complementary outdoor fabric for the top.
Usually, paper wrinkles quite a bit from the decoupage medium, so I started by giving the paper a few light coats of varnish, allowing it to dry in between.
While waiting, I roughed up the surface of the mailbox with a sanding block to improve adherence, and wiped off the residue.
Next, I used an inexpensive paint brush to paint the Mod Podge goop on the bottom half of one side of the mailbox, let it set for a minute or so, and applied my cut-to size wrapping paper. I hand pressed it in place, smoothed it out carefully (trying to eliminate bubbles) and let it dry. Then repeated the process on the other side as well as the front. It did still wrinkle a little, but the varnish definitely helped.
After identifying the best placement for the fabric design, I cut it to size and applied it to the top of the mailbox, from side to side, using a slightly heavier coating of the goop. I didn’t wait for the ModPodge to set this time because I wasn’t concerned about the fabric wrinkling the way paper does.
Next, I painted over everything with Outdoor ModPodge. If you’ve never used it before, ModPodge is a lot like white school glue, and though it goes on white and heavy, it will dry clear (“clear” happens quickly, “dry” does not). It stays tacky for a couple of days.
I also used a new favorite product, “Liquid Leaf.” to paint a metallic gold edge around the door, on the narrow balsa trim decorative trim pieces that I then glued on the side (the cans kept the wood trim form curling up), and also on my ceramic bird that will go on the top of the mailbox later.
The paint covers beautifully and really sets off the trim. And, since Liquid Leaf is not recommended for outdoor applications, I gave all the gold trim a light first coat of ModPodge.
The bird I painted was a tiny ceramic glass bird. I stuffed the hole at the bottom with paper and glue, and inserted a drywall anchor inside so I could screw the bird to the box.
You might get good results just simply gluing it on, but I have neighborhood demons, so mine needs to be secure. I drilled a small hole through the top of the box and screwed it on.
I also carefully cut away the fabric covering the red alert flag hole using snips, and made sure the flag will fit again. Remove the flag, and give the entire mailbox another coat of goop. I did not use a super thick coat, but did make sure everything was covered.
Then. I. Let. It. Dry. Again.
SO, my new decorative mailbox is complete and I am ready to install it. It stayed tacky for a while, so I waited the recommended 72 hours before putting it outside. I’m not sure how the fabric will hold it’s lovely colors in the sun, but fingers are crossed. I’ll be sure to post on how it holds up to the elements and whether or not it fades.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: See that lovely vibrant color below? After the first rain, it was obscured by a milky layer. One quick phone call to Plaid, makers of ModPodge yielded this important tidbit: “Outdoor” Modpodge is NOT WEATHERPROOF! (Really? What does the “Outdoor” actually mean?) I was told to let it dry (I did) and the milky layer would go back to clear (it did); then coat with clear varnish (I did) and I should be fine (I am…and so is the mailbox…just as vibrant as it was…phew!).
Next time? One topcoat of Modpodge, then finish with two coats of traditional outdoor varnish.
One last update: A year after putting it curbside, the mailbox held up fairly well. It is starting to fade and won’t look very nice if I leave it a second year. I’ll likely touch it up by replacing the fabric and paper before fall arrives.
In the meantime, I think I have a few more outdoor applications for this paper/fabric combo that I can’t wait to try!
There happens to be duct tape in the black and white check, just a thought.
I have hand painted the MC check (;it’s a matter of measuring). I then painted hydrangea’s. Helmsman spar varnish (apply yearly)
Ooh…I bet that was beautiful, Deidre! I would love to see!
Our whole box/post got smashed by the plow guy this winter…so I definitely have the itch to spruce it up. Thx for the duct tape tip! 😘
Hi! I just found this blog and I love this mailbox. I’ll try to decoupage for the first time with this project. Would you please let me know where I can find this cute bird? Thank you! And congratulations on this fabulous mailbox.
Also, would be great to have and update on how it’s holding up.
Best regards!
Hello, and welcome!
I never cracked the code for getting the mailbox to last past a year. Someday I may try a resin coating and see how that works.
The bird came from a local 5 & 10 store…I would try a plastic one from the dollar store and paint it gold.
Thanks for visiting and for the comment!
Thank you!! This is awesome. I’ll post if I succeed😊
I have been able to make a reasonable pretty mailbox. I’m still working on the top coat. My local hardware store recommended and swears by Minwax Hellmsman Spar Urethane in Clear Gloss. I just sprayed the first coat and am waiting one hour for the second. Looks good so far…
I’m still working on the top coat. My local hardware store recommended and swears by Minwax Hellmsman Spar Urethane in Clear Gloss. I just sprayed the first coat and am waiting one hour for the second. Looks good so far…
Since this have you tried doing it with the dishwasher safe mod podge?
NO!!! Such a thing exists?!!!
Have you tried it?
I may now have to UNswear off making mailboxes.
Made. My. Day!!
Whoops! Forgot to say Thank you, Emily!!! 😘
Ask and you shall receive!!!! Here is the new mailbox!!!! And it looks…FABulous!!!!!
*****
You might get good results just simply gluing it on, but I have neighborhood demons, so mine needs to be secure.
{Human? Or animal? Other? I want to hear about the demons!}
*****
“Outdoor” Modpodge is NOT WEATHERPROOF! (Really? What does the “Outdoor” actually mean?)
{What DOES it mean? Are they kidding? What can be “outdoor” but “not weatherproof”?? And keep a straight face??}
*****
Wow – a LOT of commenters on this post! Like a comment explosion…did everyone find you at once? I wonder if your awesome mailbox went viral? Felt a bit like a surprise party 🙂
xo C
Have I kept you wondering long enough? I have had brief brushes with blog discovery when I used to actually try to market the blog. So, this is one of the posts I put on Hometalk. I would do a teaser and refer people back to here. Some would get all annoyed on the Hometalk comments that I saved some of the info to, you know, promote me instead of them.
Hilariously, I have a post over there about the soap/Big League Chew with, by now, well over 2 million views. And I STILL have to go back there to answer the same dang questions that are already answered five times in the post.
– NO, I don’t know if it will help with your (insert obscure animal/insect) problem.
– No, I don’t know if I’m recommending the destruction of all the earth’s soil.
– We don’t have moose in Clarence so I guess that means it works really well.
Also, my current mailbox is undecorated and boring. I’m wondering about resin in the sun (actually, that’s kind of accidentally funny).
Hi Em. May I ask about the paper you used. I realize this was some time ago, but I’m having a problem finding MC papers to use in crafting. Are you able to assist? Thank you in advance for what ever you may offer me to find some.
Hello! Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner…we were on vacay. So… MC sells giftwrap, tissue, napkins and other paper products on their website. The paper is not inexpensive (2 rolls for $25) but I’ve gotten quite a bit of use from it. I also used the napkins for birdhouses I made a few years back. Mr and I hit their annual barnsale and were able to snag all of it at half price. Hobby Lobby sells checked fabric…which you can amend with paint to mimic the MC style. There’s also a Facebook group “DIY Inspired Checks and Awesome Crafts” where people sell and sometimes share their DIY processes. Hope that helps!
wonderfully fabulous! you are very clever to think up that design. love it.
Aren’t you nice! Thank you.
I just stumbled on dust and dog hair! It’s one of the few times I’ve smiled when I stumbled 🙂 The mailbox is soon cute.
Well, welcome, Barbara! Love your Gravatar…still haven’t figured out how to do that yet (the gravatar, not the Nana)! Stumble back anytime:)
Just bought a little house and the mailbox is a plain white box on a plain white post. Was looking at new boxes but this idea is even better. I’ll just re-do the existing one and save money. I have a ton of fabric so lots of choices there. Thanks.
Congrats on your new home! Redoing is definitely smart! I intend to redo the old one, too!
Thanks for stopping by!
I think you could use a spry varnish even polycoat to protect it outside. Maybe even marine varnish like for boats. It is very pretty going to give it a try on a rural box for my mail.
Hi, Wanda! Thanks for visiting (and your helpful suggestion:) ). I used an Outdoor ModPodge, so I’m hoping that does the trick…
Only one way to see, right? Just give it a go!
Love everything about this mailbox–the fact that you used a simple standard box, the black & white checks, the colorful fabric, the bird and all of the details I didn’t mention!
Thank you, Christine! I appreciate your visit and taking the time to comment 🙂
I thank is is gorgeous can’t wait to try this excited
Thank you, Marie! I appreciate your visit and comment!
Love the idea!!!!
Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂
That is the BEST looking mailbox I’ve ever seen Em…nice work! Can you come and do mine? I’m only over here is Australia…not far…lol. Would you consider introducing yourself to my followers via my Five Star Frugal linkup? I know they’d just love you and your clever projects. Love Mimi xxx
http://atrayofbliss.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/five-star-frugal-14-and-raspberry.html
Thanks, Mimi! I’m pretty new at this…means so much that you visited and left a comment…you’re the first!
I’m glad you shared your project at Five Star Frugal Em. Nice work! Love, Mimi xxx