craftgrrl | (no subject)

I'm having a Mod Podge dilemma. I'm new to it, and I'm try to make a cover for a book with cutouts and whatnot from a magazine, using first a background. For some reason, no matter what I do, it buckles the paper, and makes some sections look darker. What am I doing wrong? am I using too much? Should I do some areas at a time? HELP!!!!!

-Stressed Mod Podge Virgin.