Easy Ways With Decoupage

Decoupage

The craft that we call ‘Decoupage’ today is actually called Paper Tole which originates from Decoupage but is in fact much more than simply pasting a cut out piece of paper onto a piece of furniture. Paper Tole is the process of taking identical prints, cutting out its component parts, shaping and sizing these ‘components’, then layering them on the ‘base’ print to give the finished piece its special 3-D effect. In order to do this, you would have several prints of the same picture. Decoupage comes from the French word decouper, meaning to cut out. It’s a relatively old genre of home décor that can be either very simple or immensely complicated. Decoupage can be used on vases, mirrors, lamp shades, ceramics, glass, tables, chairs, boxes and much more.

Flat Decoupage normally used for household items & Picture (paper tole) Decoupage used for cardmaking and pictures. I have used this article to explain how to do both as you will see below.

Flat Decoupage is the easiest you just cut out the pictures you want and glue them to the object. When you feel you have covered the object to your liking you then covers the pictures and object with a couple of coats of decoupage glue, then lacquer to protect your work

Let’s start of easily by decoupageing a box, there could be all sorts of reasons you might want to make decoupaged boxes. Decoupaging a variety of boxes, from shoe boxes to old food boxes, with the same or similar paper can make them look like they belong together. Decoupaged boxes can make a boring gift a little more interesting, and they become part of the gift as well.

The only skills you need to be able to decoupage are cutting and pasting. To make simple decoupaged boxes, you just need to cut paper to the size and shape of your box and glue the paper to the box. Another layer of glue or varnish is applied over the paper to give the decoupaged box a smooth, slightly shiny finish.

To start your project you will need the following:

1. A plain box to decorate this could be an old shoe box or any other kind of box you might have at home
2. Paper to decorate the box with (for example: old wallpaper, wrapping paper or even an old magazine)
3. Decoupage medium glue (any thin glue that dries clear will work)
4. Foam brush ( use to spread glue)
5. Damp rag (use to wipe away excess glue)
6. Lollipop Stick / Roller (used to flatten out wrinkles)
7. Scissors / craft knife
8. Cutting mat or similar
9. Sealer

You can buy supplies from most craft shops that are specifically for decoupage. But the great thing about this craft is you can often find the supplies you need in your own home by using old magazines, greeting cards, or even odd bits of material. Photos could also be used but I would suggest you used copies as normal photos don’t work to well.

When you have collected all your supplies together you can get started by making sure that the surface you are going to decoupage is clean. Paint or seal the surface. Cut out the pictures you wish to use. Place the pictures in the order you require them before you add any glue so you can see the design you want before you start. Spread the glue on the back of the picture coating it completely; also put a thin layer of glue on to the surface you are sticking the picture to.

Place the picture onto the glued surface and using your fingers gently push down the picture starting from the centre of the picture and working to the outside to push out any wrinkles and excess glue. (you could use your lollipop stick or you roller to do this). Continue like this until all your pictures are glued on.

When the glue is dry coat completely with diluted glue (3 parts glue to 1 part water) then let this dry completely. When your project is completely dry you can add coats of the glue or decoupage or any other kind of sealer until you are happy with your work and the edges of your pictures are smooth

Picture (paper tole) Decoupage: To make a 3D card or picture in decoupage is really simple. Again you could find pictures or cards around your home. You will need a minimum of three pictures or cards the same (we would advise that you do not use more than 3 layers if using card as this tends to make the card very top heavy)

Using one card or picture as the base. If using a picture I would suggest that you mount this onto a solid piece of card to make it easy to work on. then you would look for the layers that you need to cut working from the back to the front of the picture. Then from the other prints cut these layers out and after shaping them place them directly over the base. The first layer to be cut out would be the whole image discarding the background of the print, then build up from there cutting out the pieces from the picture you would like to make 3D.using foam pads or double sided tape to give the 3D effect you require

Do not use hot or solvent based adhesives with foil materials, and we suggest that you use a sharp craft knife or special decoupage scissors for cutting,

Alternatively there are many decoupage kits to purchase which normally would have full instructions enclosed.

If you have any other decoupage ideas please feel free to enter them on my blog. Good luck to all of you with your decoupage and if you have any problems please feel free to comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible.