A Very Simple Decoupage Tutorial

What You'll Need(Now In Color : 0):

-Something to decoupage on:  Old shoe-boxes can be a great place to start (and are free so there's nothing lost if you screw it up) but pretty much anything can be decoupaged as I'm sure you've seen around here. (Wooden items like tables or cigar boxes, plastics like suitcases, metals like the ever popular Altoid tin, glass vases and such - if it holds still it can be decoupaged.) For this I used a small chocolates box.

-Something to decoupage onto your object: This can be pictures from magazines, pretty paper napkins, stamps, some fabrics, comic books, old sewing patterns, etc. It's generally best to stick with something in the fiber family (papers and fabrics) and be fairly thin because you want your glue to get a really good hold. For this I used images of print fabrics from catalogs and magazines.

-Decoupage medium: You can use Mod Podge (available in matte or shiny finishes), other commercial products or just plain white school glue watered down (equal parts glue and water), which is what I like to use.

-Brush for the medium

-Scissors: To trim up your images...  I recommend using scissors that you don't mind getting a bit messy since you're dealing with glue.
-OPTIONAL Brush for paint & paint: I like to paint my object before I start just in case I don't completely cover the surface with my images or in case they are transparent. I used white acrylic craft paint.

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Decoupage Ideas

I'm back again with some more info on Decoupage. I found some good sites with a bunch more ideas and articles that might interest those who are into Decoupage artwork. These sites are in no specific order.

Site #1: Make your Own Baby Crafts. This site has number of useful articles you might want to take a look at. The link above is one of those and, it's about how to make a baby craft using the art of Decoupage.





Site #2: DiY Network. Another good site features a lot of do it yourself projects. It features ideas for fun Decoupage projects. Clicking the link above will send you directly to the Decoupage tutorial section of the site.



Site #3: Michaels.com. Operates specialty retail stores which provide a large assortment of general crafts, home decor items, picture framing materials and services, art and hobby supplies, party supplies, silk and dried flowers, wearable art, and seasonal and holiday merchandise. The above sends you to a tutorial. It shows you how to make the what is featured in the image on the right.


Site #4: Flickr.com. Well you all know what Flickr is I assume. So no real explanation except it leads to a very interesting photo. I think anyone who is interested in Decoupage should have a look at it.

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Decoupage: I Got The Materials Now What!?

|Prelude|: As with all art you will need to have an idea.

Step 1|First Things First: Prepare your surface you should start by making sure it's clean. Then paint and seal it.

Step 2|What Comes Next?: Cut out your pictures using your Craft knife, or School Scissors for your kid.

Step 3|Uhuh Now What?: Now you will want to arrange the pictures in an order that you like. Just for reference from my own experience. The first arrangement is always subject to change. Nothing is really set in stone until you add the glue. Then it's still not set in stone it's set in glue so..... anyway. The images you like can go any which way you want. On to the next step.

Step 4|Arrangement Got It What Else?: Alright now you add the glue to the backs of your pictures be careful though you don't want the ink running. Especially if your using pics from a magazine. I won't really go into the steps to prevent ink bleeding right now. Just don't add to much glue. Make sure you add a bit to the surface your adding the images to also.

Step 5|Anything Else?: Now it's time to stick your picture to your surface. Use a Brayer or your handy dandy Popsicle stick. Oh yeah if it's a larger picture start from the center and work you way out.

Step 6|Alright it's Starting to Look Good: Continue step #4 and #5. Until you have no more images you want to add, or you run out whichever comes first. Then it's to the coating process. Try This: dilute your Elmer’s or other PVA glue. With a little bit of water so it goes on smoothly. The color blue seems to run more than others so watch for that. Make sure to let it dry a completely.

Step 7|Ok I'm Done Right?: Wrong. You'll have to keep adding coats of glue or another sealer (polyurethane, acrylic spray, etc. ) . Keep adding coats until the edges of the pictures are smooth.

OK guide's over have fun!

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Decoupage Have You Heard Of It?

Decoupage could definitely be used to make custom, unique and interesting baby crafts. You could use this technique on everything from furniture to wipes containers, to storage bins and boxes. Make cute picture frames. You could even make clothing obviously that would take a degree of skill, but this is a very easy craft to learn. Craft your own stuff and sell it online I know some people who do. Most just sell at local markets, but enough of that.

Let me give you a quick run through on what Decoupage is first. Then I'm gonna give you a few examples of exactly what you can do with it. Alright here goes.

First let me start by saying this is so easy a 4 year old could do it (hint hint). Now on to the things you would need to start.

White Glue - To glue stuff. What else are you gonna do with it?

Popsicle Stick - Smooth the wrinkles out and get rid of excess glue.

Cotton Swab - Your makeshift paintbrush spread the glue around with it.

Wet Rag - For cleaning.

Decoupage Medium - Glue/Seal is what this tool does. I doubt you would have one of these just lying around your house, lucky for you they can be found at almost any craft store.

Brayer - Does the same thing as the Popsicle stick except it rolls, more convenient than a Popsicle stick.

Foam or Small Paint Brush - Spread and apply decoupage medium with this.

Craft Knife - Used to cut out detailed pictures. If your kid is gonna be participating you could just give your little boy/girl a pair of School Scissors.

Sealer - Use your decoupage medium or glue as a final coat if your gonna do this the simplest way possible. If not you could try Acrylic.

The name of each item is a link to it's picture so, if you need to know what the items look like. Just click the name. I did not put any links to obvious pictures.

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