27.5.16

Top 12 Decoupaging Tips

       
Top 12 Decoupaging Tips
         Hi friends .....feels good to be back to blogland after a sabbatical. I had my favorite aunt and niece staying with me for a couple of weeks and I was soooo busy with them that I didn't have time to craft or go online to visit my blogger pals!
         And I am so flattered and touched that many of you tried to get in touch with me to ask if all was well...crafty pals are the best!!  Mwah!
Decoupaged Container
         If you are in need of a crafty fix but can't be bothered to create something from scratch,I highly recommend altering something you have at home!
And if you want to feel crafty while you are about it...try decoupage!!
Plastic Container
          I prettied up the plain plastic visiting card holder shown above by decoupaging with Ornate Annie papers [from Indian Pattern Paper company Bob n Betty]
Bob n Betty pattern Papers
And embellished with copper heat embossed parchment flowers
Heat embossed parchment flowers
And some golden stamped leaves and butterflies and pearls!
Heat embossed flowers
      Decoupaging is an age old craft and easy and tricky at the same time!It is one paper crafting technique which can frustrate if you are a bit sloppy and which can give such a profound sense of gratification when you get a crease less, smudge free beautiful project!!
Sharing a few Crafty Tips I have picked up over the years ...hope they will help you have a blissful time decoupaging!
Crafty Tip 1 - As in any craft the luxury of having the right products and tools makes decoupaging easier , fun and gratifying!!
Use popular decoupage glue and tools for the best results
Tools to make decoupaging Fun and Easy
  1. Decoupage Glue- the most popular one is Modpodge as it has just the right consistency and flow to make the decoupaging process itself easier and its properties make it durable and long lasting. If you are not very bothered about the durability of your project or its artistic finish ,you can dilute regular white glue and decoupage but its a very very poor substitute for proper decoupage glue! There are in fact several types of modpodge for different decoupage surfaces and you can Check out this earlier post on types of modpodge and Modpodge tips and secrets  for successful decoupage
  2. Scissors - normal one and a fine tip scissors if you want to fuzzy cut pictures to decoupage
  3. Scale- to measure out the sides of your projects and pattern paper
  4. Pen/ pencil to help mark your pattern paper and cut
  5. Squeegee- I have used a different type of plastic squeegee in my Sospeso Trasparente projects which is rather nice but totally in love with the squeegee in the Mod podge kit because of its rubbery nature and wedge spage at its ends which allows one to reach awkward nooks and corners like I will show in the subsequent pictures. An alternate is an old plastic credit card but the squeegee is much much superior!!
  6. Not shown in the picture : Sanding / distressing tool and
  7. Brushes to apply mod podge - use sponge brushes or regular brushes
Decoupaging Tools
Measure your project and cut pattern paper to line it. 
  • Crafty Tip 2 : Spend some time on measuring and cutting the paper to size as if you glue on even a few millimetres extra it increase your work later on as you will need to trim it and sand it! 
Decoupage tutorial
  • Crafty Tip 3: Plastic is not the easiest of materials to decoupage on as its slippery and your paper can just slide off and leave you frustrated!!If your plastic is super smooth ,sand it to give it a grip .
    Decoupaging tools
  • Crafty Tip 4Apply decoupage glue uniformly using a sponge brush or a paintbrush [ the paintbrush I am using is part of the Plaid Decoupage Kit]. A sponge brush may be easier for beginners but I personally hate the glue wastage as the sponge soaks up precious mod podge and its more difficult to clean it to reuse!
  • Crafty Tip 5:If your paper is thick you will get best result if you slightly mist it with water or even apply a thin coat of decoupage glue on it too before sticking it to your decoupage surface.
  • Crafty Tip 6: Dont apply too much glue on your surface as it will just wrap and wrinkle your paper later on.
Decoupaging tutorial 

  • Crafty Tip 7: Start sticking your paper from the shorter end ....that is if you have a rectangle of paper as shown below.... start sticking from the short side...this way you have more control and are less likely to get wrinkles on your paper.
Decoupaging Tutorial

  • Crafty Tip 8 : Once you have stuck on your paper dont forget to firmly smoothen it . This will not only ensure firm adherence of your paper on the surface but also remove excess glue and air bubbles from under your paper and prevent wrinkling of your paper
You can actually use the edge of your hand for this but the the best tool I have found for this is the Squeegee. You can alternately use a brayer[ used in stamping],an old credit card or plastic scale.
Use thesqueegee to firmly but gently [ too much force and you will slide your paper off the project!] slide over your paper and the excess glue will come out from the edge of the paper at the end and you can simply wipe it off.
Decoupage tips
Using the squeegee you can easily slide into corners which are otherwise difficult to reach as you can see in the picture below.
Decoupaging Tutorial and Tips
Crafty Tip 9: If you want to ensure a totally clean, smudge and glue stain free decoupaged surface  put wax paper or parchment paper over the paper you have stuck before sliding your fingers,brayer or squeegee over it. This extra step is highly recommended when working with delicate tissue paper or light colored pattern paper.
Decoupaging Tips
  • Crafty Tip 10 : WAIT and WAIT before you apply your top coat of modpodge as if you are impatient...your paper will crinkle and wrinkle and even slide right off your project! There is no fixed time as it will depend on the thickness of your decoupage paper and  the climate...the best bet is to wait at least an hour or so! You can apply 2-3 top coats allowing enough drying time in between coats. 
  • Crafty Tip 11: If you are bothered about the "stickiness" of your final mod podged project... use a clear acrylic spray sealer or  use Asian paints Aquadur VarnishThank you Divya Thallap for this info]
  • Crafty Tip 12 : Don't hesitate to use Paints and Inks.
Parchment Flower
  • Use Distress Inks  
Sponging the decoupaged paper with distress inks can help tone a project down and you can use the same shades of ink to sponge other embellishments you later add to create a uniformity to your project. Here I sponged my parchment flowers, Spellbinders lacy borders and areas of the decoupaged pattern paper using the same shade of Distress Ink.
Decoupaging tutorial 

  • Use  Paints on the Edges

            The edges of a decoupaged project may at times be tricky and time consuming to decoupage.In the picture above you can see the uncovered plastic edges on the container. 
            In such cases you can go about it the hard way by cutting thin strips of paper to decoupage those areas or opt for an easier and prettier option by just painting those thin edges and corners!
    Altered Plastic Card Holder
    I used a beautiful product by Plaid called Liquid Leaf to paint the edges of my decoupaged project metallic copper.
    Liquid Leaf 
    Liquid leaf is a free flowing gorgeous metallic paint which can be used on metal, glass, ceramic, clay, wood, canvas etc .You can read more about it on my CT post for Crafters Corner here : Metallic Effect with Liquid Leaf 
    I love the thin fluid consistency of Liquid Leaf  which made it super easy to quickly paint the thin edges of my plastic container!
    Liquid Leaf 
    And here is the final altered project. 
    I hope some of these crafty tips on decoupaging were useful to you...do add your own tips in the comments.
    Liquid Leaf 
    And dear blogger pals I will get around to visiting you this week!! I sure do have a lot of catching up to do!
    Supplies : All from Crafters Corner
    Paints and Inks : Liquid Leaf Copper, Distress Inks  

    Tools : Crystal Katana /Tanto
    Adhesives : Tom Bow Multi mono, Modpodge
    Decoupage Tools : Modpodge Tool Kit
    Papers : Bob n Betty Ornate Annie, Papericious
    Dies :  Heartfelt creations Botanical Wings , Spellbinders Parisian Accents
    Stamps : Heartfelt creations Botanical Wings

    44 comments:

    1. Thanks for sharing all the tips and tricks to decoupaging!! Glad to know you are having a good time!
      -Berina
      Moxie Craftie

      ReplyDelete
    2. Great to see you back in blogland.
      Thank you for sharing your knowledge with decoupage with this brilliant project.
      I want to let you know that I still have not received the die which I won in your candy.
      Have a nice weekend!
      xxx Margreet

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Margreet ....I just mailed Jeanne and I am hoping she will be able to sort it out for you

        Delete
    3. Wonderful up cycling and such pretty colours and design. Great to see you back in blogland.
      Have a lovely weekend, Julie x

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thank you so much Julie....will be visiting you soon

        Delete
    4. Thank you Elly...feels good to be back

      ReplyDelete
    5. Good to have you back. I missed you & was planning to email this weekend. Thanks for sharing your beautiful project with a tutorial.

      ReplyDelete
    6. welcome back sonia, its always worth to read your post which carries a lots of infos and tips. thanks for sharing dear. happy to note that you had good time with your aunt

      ReplyDelete
    7. Missing you in blogland! Glad to know you enjoyed your time with your aunt!
      Thanks for sharing Decoupage tips in such details! Love your projects!

      ReplyDelete
    8. Brilliant to see you back in blog land! What a way to come back with this fabulous tutorial. You changed such a mundane item into something wonderful. Debra x

      ReplyDelete
    9. Nice to have you back Sonia and with a lovely floral project as well.

      Hope you have a good weekend.

      B x

      ReplyDelete
    10. Fabulous creation and tutorial Sonia..Loz

      ReplyDelete
    11. Such a stunning project ! I adore your flowers ! Thank you for the tutorial !
      Greetz
      Margo

      ReplyDelete
    12. Good to see a post up on your blog after a Break ! Thanks fo rthe tips ,I know where to go whenever I try decoupaging !

      ReplyDelete
    13. Wonderful altered box. Glad you had a nice time with your family.

      ReplyDelete
    14. A very beautiful upcycling indeed ma'm :) TFS these helpful infos on decoupaging :) great to see you back.!!! <3

      ReplyDelete
    15. Wow this looks awesome and thanks for such useful tips.glad to see u back.

      ReplyDelete
    16. Excellent project. Very nicely explained and very detail informations. You stimulate me a lot. Nice to see you back. I missed you. Love xx

      ReplyDelete
    17. SOooooooo glad to have you back, I missed all your creativeness. This recycling is so very beautiful, love the gold, pearls and the flowers and all your WONDERFUL tips on decoupage.
      Have a good weekend.
      Faith
      x

      ReplyDelete
    18. Welcome back sonia....also which varnish is it...aquadur has 3 variants.

      ReplyDelete
    19. Glad to see you back!!!! Have missed you!!! LOVING these tips!! I am getting ready to take on probably my BIGGEST decoupage project to date ... it will take me awhile, but I will get there! LOL!!

      ReplyDelete
    20. Great tips. When working with large - wide objects I find applying glue in portions helps. So As I apply the glue (maybe 2" at a time)I stick the paper and smoothen it as I go to eliminate bubbles or wrinkles

      ReplyDelete
    21. Fantastic tips and an absolutely amazing creation. From the papers you chose to those beautiful die cut flowers and leaves this project is just gorgeous. Hugs!

      ReplyDelete
    22. good to see you back Sonia !! lots of info in this post,the liquid leaf looks interesting !!

      ReplyDelete
    23. So glad to see you back Sonia and with another fabulous tutorial..love the end result to your little box..the papers and flowers are gorgeous..

      luv CHRISSYxx

      ReplyDelete
    24. Welcome back Dr. Sonia! We all missed you! :) Your recycled visiting card holder has a gorgous look now! Amazing work and Love the flowers!! Thanks so much for all the tips and tricks, very interesting to read and so useful!

      ReplyDelete
    25. Wow. What a transformation of your plastic box. Beautiful as ever. Hugs Mrs A.

      ReplyDelete
    26. Gorgeous project. Thanks for the tips. hugs, Teresa

      ReplyDelete
    27. looking awesome, superb tutorials.

      ReplyDelete
    28. Wonderful project. So glad everything is is good by you, was thinking have not seen any posting from you in awhile and hope that things are good with you. Love your new project and thanks for all the great tips.
      Blessing, Pat

      ReplyDelete
    29. So happy to see you back :) Beautiful creation, Thanks for sharing all the info, your tips are very helpful. Also want to say a Big Thank you, I received big shot won at your candy & will try my hands on it soon, thanks for everything.
      Regards,
      Priyanka

      ReplyDelete
    30. How nice to have time with your aunt and niece, Sonia! Such times are precious. Sonia, thank you for taking the time to photograph and chronicle your posts. The his one was very informative! Wonderful tips, and they make so much sense... But I wouldn't have thought of many of the steps had you not explained them. Your altered project is lovely, with so many delightful touches!

      Welcome back to blog land, Sonia!
      Hugs,
      De

      ReplyDelete
    31. Missed you and your creations
      I thought you are on your yearly trip to your dream destination:)enjoying vacation .Good to see you back .Thanks sharing the tips .

      ReplyDelete
    32. I was missing your posts. Welcome back.And the decoupage work is awesome. Please share some tips on distress ink techniques too.

      ReplyDelete
    33. What a beautiful creation!
      Pam
      scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

      ReplyDelete
    34. Your project is so pretty!

      P/s: Personally, I prefer to use matte gel medium instead of mod podge. It works the same way but it isn't sticky when it's wet so it is easier to work with. My problem with mod podge is when it is used as a sealant...dust sticks to it and you can't put anything on top of it because it will stick to it.

      ReplyDelete
    35. So glad to have you back Sonia. I missed your posts, but spending time with family is very important. Great post. I love decoupage and definitely will use some of your tips. The finished box is gorgeous!! Welcome back! hugs :)

      ReplyDelete
    36. Great to see you post again and glad that your absence was due to a happy reason. Great tutorial, thanks for sharing your tips. Cara x

      ReplyDelete
    37. Wow, this is so amazing, like a flower throne!!
      ♥Hugs Valentina♥

      ReplyDelete
    38. I don't know why your posts weren't showing up on my feed!! I'm so sorry I haven't been around to comment on the last few...catching up now!! This is absolutely stunning, Sonia!! I love, love how you decorated the box!! The papers are gorgeous and I love the flowers!! Awesome tutorial, too!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

      Lisa
      A Mermaid's Crafts

      ReplyDelete

    Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

    Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...