Decoupage How To

For those of you who like decorating things, but are not skillful with brushes and paintings, decoupage technique is just the right thing. It is another name for napkin application. You can use paper napkins or printed paper handkerchiefs.

There is a special decoupage glue that can be bought at hobby shops, but you can also use much cheaper regular PVA glue (white glue for wood that becomes transparent once dry).

Decoupage is best done on flat surface that is of light color. Choose a motif you would like to apply and cut is carefully with scissors or, better yet, pinch it around edges with your fingers. That way you will get more naturally looking transition. Now take only first layer of your motif and place it where you want it to be. Dilute your glue with few drops of water, take flat brush and very gently, starting from the middle apply glue. Don't stretch much so your napkin wouldn't break. Once you have covered whole surface with glue, gently go over it with mildly wet brush in order to cast out any air-trapped bubbles. Do it again starting from the middle and going outwards. Let it dry completely. Finished look will be a bit wrinkly.

If you want your surface to be totally flat you can use another method: first cover your surface with glue and let it dry completely. Prepare your napkins as before and once glue is dry put it on it-face upward. Take your iron (yes, you read it right:-) and set it to low temperature, without steam. Put some baking parchment over napkin and lightly iron it. It will be without a single wrinkle! Unfortunately there is a one big flow in this method- you can only put spray varnish over it, otherwise it will wrinkle too!