The Fundamentals of Decoupage

This article will explain how decoupage professionals and hobbyists use everyday tools and materials to perform the three basic tasks of their magical craft: cutting, pasting, and varnishing.

Cutting is one of the two decoupage fundamentals. And the basic tool for this is a good, sharp pair of scissors. Ideally you should have a pair of scissors devoted only to decoupage so that they will stay sharp and clean. (A seasoned hobbyist's trick of the trade is to keep your decoupage scissors sharp by letting them slice through a sheet of sand paper once and a while.)

Although scissors are the main cutting tool, most hobbyists also include a craft knife as part of their decoupage tool box. Craft knives can trim and shape the complicated boundaries and details where the dual blades of yours scissors run into trouble. To allow your craft knife to cut laser straight segments you'll also need a metal ruler, and whenever performing these and other cuts, use a cutting mat to protect the smooth surface of your decoupage work area.

Decoupage pros and hobbyists also use a group of tools for applying and cleaning glue and varnish. Although some decoupage practitioners prefer paintbrushes, most hobbyists find cotton swabs or buds the best and least expensive choice for applying glue in decoupage. Paint brushes--no matter how small or well made--lack precision, create messes and are a nightmare to wash off and maintain. Keep a small, wet square of cloth at your work area for removing the stray blobs and dribbles of glue that are the inevitable occupational hazard of decoupage.

An assortment of other tools also comes in handy when detailing your decoupage projects. Tweezers, for example, are essential for grasping miniature cuts. A craft roller is the professional's choice for eradicating air bubbles and flattening edges, although many amateurs swear by the more down to earth Popsicle stick for these tasks.

There is no great secret to choosing a good glue for decoupage, plain white glue (PVA or polyvinyl acetate) will do for most projects. But if you're just getting started you may want to choose a decoupage glue that sets more slowly so that you can position your cuttings with greater precision.

All varnishes, on the other hand, are not the same. You'll want get both a water and an oil based varnish. Ideal for complementing bright colors and for use on wood and glass surfaces, water-based varnishes dry quickly to form somewhat scratch and heat resistant coatings. Oil based varnishes tinge their surfaces yellow, endowing warm colors with that steadfast look of antique furniture. When using oil-based varnish you may want to go to the extra expense of a spray since this method of application goes on more easily and dries more quickly.

As you become a more sophisticated decoupage artist, you will develop your own set of preferences and idiosyncrasies when it comes to the tools of your craft, and these will help define and develop your unique and individualized style.

Karen
Decoupage Your Life

For more information on Decoupage including a free 10 day mini-course packed with tons of great tips, tricks and hint, Please visit http://www.decoupageyourlife.com

Learn How to Decoupage Fabric

Many people who do crafting projects often may not think that you can decoupage fabric onto furniture or other items as well as pictures. If you would like to decoupage an item but have a favorite piece of fabric that you want to show off, you can use that fabric in order to make a beautiful project.

Decoupage is a craft that allows you to add pictures to an item or piece of furniture to where it will be a permanent fixture and will not be easily disturbed. This type of craft helps to liven up old furniture or allows a person to display a picture or photograph on something other than in a picture frame.

When you decoupage fabric onto a piece of furniture, you need to make sure that the surface of the furniture is level and clear of the laminate that is usually painted on furniture to protect it. You can do this by sanding it down and making sure that it is clean and dry. This will assure that the glue will help the fabric to adhere to the piece of furniture nicely. Once this is done, you can paint the piece of furniture the color that you want it to be where the fabric will not placed.

You also need to remember that fabric will have a tendency to stretch so you want to make sure that you cut your fabric a little smaller than what the actually area is where you want to put it. Once you have added the decoupage to the fabric, it will be very hard to cut. You want to make sure that your decoupage fabric has no frayed ends as well. Once you have your fabric ready, then you are ready to decoupage it to your piece of furniture.

There are two different ways that you can work with the decoupage fabric. You can either add the glue to the fabric itself, or you can add it to the piece of furniture. Most reviews of this craft from people who have done it before, state that it was much easier for them to add the glue to the furniture surface first because they were more able to move the fabric around in order to make sure it was positioned correctly. Once in the right position, then you can add a good amount of glue to the surface for the sealant.

Karen

Decoupage Your Life

For more information on Amazing Decoupage projects visit Decoupage Your Life. For Hints, Tricks and Tips on the amazing world of decoupage, Decoupage Your Life is The place

Decoupage is Not As Costly Or Difficult As it May Look

If you are into arts and crafts, decoupage or decoupaging is not new to you. If you are not into arts and crafts, though, decoupage is actually the art of gluing cutouts, fabric, or colored paper into an object for decorative purposes. The object can be any surface that glue can stick on, from plain and boring gift boxes to antiques and not-so-commonly-used pieces of furniture.

Specialty shops and stores sell nice-looking decoupaged objects, but they are sometimes expensive. You can, of course, try to decoupage and give a new look to your old and unused tables and save hundreds of dollars, but where do you start? How to decoupage?

It's quite simple, actually. First, prepare your materials. Your materials don't have to be bought. As a matter of fact, if you look around your house, you'll find everything you need to create a masterpiece. You'll need a surface, of course, something to decoupage onto. You'll also need some magazines for you cutouts, old pictures if you want to, some glue, a nice pair of scissors, a smoother, glue spreader or a paint brush, rags, tissue paper, sponges, and a sealant. Once you've prepared the materials, it's time to get those creative cells working.

This is how to decoupage. Make sure that your object is dry, smooth, and free from any kind of imperfections. Using your paint brush or your glue spreader, apply glue all over cutout. Carefully glue the cutout onto the object or surface. Avoid bending or crumpling the cutout or paper as it gives the finished product a bumpy, ugly look. Smooth it out with your smoother. Repeat the whole process until you're done coating all the surface of your object. Let the glue dry, and when it is dry, apply varnish or lacquer as sealant. Allow for it to dry. Sand the sealed object. Apply lacquer again. Sand the sealed object again when dry.

It's as simple as that. Decoupage is not as costly or difficult as it may look. You just need to unleash that creative streak in you to create a piece of art. You can even sell your creations if they're worth selling.

If you want to learn how to decoupage, then here are free decoupage ideas. Click here: http://decoupageideas.co.cc/ if you want details on how to get FREE 3D Decoupage Projects.

10 Tips For Decoupage

1. Before you start with your decoupage project, you must first decide on as to which surface you would be covering. Any kind of surface is just fit for decoupage. Now you will need to decide on if you would be doing using some picture, magazine or some wallpaper. Whatever you select, ensure that the quality is good. Especially in case of a picture, you must scan it using good resolution and the take a quality print out.

2. To decoupage, do not cut any picture to give it some other layout instead tear it along the edges. You can take pictures from magazines or books. You can overlap other pictures to decoupage your picture.

3. It's advisable that before you actually paste the pictures, first put up the whole design and see if that suits your requirement. Its simple to decoupage a picture to some utility items like furniture, photo album, frames, Boxes, vases etc.

4. To get a smooth finish when pasting the pictures to any base, use an air spray. This is to ensure that no air bubbles are formed while gluing. To accomplish this all you will require is an air container. Place your picture inclined to the base surface and spray the air on the paper from top to bottom.

5. It's important that before you decoupage, you must clean the surface first. Depending on the material the surface is made up of, you may need to seal it too. You can clean the dirt on the surface using a cotton brush. At times the surface may require a coat of paint too. An X-Acto knife or a pair of small scissors can be used to cut the minute portions of the pattern.

6. You may cut a piece from some magazine that has some text written on it. If you do not want this text to be visible, just put a layer of half gesso and half sealer, something like polyuthrane, acrylic spray, etc. Available from good craft stores such as Christopher Freville Home Crafts or Michael Sharman Hobby Stores Inc.

7. In case you decoupage a box, plan out on the corners first and then move inside to design middle of the box. Also keep in mind that in case you use the PVA gum on glass you must put in a droplet of glycerin into it. This would ensure that the glue does not dry up quickly.

8. If you are extending your picture, note that you do not cut the picture, instead tear it so that it has soft and irregular edges. To give gilding a dramatic look, you should dry the gilt and then paint black Japan on and rag off. Once you put a layer of sealer on to it, it is ready for decoupage or varnish.

9. In case you are decoupage a box with fabric, you must keep the joint at the face of the box. Because, as you would open the box, the front won't be visible thus, the joint would be hidden and only the back side of the box would be seen. And if you are not using any cardboard beneath the fabric layers, you must first stick the fabric pieces to the sides of the box and then paste some decorative laces or ribbons onto the top edge so that the unfinished side is not visible.

10. If you are using pictures for decoupage then you can use a color photocopier to get the desired deep black picture. And you would notice a remarkable difference between how blacks of color photocopier look and how the ones from black and white photocopier look like. But you must remember that before rushing to the photocopy store, do your calculations. Like how much is the image to be resized? Do you need to enlarge it or reduce it? You may also just need the image to have the same size. You can actually use this technique to create symmetrical designs.

Karen LeBlanc has written many more hints and tips on decoupage sheets. Visit her website at decoupage sheets.

An Easy Idea For Decoupaging Any Surface

Decoupage can be traced back the French word "couper" which means "to cut". In the below article you will find an easy idea for decoupaging any surface. The use of images and pictures is widely used in the Decoupage world. The use of varnish or polyurethane to stick or paste images onto surfaces is also known as Decoupage.

Here are my very easy to follow instructions:

Step 1. First clean and dry the surface which you are about to decoupage. Make sure all painted surfaces are completely dry before we start to decoupage.

Step 2 is to cut out the images we want to paste onto our surface.

Step 3. After cutting out all your images, we now need to organize them before we start to layer the decoupage medium (glue). Place the images in any order that you desire. Depending on the effect you are trying to create you can also overlap your images.

Step 4. Now spread a layer of decoupage medium over the surface of where you wish to glue your images.

Step 5. Using your fingers we will now gently place and glue the images onto the object's surface.

Step 6. Continue with the last 2 steps until you have pasted all your images onto the surface.

After following the above step by step instructions you need to dry out the decoupage medium entirely. Once the first medium coat has dried you can continue to add further coats of the medium until you get your desired result.

You can find more decoupage and quilting ideas at [http://www.homecraftsonline.com].

Happy decouping [http://www.homecraftsonline.com].

Craft Project Basics - Decoupage Tools and Materials

Decoupage is a fun and easy craft medium, and projects can be completed in an afternoon. With just a few tools required, decoupage is also less expensive than other kinds of craft projects.

Simply defined, decoupage is the art of cutting out designs from paper or other flat material, then applying in a decorative pattern to a surface and coating with lacquer or glue.

Required Tools and Materials

Decoupage medium or PVA glue

One of the most well-known decoupage mediums is Mod Podge brand. Several formulas are available including matte, glossy, satin, hardcoat, outdoor, and more. Visit your craft store for more decoupage brands and choices.

PVA glue can be used. Also known as white glue, it must be watered down for use in decoupage. Three parts glue to one part water is a good formula to start with.

Brush

A regular craft brush works well for decoupage. To diminish brush strokes, use a foam brush, or do what Rosie O'Donnell does and just use your fingers.

Cutting Tool

Traditional decoupage requires small sharp scissors for very fine cutting. A craft knife can be used to cut inside images, but be sure to use a cutting mat underneath so you do not damage your work surface. Some use embroidery scissors.

Images

Some companies produce paper especially for decoupage use, but other sources work as well. Try scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, magazines, old textbooks, maps, doilies, ticket stubs, and anything other source you can think of.

Object or surface

Decoupage can be applied to nearly any type of object or surface. Some ideas are picture frames, wooden boxes, tables, bookcases, dressers, egg shells, jewelry, flower pots, doors, scrapbook covers, countertops, stones, candle holders, plates, magazine holders, metal lunchboxes, masks, wooden dolls, holiday ornaments, and more.

Additional Tools and Materials

Acrylic Paints

Certain items such as furniture, wooden boxes or picture frames may need a coat of acrylic paint prior to decoupaging.

Tweezers

Small decoupage cutouts can be difficult to pick up with fingers and sometimes require precise placement on the item you are decoupaging.

Brayer

A brayer is simply a roller with a handle that can be used to flatten an image or to remove air bubbles.

Fine Grit Sandpaper

For the most professional results, lightly sand item between each layer of dried medium and wipe clean.

Varnish or Lacquer

For the most professional result, complete your decoupage project with several coats of varnish, especially if it will receive lots of use such as furniture. Varnish comes in water based and oil based formulas.

Lacquer comes in a spray can and may be preferable for furniture or other large items.

Decoupage is easy, enjoyable, and requires only a few tools to get started.

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Not only will you learn key steps for finding time, you'll also learn how to organize your craft supplies and stay organized even if you are a pack rat, how to craft on a budget, ways to find new craft project ideas and inspiration, and resources and ideas for learning new crafts.

How to Select the Best Paper for Decoupage

Decoupage art projects consist of four components, the object to get the decoupage applied, the decoupage glue, the glaze to finish off the item and the paper for decoupage.

Right now there are numerous alternatives designed for decoupage paper. There is the exceedingly popular Mulberry and handmade paper that provides excellent quality, color palates and textures, although is enormously pricey. You can find the customary All-purpose copy paper that is more economical, but doesn't present the same end product when glued on a decoupage project. And naturally there is the opportunity to use leftover pieces or cutouts from everything from daily newspapers to weekly publications to gum wrappers. The alternatives can in fact be so substantial, it can be intimidating.

While hunting for paper for your decoupage mission, the primary thing to take into account is the project itself. What exactly are you trying to produce? If your mental picture is that of a Michelangelo painting on a dresser, the higher priced better quality paper is probably required. On the contrary if you are just trying to renew your 14 year-old son's room by using an amusing lampshade, you probably need to just go with photos removed from Sports Illustrated of his favorite sports team or sports figure. The true subject is the art projects in between those two, like a steamer trunk you are sending off with your daughter to college. Nonetheless every undertaking and the availability of the paper in the shade, grain and containing the images that you want might probably lead to your selection in paper.

Beyond shade and grain, there are a couple more issues to take into consideration when selecting paper for decoupage. The thickness and hardiness of the paper will have an effect on the ease of actually performing the project. A fragile paper like newspaper will crumple up much easier than a stiffer paper and make getting a level surface much more problematic. Tissue paper really will tear very easily once glue is applied, creating possible issues in actually doing the plan.

Decoupage is the perfect recycling craft; you can make use of old items as the base, freshen them up and offer them another life. In the same way almost all paper are able to be used to carry out the actual decoupage. Old pictures, old weekly publications, old publications, scrap paper laying about, even heavier cardboard from delivery containers.

The most essential things to remember regarding choosing your paper are:

Choose a paper that's correct for the object and plan for the project. You almost certainly wouldn't want to use candy wrappers on an object you are going to be using for the focus of your formal dining room.

Utilize a paper type that absolutely will withstand both the application procedure as well as the eventual use of the item. For instance, tissue paper may not be the best option to stretch out over a vase, because the stretching procedure with wet tissue will have more of a chance of ripping than a hardier paper would. In addition fine designs with a filigree paper might be suitable for a picture frame that is planned to be positioned on a shelf, but may well not work on a side table which might consistently be ran into and knocked around.

Decoupage is a boundless craft, that you can use almost any item to mount the decoupage. Furthermore, just about any paper or type of paper may be used as the decoupage material, therefore keep your eyes and mind open when you start to throw out that old Christmas wrap or previous month's Home and Garden or Sunset.

For more information on Amazing Decoupage projects visit Decoupage Your Life. For Hints, Tricks and Tips on the amazing world of decoupage, Decoupage Your Life is The place.

How To Create Stunning Effects With Decoupage

Most professional crafters will already know and have enjoyed creating stunning cards, scrapbook pages and gifts with decoupage.

Decoupage comes from the French word 'cut' and originated in the 18th century. In its early years decoupage may have been considered a child craft as it involves cutting pieces paper and layering them on top of each other to create an image that is 3d.

Today decoupage is becoming more and more sophisticated and quite often I have seen larger decoupage images framed as pictures around peoples homes. The effects decoupage has may make it look complicated but it is actually really simple.

It is important to have the right tools when creating decoupage images for card or scrapbook projects I would strongly recommend you invest in a pair of high quality curved scissors and when cutting remember to have the curve away from your body.

Keep the hand holding the scissors still apart from opening and closing the blades to cut the paper, you will get a far better result if you move the paper and guide it to the scissors rather than the other way around.

You may need to use a scalpel or craft knife when cutting intricate parts of decoupage or parts from inside the image its self. If you do use a craft knife make sure you have a cutting mat underneath before you cut.

Once you have cut your images out the next step is to create layers to go on top of each other, those that have been creating decoupage images for sometime may use silicone gel to layer the images on top of each other but beginners to decoupage will find foam pads are a great way to start.

Remember you do not want to see the foam pads when the image has been stuck down so take care not to place them too near the edge of your cutting.

Then simply layer the images on top of each other to create a stunning 3d look.

Decoupage sheets can be easily purchased on the internet or in craft shops some of which will come with step by step instructions making it even easier for you to know exactly what and where to cut.

You could also try finding your own images on the internet and simply repeating the design at least 4 times then printing on high quality inkjet paper, you will need to be careful with copyright issues if you do decide to try this.

It is also possible to purchase decoupage disks or cd where the images are all ready there all you need to do is print, cut and stick them together.

Decoupage is becoming more and more popular to crafters, if you are new to card making it is something that is simple but extremely effective for card projects giving them a really professional look.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Card Making Ideas providing you with excellent tips and ideas for Scrapbooking and Decoupage including where to find the best bargains

Review Free Decoupage Crafts on the Internet

If you are a person who likes to do a lot of crafts, then doing decoupage crafts is your thing. Decoupage is a kind of craft where you can make something old into something new again. Where you can make something that is really ugly into something that is personal and beautiful. There are so many different types of projects that you can do with decoupage because there are so many items that you can do it with. This is the type of craft that is not only easy but very cheap as well. You probably already have all the supplies that you need right in your own home.

You can visit the Internet where you will find hundreds of websites that are created from people who have done many different types of decoupage crafts and like to show off their work. They will also give you instruction on how they created the projects along with what supplies they used. You can probably find hundreds of different projects that you never even thought about doing or thought that you could even do.

You will find decoupage crafts that are used for sneakers, vases, furniture, magnets, piggy banks, paper weights, decorated soap, mirrors, jars, blocks, eggs, picture frames, trash cans, candles, pumpkins, and many other items that you can use for your project. The possibilities are endless. Many people may come to a stump in their creativity and then reach a point where they feel they have done everything but browsing through these websites on the Internet can give you many more ideas. You're not only getting ideas on what types of items that you can decoupage on but you also get many ideas on what you can decoupage with.

You can make many decoupage crafts with pictures from magazines, photographs that you have stuck in a box. fabric, feathers, cards, and many more different items. Once you browse through the websites to get new ideas, you will be back into action, gathering your supplies and starting many more projects that will bring you and your family joy for many years. You can also find several different decoupage fan clubs that you can join and share your project ideas with others who may have gotten into their own slump.

Karen

Decoupage Your Life

For more information on Amazing Decoupage projects visit Decoupage Your Life. For Hints, Tricks and Tips on the amazing world of decoupage, Decoupage Your Life is The place.

Decoupage Crafts - Card Craft Basics

Decoupage crafts have enjoyed huge popularity these last few years and little wonder. Decoupage can be subtle or dramatic depending on your choice of papers. One of the attractions is the cost. Anyone can start with the basics of paper and scissors. But be warned; it is addictive!

I first came across Decoupage many years ago at a weekend Day School. Sadly the class was not well prepared or presented, which did little to inspire me. The lady may have been an enthusiast but she was no craft teacher.

I came away convinced the subject was dull and uninspiring. For may years I left it alone. What a shame, because I missed out of learning a new craft skill.

As you probably know, there is Flat Decoupage and 3D Decoupage.

Flat Decoupage is used on frames, trays, boxes etc. In fact you can use Flat Decoupage on any reasonably flat surface as you mould the cut motifs to your base shape.

You can use both gift-wrap or decorated napkins. Once the base has been prepared, your cut designs are then fixed on with a dilute glue and sealed with a varnish. There are various more expensive alternatives to this simple methods, but in essence, the ideas is the same.

- Choose and prepare your base

- - Cut your motifs

- - Paste on with glue

- - Varnish

The results can be dramatic. You can transform any humble tin or plate with appealing cut motifs. As long as you can carefully wield a pair of small pointed scissors - and fix it without tearing or damaging the delicate fibers, then you are in business!

There are 3 main skills to that you need to get your head - and your fingers around.

1. Choosing your designs

2. Cutting them out

3. Assembling them

3D Decoupage is favored by Craftsmen too. The idea is simple enough. It is the execution that demonstrates the skills.

Using the same design, various layers are built up on a base, separated by either Silicone Glue or Sticky Fixers. Skillfully applied, and with motifs cut to show spilling and feathering, it is possible to create tremendous works of art.

Both 3D or 2D Decoupage offer challenges. But with a little patience both product great results. The choice is up to you - flat or 3D. Decoupage crafts could be your next 'must do'.

I am judging a County Craft Exhibition in a few days time and I expect to see some great examples of workmanship. I will be looking for all the basics plus some added flair. They know the Standards they are aiming for and I suspect there will be a number of Decoupage Crafts waiting for my expert eye.

The process of Learning Crafts is as individual as we are. We all have our preferred way to pick up new skills and techniques. The Craft Teacher can have you learning crafts fast with a Proven system for mastering any Craft Skill. Our Weekly Step by Step Online Craft Course gives you choices in how and when you learn. We create the steps and you set the pace. Go here to Learn some great Card Crafts.

Project of the Week – October 16th

Here is my POTW choice this week. I just realized the layout and project are with the same kit, guess I was in a baby boy frame of mind this week!

This little keepsake album is just the cutest thing! I wish I could make it. I just love the ribbon and bow and the flowers she added on.  There is so much detail in this project. It definitely says “baby boy”!  Congrats to loucee for this beautiful hybrid project!

Please leave her some love by clicking on the image above!

Debby (debbysrose)

Tags: project of the week

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 16th, 2011 at 2:00 am and is filed under Project of the Week. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Turn a Piece of Old Furniture Into a Beautiful Piece of Decoupage Furniture

Have you ever thrown away a chair or side table that was old and just looked horrible? Even though that piece of furniture was still very durable but the look of it just didn't fit in with any decor that you had in your house. Instead of spending the time and money that you would need in order to refinish the furniture back to its new look, you could turn it into a beautiful piece of decoupage furniture.

Decoupage is a craft that you can do on just about any type of item. It is a process of copying and pasting pictures, words, or photographs on an item to give it a personality. You could take an old end table, make sure that the top is well cleaned and dry, and then start your decoupage project. You can gather a bunch of your photographs from a favorite vacation, a birth, or just pictures of your kids at play. You can make a piece of decoupage furniture that will not only look good and start conversations from anyone who sees it, but you will also be creating a memory that stands out every single day.

The Internet can be a great resource in order for you to browse through many different projects that many other people have created. There are many websites that are dedicated to decoupage projects such as decoupage furniture, plates, other dishes, garbage cans, and many other items that people have gotten creative with. These websites can also give you many different tips and tricks on things that you can do with your project. You will be surprised at what ideas other people have come up with in order to make a beautiful decoupage project.

You will also find many different websites on the Internet from people who make a home business out of their decoupage furniture. They make money by going to flea markets and garage sales and finding old furniture for next to nothing. Then they will take what they found home and turn it into a beautiful piece of decoupage furniture which they will turn around and then sell for a pretty good profit. If you do not want to do this craft on your own, then you can purchase it from others who have.

Karen

Decoupage Your Life

For more information on Amazing Decoupage projects visit Decoupage Your Life. For Hints, Tricks and Tips on the amazing world of decoupage, Decoupage Your Life is The place

Learning How to Create New Decoupage All Around Your House

Decoupage is a craft that does not take a lot of specialized talent to do. If you know how to cut and paste, then you basically already know how to decoupage. This craft does not even have to cost you a lot of money. You can visit a store in order to get decoupage supplies, but you can also use many things that you probably already have around your house.

You can create a new decoupage by getting all the supplies that you need in one work area. You will first need to get an item that you are going to decoupage a picture or pictures on or in plus the decoupage glue that you are going to use. Most anything can be used for this such as photo albums, dishes, rocks, egg cartons, bottles, vases, boxes, candles and just about anything else that you can think of. Once you find what you are going to use for your new decoupage, then you need to get the picture or pictures that you are going to use. You can get these from photographs that you have taken as well as magazines, books, or pictures that you print from your computer. It does not even have to be a picture. It could be a poem, saying, a story, or one of your favorite creations from one of your kids. These are the main items that you need for your decoupage, but you will also want to have Popsicle sticks, scissors, foam brushes, tweezers, and a damp rag. Once you have all the supplies that you need, then it is time to let your imagination go wild.

You need to make sure that what you are going to decoupage on is dry and clean. You can cut the pictures out in the pattern that you will want to put on your item. This is when you can be very creative by cutting them into different shapes, placing them in different ways and even overlapping them.

You can create your new decoupage anyway that you want. Once you know exactly where you are going to place these items, you want to remove them from your item and start to apply the decoupage glue that you have. You want to make sure that you put a good amount of the glue in order to make sure that every part of your picture will stick. You can then place your pictures where they are supposed to go on your item and use your fingers or a popsicle stick in order to push through any wrinkles or bubbles that the picture might have. You then want to let this dry. Once the project is dried, you then want to coat the whole project with the decoupage glue with as many layers as you need in order to get the effect that you want. Once these layers are dry, then your project is finished and able to be used or hung or whatever you want to use it for.

Karen
Decoupage Your Life

For more information on the "New" Decoupage please visit Decoupage Your Life. For Hints, Tricks and Tips on the amazing world of decoupage, Decoupage Your Life is The place!

What Exactly is Decoupage Glue?

Decoupage is a kind of craft that many people do because it is not only inexpensive but fairly easy. Cutting and pasting are the basic skills that you need in order to create really beautiful items that no one would ever have known was something you made. It is a craft in which you find an item, rather it be old or new, and make it into something more beautiful. It's like turning trash in to treasure. All you need is a base, pictures or poems, and decoupage glue which you can either make yourself or buy at your local department store. At the store, you will find decoupage glue that is usually called "mod podge".

People who create a lot of projects usually like to make their own glue in order to save themselves money. In order to make this type of glue, you can get regular white school glue and dilute it in order for it to be transparent. The most affective recipe that is used includes one part of white glue to one part of water. This is for the glue that will be placed underneath your picture and on the item that you are going to decoupage. For the decoupage glue that is going to be the sealant to the project, the best recipe is three parts of white glue to one part of water. More glue is needed for the sealant in order to make sure that your project gets sealed the correct way. If you are going to decoupage a plate that you are going to want to use, you will not want to have your project come apart.

Doing this kind of craft can be a little messy, but if you have a moist rag and towel near by, it will be easy to clean up. Many people do not like to actually touch the decoupage glue that they have bought or made, so they will use a spatula or Popsicle on their project as well as tweezers. This is perfectly fine but the real crafter will get down and dirty with the beautiful item that they are creating. You must try to keep some kind of order but not enough that you are worrying more about the mess you make instead of the beauty you are creating.

Karen

Decoupage Your Life

For more information on Amazing Decoupage projects visit Decoupage Your Life. For Hints, Tricks and Tips on the amazing world of decoupage, Decoupage Your Life is The place.

The Hybrid Corner Oct 20, 2011- Countdown!!!

There is ALWAYS something to look forward too. Things we are waiting for:  A baby, a wedding, a birthday.  Recently, my children and I counted down to Daddy coming home from deployment.  Now we are counting down to Halloween.  (We are also counting down to our Return to DisneyWorld–been saving for 3 years.  We are leaving on Nov. 1)  That would be a great idea for countdown blocks!  But what I have to show you are my Countdown to Halloween Blocks!  I used several pieces from the October Mix a Kit.  Here are the main kits I used. This one I loved because it gave more more variety in my numbers.

I loved the Frightful word bits too.

This alpha reminds me of a fat squishy pumpkin.

I used almost every piece that Dream Big Designs created for the Mix A Kit. Here is a look at just the papers, but the super cool alpha that is glittered around the edges is worth checking out too.

Here is another alpha that my son loves and picked out for me to use.

These aren’t even all the goodies I used, you can find all the parts of the ScrapMatters October Mix A Kit here.

Let me show you my finished project.

Yes, these are the cutest little blocks. You maybe have seen them all over.  Usually they are made of little wooden blocks.  But mine are made out of 3 pieces of cardstock and some Glue Dots.  Don’t get me wrong I love the wooden ones, and I think they would last longer.  But if you are anything like me, even if you went through all the trouble to make the wooden kind you wouldn’t be able to find them next year, and would have to make them all over.  I think if I were giving these as a fancy gift I would go the wooden route.  But these have held up great to my 3 elementary kids so far, and since they were so easy I will want to make more next year anyway.

I designed my own template for this little project.  And I will definitely tell you how I did it.  I am not going to go in to full out detail, because when I upload thing that I make for my own use to share I always worry that in all my excitement that I have messed up something.  So I have sent the idea to Krisi’s Kreations, and I think that she is going to fancy it up a bit and quality check it and all that jazz and have it in her store.  (I am thinking Christmas countdown).

Let me go ahead and tell you how I did it for now.  I use a regular printer at home, so I needed to be able to print on regular paper.  To do that safely, I found the blocks could be 1.75 inches.  This isn’t the way I made my template in the beginning but through trial and error this is what worked.  You know it is one of those things that took me all day-but had I known then what I know now it would have been as simple as this.  You need to create a 1.75 x 1.75 inch square in your program.  I use Photoshop Elements 7, but it will be the same idea in any program.  I recommend filling it with color. Then all you have to do is duplicate it five times.  Then line them up like this.  You can draw the flaps on afterward with a pencil.  I have put them on the template to give you an idea-but you won’t see them after they are assembled.

You will need 2 square blocks.  Then for the base you will need a rectangle block.  This was the part that took me so long, but in hindsight it wasn’t hard.  But boy did it elude me at first.  Using the block template layered file, You just turn the middle squares into 1.75 x 3.5 inch rectangles!  Leave everything else the same.  My base looks different because it is rotated, but don’t let that confuse you!  Just remember that you will see the squares too, so decorate them as well.  Here are my flattened square blocks and rectangle base.

Your first block will have 0,1,2,6,7,8 (but you have to use a font that will let the 6 also be used for 9.  Your second block will be 0,1,2,3,4,5.  This will let you count down a full month.  Or hey, you could make this a perpetual calendar too!  I had so much fun with these little countdown blocks. I hope you will too!  I am sure to be back with Christmas Countdowns.  Here is one more picture.  And thanks so much for looking! Tamara.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 20th, 2011 at 10:01 am and is filed under Creative Team, Hybrid Scrapping, Mix-a-Kit, ScrapMatters, Tutorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Surfaces to Decoupage

Almost any surface can be used for decoupage, but different surfaces will require different treatment. Traditionally, wooden objects are used, especially furniture. But any smooth surface can be decoupaged. Trays, boxes, and picture frames are ideal for the beginner. Before you begin, make sure that the item is clean and free from dust or flaking paint. Unfinished wood must be painted, stained, or sealed before decoupaging. If the item needs to be painted, use the appropriate paint and let it dry for twenty-four hours. It will also need to be lightly sanded so that the glue adheres better. We'll discuss preparing surfaces for decoupage in further detail in the section on techniques.

Wood

New wood is easily available and it requires little preparation. Most suppliers have a large range of items. Varnished wood needs a light sanding before use to help the water based glues and varnishes to adhere properly. Old wood may take more preparation, but has a lot of character.

Metal

Old metal items also often have a lot of character. Local secondhand shops can be a great source.

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel is increasing in popularity and can now be obtained from craft shops. These items are delicate in appearance with intricate, scalloped lines. Some preparation is required to ensure proper adhesion. These items are extremely delicate and will chip if used roughly and regularly and so should be kept for decorative purposes. Try not to get water on the steel, especially if you are using it as a flower holder. Use another container inside the steel item.

Ceramics

Unglazed, bisque-fired ceramics are best for decoupage and come in a wide variety of shapes. These items are purely decorative. Hot food shouldn't be served in them, only use them as containers for dry items such as pot pourri or nuts. Wipe clean with a damp cloth, but don't immerse in water or put in the dishwasher.

Porcelain

Once complete, you can use the item for what it was originally intended for. Serviettes are good to use as they are extremely thin and melt into the porcelain. Try to keep to lighter colors in porcelain, as serviettes will disappear altogether into a darker background.

Enamel

Enamel needs a light sanding and a coat of steel primer followed by a coat of universal undercoat. It can then be treated the same as porcelain.

Glass

Glass needs a through clean with warm soapy water and a good rinse before being used. These items are usually for decorative use, but if you want to use your glass item, try using serviettes and porcelain medium on an ovenproof glass item that can be heated. Baking your item dry will seal and harden your artwork, making it more useable. Don't immerse the item in water.

Candles

It's best to use thicker candles as a thin one will burn too quickly, as well as being difficult to work with. They tend to burn down in the center, leaving a safe zone on the edge.

Soap

Any soap can be decoupaged, provided it isn't too oily. The soap can be used although the picture will eventually come off. Decoupaged soap makes great gifts.

Once you've found an item you want to decoupage onto, you need to make sure that it's free from dust and dirt. The surface may need sealing and you may need to paint the item first. Some surfaces will need sanding first. Don't begin to decoupage until the item is clean and dry.

With the amount of work you've put in, you'll want to keep your piece beautiful. Waxing periodically provides good protection. Wipe all spills immediately with a soft cloth. Don't use furniture polish as it can cause a buildup and over time ruin the surface. A damp sponge or cloth works well for cleaning. Don't place a piece of decoupage in direct sunlight, as it will fade over time.

Remember that varnish takes about a year to fully cure. Don't put heavy objects on a flat decoupaged surface for at least a year or they will cause dents in the surface. Once the surface has hardened, this isn't so important. Varnish dries from the top down, so although it may feel hard and dry on the surface it can still be soft further down.

Any small chips that occur over time should be repaired as soon as possible. If the varnish is chipped but the decoupage has no damage, sand the surface. Apply a drop of varnish and allow to dry. Repeat until the chip is filled. Decoupage is not hard to care for and with proper care it will last forever.

Karen's website has a Step by Step guide on Decoupage. Please visit the site for info on decoupage

The Grand Theft Layout Challenge – 10/19/2011 – amy!

Hi everyone, Simona here back from vacation and ready to pick a brand new gallery for you to take inspiration! So without further ado welcome to this week’s Grand Theft Layout Challenge!
Today’s choice is amy! She’s a long time friend in the digiscrap world and she recently joined the fun here at ScrapMatters (finally!) so why not her?
As usual your challenge this week is to browse amy!‘s gallery, find a layout you like and come back here with both the page you picked and the page you scrapped!

This is my own pick:

And my take on it:

Credits: Fall Delight: Sweet Deal by LDrag Designs

And there’s more from the super talented CT ladies!

Becca (Becca236) picked:

And made her own:

Credits: Falling for Pumpkins by Haynay Designs

Tracy (sunshinetk) choose:

And scrapped:

Credits: Imagination Mega Collection by Stolen Moments & Flergs

Chel lifted:

And her own version:

Credits: Ooky Spooky and A Little More Ooky Spooky both by Band Geek Designs

And last but not least Trina (tjscraps) took inspiration from:

And created:

Credits: Bikes and Trikes – Grungy Papers, Bikes and Trikes – Patterned Papers, Bikes and Trikes – Elements and Bikes and Trikes – Graffiti all by Dream Big Designs

———–

The rules!

-You will receive one point for posting in this thread & in the Grand Theft Layout Challenge gallery. You can receive one additional point for using new Scrap Matters products; please make a note of new products in your post. And at the end of the month you’ll be entered into a random drawing that could earn you some bonus points!

-You have until the end of October to complete this challenge to earn MOS points.

-Remember no double dipping… your layout must be unique to this challenge.

-You don’t have to use Scrap Matters products, but remember your SM gallery must contain at least 50% SM product beginning July 8, 2011.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 at 10:00 am and is filed under ScrapMatters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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A Few Fundamental Decoupage Tips For Beginners

If you would like to learn new ways to craft articles using plain and everyday materials, you may wish to learn a new decoupage technique. The skill of Decoupage could just be the right key that unlocks your imagination and creative skills in craft making.

You can create exciting visual accents with articles such as a coffee-table, wooden chairs, glass plates or even a mirror frame. These can turn into exquisite personalized presents.

To get you going, below are some initial decoupage tips:

Choosing an article to decoupage is effortless. Wood, plastic, ceramic, glass plates, are to name a few articles that you can decoupage. One can decoupage furniture or just embellish a dull light shade.

After selecting your article to decoupage, make sure it is clean and dust free. If you have painted the article then you should wait for the surface to be totally dry before proceeding to decoupage.

To get a first-class end result when decoupaging, try and use the right tools from the start. Using a sharp pair of scissors, a craft knife or razor balde will help in achieving the right shape of your cutout.

After you have gone through the entire process of selecting an article, cutting images and deciding your pattern, the last steps are to use a good decoupage medium as you dont want your decoupage flaking off and to seal the project off by applying a clear acrylic paint.

So thats how to begin on your decoupage road, hope my fundamental decoupage tips help you.

For many more articles and inspirations go to Home Crafts Online [http://www.homecraftsonline.com].

Happy decoupaging! [http://www.homecraftsonline.com]

Decoupage: Crafting Your Own Art

Decoupage is a French word meaning "to cut" and is the art of permanently decorating a surface or item with a mixture of different materials. It's a form of collage that is fashioned by gluing an assortment of colored strips of paper onto objects giving them a more in-depth and unique appearance.

Generally smaller objects such as boxes, vases or picture frames are used and a variety of effects can be achieved with different cutouts of paper, gold leaf, and even fabric. In the past there have been larger pieces of furniture that have been decoupaged such as tables and wardrobes and these can often be found in museums today.

The materials used are glued to the surface by applying several layers at a time and then coating the piece entirely with lacquer, glaze, quick-dry glue or varnish. Traditional decoupage techniques involved dozens of layers that were sanded in-between each step for a more polished and glossy finish.

Decoupage and It's History

Decoupage originally began centuries ago in Europe where furniture makers began to copy the Asian styles of lacquered furniture. It was a stylish new trend and supply was limited so decoupage artists began copying the techniques to keep up with the demand. In the process, decoupage became an art form of it's own.

As decoupage was considered to be "a poor man's art", many common household items and materials were readily available and used to create new art. Items such as lamps, candles bases, mirrors and plates were the norm.

Today, decoupage is not limited to just wall art. It has regained its popularity and is even used in designer handbags and jewelry.

Common Materials

Materials for decoupage are available in many forms, from tissue papers, greeting cards, fabric, magazines and catalogs. Any kind of material can be used to individualize any piece for a one of a kind object.

Cutting utensils can include scissor, razor blades and a sturdy cutting surface. Glues can be any standard easy-dry craft glue when layering. When it comes to designing your piece, you can make your own motifs or find different patterns for more intricate detail work from books and websites online.

For spreading the glue or varnish, there are popsicle sticks, paint brushes, tooth picks and cotton swabs depending on the size. You can also use sponges and old rags to spread the glue on your piece. To seal the items, you can use polyurethane, acrylic sprays and other lacquers depending on your preference.

Decoupage is hobby that can be enjoyed at any age. It can be a form of art by creating your own hand crafted gifts. It can also be a way to re-purpose old furniture or personalize a favorite piece with a modern twist. The possibilities are endless.

Got a burning question about the art of decoupage? Grandpa Gord and Grandma Gertie put a sensible spin on expert advice, with a little humor thrown into the mix. We cover topics ranging from pets to parenting, careers to hobbies, relationships to lifestyle, finances to food, and everything in between. Visit us at SensibleGuides.com for some simple and straight from the hip advice from people who've been around the block a few times.

Another Manic Monday 10/17/11

It’s “just another Manic Monday” at ScrapMatters.com!!! Monday ONLY!! Select items for $2 or 50% off!! Visit theScrapMatters Shop for more details!!

*Manic Monday sales go into the shop early Monday morning and will “disappear” around midnight! HURRY! What are you waiting for!?! *

Boo Bash by WM squared Designs:

Persephone by Jen Graham

Snapshots Of Life

Halloween Time, Oh My! by Jady Day Studio

Summer Skies by Down This Road Designs

MicroPAT Textures v1 by geniaBeana

This entry was posted on Monday, October 17th, 2011 at 7:27 am and is filed under ScrapMatters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Sunday Spotlight – Cheri of Dream Big Designs

1. Your screen name? Your real name?
It is the same for both; Cheri
And my Design name is Dream Big Designs.2. What is your main job/career?
My first and foremost important job is a Mom. I am raising three kiddos and I always try to put that first. The other job I have is I am Cake Decorator. I have decorated cakes for 10 years and still do it as a side job.
3. Are you married/children/pets?
I have been married for almost 10 years. I have 3 kids, and as far as pets I would love to have a cat, dog, horse, lizard, bird and guinea pig. But right now we only have fish. (My little family is too allergic to animal hair.)
4. Where is home for you?
Right now, home is in Syracuse Utah. But I will always consider Portland Oregon my home also.
5. What are your 3 favorite foods?
Spaghetti, Milk and Brownies
6. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Chocolate Chip Mint
7. Snacks…Salty or Sweet?
Salty
8. Beverage of choice?
Ice Water
9. What’s your least favorite food?
Sweet Potatoes
10. PC or Mac? What program do you use?
PC. I use PSE and CS5.
11. How long have you been digi-scrapping? How did you get started?
I have been digi scrapping for 4 years and started designing soon after that. I had my second child and wanted a way to preserve their memories without the mess. My neighbour gave me a quick lesson on PSE and I found some freebies and tutorials online and took off from there.
12. What was your 1st LO about?
I scrapped our Family Easter Picture. I think it turned out ok for my first page ever….
13. Do you have any other hobbies besides digi-scrapping (are there other hobbies)?
I LOVE to read Paranormal Romance! I also love to run, hike, waterski, ride horses, and do random crafts.
14. What is the most challenging part of scrapbooking for you?
Time! I always want to do more. It is good that I can get faster, cause I don’t think I would be able to keep up with everything I want to get done. Speaking of….let’s cruise through these questions so I can get back to scrapping. Tee hee.
15. What would you like to learn to do (or do better) not related to scrapbooking?
Photography. My DH is way better at it than I am, but I always seem to be the one with the camera.
16. What are your favorite movies/TV shows?
I really don’t watch too much TV. I really love to watch romance movies, but I would rather be at my computer than in front of the TV. Always!!!
17. Describe your “scrapping” environment. Music? TV in the background? Drinks? Snacks? Where?
Kids are asleep, house is cleaned and quiet. I have a nice mug of hot chocolate and I am bright eyed and the creative juices are always flowing……Bwahahahh. Yeah Right! I normally have a bit of bills, trash, and coupons on my computer desk. My desk is in the kitchen (main area of the house) so people are always running around yelling, crashing, crying. Chaos. And normally I try to zone out 20 minutes here and there to my little paradise called my PC.
18. If you only had 2 elements to use on a LO, what would they be?
Splatters and a killer Alpha.
19. Would you like to share a little known fact about you…?
I can wiggle my ears. Yep, like a dog.
20. When did you start designing? What is your favorite product that you’ve designed?
I started designing in April of 2008. My favorite product is Smarty Pants. I adore school kits and this one tops my favorites.
21. How would you describe your design style?
I like to make my items look paper pieced together. And I love grungy with a bit of childishness. (is that a word?)
22. Where do you get your inspiration/motivation?
Everywhere. My kids, hubby, driving, reading, TV, and my dreams. Believe it or not, I dream a LOT about my scrapbook kits. I get a lot of my ideas from my dreams.
23. Which of your kits showcases you style the most?
I would have to say Harbor Bay. I love creating little characters and this has a bit of everything in it.
24. What is your favorite color scheme to design with?
I love boy colors. Rich Oranges, Bold Blues, Limy Greens.
25. Favorite kit you’ve designed?My favorite is always the latest kit I have created. But right now I am most proud of A Charming Party. (My princess kit.) I just adore all the little princesses.Thanks for letting us get to know you better, Cheri!  Be sure to check out her whole store HERE!

Tags: Sunday Spotlight

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 16th, 2011 at 2:02 am and is filed under ScrapMatters, Sunday Spotlight. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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What Is Decoupage?

After a while, I decided to start from basics and learn from the simple craft. And I didn't realized that, this has become part of my life and sooner or later decoupage become one of my hobbies. I am surprised that this simple craft work can bring so much fun to my life. Besides, decoupage has become one of the earning tools for me which can bring me some ideal income.

I found decoupage from a friend, her name is Ooi. She loves craft work, drawing, art work, and she love doing decoupage so much.

From the beginning, she did told me that decoupage can bring lots of FUN. I am not sure about that until I tried to start my first decoupage craft work. I found is funny, creative and is an inexpensive things to do. I can use my imagination to create something special which give a lots of meanings in my life. It is so personal.

Ok, what's so special about "Decoupage"?

And what is Decoupage actually?

Decoupage = Cut ( from the French word )

Some people defined decoupage as an " art produced by decorating a surface with cut outs and then coating it with several layers of varnish or lacquer ".

Basically, decoupage is the craft of decorating household objects, usually wooden furniture or papier-mache boxes, with pictures cut out of paper. It originated in the 18th century, to stimulate the beautiful, intricately hand painted lacquer items that were being imported at great expense from Asia, and early pieces are decorated with Asian art and themes.

Let us put this into a very simple way of explanation. If you can CUT and PASTE, you already know most of the techniques which involved in decoupage.

So simple as you cut out pictures, you glue the pictures onto an object, and then cover the object and pictures with a few coats of glue / decoupage medium ( any medium sized work ) to protect it. By looking at the finished object, you would think decoupage would be COMPLICATED but it isn't!!!

If you would like to know more about decoupage, kindly visit http://www.howtodecoupagetips.com

Introduction to Decoupage

Decoupage (day-coo-parj) is from the French word couper, which means to cut. The term refers to the technique where surfaces are decorated with pictures of cut out paper and buried in layers of varnish.

Almost anything can be covered by decoupage: wood, metals and ceramics are the most common surfaces. Any paper item can be used, though it may need preparation before cutting. The arrangement is laid out and images glued to the surface and varnished. Finish coats of wax or specialty varnishes can be used to produce different effects.

Decoupage is often used to cover defects on damaged thrift-store finds. Lamps, trays, picture frames, and furniture can be given a new lease of life with decoupage. Because decoupage is versatile, requires few materials, and can be done by beginners, it has become an extremely popular hobby.

Although you can buy supplies made specifically for decoupage, you can also use supplies that you probably have lying around the house. This makes decoupage one of the cheapest crafts around.

Decoupage is now one of the fastest growing crafts worldwide. It requires relatively little capital outlay, can be done from home, and appeals to people of all ages.

One of the advantages of decoupage is that it requires very little equipment, and it's likely that you already possess the tools that you need to get started. However, there are items that can be helpful in your decoupage, if not strictly necessary. These will vary according to the exact work you plan to do.

Favorite decoupage subjects are flowers and fruits, birds and butterflies, and angels and fairies. You can use any type of paper for decoupage - postcards, seed packets, greeting cards, wallpaper, and old children's picture books. Many decoupeurs hunt for old papers at antique and junk shops. There are also books of motifs made specifically for decoupage.

It's best to avoid very thin images as they may tear. It's also preferable to avoid papers that have images on both sides, because when glued, the image on the other side may show. Images can be scanned into your computer and printed; this is useful if you want to color them yourself.

If the image you plan to use is printed on paper that is too thick, it is possible to thin the paper. This often applies to calendars or greeting cards.

The quickest method is to split the paper in half with a nail and carefully peel it apart. Using very fine sandpaper, rub the back of the print smooth and apply a coat of sealer.

Alternatively, apply a few coats of varnish to the face of the print, allowing each coat to dry. Soak the print in tepid water for a few hours, remove it and lay it face down on a piece of waxed paper. Using a damp finger, gently start rubbing away the paper. Be careful not to rub through the print. Sand the print carefully and seal.

Decoupage is an old and venerable art form, and you can see examples in many dating back many hundreds of years. It was extremely popular in the eighteenth century, and became popular again during the late Victorian era. Today, decoupage is rinsing in popularity, and new technology and easy access to computers means that it's easier than ever to create new images.

For a step by step guide on how to do anything and everything with decoupage, please visit Karen Le Blanc's website http://www.decoupage-secrets.com