A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Hobbies, Crafts and Creativity Decoupage For Dodge

Hi Bali ~

Decoupage can be as simple or as elaborate as you care to make it! Basically, it is a process of gluing.

You can buy specially printed pictures or use magazine cut outs, postcards, old letters, fabrics or what have you. You can buy special decoupage goop or use simple Elmer's glue or a polyurethene (for waterproof projects).

If you do opt to use magazine cut outs, keep in mind that making the paper wet can cause the print on the back to show through so 1) look for heavier weight pages or 2) make sure the background you are using doesn't transmit alot of light.

So, once you've assembled your pictures and your glue, you simply lay the pictures where you think you want them. Then you pour some glue in a small bowl or saucer and add water to thin it down. Many people use artist paint brushes to apply the glue; I use my fingers. Apply the glue to the back of the picture and put the picture in place. If you have more than one picture, continue gluing them down. When everything is in place where you want it, go over the entire scene with another layer of watered down glue. Allow it to dry, then paint on another layer of glue. When I'm working with white glue, I usually do three or four layers total.

This makes a very nice finish!

I have done decoupage in this manner for my guitar case, an old briefcase (both times using fabric squares), a big lampshade (using pictures from a magazine), a lightswitch (using a postcard), and small containers for a desk, etc, and I made Maxi Christmas ornaments out of wrapping paper decoupaged to cardboard which I later glued onto spring-type clothes pins. Another time I decoupaged cutouts of Christmas Cards and hung them with string.

It is a messy project, but the results are great! And decoupage items last for about forever, too.


Merme

Thanks ..........Merme
I get free photos from somewhere and never knew how to do them.LOL
All I need is Ole Elmer huh?????

Will have to give it a try......was cleaning out attic papers today and making a bonfire......Rainy days are good fire days here......

Now I have to find something to do it with.thanks.

YOur cool.............I cant use tin cans, HD says no junk in the yard.But all kinds of flowers are allowed.LOL

Are you allowed to use terra cotta (clay) pots? I've also made a type of wind chime using the tiny size of those. They look like little bells when they are upside down.


Have fun experimenting with the decoupage and let us know what you make!


Merme

One day I made those clay pots leaning on each other and they fell over. He laughed>LOL
I did sneak in a few knomes...LOL

I my lazy brain comes up with a cute idea , I will try something..

b

Hey Merme....

I have made a few things for laughs....Have to upload to show you .. I did on tincans and glass ..........LOL

barb

Here you go , tickle your funny bone .....with these.

barb, those are very nice!

Thanks Jiffy.........

Just a brainstorm.. I like them too.

b

Looks like a job well done to me, Barb--

Thanks Junigirl,

Where is Merme ???????? She wanted to see.......

I'm here, Bali. Just having a wee bit o' trouble with the PC is all,

"Nicely done" is my opinion on your decoupage.

Another option you may enjoy trying some day is to save up enough pictures to cover an entire surface of an item, overlapping the edges of each one, like making a collage. That's how I did that huge lampshade. Okay, I admit it, Maxi was an infant and I was housebound that winter without much to do!


Merme

Thanks Merme,

That is the idea I did for a can with my flower photos......made an over lapper for my sis in law......
Made myself one with birds......
Lamp shade sounds like fun too. I really liked the clear nail polish on the one glass thing.

Thanks for the ideas and talent......I will keep working at it .. WHo know what I may hit upon??

b

When I did the lampshade, Bali, I cut millions of pictures out of -- believe it or not! -- seed catalogs and gardening magazines! The entire thing was garden-esque and quite handsome on its green base.

Unfortunately, it accidently got thrown away when I moved from the cottage to the apt in 2002. I was so upset about that! The base got moved but the shade didn't make the trip!


Merme

That is sad.........
The pictures on the cans were my flower photos which I had printed to learn what I was doing....Now that I know......i cut them out an put them on the cans.
I made the one for sis in law......It was a Kool whip can , and I added all my flowers to it .....
She will enjoy looking, because all her life she wanted flowers.. Hubby said no.
Ha ha he is my brother and I broke them in .....I plant flowers and deliver them there.......He is tickled and so is she..........Another nice seed swapping story..........I broke them in....LOL

Gee Merme now I am looking for new Ideas to put those on ......my lil granddaughter perhaps on something......I enjoy your hobby much.
Thanks again.

barb, i did some clear christmas ornaments, the flat glass kind, with photos of the kids. love them.

Jiffy .......supreme Idea.........
I can take the old bulbs too and put Lil Haleys all over my tree.LOL

Thanks for the nice idea

I print lots on of photos on regular cheap paper an cut them out..
Maybe I can make some for Haleys family..LOL

:ding:Clever you are jiffy.

I like that stuff too. I've never done it but it's nice to look at.

I don't suppose anyone will mind if I hijack my own thread? But Jiffy's post about the clear ornaments reminded me of something.

Maxi likes to use those to make gift ornaments.

A few years ago I bought a big bag of those inexpensive colorful feathers. We typed up a grid of tiny notes which read "With love, from your Guardian Angel" and cut them out. Then, he carefully thought about each person and chose a feather color for him/her. He put the feather and the note inside and then debated about wether to add gold or silver or both glitter. Then he tied a complimentary ribbon to the top. So each ball became a type of very delicate snow globes. Everyone who recieved one loved them completely! And a few very special people got feathers from his parakeets added.

We have also decoupaged Christmas balls using postage stamps from around the world, trying to match stamps with individual interests.


Merme

Bestofour,

This is my first trip with decoup......Thanks to Merme...

Oh Id love to see the feather thingy you made for the bulbs.........
Merme I am using cool whip cans right not to make some.LOL I am a recycler.
And I know my friends will laugh........

Any one else have Ideas????// I thought of making shapes and cover things, But what?????????

I love youe idea of personal things fit to person.

Bali ~ you can also decoupage on flat pieces of wood using ordinary photos so the end result is a plaque rather than a framed item. This is also a nice treatment if you have small sentimental touches to add concerning the people in the photo such as movie ticket stubs or a Valentine or an announcement/invitation, pressed flowers or leaves, small bits of ribbon or lace, etc.


Merme

Merme
Thanks .My son gave me a plaque he took the photo off and I was wondering if you could put a printed photo there.

I might do a Haley one ..

b