I think the reason why I’m so crazy about decoupage, is that it can be applied to revamp soooo many different things:
My decoupaged sewing machine hard top. I also created some ruffles with my sewing machine and hot glued them to cover my napkin “seems”.
Thrift finds: A Lazy Susan, two old metal cookie boxes, a wooden candle stick (on the bottom) and a wooden salt grinder (on top) all decoupaged and glued together for a rotating tiered tray 😀
A small thrifted shelf, originally used for spices. It is now the home of my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint sample bottles 🙂
Light metal trays into clip boards.
Two different large cereal boxes, Cut in half and taped together, to make desktop paper organizers. I cut one height-wise and one length-wise, and they now fit different papers in my studio.
Little metal boxes, I decoupaged the lids, and now use these for binder clips, old french clips and eyelets.
Quite possibly my favorite decoupage item to date: my power strip for the phone, the hot glue gun, the laminator, sitting smack in the middle of my studio desk for super easy access, and nicely decoupaged, hidden in plain sight 🙂
Here’s the very easy instructions on how I go about decoupaging with napkins:
1. Paint the item white (if it’s not already. Both my sewing machine hard top and the power strip were already white and ready to go!). Use cheap acrylic craft paint. If your item is plain wooden, one coat might be enough. If your item has a dark color or multiple colors, you might need to paint several coats.
2. Brush a coat of decoupage glue onto the item. I usually stick with 2 parts Elmer’s glue (regular white school glue) mixed with 1 part water, save your good stuff!
3. Lay the top layer of a pretty napkin on top of the item, and brush some more glue on top too. Leave to dry.
4. If your item has several sides in need of new decor, you might have to repeat step 3 for each side.
5. When your item is completely dry, sand the edges to remove excess napkin.
6. Enjoy your restyled item 😀
And here’s some older stuff I decoupaged in earlier posts (click on the images to see the original posts):
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I absolutely love decoupage. You are so organized. You really inspire me to make my little craft space as beautiful as yours. Thank you for sharing. Hugs, Iris
Haha, I am nothing b-u-t organized…lol! I had such a hard time taking pictures of these projects, since I felt every single picture reveals my messy (but very creative!) studio space…:-P I keep reminding myself that I neeeed to have 15 different projects in progress at all times…:-O lol
Nevertheless, I am very glad to hear that you could find a little inspiration in my decoupage post, it really is such a blast once you get going. I have stocked up on these particular napkins (they were on sale!) and can now decoupage matching items for months before I run out….lol! Big hugs to you Hunny 😀
Wow! How wonderful to make even everyday items so beautiful. It’s really given me some ideas to transform utilitarian objects into something pretty. I just have to ask one thing…..are your girls afraid to stand still too long for fear they’ll be decoupaged? 🙂
Thank you so much Dear! And I’m so sorry about the belated answer, your comment slipped in under my radar, somehow…:-O
I think the girls would LOVE to be decoupaged, why did I not think of that already??? One of the great things about decoupage is that it will rinse off with water and a little rubbing, I actually did the sewing machine hard top twice, my first attempt was just too messy…:-P That said, I d-i-d rinse it off before the glue was dry, I have not tried rinsing an item the next day or way later…hehehe. Also, if the item itself does not go well with water (like the power strip, or paper boxes) I would not attempt that…:-P
But I really recommend decoupaging everyday items, it really can make a difference 😀 And don’t forget to send me pictures, I’d love to see what you create 😀 xoxoxo
Wow Gunnvor Karita! It all looks so pretty! I love your sewing machine and the idea of the serving plates turning into magnet boards. Really pretty! That rose print is something! You be sure to scan it and keep it in your files in case you run out of those gorgeous napkins!!! It looks so cozy in your room!
xox
Ingeborg
I have two packs of those napkins in the pile for you, good thing you reminded me, because I had completely forgotten about it, and now it is buried under other stuff…:-O I’ll make sure I dig it out, and get myself a bubble wrap envelope, so I can mail it to you!!!
PS I think the reason why we both like those napkins so much, is that they are a-l-m-o-s-t a copy of a Cath Kidston pattern…lol! xoxoxo
You are kidding?! You have to keep them for yourself! Gosh….. You are something lol. Yes it is very much like the Cath Kidston pattern. I have the Cath Kidston curtains in my craftroom. Maybe you noticed that. We both have almost the same sanctuary LOL! Now why doesn’t that surprise me at all?! 😛
xox
Ingeborg