Decoupage

[Senusret I]

I am considering making decoupage paddles as a gift or gifts for other Greeks, older members of my chapter, neos, etc.

I have a few questions, though.

1) Should I start totally from scratch, with an unstained piece of wood? Can I decoupage onto already stained wood?

2) Can I do photos?

3) How about stuff I print off of my computer....will regular white paper hold up okay?

4) Finally, for anyone who has actually done it before, could you just outline the details in this thread? Helpful tips? Common mistakes?

Thanks!

[Xylochick216]

I've done a bit of decoupage in the past. It's fun and makes unique gifts.

I'm not too sure about the wood. I typically do glass or plastic. I do know some friends have done wooden stools in the past, though, so I would say stained/finished wood would be ok.

Pictures are fine. I'm not too sure about things printed on white paper. I'm not sure if they would run or not when you put the decoupage on them.

Basically the only hints I have are practice on something small first to see the right amount to use. Don't use too much or too little.

Good luck

[chideltjen]

this might help but....

try www.michaels.com
It's a craft store (or at least it should be on the website.) Anyway, they list tips and project sheets online. Decoupage should be one of them.

Anyway, I have heard to start with a clean surface so i would assume unfinished. And you can do magazine pictures cuz I have seen it done so I think photographs and printer paper will work. They sell the glue stuff at craft stores.

ETA: I agree though with the above post... if you use an inkjet, the ink will probably run when wet. See if you can get a sealent or print on a color laser printer... maybe.

[Rudey]

What the heck are you all talking about? Is this like paper machet?

-Rudey

[chideltjen]

Originally posted by Rudey
What the heck are you all talking about? Is this like paper machet?

-Rudey

kinda...

[Senusret I]

It is basically cutting pictures, pasting them onto something, and sealing it.

[abaici]

Hmmm, interesting. I'm all over this! SUMMER PROJECT!! I created vases for my student's jr. prom. I printed out pics of them taken throughout the year, pasted them on the vase and sealed it. They were so cute!! I printed out the pics on my inkjet and I didn't have a problem at all.

[AGDee]

It works better on stained/finished wood because other wise the glaze soaks into the wood and you have to use a ton of it.

[PlymouthDZ]

you can totally use printed things from your inkjet printer or what not. Just be careful.. so use too much decoupage glue.. then it will run. I made a scrapbook for my BF for Valentine's Day.. I decoupaged the whole thing.. it worked really well.

You can decoupage wood, but as said above.. using a stained, or pre-treated wood will probably work better.

I love decouaging.. SO MUCH FUN!

[Senusret I]

Thanks to everyone....I appreciate it!

[Senusret I]

[Tom Earp]

Just being a real Dip but why is this on Greek Life and what in the heck does it have to do with it??

Okay, it is something to do with paddles, move it to Chit Chat! Sorry has been a bad day!

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Just being a real Dip but why is this on Greek Life and what in the heck does it have to do with it??

Paddles are traditionally given as gifts between Greeks.

VOILA!

[Tom Earp]

NO STUFF! But, I think that went out with Hazing, it did with LXA!

Called a show of Hazing, get it!

While I may not agree, I dont know IF YOUR SORITITY STILL DOES IT!

You seem to be the resident Guru of Greek Life?

You just amaze me!

[ajuhdg]

Hey, Sen...there is actually a 'how to' article about it in Good Housekeeping! I just picked it up on Sunday.

aj