Whilst trying to do a bit of clearing out, I browsed through some old magazines and saw an article about covering old shoe boxes with pretty pictures to make them in to seed boxes, it inspired me to have a go and as I started looking in to it, I thought it would be a great way to decorate the bathroom, I've seen a lovely picture on Pinterest and I'm now hooked on the idea.
I suggested it to Mike, saying we could use all the maps and bits that we've brought back for our holidays, along with bits of sheet music we have and all sorts of odds and ends AND HE AGREED, can't believe it, but I need to make a start before he changes his mind.
Has anyone done decoupage before, and more importantly, has anyone done it on a larger scale such as covering a wall, I've found a few hints and tips on line, but advice from the experienced is always valuable.
I have only ever done it with small boxes. I would think a wall would need bigger designs/pictures so as not to be lost. Also I have always stuck to a theme, whether item or colour eg floral, shades of blue shapes. I am sure others will have plenty of ideas to share and I look forward to seeing how your bathroom develops. You will of course have to think about waterproofing but as I used to use PVA to seal the boxes that may be enough. Bon courage!
Trying to enjoy life as it is
Jan, I have done a lot of large scale projects in the past, even covering an entire set for an opera with sheets of paper that I had marbled myself. It survived a tour of performances around Britain & was still looking good 8 years later after (having been stored in a barn). I have also done a bathroom & a wall plus a floor, in my first house in London. It works very well but you have to use the right glues/pastes for the job & a good sealer afterwards. On a floor you obviously have to seal it several times. I have also done several pieces of furniture in the past, the most successful was an ugly, but useful, bureau desk made in the wartime austerity style.
It is easy & fun to do. I hope you have as much fun as I did. I used a lot of PVA both for the initial glue & as a varnish. Try a sample board first to practice on before you start on the walls.
Have fun & let us see a photo of the result.
"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."
from Les Miserables
That's all, yes I'm going to start small and have ago at a few boxes first, got the PVA, not a massive bottle, but it was from £ shop, probably half a pint, so should get me started, on the site I as reading the other day, they said to water the glue down 50/50 so that should make it go father, but I understand the need for lots of glue ...started cutting out scraps from magazines already...will be a bit of a rainy day project though...ooh look its a rainy day. woo hoo!, better get ut of bed then...
I seem to remember having to paint the wall with PVA because it sucks the glue from the paper. I think a small craft roller is useful for smoothing out the images on the wall if there are any bubbles (pricking the bubbles with a needle also helps).
I must find the bits of my decorative fire-place screen I made & decoupaged with flowers in a three-dimensional papier mache vase. I used some of those sheets of wrapping paper with full page reproductions of Dutch seventeenth century paintings of vases of flowers in a still life. I will try to re-assemble it & post a photo.
"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."
from Les Miserables
Made a start on a shoe box last night, I'd already painted the inside of the box with some emulsion, and now started on the outside, I began with the lid and oh, it's great fun, you feel like a child again as you get glue everywhere, I started of trying to be careful and work like an adult, but in the end its easier to accept the inevitable and allow yourself to get into it completely.
The trick is, laying all your cuttings out in front of you first, with a roughy idea in your mind,, rather than trying to search through them with rather sticky fingers.( hmm)
Great news, Jan, glad you are enjoying yourself. I have just remembered that I used to work on a board I covered with that non-stick stuff you line your oven with (Lakeland used to sell it but now I think you can get it in every £1-shop). It is a trick I learnt when making my theatre models. It makes it easier to wipe any glue-y messes clean.
"The beautiful is as useful as the useful...perhaps more so."
from Les Miserables
Haven't tried decoupage myself, but our French neighbours have covered some wooden containers for me, so I might have a go - it's on my to-do list which seems to be getting longer ....
Oh bless ! I can just imagine that!
My 'studio' or 'atelier' needs re-jigging - big-time ! It is becoming more crowded with less floor space than ever. Bags of wool, of material - all 'might come in handy' at some point!
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