topic Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager? in Community Chat

Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

wismiss — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 16:19:40 GMT

I have this idea of decoupaging (which I have never done) snippets of older family reunion pictures on 3-D cardboard letters which spell out our family name. However, when I went on line to see how to do it, (especially photos) the you tube presentations said to make black and white photo copies of the pictures on an ink jet printer. Color pictures would have a tendency to smear. My whole mission was to use some of my pictures because I have no children or anyone to leave my pictures to when I pass. I know they will just be thrown away if I don't find some way to preserve them in some manner and to some extent.

Anybody know how to decoupage them on these cardboard 3-D letters and what products to use? Or any other ideas how to use them in some way that they just won't be tossed when I go?

Thanks for any assistance and ideas.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 19:41:44 GMT

@wismiss Yes, many years ago.....It was a long process but worth it.

Back in 'those' days you would decoupage a layer or two then sand, repeat, sand, (using steel wool) repeat until it was perfectly smooth, you could no longer feel the edges of what ever you were gluing down. The idea was for the decoupaged piece to feel like glass when you ran your hand over 'it'.

For the idea you have I would try a couple of your photos that you do not like on a scrap piece of the card stock beause yes, the ink could run/smear.

I am confused by how you would make your photos fit to the 3D letters, or were you going to cut the image you like from the photo and paste to fit?

I am thinking the photo paper would be thick....let me know if my answer confuses you more or if you have questions. I like crafting projects and have done many over the years.

You may also trying getting the back of a photo very damp, and peeling off the back until it is thin enough to manipulate onto your 3D letters...

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

Shelbelle — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 20:32:02 GMT

I remember when Rosie O'Donnell had her talk show, she was so into this, she talked about it all the time.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

LiveLaughLove — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 21:51:03 GMT

Thirty years ago I did a wooden box with photos of my niece. Painted the box, then cut out pictures using small scissors - some pictures cut close, so actual body shape, some ovals, some circles, one really cute one of the two of them cut star shape. Did a LOT of fiddling to get look I wanted. Then "glued" them with decoupage glue, let dry coated with decoupage, let dry, sanded with very fine sandpaper, coated again, etc. It took about ten coats to get the smooth look I wanted because of the thickness of the photos, but the end product was a box her Dad treasured and had on his nightstand until his death. It was a lot of work, but not hard. I did it over a period of about six weeks, starting, putting aside to rest and ponder. Actual time spent was only a few hours, with most of it cutting and arranging. After that just a coat in the morning, sanding at night, etc. It is so beautiful, and I was so proud and pleased when I gave it to him.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 22:33:44 GMT

@LiveLaughLove...that is exactly what I did, a lot of work, time wise but worth it in the end! I remember using cuticle scissors to cut into the tight areas of scenes I wanted to use.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

Citrine1 — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 22:54:05 GMT

I think you could safely use Mod Podge with your photos, but check with an employee at a craft store such as Michael's or AC Moore. Good luch with your project. Sounds like fun!

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

esmeraldagooch — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 23:17:59 GMT

@wismiss wrote:
I have this idea of decoupaging (which I have never done) snippets of older family reunion pictures on 3-D cardboard letters which spell out our family name. However, when I went on line to see how to do it, (especially photos) the you tube presentations said to make black and white photo copies of the pictures on an ink jet printer. Color pictures would have a tendency to smear. My whole mission was to use some of my pictures because I have no children or anyone to leave my pictures to when I pass. I know they will just be thrown away if I don't find some way to preserve them in some manner and to some extent.

Anybody know how to decoupage them on these cardboard 3-D letters and what products to use? Or any other ideas how to use them in some way that they just won't be tossed when I go?

Thanks for any assistance and ideas.

Shadow boxes with photos and things? I have many in my home. No one will be thowing them out.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

esmeraldagooch — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 23:18:52 GMT

Depending on your theme, you could mount items in the box with the photos

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

YorkieonmyPillow — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 00:20:11 GMT

@esmeraldagooch I've always loved shadow boxes.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

Shanus — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 13:47:36 GMT

@wismiss wrote:
I have this idea of decoupaging (which I have never done) snippets of older family reunion pictures on 3-D cardboard letters which spell out our family name. However, when I went on line to see how to do it, (especially photos) the you tube presentations said to make black and white photo copies of the pictures on an ink jet printer. Color pictures would have a tendency to smear. My whole mission was to use some of my pictures because I have no children or anyone to leave my pictures to when I pass. I know they will just be thrown away if I don't find some way to preserve them in some manner and to some extent.

Anybody know how to decoupage them on these cardboard 3-D letters and what products to use? Or any other ideas how to use them in some way that they just won't be tossed when I go?

Thanks for any assistance and ideas.

@wismiss Practice first on a photo you can live without if it smears. I’ve done a similar project and used watered down Elmer’s glue...dries clear.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

wismiss — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 19:09:03 GMT

Thank you for your ideas and suggestions. Yes, what I plan to do is cut snippets of the pictures with my little detail scissors around people with a little background and paste those on the letters. Good idea to try a sample on a picture that I don't care about as much and if that does smear then I'll try watering down the Elmer's glue. I, too, love shadow boxes and may reserve that idea for the really special pictures and memorabilia that I have. I just didn't want to make black/white copies, as I want to use the pictures, having no one to leave them to when I pass.

Again, thank you for your suggestios.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

sabatini — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 20:29:42 GMT

@wismiss, I know zero about decoupaging, but like w/ most things, I just wing it!

Years ago I decoupaged 2 pieces of old, painted furniture, using pictures I'd cut out of magazines. After gluing them down & after they'd dried, I used polyurethane, and sanded lightly between coats. They were gorgeous!

If you had a funky side table, and glued your old photos to that, it could become a family heirloom!

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 21:03:59 GMT

@wismiss....if the 3D letters don't work like you want them to, you could always purchase an old window frame and put your pictures in the window panes.....I have done that, it looks nice, but it would not use a lot of photos unless you had a large old window.

One in my family room has 6 empty panes that could be filled with a couple of photo in each frame. Or if you make a collage for each frame more photos could be used.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

esmeraldagooch — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 13:26:07 GMT

If you are using one of a kind family photos, this could be a really bad idea. If you don't really care about the long term survival of the photos it may be a fun project.

Re: Anybody A DIY Decoupager?

PodyPo — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 22:16:10 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@wismiss Yes, many years ago.....It was a long process but worth it.
Back in 'those' days you would decoupage a layer or two then sand, repeat, sand, (using steel wool) repeat until it was perfectly smooth, you could no longer feel the edges of what ever you were gluing down. The idea was for the decoupaged piece to feel like glass when you ran your hand over 'it'.

For the idea you have I would try a couple of your photos that you do not like on a scrap piece of the card stock beause yes, the ink could run/smear.

I am confused by how you would make your photos fit to the 3D letters, or were you going to cut the image you like from the photo and paste to fit?
I am thinking the photo paper would be thick....let me know if my answer confuses you more or if you have questions. I like crafting projects and have done many over the years.

You may also trying getting the back of a photo very damp, and peeling off the back until it is thin enough to manipulate onto your 3D letters...

I did decoupage in the 70s with my mom. I doubt the technique has changed. It’s time consuming and meticulous.

Inthink color photos would be too think, it would take a lifetime to embed them.

Visit your local Michaels or Binders and see wat else they might suggest. There is something called modpodge but I don’t know anything about it.