Part I - Everything Old is New Again

Forty-eight years ago, I decoupaged a wine bottle. 

INSPIRATION PIECES

For weeks, I clipped out magazine pictures and words in various fonts and sizes. Covers from matchbooks, ticket stubs, fancy napkins provided texture and interest. Arranged all catty-wampas and layered for effect, the pieces were glued onto the glass bottle; the project was set aside to dry. 

The next day, with an old paint brush, multiple coats of varnish were swathed onto the decorated bottle. When the masterpiece was finished and totally dry, I added a candle and declared it a work of art.

Saturday, I began a decoupage project inspired by expensive clipboards ($28) offered for sale at Magnolia Marketplace.

Part I

Step 1

1907  Clay County Property Map 

Step 2

Step 1: Print the pictures you want to use and then COPY them to avoid the possibility of ink-jet ink runs. Consider sepia tones. Consider colorizing the main photo to add depth. It’s a technique with color pencils, a stylized method from yearbook workshop summers. This is an optional step, of course.

Step 2: Choose supplies including any papers that might be used as background. You'll need ModPodge, Glue, Sealer, and foam paint brushes..Make sure surfaces to be decoupaged are clean and dry.

Step 3: Plan. Play with the designs for both front and back. Layer. Take it apart and try again. Don’t glue until you’re happy with your design.

Step 3

Step 4: Get out the GLUE! (I love glue. Never sniffed it; never ate it.) 

Step 4-5

Step 5: Glue down the items you’ve chosen for background. Front and back. Smooth out the backgrounds with an emery board or a popsicle stick. Let this dry. (Quick drying glue is good and bad, so don’t glue until you’re satisfied with your arrangement.) Glue when ready to commit.

Last Step of Part I: Gain further inspiration by taking a little nourishment. Come back to the project when you’re ready for Part II. It'll be time to apply the correct finish of ModPodge with a foam brush. (If you're like me, you don't know how on earth you are at home with the wrong product when you on-purpose determined which one to pick up. I decided on Matte Finish. I bought Gloss. Gotta go X-Change!) See PART II for the Finished Project!