Paper It Fun!

Have you ever wanted to do crafts but let fear hold you back? The fear of doing it wrong or having it come out awful stops many in their tracks. I’m one of them. Don’t you wish you could just get past the fear and try something crafty?

The technique of decorating a surface with cutouts, most often paper, is known as decoupage. The technique itself is rather simple — a cutout is glued to a surface followed by several coats of lacquer. The most labor-intensive portion of the project is the cutting out of the items being glued. Also, precision is required.

Paper Illusions: Decoupage with a Twist

Paper Illusions is a faux finish wallpaper product by Village specifically made for the purpose of ripping or tearing into pieces and decorating surfaces. Instead of cutting out a picture, paper illusions is torn in pieces and applied in an overlapping pattern.

This paper is prepasted with a specially formulated adhesive that sticks to itself making application of the product very easy…just dip in water and apply…no special glues.

A wallpaper primer is used to prep the surface for ideal results in application, then followed by a water-based polyurethane. This is used to seal the application if the surface is likely to be handled often or exposed to moisture.

Paper Illusions, although most often used for decorating walls, can also be used in decorating any clean, flat dry surface. This includes but is not limited to paneling, wood, metal, glass, concrete, cardboard and plastic.

When looking for decoupage ideas using Paper Illusions, consider items with a large flat surface area. It’s easiest and the results are the most appealing.

Suggested Projects

Simple Decoupage Ideas include covering items such as:

• Picture Frames &/or Mattes
• Paper Mache Boxes
• Waste Baskets
• Lamp Shades
• Switch Plates
• Paper Weights
• Pen/Pencil Holders
• Desk Pads
• Book Covers
• Storage Containers
• Wall Clocks
• Tissue Box Covers, pictured above
• Hat Boxes
• Photo Album Covers
• Photo Boxes (line the inside with archival/acid-free quality paper to protect photos)
• Serving Trays
• Folding Screens
• Vases
• Soap/Lotion Dispensers, pictured above
• Napkin Holders
• Flower Pots
• Tin Canisters
• Urns

More Complex Decoupage Ideas include covering:

• Old Furniture
• Trunk/Foot Lockers
• Heater/Radiator Covers
• Bookcases
• Coffee/End Tables
• Countertops
• Bed Headboards
• Cabinets

If a faux finish effect appeals to you, try using Paper Illusions with the decoupage ideas mentioned above.

Create a coordinated ensemble by decorating mismatched household items already on hand with the same color/illusion.

These would make great personal keepsakes as well as wonderful uniquely crafted gifts. The results will prove to be stunning, and you’ll be amazed how fun and easy it is.

© 2006 Carrie Wigal.

Have you done this yourself? Take a picture and tell us about it. If you have any more tips on this project idea to add, please do share…

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