Easy Beginner Decoupage Ideas

Beginning decoupage tutorial

Decoupage involves covering the surface of an object with bits of paper, making it have a completely different look and giving it a finish at the same time. That makes decoupage the ultimate recycling technique.

These Easy Beginner Decoupage Ideas will provide a tutorial on HOW to decoupage as well as ideas for how to use it. Are you ready for some fun? I love to decoupage.

Would you like to watch the video about decoupage?

Decoupage projects for beginners

I found a set of nesting star cardboard shaped boxes so that is what we used for this decoupage tutorial. There is a myriad of cardboard items that you can find at a craft store, or you could use an object or container you already have at your house.

There are so many things you can decoupage so here are a few ideas:

• Decoupage cards
• Decoupage rocks
• Decoupage wood
• Decoupage terracotta pots
• Decoupage on plastic
• Decoupage on glass
• Decoupage on canvas

See what I mean? Just remember that decoupage isn’t waterproof unless you cover it with a special finish when you are done. Just in case you are thinking about putting your project outside.

How do you do decoupage? 

After choosing an object to decoupage, the next fun things to do is find the papers you want to use to cover it. The grands and I used pictures from a magazine as well as some Scrapbook paper. I like the lighter weight papers but look at this list of possibilities to use. You can…

• Decoupage paper
• Decoupage paper napkins
• Decoupage stickers or stamps
• Decoupage flowers
• Decoupage with fabric
• Decoupage with wrapping paper
• Decoupage with tissue paper
• Decoupage with magazine pictures

This is a great way to use those little scraps of paper from other projects- recycle them! The paper is cut or torn into small pieces that will be glued down all over the box or object. Decoupage is not like wrapping a present with one large piece of paper. 

Gather and cut or tear your paper so it is ready for gluing.

Lay down some Waxed paper or parchment paper on your work surface. Let the kids know that it is OK for them to get glue on their hands in this project. Provide a wet cloth nearby for them to wipe their hands on so they don’t get too sticky.

What can you decoupage with? Mod Podge Glue

If possible, use Mod Podge Glue for your decoupage project. It is a special glue with the correct consistency, and it contains a finisher that will help protect the final project.

If you don’t have any, you can use regular school glue and just water it down a little bit. Shoot for three parts glue to one part water and stir it up well. 

The grands and I did this project on a heavy snow day, so we just used the school glue for our project rather than get stuck in 10” of snow trying to travel to the store for Mod Podge! If I remember I’ll bring some clear polyurethane spray or paint to finish and protect their memory boxes (we also called them treasure boxes).

Note: There is a special Mod Podge Glue that is made for outdoor projects, but I haven’t tried it yet to give a recommendation. 

Apply the glue, cover all surfaces

We used Paint brushes to brush glue onto the surface of the box and then the kids placed the paper on the area of the box with the wet glue. A paint sponge also works well for this project. 

Fold the paper around the edges of the box and cover all the surfaces, mixing the papers up for a crazy quilt design or making a pattern if you want. 

Wipe your hands on the wet washcloth to keep the stickiness down.

When the surface is covered, brush a layer of Mod Podge all over the surface to seal it.

Let the box sit on the waxed paper until fully dry. DON’T put the lid back on until you are really sure it is completely dry.

Call me the decoupage queen! 

Don’t stand still for too long or I’ll decoupage YOU! Ha. Can't wait to see what you make after trying these Easy Beginner Decoupage Ideas.

Here are some Decoupage Tips for Beginners

• Use Waxed paper or parchment paper under the project. It will stick to the work surface or to newspaper.
• Save scraps of paper from other projects in a plastic bag or envelop to use in decoupage.
• Have a wet washcloth near each child so they can wipe glue off their hands while working
• Use Tweezers to pick up the paper pieces as hands get sticky with glue
• If using Paint brushes, be sure to wash them out immediately after you are done.

Enjoy!

There are so many fun ideas on WTN to do inside on a cold day. Perhaps you would like to try some wood burning, making a whirligig, painting with Sharpies and alcohol, or making & eating caramel apples on a stick.

If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.

Come join the fun at www.WelcomeToNanas.com

Supplies for Easy Beginner Decoupage Ideas:

• Cardboard box or cardboard shaped box
• Mod Podge
• Paint brush or paint sponge
• Waxed paper
• Wet washcloth (to wipe hands)
• Magazine pictures
• Scrapbook paper
• Other paper of choice- see the list of ideas above
• Scissors
• Tweezers (optional)