Haven't even set up a real profile yet, I was too excited to say 'hey'. Most fun to find this place.

I'm another card addict but am presently looking for some expertise on decoupaging as I want to make a block puzzle for my grandbaby. I have 9 cubes, six sides of course and want to cut up a picture for each side for her to put back together.

My concern is the papers I should use. The sealant and especially the corners ... and there will be lots.

Thanks for any direction you may point me.

I know it's going to be fun to be here. Hello !

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Happy Feet,

Well, good morning Happy Feet. Welcome to the boards. We're excited to have you jump in.

Sorry, I can't help you with the blocks. But it sounds like a nice puzzle. I'm sure when everyone gets up and has a cup of coffee or two, they will be able to help you. How old is your grand-daughter?

Jean

Welcome to the gang!! Well now I can't help with what you want to do, but I did decoupage an ivy bowl last night...it sure is hard to make sure every little nook and crany is covered.

Big Hi from North Dakota. Welcome to the boards. I haven't been here very long but I love it and you well to. These gals are great!! As far as your decoupaging problem--- Are you doing photos or copies of you photos. Either way they should do fine. Just extra coat the edges and the corners.

Welcome to the forum! The best thing to use for decoupage is Mod Podge. It acts as the glue and the sealant. It is much easier to photocopy your pictures and use those for the blocks. The photgraph paper is much too thick and will not be as easy to use as regualr copy paper.
Give a shout if you have any other questions...wold love to help

If you are using printed copies of the pictures(which I suggest)let the ink dry for a day or so or it will run or smear when you put the modgepodge on the top.
Welcome to the boards!

Thanks all.

My Grand baby GIRL, thank heavens, will be 3 June 19th.

So you all think this might work, do ya? I wish I had an extra set of blocks to play with in case I screw up somehow. Once I start this, there's no starting over I'm sure.

For paper ... yeah, I figured the 'real' photo paper would be way too thick but now I'm wondering about the printing paper for the best 'pop out' color. Hmm.

I can't wait to get started on this but it will probably not be right away.

And you all are so good with all kinds of crafting ... I hope to pick up some ideas for a box or bag for them to live in. I'm thinking something simple like a draw string bag to hang from a door knob that she can easily open and close and that will travel well. The total measurement of all 9 blocks is 4.5" X 4.5" square and 2.5". So fairly small actually.

I found them at a local Michaels but no directions.

Do any of you have any photos of decoupage you've done ... would love to see.

Tx

WELCOME to you HappyFeet! Glad you found us and decided to join. This is a great place to visit and share. I don't get on as often as I would like but enjoy visiting when I can. Hope to visit with you and see some of your crafts soon.

Hi! Happy Feet, and welcome.

If you are a 'newbie' at decoupage I would steer away from using inkjet copies and have photo copies made. Inkjet copies are more likely to bleed. Regardless of which you use the copies should then be sprayed 2-3 times with a matte acrylic spray to set the ink. Make sure to let them completely dry between coats. Just letting the copies dry for a day or two is not a guarantee the ink won't run.

- Be generous with your glue. It will assure a good bond.

- I like to apply the decoupage medium to the BACK of the print to ensure complete adhesion to the surface. Then after placing it on my project surface I roll over it with a brayer to flatten it and remove any existing air bubbles. An empty jar works well too if you don't have a brayer.

- I would suggest doing a sample first just to get the feel of how many coats of spray sealer it will take to seal and protect your prints effectively before applying the decoupage medium on top of them. You could save yourself a lot of grief later.

If I was doing wooden blocks, I would cut my pics just slightly bigger than the block, glue them to the surface and let them dry, then turn the pics face down on a cutting mat and trim the excess away with an exacto knife for a good fit.

RAINEE’S NOTES: I recommend and use both Plaid's Royal Coat Decoupage Finish (my first choice) or Aleene's Instant Decoupage Finish. Both finishes dry to a nice clear hard finish. They are water based products so they will not yellow. I have used both products for many years with continued success. The Royal Coat also comes in other finishes such as Sepia and Antique to give your project an aged look.

** I don't care for Mod Podge. It is very temperamental to humidity changes and has a tendency to go milky and opaque. If you live in an area where there is high humidity it can also take forever and a day to dry. And it doesn't dry to the hard finish I prefer. The other two products dry like a good hard acrylic varnish should.
Most decoupage projects I read about on message boards that have 'gone wrong' were done with Mod Podge.

WOW Rainee,thanks for all the advice.I never knew about the matte acrylic spray.Glad I do now.I did a candle holder with pics of the DGK for my daughters and had the problem with the ink bleeding.I use mod podge but I don't care for the finish either.It is always sticky,at least here it is so that could be our weather?We don't have a Michaels or Hobby Lobby close so I usually end up using what I can find at Wally World until I can get to one of the other stores.Thanks Rainee I learned something.YAYYY

yes WOW Rainee ... thanks for all the good tips ... how sweet of you to take the time to help me.
I'm sure I'll think of a zillion other things to ask you ... tee hee ... or maybe NOT tee hee.

Clueless & Happy Feet,
Glad I could be of some help. Feel free to PM me anytime if you have more questions.