Yet another decoupage question....?

Question

Okay.. So I have to ask a few more decoupage questions.
1. Do you have to paint the surface you plan to decoupage to?
2. If so, is acrylic paint okay?
3. what do I seal it with?
4. Anyone no where i can get a decoupage for dummies book?
I have tried 2 boxes so far. One was ..well, decent. The other, ..let's just say, that box met with an untimely death.. I would like to use nothing but tissue paper and achieve an antiqued look as the "base coat" and continue with a antique postcard as the focal point on top(hat box). I am off too Hobby Lobby, which by the way, none of the employee's have an iota of X-mas cheer here in Shertown! Give me hand if you can, if not pray for me.. It might get ugly...... : )(walking away talking quietly to my self) Thank you!!!

Answer 1

1. Do you have to paint the surface you plan to decoupage to?

Not really, because you'll *automatically* be sealing any porous surfaces when you apply whichever decoupage medium you've chosen underneath each added paper, etc.
I think you can decoupage onto practically any surface as long as you are using an acrylic medium to do it (may need to sand slick surfaces a bit first), and many things are acrylic:
...Mod Podge and other "decoupage mediums" like Royal Coat (Plaid's other decoupage medium), Beacon's Liquid Laminate (an acid-free "decoupage gel")
..."white glue" (thinned with water usually)... should be permanent white glue for decoupage, not "washable" "school" glue
...clear acrylic sealers for wood, like Varathane, etc.
...acrylic mediums like gel medium or gloss medium, etc.

2. If so, is acrylic paint okay?

Sure.

3. what do I seal it with?

Any of the things above can be used on top of the papers...even non-water based sealers/finishes/etc at that point

4. Anyone no where i can get a decoupage for dummies book?

Here's some links to lessons online:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_nobanner/text/0,,HGTV_10680_14711,FF.html

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=decoupage+how+to

>I would like to use nothing but tissue paper and achieve an antiqued look as the "base coat" <

Check these:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/71892/tissue_paper_decoupage_christmas_ornament.html?page=2

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=decoupage+%22tissue+paper%22+antique

> and continue with a antique postcard as the focal point on top(hat box).<

The postcard won't be as thin as the other papers you're probably using, so if you want a final flat surface you'll have to use lots of coats of stuff on top (drying between each), or you may want to see if you can at least peel part of the paper off the back of the postcard.
Or you could photocopy the postcard, or do some kind of transfer (more work). If you were to print it as an inkjet, you'd need to spray it a couple of times lightly with claer acrylic to keep it from bleeding.


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

1. you could if you want to
2. thats fine
3. the modge podge
4. well you can try Barnes and nobles
HINTS- try cutting out nice colorful pictures from magazines and put them all together on a box. It looks really nice

Answer 3

OMG i ♥ Hello Kitty Soooo much!!!! But i think its a great idea!! If you really like Hello Kitty then you will love it in the end when the room is done. Just dont go overboard because then it will look like your obessed LOL. But go 4 it!!!!