In the decoupage process, after applying the gold/silver leaf, leave it for 24 hours before sealing. Many books recommend that you shellac after gilding. If you don't have shellac on hand, you may choose to opt for your sealer. Decoupage is an art which is mainly done using scissors, but experts use other different stuff to enhance their work. Like using paper punches, quilling strips or stickers. But note that you do not use all these ideas in any competition because usually there are certain rules in any competition which would not allow you too use other forms of art in your decoupage project. But definitely when it comes to gifts and sales items, anything is permissible that you want to use.
Stickers can also be used to decoupage your object. But since they are thick, you will need to apply loads of varnish on them to make your work smooth. They can ideally be used on coasters and tablemats.Even quilling strips can be used in this craft. Quilling strips are available in many colors, even in metallic gold and silver colors. These are easily available with the traders who are into supplying card making materials. Its fun to use them especially the metallic ones and they truly look wonderful when used for framing pictures in boxes or making borders around the edges.
The paper must not have any dust flakes or grit on it. If required paint the paper and leave it for 24 hours to get dry before start. Ensure that it has a slight friction like kind of a bit sanded so that the gum sticks to it properly. It's recommended not to decoupage any object before you prepare that object perfectly. First thing required is it should be dry. Then you may need to clean any dirt on it, or you may need to paint it or seal it. The surface may also require a bit of sanding.
You can also create 3D effect decoupage. For this you will first need to cut many copies of the same picture and then with the help of double sided adhesive foam strips, pads, glue dots or silicone glue create different layering thus giving a 3D effect. Note that the layers are not same in size but they get smaller as you move on.
If you are a new comer, you would be advised to use foam pads and glue dots since these are easier to use but to give your work a real touch you must use silicone glue. In case you are a new comer, to assemble your artwork nicely and at the same time easily, you must print each layer of your pattern separately with only the detail needed for some particular layer. Newcomers should seek lessons from craft teachers such as Papa Christopher Freville, Idaho and Julie-Ann Sharman, British Columbia.
When you decoupage an object, first of all, the base surface of the project is covered with the largest layer and then you move on with each of the successive layers to finally finish up the object. Note that the first layer is the largest and as you move on the layer's size diminishes. Beginners are advised to number each of their layers before actually assembling them in to the project. Creating decoupage of objects from similar pictures can also be done but its a bit tricky task because for this you got to know which portions of the image would be removed from each successive layer.
Use some shaping tool or your finger to give the finished product some real natural look. Like you can curl up the petals of the flower to make it appear more round and real. To give the project a glossy effect, apply a coat of varnish on it. This may not be because since some papers are naturally lustrous.
As the story was told to me, it went something like this: It was toward the end of January, a long cold January at that. A group of groundhogs who were supposed to be hibernating were afflicted with a bad case of insomnia.
You know how it is. It has happened to you many times, I am sure. You are supposed to be asleep but sleep is the furthest thing from your eyeballs at the time. Because of the lack of sleep, reality becomes a fading commodity.
These bored groundhogs had tried everything to cure their insomnia but nothing seemed to work. Finally, an old groundhog who had been quiet up to this time loudly cleared his throat and gained the attention of the others.
“Friends," he quietly began, “I’ve been thinking about something for a very long time. Perhaps now is the time to put this plan into action."
Because nothing else seemed to capture the attention of the others, the old groundhog was given absolute attention. After all, what did they have to lose? There would be about six more weeks before spring and they had to stay underground all this time.
“My idea goes something like this," the gruff old groundhog growled. There seems to be a sense of bitter sarcasm in his voice. “Let us put together a hoax on those humans who live above ground. They think they’re better than anybody, so let’s show them how superior we are."
Everybody knew the old groundhog, called Phil by everybody, did not particularly like or respect those creatures walking on top of the ground. “What’s your idea?" everybody clamored.
Cautiously, old Phil examined his audience to make sure he had their complete confidence. “What we do is this, we tell those humans that whenever a groundhog sees his shadow it will mean six more weeks of winter."
The pack of groundhogs exploded in laughter. When the laughter subsided, a young pup spoke up through tears of laughter, “Nobody is that dumb. That’s impossible to get anybody to believe anything so stupid."
For the next 10 minutes, the room was filled with uncontrollable laughter. Old Phil leaned back and enjoyed the moment. He fully expected this kind of reaction. From his experience, he knew it was highly improbable that any groundhog would fall for anything as silly as this.
Finally, as the laughter subsided, another groundhog queried old Phil. “How do you propose to do such a thing?"
“Well," old Phil began, “I’m sure that if we are bored down here, those above us are bored, as well. It’s been a long, cold winter with nothing to do between Christmas and Easter. These humans above us need something to do to break the monotony."
The groundhogs got quiet and thoughtfully nodded in agreement with wise old Phil’s idea. The more they thought about it the more it began to make sense to them.
“All we have to do," Phil explained, “is to tell these humans that on a particular day of the year if a groundhog emerges from his winter’s hole and happens to see his shadow it will be a sign of six more weeks of winter."
A ripple of snickering flowed through the crowd of groundhogs but this time it was more of a conniving snicker. “But what day should we pick?" several of them chimed in.
“Well, it has to be sometime between Christmas and Easter."
The crowd of groundhogs grew quiet as each one went over the calendar in his mind. After all, they realized how important calendars were to the humans who walked on the ground above.
“It has to be a day that’s not close to any other human holiday," old Phil suggested.
After several suggestions were bantered about the room, someone recommended they vote on a day. Paper ballots were prepared and passed around to everyone with instructions to make only one choice. When the ballots were collected and counted the winning date was Feb. 2.
When the date was announced the room exploded with cheers and clapping. The first part of their hoax was firmly established. A sense of excitement ran through the crowd of groundhogs assuring that sleep would not visit them that night.
It is not quite clear how old Phil communicated this to the humans above. This part of the story is a closely kept secret. After all, groundhogs have their secrets as well as anybody else. All he would say was, “It was the easiest part of our plan."
And so began one of the great rituals in the human calendar. Wise old Phil named it Groundhog Day. The name has stuck to this very day.
None of the groundhogs interviewed could believe their hoax would last so long, but all of them are delighted over the unprecedented success. This is why on Feb. 3 the underground world echoes with hardy snickering and sometimes uproarious laughter.
Thankfully, not everything is powered by superstition, fables or downright hoaxes. The apostle Paul warned against this. “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness." (1 Timothy 4:7 KJV.)
Following Christ is not a hoax but a holy discipline that leads to fulfillment and joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Both Karen Leblanc & James L. Snyder Snyder are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Karen Leblanc has sinced written about articles on various topics from Arts. Karen LeBlanc has written many more hints and tips on decoupage sheets. Visit her website at .. Karen Leblanc's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.
James L. Snyder Snyder has sinced written about articles on various topics from Exotic Pets List, Arts and Franchise. James L. Snyder is an award winning author and popular columnist living with his wife, Martha, in Ocala, Florida and can be contacted at .. James L. Snyder Snyder's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.