Decoupage is the art of arranging paper scraps to make a beautiful pattern on an object. Decoupage can be used in many ways around the home, from small projects to covering big furniture items. All you need is glue and a supply of paper images.

You can get your images very easily by perusing old magazines and cutting out the images you like. Gardening magazines are excellent for bright, clear flower images, while National Geographic magazines provide stunning images from around the world. But don't stop at magazines, there are many sources of scraps you can use in decoupage.

Wrapping paper comes in such a huge variety of styles and patterns, and it need not be expensive wrapping paper. The gift racks at your dollar store will provide you with huge amounts of material for around $1-50 cents a sheet. Don't throw away old calendars, or bypass the calendar sale once New Year is over. Calendars have wonderful images you can use, some dedicated entirely to the art of decoupage. Look in junk shops for fascinating ephemera like old yellowed maps, postcards and bundles of letters. All of these add an antique feel to your decoupage.

Gift bags, old books from book sales, catalogs in the mailbox, scrapbooking background papers, and many other sources, can also be used. File your images in folder files under their category names - such as `flowers' - and you have a huge resource to help you decoupage objects around your home.

You should also have PVA glue, which acts as a glue and sealer for your decoupage. The most popular decoupage glue is Mod Podge, which you can get from a craft shop. To give your decoupage a really glossy finish, you can also use sealer, but this isn't entirely necessary. If you are new to decoupage, start with a small project, such as a tray or keepsake box. Arrange the scraps on a clean dry surface to a pattern that pleases you, the glue the scraps in place. Finish with another coat of Mod Podge or sealer when you have covered the item.

You will be amazed at the number of things you can cover with decoupage. Curved objects, like vases and bowls, are a little trickier, but well worth the effort. Faded book covers can be decoupaged with old maps and letters, or pages from dictionaries. Craft stores sell wooden forms that cry out to be decoupages, such as trays, boxes, and even small desks. These look fabulous when covered with scraps. For an antique look, get Modge Podge antique decoupage glue and sealer, which gives a warm aged appearance.

Larger pieces can also be decoupaged. If you have an old coffee table that is too good to throw away, but needs a new look, decoupage with images cut from wrapping paper or magazines, and add several coats of sealer. It will be good to use for years to come. Not just tables, but other old pieces of furniture, like a chest of drawers, can be brightened up with decoupage.

Children's furniture is a perfect subject for decoupage. Cut images from birthday wrapping paper, or old children's illustrated books, and turn a plain cupboard into something that is fun and exciting. A plain bedhead can become a magic fairyland scene, a change table can be a beach covered with shells, or a toy box become a faux house with just the right images pasted on.

With a good supply of images, and a pot of Modge Podge, every dull surface can bloom!

Learn more about this author, Gail Kavanagh.
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