That’s right people. I am putting the swagger back into decoupage with a simple piece of art that you can do right at home. and for CHEAP. Just take a look at my finished result:

Let’s say you have a frame that you want to feature a little gender neutral, totally personal, yet still hip work of fantasticalness. And the place you wanna feature this soon-to-be-hotter-than-a-jalapeno frame is not really appropriate for a blownup picture of you in your tankini in Cancun. (Pixels are not my cellulite’s friend). SOooo, what’s a girl to do?

Decoupage : The ancient art of gluing.

That’s right. And the best part about our favorite glue-filled activity (while keeping your nose clean anyway) is that most of the supplies can be found in your home! Here’s what you need to get your decoupage on:

Glue
Water
Scissors
Paper (or magazines or photos or whatev)
Something to stick your cutouts to (in my case, a piece of foamboard)
Paint, glitter, a pinch of love (optional)
Brush (or sponge or fingers)

First, cut out whatever little doodad you wanna paste down. Let’s say you are making a Britney montage. Cut out a pink wig, a sign of Cedars Sinai, a microphone, a Cheetos logo, and a chubby Kev-dogg. Also include a picture of fireworks…cause you know, like a firecracker she makes it hot.

Personally, I chose some numbers that were near and dear to my heart. 1435. I printed them out in Word. And went to town with my nearest scalpel. Just call me Meredith Grey.

Then I mixed some water, elmer’s glue, and some yellow paint. I added water till I got at the consistency I wanted…and brushed it all over the foam board…then laid the cutouts on top and gave it another good wiping or two. Pretend you are Nicole Kidman…on the beach…spread generously. The key to making the “old” look is to vary the colors…a little more brown in one wipe, a little more white in another.

The best part is that this piece of art incorporates some other existing art in my room! And you can personalize yours to do the same. In our kitchen was a yellow sea fan…but it was all by its lonesome in the hue department. Bringing in another piece of sunshine was just the ticket to make the yellow really pop. Plus, the frames in the kitchen hide outlets…no more wall acne!

Wanna get some digits? Cause you know you are lovin the numbered fun…Here is some inspiration.

So how bout you? Do you decou? What have you glued lately? Got digits in the house? And if you were to do this art, what numbers would you choose and why? Would they be your birthday – cause of the personal historic significance? or maybe your name is Jenny and you like 8675309 🙂 I think I just aged ten years.