Elise: A Decoupaged Dream

Right, grab your cup of coffee, tea or glass of OJ because I have so much to share this morning.  First of all, I want to tell you a bit about Martha Stewart’s new decoupage line, available at Michaels.  I am always amazed at Martha’s projects and products.  I love her brushes and stencils and use them in many of my painting projects.

This decoupage line is a-maz-ing.  The range includes: paper, lace, fabric and trims which can be decoupaged onto virtually any surface – wood, fabric, cork, metal and even glass!  It is washable too!

My friend, Kim, had this Martha Washington Sewing Table that belonged to her grandmother, Elise. Kim planned on refinishing it, but somehow, it just got left out in her shed.  She wanted my help.

Elise, the sewing table, sat waiting patiently to be noticed and to be loved.

Her poor hinges broken and so, too, was her heart.  That was until she came to me.  I replaced the broken hinges and thoroughly cleaned her up.  I love working on furniture and finding tags and markings.  This little lady has the number 77 inside.  See here:

I wonder if she’s from 1877.  I’m not sure. Does anyone out there know what that marking means?

I painted her in a very pretty violet color, which I think looks very Victorian.  Then it was time to dive into all the lovely Martha Stewart Decoupage products that Plaid Crafts sent me.

I chose to use these for the table:

The lace papers reminded me of real lace pieces that may have been stored in the sewing cabinet.

If you’re interested in decoupaging a piece of furniture, here’s what you’ll need:

How To Decoupage Furniture

Materials –
* Martha Stewart Matte Finish Decoupage (you can also use gloss, but I wanted matte for this piece)
* Martha Stewart Decoupaging Brushes
* Martha Stewart Decoupage Paper (These come in many, many fun designs)

Other Materials Needed-
*Furniture Paint
*Paint Brush
*Wax or Protectant Coating for your funiture

1. After you’ve finished painting your furniture and it has dried.  It is time to decoupage.  Lightly coat the area of the furniture where you’d like to place the decoupage paper with the decoupage medium using the Martha Stewart decoupage brush.

2. Lightly coat the back of the paper and press the two decoupaged areas together.  Decoupage side down.

3. Use the Martha Stewart Crafts brayer or your fingers to press the paper cut out onto the surface.  I used my fingers.  Make sure to smooth the paper from the center toward the edges.  This removes trapped air pockets.  Wipe excess with damp paper towel.

4. When completely dry, brush a smooth application of decoupage finish over the cut-out, leaving a 1/4 inch board to seal the edge of the paper.  There may be some slight bubbling but don’t worry it will go down once dry.  Allow 1-2 hours to dry and then repeat.

5. Wash brush and materials with soap and water.

6.  I waited 24 hours, before applying my furniture wax to seal the entire piece.

I have to tell you, I loved using these products.  They were so much fun and easy to apply. I may do a petite dresser with birds next!  Here’s how Elise looks now after her little decoupage makeover:

I’m happy to report that Elise will no longer be living in the shed but in Kim’s home!

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