Muses from Katie

Altering Instructions

Have fun!


I like to use Mod Podge on these. It works well and is cheap! I save my Perfect Paper Adhesive for less "porous" projects.


I'll break it down into steps.



1. Choose papers (worry about embellishments later but have some theme in mind)


2. Trace the letters backwards on to the back of the paper.


3. Cut the letters out of the paper with scissors or exacto (or both).


4. Brush Mod Podge with a paintbrush on to the wooden letter in a fairly thin even layer.


5. Working quickly add the paper letter to the wooden letter and smooth with a brayer or a ruler.


6. Leave to dry.


7. When dry add a coat of MP to the top of the paper. Keep the strokes all in the same direction and make the layer as even as possible.


8. Leave to dry (maybe an hour)


9. Use a brush on sealer (any will do just one that says it is for decoupage will work) and add an even layer with brush strokes all in one direction. You can use matte, gloss or semi gloss, it's your choice. Mine gives a semi gloss finish. Let this dry (as per sealer directions) and add another coat. Then I like to add another to make 4 coats (1 MP and 3 sealer).


10. When it is all completely dry (I like to start one day and leave over night) turn the letter paper fave down on a cutting mat. Use your exacto and trim any excess from the edge of the letters. Use a piece of sandpaper if you have rough inside edges.


11. Add embellishments, ribbons, rub ons etc. Rub on's are hard to apply after all the coats so you may want to add those before all the sealer (direct to the uncoated paper).



That looks like a lot of work but it isn't, I just broke it down into lots of steps to make it easier to follow.


I use this technique on all paper to wood applications. If you have a joined up word instead of individual letters then you can photocopy the word and make a template so that you can cut the paper easier.

posted by Katie @ 10:10 AM