| Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to | | | | detailing that transforms mundane coffee tables |
| finding decoupage inspirations. You can conjure | | | | or jewelry boxes into beautiful crafted objects of |
| presents and works of art and make them | | | | aesthetic appreciation. Or even something as |
| materialize right before your eyes. You can even | | | | simple as a lampshade. Just imagine taking that |
| turn back time and make old furniture new again | | | | dirty old lampshade, giving it a good cleaning and |
| (or vice versa, making new furniture seem | | | | then embellishing it with a scene captured right |
| antique). | | | | from the natural world, a virtual tapestry with real |
| A table napkin, a doily, a photograph-they can all | | | | pressed lilies and the discarded yellow feathers |
| be transformed into objects d'artes by the magic | | | | from your parakeet. The ugly old lampshade is |
| of decoupage. At its heart decoupage entails | | | | now a conversation piece. |
| translating an image onto a prepared surface-be it | | | | Even over-looked second-hand items that crowd |
| wood, glass or even ceramic. The finished image, | | | | thrift stores, the detritus of our industrial age, can |
| nestled on its new home, is then layered with | | | | be reincarnated by the life giving force of |
| varnish or wax to realize your desired aesthetic | | | | decoupage. An old stained but sturdy chest of |
| effect. | | | | drawers can be raised from its tomb in the |
| Among decoupage enthusiasts, handmade paper, | | | | basement to become an art center where you |
| because of its versatility, is the hot medium right | | | | store and organize your brushes and pigments |
| now. But you need not follow this latest trend. | | | | when they are not in use-or maybe even a |
| With a vigilant eye you can save those candy | | | | newborn's changing table and then a storage |
| wrappers and labels and even used stamps that | | | | space for the child's toys as he or she grows. |
| would have found their graves at the local landfill, | | | | (Here's a tip from a seasoned decoupage |
| and give them a second less utilitarian life as the | | | | enthusiast on which varnish to choose: A quick |
| patterns and images in your latest decoupage | | | | drying water-based varnish is perfect for |
| master work. Similarly, left over gift wrap can find | | | | protecting pieces from scratches and scuffs and |
| new utility as the verisimilar 3 dimensional images | | | | even a bit of heat. A thicker, oil-based varnish is |
| on greeting cards and hand-made book covers. | | | | the way to go when you want to give an item |
| Just apply the repeated gift wrap images to | | | | that yellowed tint of an antique; you can even |
| paper and cut them to fit their new context. | | | | give new furniture that crackled or marbled |
| Even Nature's little works of art-autumn leaves, | | | | effect with an oil-based varnish, so that the new |
| tulips, seashells, or parrot feathers-can be civilized | | | | becomes old again for the very first time. |
| and pressed into service as part of the intricate | | | | |