Craft Project: Decoupage a Wooden Picture Frame

Decoupage is an easy, creative, and satisfying craft medium. With minimal materials, you can decorate nearly any surface or object easily and with fantastic results.

Simply defined, decoupage is the art of cutting out designs from magazines, paper, or other flat material, then applying the cutouts to a surface and coating with lacquer or glue.

For any craft project, follow common sense guidelines. Keep newspaper nearby to protect work surfaces as well as paper towels to quickly contain spills. For products you are unfamiliar with, read package directions first. Gather all supplies you need beforehand so you can spend your time doing the fun stuff.

Decoupage a Wooden Picture Frame

Materials Needed

Wooden picture frame in size of your choice
Acrylic paint, color-coordinated with tissue paper
Decoupage medium
Craft paint brush
Sponge brush
Three sheets tissue paper: one with a design and two solid coordinating colors (be aware that you may need more than one sheet each if you are decorating a large frame)
Scissors

Decoupage Instructions for Wooden Picture Frame

Paint all surfaces of wooden picture frame with one coat acrylic paint using craft paintbrush. Let dry.

While paint dries, cut out several of the designs printed on the tissue paper. Tear other tissue paper sheets into pieces of various sizes.

Coat small section of picture frame with decoupage medium using sponge brush. Carefully coat one side of torn piece of solid color tissue paper and place onto coated frame surface. Brush more decoupage medium on top of tissue paper to completely adhere.

Coat another section of frame with decoupage medium and repeat process, alternating and overlapping solid tissue paper colors. Be sure to apply on all parts of the frame that will show to the front.

If frame will stand on a surface rather than hang on a wall, decoupage both front and back as well.

Following the same guidelines, adhere cutout designs to picture frame on top of solid tissue paper pieces.

Once entire frame is decoupaged completely and has dried, add one or two more coats of decoupage medium. This will ensure all tissue paper is completely adhered and provide a nice finish to the picture frame.

Tips for successful decoupaging

- Coat both surface and back of cutout with decoupage medium prior to adhering to surface to prevent air bubbles
- Some materials such as napkins and very thin tissue paper are delicate and require a light touch to prevent tearing
- Ink from ink jet printers may smear when decoupage medium is applied, so test first
- Decoupage medium comes in both matte and glossy finish, so consider this when creating your design
- Rinse sponge brush immediately or medium will harden it and you cannot use it again; after prolonged usage, medium may not rinse out of sponge at all

Other ideas for decoupaging a wooden picture frame

- Use good quality (thick) napkins with designs instead of tissue paper
- Try wrapping paper, magazines, books, maps, or flat scrap booking materials like stickers and tags
- Use natural items such as leaves, small dried flowers, or grasses
- Leave wood frame natural instead of painting for a softer finished look

Once you complete your first decoupage craft project, you'll be hooked. You may find that you start considering various surfaces and objects in your house as potential decoupage candidates. In my case, I think my husband became a little worried that I would decoupage his he-man tools!

Have fun and be creative while you decoupage your wooden picture frame.

This decoupage craft project and written content are the writer's original work.