This fun decoupage basket was made using hydrangea napkins. Small beverage napkins were applied to a woven basket to decorate it for a new accessory and home decor! Sometimes doing crafts make me a little nervous. But I like to mix things up a little like I'm doing with this decoupage project.
This small woven basket was used to hold Lulu Mae’s dog toys. But, it was time for this basket to get a makeover! My friend Jeanie from Create and Babble decoupaged a picnic basket years ago, and it's been on my to-do list since then. Let's get on with the tutorial, shall we?
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Paint woven basket before doing napkin decoupage
Using a small chip brush and leftover diy chalky paint primer the small woven basket got a coat of primer paint.
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First, I thinned the paint a little to make it go further. I painted the entire basket, inside and outside.
This is the second coat of paint which is Heirloom Traditions paint (Buttermilk).
How to tear a napkin for decoupaging
What kind of napkin do you use for decoupage? Beautiful paper napkins! These pretty hydrangea napkins were purchased on Amazon. I have used napkins from the dollar store as well, they have some very beautiful designs. After you open the napkins, it's obvious where you will need to divide them. Wet the paper napkin to easily tear it for decoupage. Because I only needed a straight line, I used a thin paint brush dipped in water. If you have an intricate pattern that needs to be torn, you can use an aqua brush. The aqua brush will allow you to follow a pattern. Oh my gosh, I think you will be surprised how easy the napkin is to tear once it is wet.
It’s amazing how the tear perfectly follows the wet line!
Separate three ply napkins
What is more challenging? Separating the three ply napkin. You will only be using one ply, making your decoupage napkin very thin.
Butting up the two halves I tore apart, you can see that the pattern repeats. The beverage napkins were the perfect size for the woven basket.
The Mod Podge I used was a glossy sheen. I applied a coat of mod podge medium to the basket. Then I laid the thin napkin on the basket and applied another light coat of the Mod Podge.
The "dab technique" works best for napkin decoupage basket
Do you see the missing yellow flower right in the center of this image? It was torn, so stippling or dabbing the decoupage medium works better than brushing it on. I think I should have used a little saran wrap to help smooth it. Of course, it helps to have patience.
I was able to use a small section of yellow flowers to patch the torn napkin area. You may notice a few bubbles, they aren't too noticeable in the end project.
How to match the pattern on decoupage basket
Where the napkins ended around each corner, I used a small piece of napkin to bring it all together. Complete the basket following these steps. Mod Podge, place napkin, dab more mod podge onto napkin. I think I'll get better with a little practice. Placement is fairly easy with such a busy pattern.
Allow decoupage to dry-apply more layers to seal and protect
Following the directions on the decoupage medium, I allowed the decoupage glue to dry before re-coating. Applying several coats will help protect the basket.
Do you love the decoupage basket as much as I do? I even know where the seams are, and the patched yellow flower. But they are so hard to find.
I think it's too pretty to hold Lulu Mae's toys now, don't you?
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If you love it as much as I do, won’t you please pin it? Then after you pin it, hop over to see what my friends did this month with their thrift store finds!
gail
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Helen
I decoupaged a small box to use to put in some jewelry I had made. However, I did an experiment. I did not separate the napkin but decoupaged the entire napkin to the box. It felt like fine linen. I was so surprised and the person receiving the gift loved it. It took several coats of Mod Podge but worth it.
Gail Wilson
Helen,
Wow! That's awesome, thank you so much for sharing that with us. I'll definitely have to give that a try!
gail
Mary Ann
So beautiful..a must try project..if it only looks half as beautiful as yours, I'll be thrilled! Thanks so much for this great idea.
Gail Wilson
Ohhh, thank you so much Mary Ann! I'm so in love with how this basket turned out! I love, love, love those napkins. They make me smile. š
gail
eyeloveknots
What a transformation! I tried using napkins ONCE to decoupage some ceramic tile coasters, and I had a major fail. Haven't tried again since. This is a fun idea though! Maybe I will keep my eyes out for a good basket at the thrift store.
Alexandra
EyeLoveKnots.com
Gail Wilson
Alexandra,
The key is not overworking the Mod Podge on the napkin. š Less is more in this case. I hope you find a basket and have success!
gail
Peg
Cute! I used to do napkin decoupage years ago. Thanks for bringing back this easy craft. š
Gail Wilson
Yay Peg! I hope you are inspired to do a new project! I'd be happy to mail you a few napkins if you're interested. š
gail
Karolyn Love
Just plain LOVE it! I, too, thought you had painted it on when I had only seen the picture, but happily found you had decoupaged it!!! I have been finding Longaberger baskets at a thrift shop near me and they are selling for pennies considering what the original costs were. Maybe they'll come back up in value like everything else, but for now they seem to be bought second hand as a bargain....ANYWAY...I am so going to try this and thank you for giving me some confidence to try it!!! Blessings for a wonderful Spring...
Gail Wilson
How wonderful! I appreciate your sweet comment so much. This was so easy, I can't wait to hear how your basket turns out! The key is to NOT paint the mod podge, but use a more delicate dabbing on the thin napkins. This was my first basket, but probably not my last!
gail
Helen
I have used napkins to decoupage many times. I also did a box without separating the napkin. Was very surprised how it turned out. Actually felt like cloth! Friends were surprised and impressed.
Gail Wilson
Ohhh, Helen! That's good to know about doing the napkin decoupage without separating the layers. How clever!
gail
petticoatjunktion
You did a great job Gail and I can imagine how difficult this project was. I tried decoupaging with napkins one time and that did it for me, lol. I may try again because your basket is beautiful.
Gail Wilson
Kathy,
This project was really surprisingly easy. It's all about the napkins. LOL Tearing them was so easy after I learned the trick.
It's also important to not "paint" on the decoupage medium. The napkins are too delicate for that.
gail
Christy @ Our Southern Home
This is so stinking cute!! I haven't used mod podge in a while. Now I'm so inspired to do something similar for spring!
Gail Wilson
Thank you so much Christy! I'm actually working on another decoupage project today. I don't do it very often, but it is fun and easy. š
gail
Maryann
Gail that turned out ABSOLUTELY Gorgeous!!!
Gail Wilson
Thank you Maryann! The best part? It was sooo quick and easy!
gail
girlfromwva
this looks beautiful! reminds me that Spring is getting closer!
Gail Wilson
Ohhh, I can't wait till spring!
Debbie
Gorgeous! Now I'm putting this on my to-do list! Love the colors!!
Gail Wilson
Thank you Debbie, It's a fun and oh so easy project!
Ali Enza
Definitely too pretty to hold puppy toys!! Gorgeous!
Gail Wilson
Thank you So much Ali!
gail
Kristin salazar
WOW this is amazing, it looks like a hand painted piece of art! Love it!
houseofhawthornes
Holy cow, that came out beautifully! Lulu Mae must be so proud of you!
Gail Wilson
awww, thanks Pam! š
A good friend said "if you ever need to get rid of that, I'll take it off your hands" heheheh
gail