simple decoupage watering can project

Are you looking for a fun and easy decoupage project? I have a simple decoupage watering can craft project. My watering can is for display only, you would need to properly seal your project if you want it to still be used as a watering can.

Simple Decoupage Watering Can Project

If you’re a regular reader, you probably recognize this pattern. It’s from a package of napkins I’ve been using on other projects over the last year or so. I’ll share those with you at the bottom of this post. Let’s see how this easy decoupage project came together.

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Easy Decoupage Project Directions

For a shiny item like this, I chose to wipe it clean with alcohol and a cotton pad. If you’re using a previously painted item, you should be fine.

The alcohol did a great job of removing grime and the shiny finish. Now the watering can is ready for paint!

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Dixie Belle Fluff Paint

Dixie Belle Paint in Fluff seemed like the perfect color for the can and the napkin. I painted it inside and out with a chip brush.

The first coat was very quick and light—drying very fast. I applied a second coat everywhere I wasn’t going to be applying a napkin with Mod Podge. The paint adhered very nice, and it left the watering can with a very flat sheen.

Prep Napkins for Decoupage

Whenever you use napkins for decoupaging, you need to separate the ply. This pretty hydrangea napkin is three ply. You’ll only be using the top ply, discarding the other two layers.

Typically the napkins follow a pattern—similar to wallpaper. That matters in some decoupage projects, but I’m doing this one a little differently.

After separating the napkins, cut them in half. Only prep one napkin at a time because it’s difficult to know how many napkins you will need.

You don’t want hard edges when you decoupage unless you’re working right up against an edge. I tore away the napkin, revealing three different patterns. The first being the hydrangea, the second being the blue flowers with the yellow ones. Third were the small purple flowers. Those would be used to fill in the empty areas.

Apply Mod Podge and Napkins to Watering Can

I prefer to dilute the mod podge slightly when doing projects like this decoupage watering can. A foam brush is my tool of choice when applying mod podge. I’ll explain more about that a little later.

Wrinkles really get a bad rep! With a thin napkin decoupage project, you’re going to have wrinkles. Simply embrace them!

How to Decoupage Watering Can Project

1. Thin (dilute) Mod Podge
2. Apply layer of Mod Podge to project
3. Carefully lay the napkin onto the project
4. Dab Mod Podge medium onto napkin
5. Do NOT paint with the foam brush—napkins tear very easily
6. Continue to work in small areas
7. Allow decoupage watering can project to dry thoroughly
8. Apply a topcoat to entire project, sealing the paint where there is no napkin applied

I chose to NOT apply napkins on the handle, top and spout. After applying the topcoat of mod podge to the entire watering can, I loved how it looked. Honestly, I can’t remember what stage this is.

For the second coat of topcoat, I needed to coat the inside of the can with the mod podge, so I used the chip brush. It left visible brush strokes on the top—I’m not thrilled. I should have used the foam brush. It’s up to you whether you do the inside of the can, but I’m glad I did.

Do you see the wrinkles are less noticeable now that it’s all dry?

Seriously, isn’t this an improvement over the original silvery shiny watering can?

Here are the other items I’ve used these napkins on

Decoupage Basket

Decoupage Sewing Drawer

I still have a few more napkins left. The awesome thing about decoupaging with napkins is the projects take so few napkins. Most projects take 2-3 napkins total. So, a package of 20 napkins will complete a lot of projects.

What will you decoupage?

gail