• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Start Here
  • Shop Favorites
  • About
    • Welcome To My Repurposed Life Home of Repurposed Furniture
    • More About Gail
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Information
  • Gallery
    • Repurposed Furniture
  • Repurposed Items
    • Building Supplies
    • Miscellaneous Household Items
    • Picture Frame/Chalk Board
  • DIY
    • Home Reno
    • outdoor living
    • Painting
    • Shop Talk
    • Tips for Around the House
    • Build It
      • Furniture
      • Home Decor
      • Storage
    • Crafts
      • Dollar Store
      • Easy
      • Holidays Seasonal
  • Furniture
    • Chair
    • Desk
    • Dresser/Chest
    • Headboard | Bed Parts | Cribs
    • Kids Furniture
    • Table
    • Kids Furniture
My Repurposed Life® Rescue Re-imagine Repeat
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Project Index
  • Furniture
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Crafts » simple decoupage watering can project

    simple decoupage watering can project

    Published by Gail | Published May 1, 2020 | Updated November 17, 2020
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    How to decoupage a watering can using pretty floral napkins. This easy craft can be done in just a couple of hours. Do more than one to make a set. Great for displaying cut flowers indoors. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #wateringcan #decoupage #craft via @repurposedlife

    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

    simple decoupage watering can project MyRepurposedLife

    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.

    Save & Share on Pinterest!

    Easy Decoupage Project Directions

     

    clean decoupage project

    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.

     

    grime removed from watering can

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

    *this post contains affiliate links, read more here*

    Dixie Belle Fluff Paint

    dixie belle paint fluff

    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.

     

    painting decoupage watering can

    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

    three ply hydrangea napkin 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.

    decorative hydrangea napkin follows a pattern

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

     

    cut napkin in half with scissors

    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.

    tear pattern on napkin for decoupage

    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

    mod podge napkins onto 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.

     

    decoupage watering can in progress

    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

    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

     

    painted decoupage watering can

    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.

    simple white decoupage watering can MyRepurposedLife

    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?

     

    simple decoupage watering can project MyRepurposedLife

    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

     

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    Related Content:

    • Paint Tips
      Paint Tips
    • decoupage basket | hydrangea napkins
      decoupage basket | hydrangea napkins
    • DIY Bloggers BEST Projects
      DIY Bloggers BEST Projects
    • Successful Craft Show Tips
      Successful Craft Show Tips
    • Small Sofa Side Table | Custom Build
      Small Sofa Side Table | Custom Build
    • Repurposed DIY Projects from 2020
      Repurposed DIY Projects from 2020

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      See comments Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Alberta Eiden

      May 18, 2020 at 3:17 pm

      Great looking watering can. I couldn't image doing decoupage on metal. You always broaden my horizons.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 20, 2020 at 8:42 pm

        Thank you Alberta!!! Painting first is a must! I do love an easy decoupage project.

        gail

    2. Karen Small

      May 01, 2020 at 5:31 pm

      I absolutely love the decoupage post Re: watering cans!!! You totally make it sound doable . Even for a craft "newbie" like me
      I am collecting crafting supplies here and there. Haven't yet started a project. Thank you for sharing your talents with "old beginners" such as me.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 02, 2020 at 10:15 pm

        Have fun with your projects!

        gail

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

    More about me →

    Join Our Mailing List

    ​

      Click the topics you're interested in below:

      Subscribing above means you agree to our Privacy Policy​

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      SEEN ON

      Might I Suggest

      • Start Here
      • Furniture Makeovers

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      About

      • Gail's Favorites on Amazon
      • About

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2023 My Repurposed Life · Privacy Policy · Disclosure