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Thursday, April 4, 2013

TUTORIAL: DECOUPAGE A SOAP CONTAINER/BOX

Happy Thursday!  Always so glad to be here with you!  I am so happy to be back with a monthly designer project over at Sheila's today, and I appreciate not only her patience but also for holding my monthly spot while I was away from blogging dealing with my family circumstances.

I'll be sharing a decoupage project with you that makes a wonderful gift!  This is a pretty lengthy post, so grab a cuppa and let's begin with my project:



I've used my box for soap, however, it can also be used to hold jewelry, candy, or whatever you choose to use it for.  What you'll need:
  • Plastic travel soap dish (got mine from Walmart)
  • Your choice:  tissue, paper, cloth material, etc. (less the size of 1/2 sheet of an 8.50" x 11" sheet of paper torn into pieces)
  • Decoupage glue (or 2 parts Elmer's glue to 1 part water mixed well will do too)
  • Small foam brush or paint brush
  • Old button or ear ring
  • Trim of your choice:  lace, beads, ric-rac, etc.
  • E6000 or other stong glue (for trim and button)
  • Fine glitter
Plastic soap container from Walmarts (some Dollar Stores)


Okay, if you've got all your materials together, cover your work area to protect it from the glue-mess and let's get to decoupaging!!!  I'll be using a metallic tissue (the kind used for gift bags), bling mesh ribbon for my trim, and a  gem instead of a button.  To begin, you'll first paint the top of your box with the glue:


Next, using your wet brush to pick up the tissue, begin carefully layering by painting the tissue onto the top of the box then apply a thin layer of glue over the paper:



Use your fingers to very carefully smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles as you go (I actually like some wrinkles because it adds a nice texture).  Also, don't worry about any paper tears, just add another layer of the torn paper to cover the tear.  If the air bubbles are persistent, carefully press down on them with a damp cloth to release the excess air and/or glue trapped beneath the paper:



Continue layering and smoothing until the top is completely covered (do not worry about the sides as the trim will cover this).  To make certain you've covered your entire box top, open the box and look for any areas you can see through; cover those areas:



Once covered, your box should now look something like this:



Once the box is smooth and as wrinkle free as you'd like, use the damp cloth again to make sure air bubbles are removed (you will probably need to do this several times as glue dries and don't worry if it looks a bit funny, it'll turn out to be a beauty in the end); allow glue to set for about 30 minutes then brush an extra thin layer of the glue over the top tissued area then sprinkle the wet area with glitter and allow to dry completely:



Once completely dry trim away any lose excess paper from around the edges of the box, apply your trim, and using a strong glue like E6000 attach a button or piece of jewelry to the front of the box to use to open your box and cover up the slit that's the closure:


Any excess glue on the bottom of the box cleans up easily with a mild soap and water wipe down.  All done!!!  Now... isn't it pretty?!!! A bit messy but sooooo easy and so much fun to do..., and a great gift!!!  Here're a couple more I did:



Hope you enjoyed my project and tutorial!  Thanks for stopping by, and...

I'll be seeing you!

25 comments:

audrey said...

Looks good Audrey, nice to see you back.
Audrey

audrey said...

Looks good Audrey
Nice to see you back.
Audrey

Do What You Love said...

Wow! Audrey, this is incredible. I love to decoupage things and never thought plastic would work! I'm so thrilled you shared this - now I will have to try something. I especially like the gold and how you added gems; makes it look so ooh la la! ;-) Glad to see you back in the craft world! ;-) I'll have to read back on your other stuff.

Dr Sonia S V said...

You are the queen of altered projects Audrey
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Cards Crafts School Projects

jessica said...

Audrey these are amazing!!!! I love the tutorial and who would have know that you used a soap container....I LOVE it!!!
What a GREAT altered project!!
Thanks for sharing and have a GREAT Thursday :)

Patti J said...

Well, how about that? I had no idea that plastic would work with Mod-Podge! Thanks for the tutorial, Audrey. Your boxes are lovely, and what a nice way to display a small gift! You rock, dear girl - glad you are back in blogland! Hugs...

lovemypaper said...

WOW this is so cute love it!

Vals Soaps And More From Home said...

Ooooo Audrey!
I like this, very nice. You did great! I must try it. Would be a nice gift with the soap!
Valerie

- - Sheryl - - said...

Hi AUdrey, yes very pretty! We cn use this as a trinket box too! Can a gift card fit inside ?

Angi Barrs said...

Your projects are always so beautiful and elegant. Love these!

Beebeebabs said...

Wow very nice - such a great idea!!!

Myrna said...

Audrey
Love this little box. What a fun project to make.
Myrna

Karon said...

These are so so pretty - thanks for sharing. Hope you are having a good week.

shari said...

Very pretty Audrey, it's so nice to have you back.

Audrey Frelx said...

Thank you, my family-friends, for stopping by and commenting.

Hugs!

papillon digital design said...

What a great project Audrey. Love it

Sherrie K. said...

Wow, what a F*U*N idea and it turned out so beautifully. How creative to think of decorating one of these..so cool! Thanks for sharing and for the great tutorial!
Sherrie K

lisa808 said...

Gorgeous! Who would ever think that pretty masterpiece started out as a plain plastic box.

girlia said...

too cute

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Awesome work and great tutorial!

Nana said...

WOW beautiful. I have not Decoupaged in a long time. You have inspired me to pull mine out.

Have a creative day.
Hugs Nana
♥ My Crafting Channel ♥
♥ 2 Creative Chicks ♥

Treva said...

I love this project/idea! I think I just may give this a try soon!

Lisa said...

Wow, Audrey, these are so fabulous!! And what an awesome tutorial!! Thanks for the amazing inspiration my friend!! I just love them!!

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

The Archiving Angel said...

So very pretty! You would take something this average & turn it into extraordinary! Love your talent!


Hugs,
Sonia

Unknown said...

oh, oh, oh. Of course again you just gave me an idea. I actually have that paper and really had no idea what I wanted to make with it. what a great idea to use it as a decoupage medium. LOVE, love, love it