Embellishing your decoupage work.

There are numerous ways that you can make your cards special in addition to your decoupage work. However, you should use these techniques sparingly. A simple, well-done card is more effective than one that uses every method and technique you’ve ever heard of.

When choosing a card to mount your work, you may want to think of using mulberry or handmade paper. This is full of rich textures and available in a variety of colors. Handmade paper can be frayed at the edges if wet slightly, providing a range of possibilities for borders and framing.

Small amounts of glitter can be used for highlighting or you can use the cloisonné or gilding techniques described below.

Other craft techniques such as embossing, stenciling, or rubber-stamping can be used alongside decoupage to embellish your cards. If you use rubber stamps, you can create background or additional images to compliment your main image.

Embossing techniques are ideal for creating messages on your cards. Wipe the card with talcum powder before you begin so that the embossing powder doesn’t stick to it. Stamp or write your message on in ink, and while the ink is still wet, sprinkle embossing powder over the words. Using black (or another color) ink and clear embossing powder prevents unsightly mistakes. You need to hear the powder to activate it; a heat gun is usually used. Don’t use a hairdryer. If you don’t have a heat gun, you can place your paper on a baking sheet and heat in a pre-heated over at 325 degrees for a few minutes. Remove the paper as soon as the powder has melted. It’s worth practicing on a scrap of paper to get your timing right.

All sorts of embellishments can be added to cards. Beads, colored stones, stickers, eyelets, glitters, and tassels can be glued or sewn onto your cards.

Most decoupeurs choose to buy card blanks to mount their work. However, it’s relatively easy to make your own blanks and matching envelopes. For the card itself, all you need is a sheet of card from a craft store, folded into two. Paper has grain. If you take a piece of paper and lightly bend it in each direction, you’ll see that it bends easily in one direction. That’s the direction in which you need to fold your card, parallel to the grain. If you fold against the grain, you’ll meet resistance and the fold will be messy.