Decoupage with Tissue Paper Makeover
Decoupage with tissue paper is a great way to liven up those old thrifty finds! With so many decorative tissue paper options it makes it a great way to give those old finds new life.
Hello friends! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I did something a little green today (well aqua-ish, but that counts right?) and didn’t even plan it that way.
How are you all doing? Hanging in there? Trying your best to stay healthy and all that?
What a crazy world we are living in right now. It changes by the day. I pray the world is able to overcome this thing and soon.
I know we are doing our part over here and staying home as much as possible. I do have to go out to care for my elderly father but that’s it if I can at all help it.
All we can do is the best we can do. And our part. We must do our part.
As for me and the blog, well, my hope during this time would be that this little blog of mine could be a nice escape from the “real” world for you. A place to get away from all the news and such. Even if just for a little while.
I will still be plugging away here doing projects and sharing pretty things. I have quite a few smalls I can work on and share without having to go out anytime soon to find more. Plus, as my husband so sweetly reminded me the other day, I have 2 storage units filled with things I vowed to empty this year!! haha I suppose I can get those pieces over here and work on them in the coming weeks too.
Our son came home from college and is doing it online. My husband is also working from home. Our daughter lives on her own and is staying in for the time being too. Since I work from home, thankfully, not much changed for me. Except I’ve started getting my groceries delivered last week which is a nice time saver for me. I don’t know why I never did it before this? But wow, what a luxury it is. I’m a “DIY” girl through and through, I have always just done my own, well, just about everything. So it never occurred to me to do it….until the “social distancing” began and I decided I’d try to avoid all places, even the grocery store, if at all possible.
Funnily enough, I did start getting my dad’s groceries every week through the Instacart pickup (not delivery) last year. That was a huge time saver too. But wow, getting mine delivered on top of that. Even bigger TIME SAVER!
Anyway, enough on that. It seems everyone is in on that game now with all this stuff going on. I’m very thankful for the option though. Especially in these times as they are right now. What a hard thing we are all navigating and going through. Something to definitely remind us that we are all together in this thing called life. We must remember that.
Okay, let’s talk green…(well aqua, whatever :) )
Decoupage with Tissue Paper Makeover
Today’s tissue paper makeover is part of my thrifty haul…
Only 2 more to go!
If you missed any of those makeovers, you can see them right here:
- Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread Sign/Tray
- $3 Wood Bowl Makeover with Paint & Tile
- $8 Ladder Back Chair Makeover (simple wood update!)
- Basket Makeover For Spring (with water based stain)
- Have Courage and Be Kind Table Makeover
- Give The Look Of Patina Gold With Paint
- 3 Thrift Store Upcycles (simple, thrifty home decor!)
And it started out like this…
The outside, eh, the inside was in great shape.
I started out by peeling off all of the paper on the outside.
Then I sprayed the outside with primer, and then white spray paint.
Once it was dry, I pulled out this pretty “green” (only for today…after today, it is aqua ;) ) tissue paper out.
I simply “measured” by laying the paper on each side of the box (using it as a guide) and using a pencil, marked where it needed to be cut.
I love this paper! (It’s linked below)
I’ve used it a few times and even gave it away in one of my giveaways.
Would you like to see a package of this tissue paper in my next giveaway?? Let me know, below!
Here are some other projects I’ve used it on:
- Tissue Paper Decoupage (a pretty re-makeover!)
- Breadbox Repurposed Into Charging Station
- Coastal Style Chalk Paint Makeover
And here are the links to the supplies needed to do this project…
MATERIALS LIST
Next, I pulled out my cutting mat (linked above) and cut the pieces out. (I like this cutting mat because it makes it easy to cut in nice, straight lines)
To attach them to the box, I used Mod Podge and a chip brush. Using the chip brush, apply a thin coat on the surface you are placing the tissue paper.
Then carefully lay the tissue paper onto the Mod Podge, smoothing it out gently.
It is normal for the tissue paper to wrinkle up some. It’s very thin and it’s just going to happen. We’ll just call that character. ;)
For the sides and front, I cut one large piece out and glued it to the box. Once it was dry, I used the rotating cutter (that goes with the cutting mat) to cut along the opening, as so…
So much easier to do it this way, than to try to do two separate pieces.
I also took off the hardware before applying it as well. (again, so much easier than cutting around it!)
Once all the pieces were on, I let it dry completely. After it was dry, I used a high gloss sealer because I wanted to go super shiny on this one. (linked above)
After drying, I wanted to dress it up just a bit more so I added a very simple, thin, iridescent ribbon on all edges. (with hot glue gun)
And that’s it!
I didn’t touch the inside because it was in perfect shape.
So only the outside got a makeover this time.
You might notice, I positioned it so the same center medallion was on each section.
All ready for whatever you want to use it for.
Maybe storing small bottles of essential oils, extra soaps for the bathroom, jewelry, remotes, anything!
PIN it to save it!
Want to see even more tissue paper projects??
I used a little bit on this one, you can see it here >>> Antoinette Chalk Paint with Decoupage
And this little table got a new look with tissue paper. I think this was my first go with it >>> $5 Thrifty French Paper Decoupage Tabel Makeover
If you missed any of the rest of this haul’s makeovers, you can see them all right here:
- Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread Sign/Tray
- $3 Wood Bowl Makeover with Paint & Tile
- $8 Ladder Back Chair Makeover (simple wood update!)
- Basket Makeover For Spring (with water-based stain)
- Have Courage and Be Kind Table Makeover
- Give The Look Of Patina Gold With Paint
- 3 Thrift Store Upcycles (simple, thrifty home decor!)
- Decoupage With Tissue Paper Makeover (you are here!)
- $4 Flatware Box Makeover For Spring
I’ll be sharing this one from the haul next!
UPDATE!! See it now, here!
Stay safe, friends.
xo
This small box turned out fabulous. I love to decoupage. I love using napkins because the patterns are endless, and like tissue paper, they are usually dirt cheap. I love this box tho. I would so love to see that in my bedroom. It would be absolutely perfect. You did a marvelous job as usual. Keep hanging in there and stay well.
Thanks, Jeannie! Oh yes, napkins are perfect for this! I need to remember that. You stay well too!! xoxo
Oh Nancy, this is beautiful! The placement of the tissue paper is perfect and love the way you use the rotary cutter. :)
Great going using Instacart. I use them as well. I’m so glad everyone in your family is healthy. May this craziness pass quickly. :)
Thank you, Christina! The rotary cutter is a nice help, for sure. Yes, loving Instacart so far!! I hope it does, yes….stay well!! xoxo
Love the pattern on the tissue paper. I have decoupaged in the past and your project has rekindled the desire. Now that we are all “laying low” for awhile we have time do some things that we have, perhaps forgotten about or try something new. You are so right! We are all in this together and we need to pull together, care about each other. “This too will pass.”
Me too! It’s one of my favorites, Shirley. :) Yes, now is the perfect time to play. You are so right, please take care of yourself and stay well! xoxo
This turned out so pretty! Love that tissue paper!! Stay well!! XOXO
Thanks, Christy!! Me too, it’s my favorite! :) xoxo
Thank you so much for your kind and comforting words re the virus situation. Also, aqua is my favorite color, collecting boxes is a fav, and the middle eastern prints have been a fav since childhood. I covered a jewelry box when i was a child with a heavy wrapping paper with blue print when I was a child..i still have it. So, all together, this post was a comfort. Thank you.
You are so very welcome, Sharon. I am so happy to know that this post was a comfort to you in so many ways. That just makes my day! Please take care and stay well! xoxo
this looks great, and i didn’t think the original was that ugly – at first! i’ve been thinking of trying some decoupage since it’s so much less expensive than transfers! i’m going to start with small pieces like this one. i love the added trim of ribbon too!
Thanks, Gwen! No, it really wasn’t bad in the beginning. :) Yes, and like another reader here commented, napkins are a great choice too for decoupage. And cheaper! xo
Absolutely beautiful; very innovative and crafty; as a duck 🦆 at a swan gathering I’m outside looking in because I love art and craft; this splash of creativity also inspired me to do a chest; the thing that I would like to do is try 🙄To cover it with an old world nautical map.. 🤔We’ll see 🤷♂️
Thank you, Willie! And oh, I love the idea of using an old world map!! I think it will be wonderful! xoxo
That’s lovely, Nancy! The tissue paper makes it look like it would be a candidate for the beach house 😉 I always forget how great decoupage can be. Now you’ve got me thinking…I have a table with a terrible top that could be saved with some paper. Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you, Marcie! Haha, yes, it sure would fit right in there! ;) Oh yes, a terrible top is the perfect candidate for decoupage….have fun!! xoxo
Beautiful! I’ve been waiting on this makeover. I have 2 very similar boxes and was totally uninspired as to what to do with them. Thank you for the inspiration! I only wish I could find that same paper. Where did you buy it? Stay Well!
If you click/tap on “decorative tissue paper” in the supplies list, it will take you to Amazon where you can order it.
Thank you Vicki! :)) xo
Thank you, Kim! It came from Amazon. (it’s linked as Vicki mentioned, inside the post, in the box titled “materials list”) Take care!! :) xo
Thank you both!
This is beautiful. Is this tissue paper the same kind we use to cover items in a giftbox before wrapping a gift? Or, is this a special type craft paper?
Thank you, Tara. Yes, it is very thin, regular tissue paper. Not thick at all. :) xo
YES!!! It will be your job to keep up with the pretty and get our minds off the ugly!!!!!
I love that design on the tissue paper. Wear does one find such pretty tissue paper?
This project came out great!!!
Take care and be safe!!! XX00
Yes, exactly what I hope to do! ;) Oh, yes, I found it at Amazon. (the direct link to it is inside the post, in the gray “materials list” box, if you want to take a look) :) It’s one of my favorite tissue papers. And thank you, you as well!! xoxo
Hi Nancy! I love this paper and it looks really pretty on this box. Great makeover!
Hi Cheryl! Thank you! Decoupage is so much fun. Take care and stay well! xoxo
Nancy! Your box looks so darling and exotic! I have a question: How do you get such a sharp line on the inside edges when using spray paint? Thanks!
Thank you so much! OH yes!!! Oops! I forgot I actually had to come back and hand paint that in with regular white paint. Sorry!! I need to edit the post to make sure everyone else knows too! Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention! xo
OMG, this project is absolutely fabulous. thank for sharing.
stay safe all.
Thanks so much, Ivory. :) Decoupage is such fun to do! And thank you, you as well! xoxo