Decoupage 911

After work I headed to the little neighborhood crafty store: Googly Eyes Had a "test" pot in tow with a waterslide decal and two different poses on napkins decoupaged on it. Yep, napkins. One of the napkins had a bird on it, and the other napkin had one of my own pictures printed on it***** The decal looked OK. The bird looked great, while my printed photo on napkin, needed more black ink, possibly another printer, and a sturdier napkin**All in all, I felt like the last piece of mulberry paper, waiting to be used. Overall I LOVED the look of the napkin decoupage. Eventho my printed piece wasn't so lovely. My question to one of the owners at Googly Eyes, did she know anybody who printed on napkins. After my adventure of to print and to tear napkin layers so I could decoupage--wasn't feelin' any more long term printin'. ***** The co-owner did gave me wonderful suggestions about the decal, possible accents on my terra cotta pots, crackle medium and try to print on tissue paper. Done done tissue paper before, yet it's been a few months. Didn't want to print, yet I grabbed another 'test' pot. ***** The second time thru the printer, the tissue paper got printed on. I anchored mine to a sheet of cardstock. Honestly, I do like how it's drying on the pot. However I realized I do not want to print anything more myself. ***** All I could think of: I may need a better printer and the overall hassle of anchoring tissue paper or napkins. Especially if I wind up doing more pots for people.*****Sure. Yea. I hear ya, practice does make perfect.

In the picture: Up left is a kitty (yep really!) sniffs a tulip. That's the one I printed on the napkin. The bird was on the napkins I bought at Party City. The other kitty in the corner is on the waterslide decal.

Now time to practice on some pepperoni pizza.

Waterslide On (decals!)

Began to think I could not locate any decal paper except online. I hated the thought of buying more than I needed--especially if it didn't work. In my quest for clear transfers, I've mastered packing tape, contact paper, and Omni Gel (GREAT quality!) Yet, I didn't like the finished transfer product on the terra cotta pots. Even found Avery Clear Sticker Project Paper--which I didn't know existed. I'm sure it may look OK--except I printed on the WRONG sheet of the paper. My photos weren't that good/dark. Then came the Testors Decal Paper. I did find the paper at a little Mom and Pop hobby store. Actually right after I bought the Avery Stickers in a Wal-mart, and as I made my way to Starbucks, I saw the name of the store. I scurried in to be met with dozens of model trains and cars. The young man took me to the Testors Decal Paper display. Testors paper is for waterslide decals made printed by an inkjet printer. The 6 clear sheets are 5 1/2 x 8 1/2. With out further a-do, here is my decal:
Right now my decal dries on top of a paper towel undisturbed--just like the directions said. It will stay there overnight. Curious if it will look different in the morning. Most important, what will the decal look like on one of my pots?
Stay tuned.

Transfer for Terra Cotta Pots

On my pots, I've had trouble with the artwork not looking how I want it to look. Done tranfers with packing tape, contact paper and recently Omni Gel. I loved the quality of the Omni Gel. Will definitely use it for something else, like the 4 and 3 inch pot, yet not the six inch. The artwork still looks like a picture just slapped on the pot.

Ain't feelin' that.

So I have some new things things to try. Avery Clear Sticker paper. I didn't know this even existed until today. Plus waterslide clear decal paper. These items weren't expensive, yet the bad thing is I had to get ink for my inkjet printer--which was more than I want to pay. I wanted to stay away from printing anything on my own printer, yet I may not have a choice.

The look of the artwork is the last thing to make have happen on these pots.*

Stay tuned.