Watering Decoupage

Watering Decoupage
Decoupage turns a plain watering can into a lovely item, as beautiful as the flowers in your garden!
Watering can are very common, everyday sort of objects. They are, however, particularly rewarding items to decoupage because of the near total transformation you can bring about! Once filled with flowers, fresh cut or dried, this watering can would look at home in the kitchen, conservatory or sunroom.
The fruit, flower and vegetable motif used here were found on different sheets of gift wrapping. They are certainly an appropriate decorative theme but their colours are a rather unusual mix, so do take care with your choice of background paint. Dark green would have been a good choice in place of the blue or, for a really vibrant look you could for orange.

You will need

• Galvanised watering can
• Primer for galvanised metal
• Dark blue paint
• Prints of flowers, fruit and vegetables or other source scissors
• Manicure scissors
• Craft knife
• Non-contact glue
• Paste for final positioning of motifs
• Sponge
• Pencil
• Satin or matte finish water-based varnish
• Brushes
• Fine sandpaper
• Paper towel
• Brush cleaners

Step by step
Step 1
Wash the watering can thoroughly in detergent and warm water to remove any dirt and grease and leave it to drain dry.
When dry, paint the outside of the can with primer and, when it has turned black and has dried, wash it carefully again in clean water.

Step 2
Paint the outside of the watering can with two coats of dark blue paint and, while it is drying, cut out between 30 and 40 motifs. The finished watering can here has an arrangement of 30 prints, but the additional ones will give you extra design choices.

Step 3
Spray the backs of half the motifs with an non-contact adhesive and arrange them on one side of the watering can, starting from the top and working down.
Some of the cut-outs are rather bright so think about the overall colour balance of your design. When you have found an arrangement you like, start on the other side of the can. You may be able to use the first design as a guide and paste the second of motifs permanently down straightly away. The designs can differ slightly from side – now turn your attention back to the first side, remove the motifs one at a time, and paste them permanently in position. Always apply the paste to object, not the motives. Finally, paste some of the motifs on to the top of the watering can.

Step 4
Apply between 10 and 12 coats of varnish to all the decorated outside surfaces, leaving about two hours between coasts, and sand back the penultimate one of a smooth finish.