Do you like decoupage; Make your own bookmark with this technique!

Every season is ideal for reading, but in the autumn, everything becomes more atmospheric, even reading, that gets another tinge! And in order not to lose the page of the book we are reading, we make bookmarks with decoupage!

First of all, we have to note that the term decoupage is derived from the French verb decouper meaning "cut". With decoupage we can transfer small or larger pieces of tissue, paper or paper towels to various surfaces (wood, glass, stone, clay, metal, plastic, paper, cardboard, fabric, canvas, wax, etc.). So, we decorate wooden bookmarks with a de-scissor or otherwise a "paper towel technique" with products from the company Fila Hellas.

Materials we will need:

• wooden bookmarks (rectangular or other design)
  • napkins with decorative motifs
  • Primer / Primer / Beatle Water
  • Giotto Vinilik glue
  • Acrylic colors Giotto Decor Acrylic Matt in 12 shades
  • Giotto glossy polish with water based base
  • Daler Rowney Gold Taklon Synthetic Brushes (# 1, # 5, # 8, # 1/4)
  • oval Giotto painting palette
  • Giotto Brush Washer
  • fabric ribbons and scissors

The first step is priming. Bake the bookmarks on both sides and leave them to dry for at least 1-2 hours. The reason we prime is mainly to achieve a faithful transfer of the towel colors on the white surface of the wood, as well as for better application of the rest of the materials! For applying the primer, I used the Daler Rowney Gold Taklon Synthetic # 8 Flat Shader Brush, which has soft, synthetic hair and evenly spreads the product. (We follow the product application instructions for the required water dilution I used water kebab, which I diluted slightly with water to spread it better If there were deficiencies after the application of the primer, rub with fine sandpaper and then return those spots with a primer).

Then choose the motifs of the napkin to use and cut them around by hand very carefully leaving a few millimeters margin. Tip: We do not use scissors, but we cut it by hand to achieve better embroidering of the napkin on the wooden surface of the bookmark and not to distinguish its edges!

Then, we remove the two white sheets of paper towels and hold only the top sheet that has the motif. With a wide brush spread a very thin layer of Giotto Vinilik glue on the bookmark where we want to place the pattern, or on the entire surface of the bookmark, if we want to cover it whole with a napkin. Immediately then apply the motif very carefully and, with the help of a wide brush, carefully apply a thicker layer of glue with movements from the center and outward so as not to create wrinkles. Allow to dry well for at least 1-2 hours. This glue is white, odorless, and once dried it becomes transparent and matte. It is also safe for use by children at home or school. For applying the glue, I also used the Daler Rowney Gold Taklon Synthetic # 8 Flat Shader brush. Tip: We decide beforehand exactly where exactly the bookmark will stick to each pattern, because if we change our opinion after applying the glue, it is very likely that we will destroy the napkin!

Then, if we want, we paint with acrylic colors spots on the bookmark that we do not want to look white and leave to dry well for at least one day. This time I used acrylic colors Giotto Decor Acrylic Matt, which offer good coverage, are odorless and are suitable for use by children at home or school. I also had the oval Giotto painting palette to mix the colors until I get the desired tint every time! This particular pallet is made of durable plastic and easy to clean. In addition, throughout the decontamination process, I used the Giotto Brush Washer which helped me brush my brushes before applying different acrylic paint and also helped to avoid brushing the brushes after using glue or varnish.

For the application of acrylic paints I used the Daler Rowney Gold Taklon Synthetic # 8 Flat Shader brush, while for details I used the Brush # 1/4 Angle Shader and the Brush # 1 Round. All 4 brushes in this series feature soft, synthetic hair and evenly spread the color with great ease and accuracy.

The next day, as a finish, we pass the entire surface of both sides of the bookmark with a water varnish that will match the result and ensure maximum durability over time and protection from wear during use. Apply 1-2 coats of varnish, leaving the previous coat well dry before applying the next one! This time I used the Giotto glossy polish, water-based, odorless and safe for home or school children.

At the end we decorate our bookmarks with ribbons and we are ready for new, reading adventures with good books! Good reading!

Written by Maria Ifantopoulou from Όμορφη μέσα έξω and Ονειροτέχνημα - Μαρία

Maria Yantopoulou is a graduate of the Department of History - Archeology - Social Anthropology of the University of Thessaly with the direction of archeology. Little wanted to be a teacher, later a nursery teacher, but he did not get away from the classroom and became a philologist! Her dreamless dream is to become a writer! She loves writing, books, photography and chocolate while she spends hours of endless cooking, talking about cosmetics and preparing handmade artistic creations!