Decoupage Lack Table with National Geographic Collage

Attractive, practical finished product

I wanted to inject some color into my brown living room, so I took one of these cheap, classic Ikea Lack tables and decoupaged an orange color themed National Geographic collage. 

I coated it with a polyurethane finish to make it shiny and waterproof and use as a coffee table. I might still need to paint or do something with the legs to finish it off.

First I cut out images and pages from my Nat Geo magazines. I cut out all sorts of different pictures before deciding on this theme. I laid out the final design and then cut out enough yellow strips to use as a border and fill in any uncovered areas. 

In a bit of minor prep work, I used my multitool to sand the table. Then I used Modpodge decoupage glue and foam brushes to apply the collage. First I did strips of yellow along the top and bottom edges, so they would show through as a "Nat Geo yellow" color base beneath the images I applied over top. I also applied the yellow strips underneath where there would be frayed edges or gaps between the main collage images.

Next I did the bulk of the decoupage work, applying the main images on the top and sides of the table. I ended up getting a lot of air bubbles underneath my paper, which kind of sucks. Nevertheless I think it turned out well. I coated it first with a polycrylic (water soluble) finish, but that wouldn't work well with drinking glasses and other every day usage. I wanted a shiny, sort of thick, protective coat. So I lightly sanded it and used a polyurethane finish, which worked perfectly. 

As you can see, this room needs a pop of color!

Started with a standard, cheap Ikea table

The tabletop did not start in great condition.

Orange themed collage -- segmented using National Geographic yellow border style

Patterns or repetitions themed the sides of the table.

Butterflies match the middle tabletop segment

The antlers silhouette echoes the same graphical theme
as the branches on the tabletop above.

The flash dulls the color a bit in this picture.

A view from what I consider the "other side"

the alternate "bottom side"

I consider this view the "right side up" perspective --
with the antlers/trees side as the bottom.

Candle Mania

I made several batches of candles recently, including some really nice holiday candles with a gingerbread scent. I used all the glass pieces I picked up at yard sales during Summerette. Some of the containers have already come back around for a second or third pouring. The liquid scent seems to throw a stronger aroma around the room than the scent blocks, so I want to order more of those. I got the gingerbread scent and 10 pounds of container wax blend from Lone Star. The wax I used -- container blend 4633 -- dried to a nice silky finish. You can see it in the purple and reddish candles from this batch. The greener looking ones -- e.g., the large glass pitcher, the Altoid votive, and the wide bottom -- used soy wax. I also ordered a variety of wooden wicks from Lone Star, which I used in the holiday candles. I gave a several of them out as gifts.

 I love the way this one turned out. I kept it for myself to test the wooden wick, which crackles nicely. The stone container, which came from a yard sale, obviously doesn't toss much light, but I think it looks awesome.

I poured this one into a mini Altoid container that I happened to have sitting around. This actually looks like a marketable product to me. I want to find more free, reusable tin containers to make unique ones like this...

This one looks like a piece of salt water taffy to me. I used all three colors that I ended up pouring with that day, and stuck a penny in between the layers. I started referring to it as a commemorative 2013 coin ;-) Sounds like another big seller. This container came from a yard sale.

Candles Burning

I have a couple of my candles burning nicely today around the house. Neither has any wax left unmelted along the side.

soy wax, honeysuckle, triple wick

paraffin wax, not sure of the scent, double wick

New Batch of Candles!

I started working on a new batch of candles. I think my skills have reached the point where I can start giving them as gifts. I made an orange martini glass soy wax candle that came out really nice -- thanks Caitlinn! 

I made two lavender colored candles -- one with lavender oil for the scent and one with a lilac scent block. I made the lilac in a round, 4 inch wide glass candle jar and the lavender one in a 16 ounce mason jar. I think I will give the lavender candle to Silay-Sylanski as a baby congratulations gift. (EDIT: I ended up making a new one the next week, still lavender scented, for the baby (Lily), with an "L" bead on the bottom. This 'candle/lavender ' has come to be known as the 'calender.' 

I tried using a bead in the martini glass candle -- Cait's idea -- and that worked well. I put a wick in a mason jar with a C for the Corbetts. And then the wide lilac candle, which has a double wick, I might give to Jessica and Reed for getting married / buying a house. I used an "F" and an "M" since I know Reed from way back at WRCT 88.3fm Pittsburgh. 

beautiful pour, double wick

I made the wicks from my new beeline spool -- organic hemp wick dipped in beeswax. For the mason jars I actually tripled it -- I used three lengths of wick all twisted around itself. I think that will produce a nice, large flame and good burn. It might burn fast, but I think it will help produce a strong aroma. Maybe I should test one before giving them away. For the wider candle I doubled the wick and used two of them. That should make a nice pool in the middle, but I don't know if the flame will reach the sides and melt all the wax. We'll see. Unless I give them away, then I won't see. I will have to request pictures.

I melted the soy wax in a melting pot sitting in another pot with a little bit of hot/boiling water. Once it hit about 180 degrees, I added the dye and removed it from the heat. I let it cool to about 160 before adding the scent (or even lower if using liquid). Then I let it cool further to about 135 before pouring. The mason jar  and the martini glass required topping off while the wider candle filled perfectly with one pour.

iPod Pictures of Candles

I want to upload these pictures of my candles that I have on my iPod....