How to Adhere Scrapbook Paper to an Altered Pail

Scrapbook papers are a wonderful material to adhere to altered art. Adhere scrapbook papers to an altered pail to create beautiful organizing pails for magazines, shoes, yarn balls or anything else that you may have that needs corralled. These simple instructions are for adhering scrapbook paper to an altered pail using an easy decoupage technique. You will be able to match any decor as there are many scrapbook paper designs to choose from. This project for adhering scrapbook paper to an altered pail is an easy and quick craft that will give success to even a beginning crafter.

Things You'll Need

• Metal pail, any size
• Wax paper
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Scrapbook paper
• Scissors
• Mod Podge
• Sponge brush
• Scrabble game tiles
• Craft glue

Instructions

1. Place a sheet of wax paper on your work surface. Using the acrylic paint color of your choice, paint the inside and the outside at your pail using a color that will complement your scrapbook paper. Repeat with as many coats as necessary to get complete coverage. Let the paint dry thoroughly. The paint will give your scrapbook paper a better surface to adhere to and will also provide a background on your pail.

2. Cut your scrapbook paper to fit the outside of your altered pail. You can cut and measure your scrapbook paper for complete coverage or cut shapes and designs from your scrapbook paper to adhere to the altered pail over the painted surface. Torn edges on scrapbook paper give a clever shabby chic look. Tear the edge that will be discarded toward you to give a white tattered edge to the paper or tear the edge away from you to give a tattered look without the white edge.

3. Apply Mod Podge to the back of your scrapbook paper that will be the bottom layer on your altered pail. Apply Mod Podge to the area of the pail where you will be applying the paper. Place the scrapbook paper over the Mod Podge on the pail and smooth out using the sponge brush. Completely cover the top and edges of the scrapbook paper using the Mod Podge and the sponge brush. Press out any bubbles and smooth out any wrinkles before the paper begins to set. Repeat this process to continue adhering the scrapbook paper to the altered pail.

4. Cover the entire surface of the altered pail with a layer of Mod Podge and allow to dry thoroughly. Repeat with more layers until the surface feels smooth and glossy with minimal bumps from the cut edges of the paper.

5. Choose letters from Scrabble tiles to spell out the items that you will be putting in the altered pail, as a label for easy access. Lay the dried scrapbook paper altered pail on its side. Place a dot of craft glue on the back of each of the Scrabble tiles and position them on the front of the altered pail however you would like. Allow the craft glue to dry thoroughly.