A plain plant pot gets a seasonal look

Plain Plant Pot
Decoupage has been used in decoration for thousands of years. From China,where it began after the invention of paper, it was taken to Japan and put on to delicate panels and screens used as room dividers.
The Aztecs of Central America did it with paper made from tree bark. Later, the craft of decoupage spread from the East along the silk road to Italy and France, and on to this country, where it flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The word ‘decoupage’ comes from the French découper, to cut out. And that’s exactly what it is: cut-out shapes or illustrations glued to a plain surface and varnished. The finished articles can be real works of art.Decorated Plant pot
Alice Ann Hutchinson, a member of Ollerton WI, Nottinghamshire, is a qualified speaker for the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies. She gives talks and runs workshops on decoupage for WIs and other groups. If you’re a beginner, Alice Ann’s terracotta plant pot decorated with poinsettias is an easy and delightful introduction to the craft.

 To Decorate

  1. Paint the pot and saucer with two coats of emulsion paint.
  2. Holding the scissors in a relaxed way, cut out required motifs from the wrapping paper.
  3. Using Blu-Tack, place the motifs on the pot, moving them about until you feel the design is well balanced.
  4. Select first motif, place face down on pasting board and brush with glue from the centre outwards, spreading it evenly over the surface.
  5. Using the glue brush, lift motif and position in place on pot.
  6. Eliminate any air bubbles: wet your finger or the sponge and press motif lightly from the centre out.
  7. Repeat pasting and pressing with remaining motifs. Allow to dry.
  8. Varnish the pot and saucer, giving one or two coats according to directions on tin, allowing 24 hours between coats. Leave to dry.