Does anyone else do decoupage with old furniture using coffee filters and adding dried flowers? I have finished one table and am working on another one. I've seen furniture tops covered with dried Dogwood blossoms, and other pressed flowers like pansies. The photos I'm including are not the best, but it gives you an idea. I use used coffee filters, and I add cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla to the paste which I will include the recipe for. This paste is really good and it keeps in the fridge for about 2 wks.
Paper Mache Paste - Bring to a boil 1/2 Cup water. Mix 1/2 Cup flour, 1/2 Cup cold water and 3/4 teaspoon salt together in a bowl. Mix well to create a thin paste. Pour flour mixture into the boiling water and stir, keeping the mixture @ a boil for 5 minutes. Turn off the stove and continue stirring until a thick paste forms. Wait for it to cool down to room temp and add your spices. Dip the coffee filters or flowers into the paste or use a soft brush to paint them and add to furniture piece. Add a top coat of paste. Do this process in layers until you achieve your desired look. Let dry completely between each application. I usually do 3 layers of coffee filters, and then add the pressed flowers at the end.
This furniture will not stand up outside in the weather, but it makes great decor for the inside of your home or a covered porch. I've also used seed packets to decoupage. The paste is really great on cardboard as well. I use clothes pins to hold things together until it dries firmly.
Now here are my photos. The first table had been outside in the weather for years. The second table is not finished. I need to add one more layer of coffee filters. It was a trash find and is a solid piece of furniture of very good design and was missing a drawer, the brass pieces on the feet, plus it had a crack in it. It had been antiqued a heritage blue color and it still shows through. My neighbor says it is beautiful as is and she would not add another layer of CF.
