How to Reverse Collage

Heidi Borchers of Inspired at Home shows us how to do reverse collage with scrapbook paper, gift wrap, or scrap magazines. This technique can be used on any clear plastic or glass pieces, such as plates, vases and bowls. Find project instructions for the pictured tray here.

 

Materials:

• Gift wrap, scrapbook paper, or magazine clippings
• scissors
• assorted colors of tissue paper
• waxed paper
• Aleene’s® instant decoupage glue
• sponge brush
• For Tray Pictured: Picture Frame with Glass, Hardware for Tray Handles

Instructions:

1. Cut designs from paper. Tear the tissue paper into odd-shaped pieces of various sizes.
   
   
    
2. Place the frame and glass wrong side up (remember you are working everything in reverse!) on your work surface. Determine placement of your paper designs. Working over one small area at a time, brush a coat of glue on the glass in the desired area. Brush a coat of glue on the right side of the paper cutout. Place the paper right side down on the glue-covered area. Brush a coat of glue on top of the cutout, pressing out any air bubbles as you work. While the glue is still very wet, you need to move right along to the next step.
   
   
    
3. Crumple one piece of tissue paper. Flatten, leaving some of the wrinkles. Place the tissue paper into the glue covered area, covering the paper cutout(s). Brush a coat of glue on top of the tissue paper, wrinkling the paper as you brush to add texture.
   
   
    
4. Continue applying paper cutouts and tissue-paper pieces to the glass until the entire surface is covered. Let dry.