Obviously I double-posted, but could not locate my first post when checking. Sorry.

Hi, I sure hope someone with more experience will give you an answer. I did some decoupage years and years ago, but used decoupage varnish. Then the item was placed on the item, varnished over, lightly sanded, varnished again, repeat until you had three or more layers.

Only used Mod Podge a couple of times and one item did stay tacky which I was not happy about. I'm inclined to think it was probably an error on my part as I'm totally an amateur at using the product.

You might want to start small, just one little item, then go from there. Good luck and I hope you will share pics of your finished item.

Luvstocraft

Not sure what you're asking about water, but I don't use water at all, just glue.

Decoupage will fade if the paper/inks you're using are not sun stable. Magazine pictures usually fade for me, especially the reds. Some colors and inks are more stable.

I usually use white glue, since I found a good deal on gallon size. Mod Podge always stays sticky for me, but I've heard they now make a version that hardens. You could use regular MP for most of the work, then use the hard stuff as a final coat, or final coat with a spray varnish or white glue. MP and glue don't need sanding between coats, but oil-base varnishes might, especially if they'll be exposed to wear, like furniture. One coat of glue is enough for me, more coats will give a thicker coating which you might like.

You might want to cover the entire panel with a background paper (I like book pages, but wrapping or scrapbook paper would look nice, too, then lay out your pictures on top of that.

How big is your panel? Sounds like you're putting a lot of different things on it. Might be nice to put your most important interest in the center, or maybe one that relates to the others. For instance, put a family picture in the center, then maybe if you garden with your daughter, put the gardening pictures near her. Does that make sense?

It might help to lay out your whole piece before starting to glue (excellent advice I rarely follow). Cut out a panel-shaped piece of paper, then lay out the pictures in various ways until you're happy. A tiny bit of BluTak on the back of each piece would hold them in place temporarily but remove easily.

Did you look to see if they had directions on Internet? I never used water. It was so long ago that don't remember much but may have used white glue & finished with clear Krylon.

Thanks for help from everyone. Have decoupaged battery candles, small wooden boxes as well as other items. Main problem was finishing sprays which dripped, so feel it was my fault.

Think wooden scrap baskets would be fun - but find one!

If your finishing sprays dripped probably holding the can too close or in 1 spot too long. Better to hold it further away & give it 3-4 light coats than try to rush things along.