Tammis Keefe Project #1: Decoupaged Desk Organizer

Desk Organizer with a retro makeover.

Yay!  Our Tammis Keefe celebration is underway!  Sara and Sarah will have a new project everyday using Michael Miller's Tammis Keefe Tribute fabrics.  Don't forget, we'll be giving away no less than 8 yards of this fabulous material.  You can enter to win online starting on February 2nd.

The box that arrived from Michael Miller Fabrics.

The second it was open, Sara and Sarah dive in!

Now, to our first project.  I (Sarah) found this cute desk organizer at a thrift store on dollar day:

$1 desk organizer.

I knew it was destined for a decoupage project and even started painting it, as you can see in the photo.  I wasn't, however, "feeling it" if you know what I mean, so it was pushed aside.  Enter the Tammis Keefe Tribute fabric called "Cage Free."

Tammis Keefe Tribute fabric "Cage Free"

The feeling was back!

The project was reborn with some black glossy paint and Tammis Keefe "Cage Free" fabric.

I don't have a tutorial for this project, but I can give you a few tips.  If you need in-depth instructions for decoupaging, I recommend you check out Mod Podge Rocks.  And if you can't find the information you want there, Design*Sponge is sure to have it.

Okay, here are my meager suggestions on decoupaging with fabric.

Prepping the fabric.

1. Cover your work surface with a vinyl tablecloth.  You can get one for cheap at a thrift store or a dollar store.  When you're done, fold it up and put it away until you are ready to work on your next project.  Why use something disposable?  This is a great tip for painting with kids, too.
2. Prep your fabric by covering it with a layer of your decoupage medium and letting it dry.  This will keep the fabric from fraying when you cut it.
3. Trace your cutting line onto the fabric after you have put that stabilizing layer of decoupage medium on it.  Why?  If you trace it on before, it will get distorted when you brush on the Mod Podge and there may be a slight amount of shrinkage as the fabric dries.
4. If you have any leftover decoupaged fabric, use it to make some of Sara's quick and easy coasters.  The decoupaged fabric is very similar to oilcloth.

Waste not, want not:  coasters made from the leftover decoupaged fabric.

Sara will be here tomorrow with another Tammis Keefe Tribute fabric project.  See you then!