Craft Forum

what size is best? I have started doing a fair bit of decoupage and am nearly out of the ones I have which I brought agggeeesss ago. there are so many different sizes about, I dont know which to buy. any help? also where is best to get them? thanks

Also I want some glue to stick the little gems which came in the paddington LMC mag onto my cards, but dont know what to buy…

Hi.  As for sizes, there are many thicknesses, and I usually have fairly thick ones - 3mm I think - for many decoupage things, but thinner pads are better if there are lots of layers on your design.  As for width, I usually go for 5mm square pads as they fit into most places even though lots can be needed, so a lot of paper peeling.  You could also look at silicone glue for using on your decoupage layers.  I’ve never used it, but you can have the thickness you want and you can reposition it a bit before it dries, unlike pads.
As for glue, you could use PVA as it does dry clear.  I use glossy accents, which isn’t really just a glue, it’s for adding a glaze to card but dries clear and tiny amounts come out at a time.

Nikki x

Hi,  As Nikki said it really depends on the amount of layers,  although I tend to use 1mm or 2mm thick 5mm wide squares,  these can then be cut in half if you have a small area,  I use 3mm thicker pads for sticking on Toppers…  as for the glue,  PVA is the best I used Anita’s but there are lots available.

Some great advice from Nikki and Karen here, have fun x

usually buy the rolls and can cut them to any size , or for large items I leave them big and it saves loads of time,
good luck and enjoy, I love decoupage xx

The thickness of the 3D foam pads is not much of an issue when you wnat to hand cards with decoupage over. For those projects I love the 10x10mm large foam pads (unless the design is too fiddly and requires a smaller size). I use the ones from Dovecraft, but I think others make similar ones (e.g. Crafter’s Companion).

But if you want to post them, the postage can take a hike for thicker envelopes. I am then using 5x5mm foam pads with 1mm thickness or silicone glue, so that the end result is not getting to bulky. I usually stock up at a local craft shop or at the Glitter Pot. Joanna Sheen is also always worth a look, as she doesn’t charge for p&p and has competitive prices.

For sticking on gems, etc. I am using Hi-Tack Very Sticky Glue, an all purpose glue. I have not only seen it in craft shops, but also in haberdashery departments.

I use silicone glue and pads depending on how much time I have. If you don’t want to peel the back off the pads I have seen someone demonstrate using a glue stick over the top of them which will save time and having all those little bits everywhere. I use pva to stick down gems etc, I currently have the art institute dries clear on the go as I have a fine tip applicator for glitter etc but a blob on a post it and a cocktail stick is handy if you are putting gems on as you can use a tidggy amount just where you want it.

as far where to buy try ebay if you pm me your address I will send you some in the post as I have loads of them

I have brought some PVA glue and some other glue lol so should have plenty for a while now, I brought a cheap sheet of pads and they are awful to get the backs off :-( so I will have a look online later

Sorry you are having trouble with the backing. There are some good ones here:

http://www.imag-e-nation.com/acatalog/foam_pads.html

Or if you have a poundland they do a pack with a massive roll plus lots of sheets too, and all for a pound! They are very good quality too, good luck x

oo thanks ill try poundland, its not long since opened in our town