one last paint inlay experiment.

Published on by Quandie

I wanted to share one last IOD paint inlay experiment with you today.

According to IOD, the paint inlays can be re-used up to three times.  So I thought I’d try using a sheet more than once to see how it goes.

I started with this trio of books that I had lying around.

I painted the middle book (Robinson Crusoe) in Dixie Belle’s Kudzu and stenciled the spine.

I thought it would be nice to have a coordinating color to go with my pair of floral books.

Next, I painted the smallest book on the top of the stack in Dixie Belle’s Drop Cloth.  I let the first coat dry, and then added a second coat and while it was still wet I applied the IOD Rose Chintz paint inlay.

As a reminder, you can find a how-to on using the paint inlays here:

It was fairly easy to apply the inlay to a book cover …

As you can see, the texture of the cover causes the inlay to not transfer perfectly.  But I think that is part of the charm of an inlay and it gives the book an authentically distressed look.

Finally, I painted the third book in DB’s Drop Cloth as well, and then I pulled out my used inlays.

For comparison purposes the inlays above are (from left to right) unused, used once over Kudzu, used once over Sea Glass.  As you can see, the inlay will pull some of the paint you are working with back off with it when you peel away the paper.

I decided to use the inlay that had been used once over Sea Glass for my 2nd book.

And here you can see the result.

That book on the bottom of the stack is the one done with a 2nd pass of the inlay.  The design is quite a bit more faint.  I rather like it, it’s as though it has faded over time like chintz fabric would.  In fact, I think I like the look of the used inlay even better than the fresh first time inlay.  I thought I would see more of that Sea Glass color transferring back off the inlay.  Had I used the Kudzu sheet, I think you’d see some of that green coming back off onto your project though.

I’ve had fun playing around with the paint inlays.  I think they will be great to use on various small projects like my watering can, flower crates, and now these painted books.

I also think they’d be awesome for collage style art projects.  Also, one packet of the paint inlays will go a long way on smaller projects.  I’m not so sure that I would choose to use them on furniture though, especially furniture that one intends to sell.  The cost is a bit prohibitive (and spoiler alert, as you’ll see in this coming Friday’s post, you may need more than one packet of paint inlays to cover a piece of furniture) and I’m not sure they add enough value to allow you to recoup that cost by charging more for the furniture piece.  Be sure to stay tuned for Friday’s post where I’ll explore this subject a bit more!

20 thoughts on “one last paint inlay experiment.”

  1. I really like how these look. I must confess I didn’t get it at first and had to reread the instructions to understand the process. Slow on the uptake I confess🤣. Reminds me of a temporary tattoo sort of only not temporary. Anyway, it’s a lovely look and I like the faded one too! Can’t wait to see the furniture project you used it on!

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  2. I really like the books the best. They add a great punch with out too much inlay paper. I enjoy your blog so much. I look forward to each post. You have such a eye!
    Smiles, Alice

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  4. I LOVE THESE INLAYS. I’m going to try them!
    As always, thank you for all your help in making our homes special too.

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  5. Very pretty color combination on the books and in your staging. I really like the second use result the best; very authentic aged look! Oh, and I always smile when you break out the floral frogs. 😃

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  7. Well the books are very pretty Miss Quandie! I can tell you’re enjoying yourself! They’re good-looking as a group and I just love your green frog!

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    1. It really was fun experimenting with the inlays. I probably won’t use a lot of them (due to price, and another issue that I’ll be talking about on Friday), but I do love this Rose Chintz version for small projects like these books.

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  9. I love all these smalls that you’ve been doing lately. I’ve not tried the inlays yet, but your experiments have tempted me to give it a whirl. Like your preference, I also prefer the faded look versus the first time use of the inlay. It’s so much softer in appearance.
    Love your posts so much, and I’m certainly enjoying your retirement.

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  10. I may actually like the more faded look the best – which is out of the norm for me. The pattern is gorgeous and always reminds me of my bedroom at the farmhouse in Oakdale. Anyway, good info on how to use these, and I never would have thought to use them on books. You are the best. No, really! 🏆

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