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You are here: Home / Crafts / Marimekko / How to Make Gorgeous Nordic Christmas Decorations

How to Make Gorgeous Nordic Christmas Decorations

28th November 2018 by Claire Armstrong 26 Comments

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DIY Marimekko Nordic Christmas Decorations 2 Ways

After a visit to the lovely Skandium shop in London last month, I felt inspired to make my own Nordic Christmas decorations. As usual, I couldn’t leave the shop without buying yet another pack of Marimekko paper napkins.

Marimekko designs are a favourite of mine I love all colours and patterns. I have a bit of a habit of picking up a pack of their gorgeous paper napkins everytime a visit a Scandi interiors shop. Just because I don’t want to leave the shop empty handed!

Skandium Shop London

Last year I made some Marimekko Christmas wall art by decoupaging a whole table top in the napkins. This year’s Nordic Christmas decorations are a bit smaller but still look great on the wall.

The wood slices I used for these Christmas decorations were decoupaged on both sides. For one side of the wood slice, I used festive Marimekko Christmas tree napkins. On the other side, I decoupaged a variety of napkins in different colourways of Marimekko’s iconic Unikko pattern. I think the Unikko side isn’t just for Christmas but would look great on the wall all year round.

These Marimekko wood slices would also make great coasters. My boys haven’t done that training course on how to use a coaster! So, coasters are pretty redundant in my home. I’ll just hang them on the wall for a Nordic Christmas decoration.

DIY Nordic Christmas Decorations

This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.

What you need to make Nordic Christmas decorations

    • Marimekko paper napkins – The red-blue pine trees pattern I used on one side is called KUUSIKOSSA. For the other side, I used the Unikko pattern in various colourways.

      You can buy mixed packs of Marimekko napkins on eBay so you don’t have to buy lots of different packs of napkins. One paper napkin can be used to decoupage 3-4 wood slices.

    • Wood slices approximately 12cm in diameter.

Marimekko paper napkins and wood slices

    • Gold leaf and size/adhesive
    • Decoupage glue
    • Colourful velvet ribbon and a branch for hanging
  • Drill

How to make Nordic Christmas Decorations

    1. To add a bit of Christmas sparkle to the wood slices I added flecks of gold leaf to the bark around the outside. Brush the bark with some adhesive. Then using a brush, dab on small bits of gold leaf. Don’t worry if some gold leaf sticks to the face of the wood slice, this will only add to the Nordic decorations sparkle.

Adding gold leaf to wood slice bark

Gold leaf on wood slices

    1. Next, decoupage the face of the wood slices with your chosen Marimekko paper napkin. Place the woodslice on the part of the napkin you would like to decoupage. Draw around the woodslice and then cut the shape from paper napkin. Cut a few millimeters inside the line you have drawn to allow for the bark edge.

      Cutting Marimekko napkin for decoupage.

    2. Marimekko paper napkins are 3 ply. You will need to remove 2 of the ply so that you are just left with the top printed ply. Cover the wood slice with decoupage glue and then carefully lay the printed napkin on top. I use a brush to flatten out the paper napkin as I stick it down.

Separating the ply napkin

Decoupaged wood slice napkin

    1. Carry on decoupaging as many woodslices as you want with the Marimekko paper napkins. When the decoupage glue has dried add another coat of glue to the top of the wood slices to act as a sealer and varnish. (If you are going to use them as coasters rather than a decoration I suggest you use a waterproof sealer.)

      Marimekko Nordic Wood slice for a wall decoration or to use as coasters.

    2. Once one side, of the wood slice was dry I then decoupaged the other side with a different pattern.

Marimekko Nordic Wood slice for a wall decoration or to use as coasters.

How To Hang The Nordic Christmas Decoration

  1. Drill a hole in each wood slice wide enough for the ribbon to pass through. Then use this ribbon to hang the decorations from a branch

Marimekko Nordic wall decoration

Marimekko Christmas trees Nordic wall decoration

I love the red and blue pine trees for a Nordic Christmas decoration. Just turn the wood slices around to the Unikko Marimekko poppy when you want a different Scandi wall decoration. The Unikko pattern is such a favourite of mine. I’m a bit obsessed with it, so much so I even have Marimekko stairs in my house!

Unikko Marimekko Nordic Christmas Decoration

DIY Wood slice Nordic Christmas Decorations

If you like this decoration then you will probably like some of my other Marimekko crafts and DIYs.

Marimekko Christmas Wall Art
Marimekko Decorative Tin Can Planters
Marimekko Decoupage On Wood Bowls
Unique Marimekko Bench

Check out this great round up if you are looking for more Scandinavian DIY decorations.

For more wood slice crafts visit favecrafts.com

DIY  Wood slice Nordic Christmas Decorations
DIY marimekko wood slice wall decoration


Filed Under: christmas, Crafts, Marimekko, Seasonal Tagged With: Christmas decorations, christmas ornaments, decoupage, marimekko, napkins, Nordic, Nordic Christmas decorations, paper napkins, Scandi, scandinavian, wood slices

Previous Post: « How To Make A Stylish Scandinavian Christmas Tree
Next Post: How To Make Paper Rosettes Decorations From Old Maps »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lins @ Boo & Maddie

    7th January 2019 at 12:34 pm

    As much as I hate to say it and I’m not wishing the year away at all but we had such a limbo Christmas in 2018 that i barely decorated at all and I’m looking forward to getting some DIY on. These are gorgeous! #HomeEtc X

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      7th January 2019 at 8:22 pm

      Thanks Lins. I think these particular decorations will look good all year long. I’m sure your house will look lovely when finished, I’ve been following your progress on Insta.

      Reply
  2. Sam | Dove Cottage Blog

    16th December 2018 at 12:00 pm

    Wow these are so pretty!! I’ve been wanting to have a go with gold leaf for ages, looks beautiful!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th December 2018 at 7:16 pm

      Thank you, it’s very easy to do.

      Reply
  3. Caro | The Twinkle Diaries

    15th December 2018 at 4:29 pm

    You are SO bloody clever!!!!! Just as I think you’ve exhausted the uses for Marimekko napkins, you come up with another one!! I love this Claire — especially when they’re hung on the branches 🙂 #HomeEtc

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th December 2018 at 4:48 pm

      Thank you, Caro. I know I didn’t think I’d be crafting with the napkins again but after visiting the Scandium shop I got this idea.

      Reply
  4. Donna Ford

    15th December 2018 at 10:35 am

    Gorgeous idea and great tutorial! Live the gold edging x

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th December 2018 at 4:32 pm

      Thank you so much. I love a touch of gold.

      Reply
  5. Maria

    15th December 2018 at 7:56 am

    These a so cute and easy to make. If only I had the time lol Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th December 2018 at 4:31 pm

      Thank you so much, they don’t take long to make.

      Reply
  6. Evija

    11th December 2018 at 10:48 am

    Claire, your projects are always so original and clever!!! I absolutely love these nordic decorations, so beautiful and colourful and the best part it if you get bored of one side, flip it to the other side and voila – new decorations!!! You know I am a big fan!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      11th December 2018 at 7:15 pm

      Aww, thank you so much Evija. That’s lovely to hear. I’m looking forward to my award winners lunch tomorrow.

      Reply
  7. Cecilia

    10th December 2018 at 2:33 am

    These are so bright and colorful! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th December 2018 at 11:12 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  8. Chas Greener

    5th December 2018 at 1:56 pm

    These are fantastic Claire! Love the options and colors.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th December 2018 at 2:52 pm

      Thank you, I love a lot of color in my home at Christmas.

      Reply
  9. Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing & Crafting

    2nd December 2018 at 10:01 am

    These are so pretty! I really like the ones with the cut-out shapes so that you can see the plain wood background ,too. Great idea, Claire! 🙂 Lisa

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      3rd December 2018 at 6:43 am

      Thank you, so much Lisa. I love having the colour on my walls.

      Reply
  10. Virginia

    30th November 2018 at 5:08 pm

    I love this project! Thanks for sharing. Pinned.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      1st December 2018 at 9:28 am

      Thank you so much ?

      Reply
  11. Velvet

    30th November 2018 at 7:22 am

    These are so nice and I like the fact that you have a choice to flip it over and get a totally different look! Well done!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      1st December 2018 at 9:27 am

      Thank you. Yes I was really chuffed with myself when I worked out I can have 2 designs.

      Reply
  12. Kathy

    29th November 2018 at 9:25 pm

    I am inspired. I am making certain I purchase some of those napkins!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      30th November 2018 at 7:17 am

      Thank you, I just love the designs but you can use any napkins you want.

      Reply
  13. Jennifer Wise

    29th November 2018 at 3:20 pm

    Very pretty! The gold around the edges is such a nice touch. I love the look of the tree ones especially. Nicely done.
    #embracingchangelinky

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      29th November 2018 at 3:32 pm

      Thank you Jennifer. I thought the gold would make them look more festive.

      Reply

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