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!
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.
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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.
- Gold leaf and size/adhesive
- Decoupage glue
- Colourful velvet ribbon and a branch for hanging
- Drill
How to make Nordic Christmas Decorations
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.)
- Once one side, of the wood slice was dry I then decoupaged the other side with a different pattern.
- 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
How To Hang The Nordic Christmas 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!
If you like this decoration then you will probably like some of my other Marimekko crafts and DIY’s.
Marimekko Christmas Wall Art
Marimekko Decorative Tin Can Planters
Marimekko Decoupage On Wood Bowls
Unique Marimekko Bench
For more wood slice crafts visit favecrafts.com
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Lins @ Boo & Maddie
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
Claire Armstrong
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.
Sam | Dove Cottage Blog
Wow these are so pretty!! I’ve been wanting to have a go with gold leaf for ages, looks beautiful!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, it’s very easy to do.
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
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
Claire Armstrong
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.
Donna Ford
Gorgeous idea and great tutorial! Live the gold edging x
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much. I love a touch of gold.
Maria
These a so cute and easy to make. If only I had the time lol Thanks for sharing!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, they don’t take long to make.
Evija
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!
Claire Armstrong
Aww, thank you so much Evija. That’s lovely to hear. I’m looking forward to my award winners lunch tomorrow.
Cecilia
These are so bright and colorful! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much!
Chas Greener
These are fantastic Claire! Love the options and colors.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I love a lot of color in my home at Christmas.
Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing & Crafting
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
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, so much Lisa. I love having the colour on my walls.
Virginia
I love this project! Thanks for sharing. Pinned.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much 😊
Velvet
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!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. Yes I was really chuffed with myself when I worked out I can have 2 designs.
Kathy
I am inspired. I am making certain I purchase some of those napkins!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I just love the designs but you can use any napkins you want.
Jennifer Wise
Very pretty! The gold around the edges is such a nice touch. I love the look of the tree ones especially. Nicely done.
#embracingchangelinky
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Jennifer. I thought the gold would make them look more festive.