DIY Woodland Holiday Decor
Thanks for your purchase of the DELUXE Woodland Holiday Decor Kit!!
This kit includes everything you need to make the piece shown in the photo above.
This tutorial will guide you the process step-by-step. You’ll learn the basics - from painting the wood to applying the decorative transfers, protecting the piece and adding the finishing touches.
Your finished piece will be your personal masterpiece to enjoy for years to come - or to give as a unique handmade gift!. And the best part is - you’ll have the skills to transform your own projects!
So! Grab a chair - grab your own sips, holiday spirits and snacks - and let’s start the fun!!
Your DELUXE Kit Supplies and the finished project!
Your DELUXE Kit includes:
1 - 2" x 1/2" x8 " wood tree shape
1 - 5" x 1/2" x 7" wood tree shape
1 - 6" x 1/2" x 10" wood tree shape
1 - 2" x 12"" wood base
1 - Redesign with Prima Holiday Spirit transfer
1 - Melange ONE Paint - Talley Green -1 oz
1 - Melange ONE Paint - Golden Hour -1 oz (OR Melange ONE Paint - Solstice Green - 1 oz, depending on Kit purchased)
1 - Melange ONE Paint - Saturday White -1 oz
1 - Folk Art Metallic Acrylic Paint - Rose Gold - 2 oz
1 - Mod Podge - 2 oz
5 - foam paintbrushes
1 - roll of jute
1 - deer cutout
1 - mini pinecone
1 - detailed instructions
Additional Supplies Needed:
Scissors
Glue (Wood glue, Super Glue, E6000, etc)
Before you begin, it’s a good idea to cover your workspace with paper, newspaper or cardboard. Also, since you’ll be painting the front, back & sides of the wood shapes, your fingers will get paint on them. The beauty of Melange Paints is that they wash off incredibly easily, but you can always wear some rubber gloves.
1. PAINT
Use the foam brushes to paint the trees and base with the Melange ONE paints included in the Kit.
You'll be painting the front, back and sides of the trees and base. No need to paint the bottoms, since they’ll be attached to the base.
(Pro tips: Hold the trees upright with one finger while painting all the surfaces - see pic.. Use a hair dryer set on medium heat and low speed to quicken the drying process.
Also, I recommend starting with the largest tree first, for 2 reasons: (a) It’s is the lightest color, and I recommend starting with the lightest color paint and moving through to the darkest color paint - see ‘getting paint on your hands comment above; and (b) that tree is the one with the pinecone and jute, so you’ll want to paint and seal it first so it can dry before adding them).
One or two thin coats of paint will dry fast and allow the wood grain to show for a 'rustic' look. Three or more coats will give a more 'painted' look.
One coat was used in the pics for each tree and the base.
2. APPLY TRANSFERS
Decide which parts of the Redesign with Prima transfer you want to use, and cut the design apart. NOTE: Keep the transfer on the white paper backing until you're ready to apply.
Pieces of the transfer used in the completed project pics are shown in the photo below - feel free to use these or customize your own personal design!
Once you have your design configured, start with the transfer that will be positioned on the bottom of the design (if you're overlapping). Peel off the paper backing and position the transfer piece on the tree. NOTE: Once you do this, it is very difficult to re-position, since it's already begun to adhere.
Using the wood burnishing tool included with the transfer, rub the transfer so that the design sticks to the tree. For some colors in the transfer (like the gold leaf below), you can see the transfer adhering, as the hue begins to get cloudy when it detaches from the paper and sticks to the wood.
Also, by carefully lifting an edge, you can see if the transfer is sticking. If it hasn't completely adhered, just lay it back down and rub over that part of the design until it sticks to your project.
If your design continues around corners, just wrap the transfer tightly around the edge with one hand and rub with the tool or your fingernail to adhere around the side of the tree.
Continue with each layer and tree until your designs are complete.
3. SEAL TRANSFERS
Use the foam brush to paint a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the trees and base, using the same method used when painting them. Allow to dry completely. (The hair dryer method can be used to speed up drying).
NOTE: Mod Podge goes on milky but will dry clear.
4. ADD JUTE & PINECONE
Once the largest (middle) tree is dry, cut a length of jute and make a double loop bow. Tie in the middle with another small piece of jute. Trim excess to your desired length.
Glue the jute, then the pinecone, to largest tree. Allow to dry. (Enjoy a holiday beverage while you wait, because the hair dryer method doesn't really help here - and you don’t want to blow your jute & pinecone off the tree!)
5. ATTACH TO BASE
Apply glue to the bottom of each tree and place on the base. Wipe off excess glue. Allow to dry. (Enjoy another holiday beverage, sing a few carols, or take a brief nap - the hair dryer method doesn't help here, either).
6. ADD THE DEER
Cut a length of jute and tie a bow around the deer's neck. Trim off any excess. (Pro tip: you can use a tiny bit of glue on the jute to adhere it to the deer if it’s not staying in the position you want).
Glue feet to the base. Allow to dry. (This step can be carefully done while waiting for #5 to dry).
7. ENJOY!!
Now you're ready to display your masterpiece or give it as a thoughtful and unique handmade gift!!
8. (Optional) - Make More!!
The Prima Holiday Spirit transfer, Melange ONE paint, rose gold paint and Mod Podge sealer included with this Deluxe Kit will make 2+ Woodland Trees & Deer Table Sitters (with lots leftover). The pic below shows all of the leftover Transfer pieces from this completed project..
Wrap your foam brushes in plastic and you can reuse them, too!
Additional Wood shapes, deer cutouts and mini pinecones are available from Reprise Vintage. An optional 2nd design using leftovers is illustrated in the following photo (Solstice Green Melange ONE paint on the small tree on the left is also available from Reprise Vintage).
