DIY Valentine Decor

I created this DIY Valentine decor flower holder using a wooden crate, flowered paper napkins, and lots of glue!

Today I have partnered with five of my favorite bloggers for a “three-item” blog challenge. The premise of the challenge is that we have to create something using at least three pre-determined items. The three items were paper, ribbon, and glue. I created this DIY Valentine decor flower holder using a wooden crate, flowered paper napkins, and lots of glue!

DIY Valentine Decorations 7
You Made that?

DIY Valentine Decor

diy valentine decorations decor

Was it hard for us to choose the three items for this DIY?

Absolutely. Let me just say that we changed the three items about ten times. Initially, the three “items” were either too far-fetched or too specific.

We finally settled on paper, ribbon, and glue. (I had Washi tape as one of the ingredients up until the last minute. Some of the bloggers used it and they should be given a prize! I can honestly say I am thrilled I did not have to include it in my project!)

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to see photos and links to all of my fellow blogger’s posts!

diy valentine decorations supply list

On this blog, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you make a purchase via the link. The price you pay will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

What You Will Need

A wooden crate (Ideally you want an unfinished wooden crate!)

White acrylic paint (only if the crate isn’t a consistent color)

Printed paper napkins

Tacky Glue

Rotary Cutter

Satin Varnish

Semi-fine sandpaper

Step #1 – Paint the Crate

As you can see from the photo above, the crate I used had different colors of stain. Since I knew the stain would show through, I painted the crate white before I started. If you use an unfinished crate or one that is the same color, then you can skip this step.

diy valentine decorations wooden crate

Step #2 – Cut the Paper Napkins

I measured the width of each board on the crate and using my rotary cutter, I cut out 2″ strips of the paper napkin. If the napkin is two-ply then remove the second solid color layer of the napkin (after you cut it) and discard.

diy valentine decorations 13

I cut sixteen strips (one for each board) and had way too many!

diy valentine decorations 12

Step #3 – Glue the Napkins to the Crate

Add a half teaspoon of water to a generous amount of tacky glue to thin it out. Apply the glue with a paintbrush and cover a board about the length of one of the strips. Gently apply the paper strip to the board. Don’t worry about making it too perfect. (You will sand it later so it doesn’t matter.)

diy valentine decorations paper

Gently press the napkin to adhere it to the wood, being careful not to pull it off (it is sticky!).

Continue all the way around until the first board is fully covered.

diy valentine decorations paper decor

Add the paper napkin strips to the second board but start in a different place so the napkin patterns don’t match.

diy valentine decorations paper decorated crate

Continue until the entire crate is covered. Let dry overnight or until all of the glue is dry. (Don’t continue to the next step until you are 100% sure everything is dry.)

diy valentine decorations paper napkin

Step #4 – Sand the Crate

At this point, I thought the paper looked too intense so I decided to sand the boards to make them look more vintage. I love how they came out!

diy valentine decorations flower crate project

I sanded and sanded and sanded until I thought it looked authentically vintage. Then I added the satin varnish to seal the napkins.

diy valentine decorations flower crate
diy valentine decorations paper flower crate

Step #5 – Add the Flowers

I placed four galvanized vases in the crate and filled them with flowers. I added some raffia (the ribbon!) and love the final look!

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diy valentine decorations 3

And here are the fabulous DIY projects shared by my blogging friends.

My Favorite Crate & Storage Decor!

SHOP HERE

Watch My Amazon Live

Photo of the beach House deck

Click here to watch any of my Amazon Live shows. All shows are recorded.

Today I am hosting my first LIVE from the beach house. This live show is titled The BEST Deals LIVE from the Beach House.

Click here to watch the show.

Happy Happy Nester

Janine shared how to make easy paper cones for treats for Valentine’s Day this year.

Modern Glam

Ashley created this fun DIY book page banner to decorate for Valentine’s Day. Head to her blog to make this DIY Valentine’s Day book page banner.

Tater Tots and Jello

Jennifer made these Valentine’s Day Typewriter Printable Sayings. I love these simple Valentine’s Day gift ideas.

Tauni Everett

Tauni is celebrating the coming holiday with this easy DIY washi tape Valentine’s Day Decor.

Hallstrom Home

On Rhonda’s blog, learn how to make a fabric covered bulletin board for valentines decor.

Pin the images below to your Valentine decor and DIY boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!

A wooden crate covered with floral paper napkins filled with faux flowers.
6 valentine's day projects-2

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56 Comments

  1. Oh my god Leslie this is so pretty. It would look perfect in almost every room in my house. I would probably be walking around like a zombie for weeks trying to figure out which room to place it in.

  2. Leslie,
    I loved this so much! Thank you for the inspiration! Instead of pink I went toward peach for Spring. I also have done more than 1 crate! Love it!

    1. Hi Kristy – thank you for your question. Because the crate I used was multi-colored, I first painted the crate white so that the original colors would not show through. I did let the paint dry. I then applied the Tacky Glue/Water mixture with a paintbrush. Do not let the Tacky Glue/Water mixture dry before applying the napkins. The sticky wet glue mixture is what makes the napkins adhere to the crate! I hope yours turns out beautifully!

  3. Leslie,

    I finally tried this and didn’t have much luck. The napkins have fold lines which I was unable to avoid no matter which way I cut. The strips weren’t that long, but there are folds in napkins! I had hoped when I sanded them that would help but it just accentuated them and I have a small tear in one as well. Is it possible to start over and put another layer on top of the old? Or can this be scraped off? How do I avoid fold lines?

  4. I made this and absolutely LOVE it! It’s on my front porch on top of an old step stool and filled with pretty spring flowers. Has survived our crazy very cold to very hot weather for two years now. While making, I discovered my napkins were 3-ply so had to regroup after the first row. Also, I guess I’m glue-challenged so I switched to Modge Podge, and that worked much better for me. Can’t wait for your first Amazon Live from the beach house!

  5. This is such a great idea and I love the napkins you selected! Might I suggest that you place something in the bottom so the flowers would be elevated? I think they’re beautiful but just can’t see enough of them. 😊 I want to thank you for always sharing the products you use and the links! Makes it extremely easy to find what is needed!
    Happy Valentine’s Day!

    1. Hi Pat! Ah great idea! I’m so happy you like it, I really try to make it accessible. Aw thank you, Happy Valentine’s Day 🙌🏻♥️

  6. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I utilize same type of crates in a corner cabinet in my kitchen. There is a shelf in the middle and I use four of them that I then pull out like drawers. I believe they may be due for a make over. Ha!
    I will say it again, I love the commemoratory between all of you bloggers. Proves that women should rule the world!
    Thank you again for providing new inspiration.
    Ronda

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