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. I created this DIY Valentine decor flower holder using a wooden crate, flowered paper napkins, and lots of glue! So can you guess what the three items for this DIY are?
Wrong!
Actually, that’s not an easy answer. 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. (We 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!
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)
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.
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.
I cut sixteen strips (one for each board) and had way too many!
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.)
Gently tap 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.
Add the paper napkin strips to the second board but start in a different place so the napkin patterns don’t match.
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.)
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!
I sanded and sanded and sanded until I thought it looked authentically vintage. Then I added the satin varnish to seal the napkins.
Step #5 – Add the Flowers
I placed four galvanized vases in the crate and filled them with flowers. I added some raffia and love the final look!
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 image 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!
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42 Responses
Thank you to you and your fellow designers for sharing. Off to the craft store asap!
Awesome Donna! I hope yours turns out great!
Love the craft project. Can’t wait to do this with my granddaughters! Seems perfect!
I’m so glad Jayne! Let me know how yours turns out!
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.
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!
Do you let the paint dry before adding the strips of napkins?
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!
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?
2) I do have pictures I could send if that would help.