How to Make Decoupage Chinoiserie Ornaments

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Learn how to make decoupage chinoiserie ornaments for your classic holiday Christmas tree. They are quite simple to make with Mod Podge.

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What is the Pinterest Challenge?

Each month, we are given either a topic or a photo for inspiration. Think in terms of looking through Pinterest for inspiration. That is how Cindy gets inspired for the challenge. If it is photo inspiration, she visits the source and asks if they'd like to be our inspiration for the monthly challenge. It's that simple! It's such a fun post each month.

This month we just went with the topic of DIY Christmas Ornaments. This is going to be so fun because you will see quite a few different styles of ornaments. I hope you will be inspired!

If you are visiting from My Family Thyme, welcome! Isn't that jingle bell ornament adorable?

How to Make Decoupage Chinoiserie Ornaments

One of our favorite things to do as a family each and every year is to decorate our Christmas tree as a family. It's the tree that goes between the opening of the kitchen and the family room. It's our live tree with all of our precious collected ornaments.

The other trees in our home are more of a styled look to go with the decor, but my favorite is always the “family tree.”

Handmade ornaments are always so special to my heart. The kids have made many through the years that I treasure. I'm now in a season of life, where I am having fun crafting for our empty nest.

It is no surprise that I adore all things blue and white. It's that classic chinoiserie that makes a room swoon.

Chinoiserie ornaments can be quite pricy. I'll have a selection of ready-made beautiful ornaments at the end of the post for your convenience.

I've made several decoupage projects through the years on the blog.

• Chinoiserie Ice Bucket
• Mod Podge Photo Ornament
• Mod Podge Bucket
• Decoupaged Desk

I decided to make my very own ornaments this year for the holiday season.

It's such a simple craft. This project did not cost me anything at the moment because I had all of the supplies in my craft arsenal. The ornament forms had a sticker dating back to 2013! I can't believe that I have had them that long.

Supplies Needed

• paper napkins
• foam brushes
• white chalk paint or craft paint
• Mod Podge or decoupage medium
• wax paper or parchment paper
• liquid gold leaf
• cheap artist brush
• scissors
• Velvet ribbon

How-To

You will need to decide on the form for your ornament. There are many paper mache ornaments at the craft store.

You could also recycle old ornaments that you no longer use for this project. You just want to make sure they are smooth.

Any kind of smooth crafting ornament with work.

It's best to start with white ornaments.

Your napkins will work best with a white background.

Perhaps the most important part of the project is your cocktail napkins.

Take a look at a chinoiserie vase and draw inspiration from this.

Pick a chinoiserie design or another favorite napkin that matches your color scheme.

Most napkins are great candidates for a decoupage project.

Keep the size pattern of the napkin in line with the ornament that you are using.

Here are several napkin ideas with fabulous patterns for this project.

• Floral Napkin
• Ikat Napkin
• Damask Napkin
• Floral Napkin
• Bird Napkin

If you come across a lovely tissue paper, you could also use this in lieu of cocktail napkins.

Let's get started on our DIY chinoiserie Christmas ornaments.

Step 1

The first thing that you want to do is prep your surface with wax paper or parchment paper. This will protect your table or counter.

With a foam brush, paint the ornament with a coat or two of white paint. I painted 1 coat.

Let this dry completely

It's easiest to hang these to dry!

I hung mine from the kitchen chandelier.

You could clip them to a coat hanger with clothespins or an ornament hanger.

Step 2

Trace the ornaments onto the cocktail napkin with either pencil or pen.

I couldn't see the pencil well enough so I transitioned to using a dark pen.

Cut out the circles with scissors.

You will want to cut on the inside of the circle.

I cut my circle slightly smaller so that the edges would not overhang the ornament.

There is usually a back layer to the napkins. Remove this layer so you are left with a single ply.

Step 3

With a foam brush, apply a layer of Mod Podge.

Don't overdo it. I prefer thin, even layers.

Immediately place your napkin circle in the center.

Gently work from the center out to smooth the circle down.

Apply another coat of Mod Podge on top of this and let it dry thoroughly.

I leave it alone for about an hour or until dry to the touch.

Apply one more coat. Let it thoroughly dry before flipping it over to do the same on the other side.

I let mine dry overnight since I did this the night before.

Step 4

The next step is to use a small artist's brush that you can just throw away, and paint the edges with the liquid gold leaf.

This stuff paints on beautifully. I've been using this brand and color for years.

I hold the ornament in my hand while I paint the edges and the flat tops. Then I hang them to dry on the chandelier.

I wanted a “rougher' looking edge for the tops of the ornaments.

I wanted to almost mimic the look of a gold leaf that is peeling away to reveal the chinoiserie. Plus this makes it easier in that it does not need to be perfect.

To easily do this, you will kind of blot and press the paint with the brush along the front edges of the ornament.

Step 5

To finish off the ornament, I tied a piece of narrow velvet ribbon across the top.

I only had 6 of these ornaments. I will probably make another set of 6 for this tree. I don't want them to overpower the tree so I want to keep the number small and sprinkled on the tree.

These are truly simple DIY projects and are perfect for the beginner.

DIY chinoiserie ornaments make great gifts!

Up next on the ornament tour is Niky from The House on Silverado. You are going to love her silver spoon ornament.

More Christmas Ornament Ideas

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Thanks for sharing!