Virtual Advent Calendar Day 5: Christmas Tree Plaque

20 Days Left Until Christmas!

I have two observations to make about today's project.  First, I can't believe this is Day 5 and the first time I've used Mod Podge.  Lucky for you, it won't be the last!  My second observation is that "the plaque" seems to have fallen out of favor with the modern crafter.  Why is that?  You've got to decorate your walls, too!
I once again found myself turning to 1974's Holiday Decorations You Can Make from Better Homes and Gardens.  When I saw this project, I knew I had to make it:

BHG's Tree of Wooden Boxes

How cute is that?  Then I remembered I had a bunch of miniature gift boxes that I pried off a set of napkin holders I found at a thrift store.

Close up showing miniature gift boxes.

That sealed the deal!  I was going to make this and do it in miniature.

Supplies Needed:

• Plaque board (you can get them at any large craft store)
• Fabric for tree
• Acrylic paint for background
• Trim
• Glossy Mod Podge (or watered down Elmer's glue works, too)
• Miniature presents (you can get them from dollhouse stores, or maybe even at the craft store)
• Fabri-Tac
• Sequins

Instructions:

Step 1:  Paint the board.  I used regular acrylic paint.  I wanted a glossy finish, but I knew I'd get that from the Mod Podge.

Old flexible cutting mats are great to work on for crafting.  They protect your work surface, but can easily be picked up and moved.  They clean up well, too.

Step 2:  Cut out a Christmas tree shape from your fabric.  I'm not providing a template as you might not use the same size board I did.  Base the size of the tree off the size of your plaque and leave some room at the top for the star (sequins).

Step 3:  Time to decoupage!  I covered the entire board with Mod Podge, then laid my Christmas tree on top.  Work out any bubbles.  Let dry.  If the sides of the tree get a bit wobbly, don't worry.  They are going to be covered in trim.  Once everything is dry, go over the entire board, tree and all, with Mod Podge.  Let dry.

Step 4:  Glue on trim.  Starting at the top, glue the trim around the tree.  You want to start at the top so your unfinished ends will be covered by the sequins.  Sara got me using Fabri-Tac and it's fabulous stuff, but it can be a little stringy.  You might find these strings of glue getting all over the board.  Just leave them be.  Once they are dry, they will pull right up.

Gluing on the trim.

Step 5: Arrange your sequins to form a "star" on the top of the tree.  If you don't have sequins, try a bow or beads.  Once you have an arrangement you like, glue them down one by one.

Step 6:  Arrange all your mini-gifts on the tree.  When you have them laid out the way you want them, start gluing them down.

And now you have got yourself a gen-u-ine plaque.  Let's start a trend.  Bring back the plaque!

Crafters Unite! Bring Back the Plaque!

Cost:  The mini-gifts and the board may cost you around $25+; it's the mini-gifts that will run expensive.  Consider using something else like miniature ornaments, or make your own gift boxes from polymer clay.
Time to Complete:  You will have to allow drying time, but the actual work is less than 30 minutes
Skill Level:  Let's face it, these retro crafts are not exactly complicated.  Anyone could do this.

Ready to move on to Day 6?  I am!