How to Cute Shelf Sitter Using Napkin Decoupage

I love taking an inexpensive blank and turning it into something special. This week’s project is one of my new favorites...a sweet little shelf sitter made with our Blue Potted Christmas Tree napkin from the online shop. It’s simple, charming, and the perfect winter accent for a tiered tray, mantle, or shelf.

Here’s exactly how I made mine!

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Supplies You’ll Need

• Dollar Tree wooden block
• Blue Potted Tree napkin (from our Napkin (Singles) Collection)
• White paint ( I prefer Chalk paint by Waverly)
• Mod Podge
• Parchment paper
• Mini heat press or iron
• Sanding block (I love my little gator block!)
• Sealant (Minwax Polycrylic or another coat of Mod Podge)
• Small ornament embellishment (mine came in a 3-pack from Walmart)
• Hot glue & stapler (optional but helpful)
  

Step 1: Prep the Wooden Block

Start by removing the sticker from the back of your Dollar Tree wood block.
A quick burst with the heat tool makes the sticker peel right off!

Paint the entire block white and let it dry completely.
This will help the napkin colors show up beautifully and look crisp.

Step 2: Add Your Mod Podge Base

Brush on a thin, even coat of Mod Podge and let it dry.
Yes — let it dry! I do use a heat gun to speed up the dry process but it's not necessary. I'm just impatient!
This is the key to the no-wrinkle iron-on method and one of my favorite decoupage tricks.

Step 3: Prepare the Napkin

Take one quadrant of the napkin and separate the top ply from the backing layers.

Then cut:

• The main Christmas tree image
• The two side border strips

You can apply this design vertically or horizontally. I laid it out both ways and, ultimately,  I chose landscape for a longer, shelf-sitter style look.

Step 4: Iron the Napkin On

Place the main tree section in the center of your block.
Lay a piece of parchment paper over top.

Using your Cricut mini heat press (or a regular iron on low with no steam), gently heat the napkin.
This reactivates the dried Mod Podge and bonds the napkin perfectly with no bubbles or wrinkles.

Repeat this process with the border strips on each side.

Step 5: Sand & Seal

Use a sanding block to remove any excess napkin from the edges.
This gives the cleanest finish!

Then seal the entire piece with: Minwax Polycrylic OR Another coat of Mod Podge.

Let it dry before moving on.

Step 6: Add the Finishing Touch

I took a mini ornament (three little bells) from a Walmart 3-pack and used it as the sweetest little embellishment in the upper left corner.

To attach it:

• Staple the string to the back of your block
• Add a dab of hot glue behind the bow so it stays facing forward and not flopping around

Such a small touch — but it really makes the project pop!

Finished Look

That’s it! A simple, budget-friendly, beautiful winter shelf sitter you can customize however you’d like.

If you make one, I’d love to see your version! Share it with me on a Maker’s Monday post or tag me so I can cheer you on.

Want to watch the quick video of this project? You can do that HERE!

#CreateInspireBeWell