DIY Holiday Decoration: Paper Patchwork Christmas Tree Collage

Collage Christmas Tree

For those who love holiday crafting, decorating projects and materials don't need to be fancy or expensive. This festive patchwork Christmas tree is made from magazine photos, glue, and any trimmings you have on hand.

I made this colorful collage to fill an empty spot on my mantle, but the same idea, technique, and materials can be used to make holiday cards or accessories for your home. Just turn on the Christmas music and get crafting!

My Materials

• A large, sturdy piece of paper to use as a backing (size of your choice). I used a piece of watercolor paper, but pastel paper, printmaking paper, or a piece of cardstock are all good choices.
• A number of colorful pages from magazines or holiday catalogs. I chose photos with certain colors, but also added more color by stamping (see below). It is best to use magazines or catalogs that use thick paper. They are less likely to ripple when you add glue or paint.
• Glue stick
• Acrylic paint (optional) for stamping
• Household items (see below) for stamping (optional)
• Additional trimmings, such as buttons, ribbon, paper doilies, and tissue paper, to layer and decorate your tree
• Pencil, ruler, scissors, and hole punch

How to Make a Paper Christmas Tree Collage

I wanted to display my patchwork tree on my mantle, so I designed it to fit into a 14" by 18" frame. If you want your finished piece to be a particular size, you should consider those dimensions as you design your project.

Step 1. Decide on a Pattern

I wanted my patchwork tree to look a little like a quilt design, so I looked online for some samples of Christmas tree quilts. I chose this triangle pattern because it was made up of a number of different pieces that would incorporate a lot of color, but the basic triangle shape would be easy to cut out.

Step 2. Calculate Size

I then calculated how big I wanted my tree. I sketched out my tree and decided to make my triangles 2 inches tall and 2 inches at their base. If I made my tree six rows high with an additional base, my finished tree would be 14 inches tall by 12 inches wide at the bottom.

Step 3. Transfer Design to Backing Paper

Once I was happy with my sketch, I transferred my design onto my backing paper, using a pencil and ruler and my calculations for my finished tree.

I hand-stamped my magazine photos to add more color to my collage.

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Step 4. Choose Your Photos

Next, I chose the magazine and catalog photos for my tree. I specially picked images that had an interesting pattern or showed a lot of colorful texture for my collage. These images would be more interesting when cut up into a patchwork.

Step 5. Hand-Stamp Your Photos (Optional)

But I also wanted to add some more color and decoration to some of my magazine images. To do this, I stamped some of my photos using acrylic paint and some household items.

I mixed up my acrylic paint in a few colors that I wanted to use. Then I gathered a few little items that I knew I could use as stamps. I used the top cap of a Sharpie to make a circle and dot pattern on some of my pages (see above).

I also wrapped thick rubber bands around a small box to use as a stamp (see photo - the more rubber bands you use, the more interesting the print design).

I spread out my paint onto a piece of foil using a plastic knife and gently laid my stamp box in the paint. Then I pressed it firmly onto my photo. To get a clean print, I tried not to move my stamp while I was pressing it down. I changed the direction of each pressing to create an interesting pattern.

Let all printed pages dry completely before moving on to step 6.

Step 6. Measure and Cut Your Photos

I measured and cut out all my triangles using a paper cutter (though you could also do it with scissors). I laid my pieces on my backing paper in my design and moved them around until I found an arrangement of images that I really liked.

I let my design just sit for a while and kept on coming back to it to look at it again. A few times, I moved some of my triangles around for a better composition.

Step 7. Glue Your Photos Onto the Backing

Once I was satisfied with my design, I glued down all of my triangles using a glue stick.

Scrapbook Paper Used as Decoration

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Step 8. Add Decoration (Optional)

The other material I had on hand was this cut paper that I think is used in scrapbooking (I bought this at my local big-box craft store). I had originally thought of cutting this piece on the diagonal to use as a garland design across my tree. But instead, I decided to paint it different colors and cut it up to use as a decoration on my tree.

I realized that the pointed little circles of this paper would make an interesting topper for my tree. I then started cutting up other parts of this paper and painted different colors to add pattern and decoration to my collage. I used my glue stick to adhere these to my tree design.

I was lucky to have found this decorative scrapbooking material, but you could make something similar by cutting apart some paper doilies or making small paper snowflakes with colored paper or tissue paper. You could also decorate your tree by adding buttons or pieces of ribbon as garland.

Step 9. Decorate the Background (Optional)

I finished my design by surrounding the tree with little dots of paper. I used a hole punch to cut these out of the magazine scraps I had left over. I also made some dots from gold wrapping paper. These dots helped fill in the area around my tree. You could also add sequins or glitter.

Step 10. Frame Your Creation!

The last step is to frame your collage. I hope it will bring you as much joy as mine has brought me.

Although I made a framed Christmas tree collage for my mantle, you could use these same techniques to make other holiday-inspired items, like Christmas cards or a cover for a family photo album!

© 2014 Donna Herron

Comments

Donna Herron (author) from USA on October 02, 2015:

Thanks, Jill! This is one of my favorite projects and holiday decorations. And it's really easy to make. Thanks, as always, for your comments, support, and shares. Have a great weekend! Try to stay dry!

Jill Spencer from United States on October 01, 2015:

I need to start on this now! It's awesome.

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 17, 2014:

Thank you! I'm sure this project could inspire some amazing collages from artists of all ages :) Thanks for your comments, vote up and pin!

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on December 17, 2014:

This is so innovative and creative idea!

Loved the neatness in your work. Can be a great project for kids during holidays.

Voted up and pinned!

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 11, 2014:

Thank you! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Debra Allen from West Virginia on December 11, 2014:

That is neat and looks so professional. I like it.

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 11, 2014:

Hi Susan - Thanks so much! I think holiday projects are my favorite, and fun to share with others. Thanks so much for your comments and vote up! Hope you have a great holiday season!

Susan from India on December 11, 2014:

Wow... amazing ideas you have shared here. Thanks for sharing this very creative hub. Voted up.

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 07, 2014:

Hi Sally - This project was remarkably quick and easy once I decided on a design. Using basic materials made it a fun and non-stress holiday project that I'm really pleased with. I'm so glad that so many people like it too! Thanks so much for your comments, support, and numerous shares :) As always, I appreciate it!! Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 07, 2014:

Hi Glimmer Twin - Is it okay for me to say that I really love this too? :) And dare I say I think it's even prettier in person? Teal blue, purple, and gold have become my favorite colors for Christmas. I really love them together. And this Patchwork Christmas Tree came together in a way that I didn't plan and couldn't have predicted, but it works. Thanks, as always, for your comments! Hope you are having a happy and crafty holiday season!!

Sally Gulbrandsen from Norfolk on December 07, 2014:

purl3agony

Definitely my kind of patchwork, a stick of glue and even some spray glue make light work of this patchwork project! The end result is beautiful.

Thanks for sharing, voted up, pinned, google+, tweet etc., This one looks perfect for the next HOTD.

Best wishes,

Sally

Claudia Porter on December 07, 2014:

Wow - This is really cool. I love the recycling aspect too. Also, love the non-traditional colors. You've been busy!

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 04, 2014:

Absolutely, Deborah! What a great idea!! Small leftover pieces of gift wrap would also be great for this project. So many ideas and choices! Thanks so much for your comments and ideas!!

Deborah Neyens from Iowa on December 04, 2014:

Cute idea. I could see using old Christmas cards instead of magazine pages.

Donna Herron (author) from USA on December 04, 2014:

Hi Angelo and RTalloni - Thanks so much! I love making new crafts and projects with items I just have around the house. So glad you like it too. Thanks so much for your comments!!

RTalloni on December 04, 2014:

Such a really neat project hub. This method would be such fun to explore, for kids and adults alike.

Angelo Paglialonga from Foggia on December 04, 2014:

Beautiful!!