The new Autumnal and Festive papers from Made by Marley have arrived, and I couldn’t wait to show you what I’ve been up to pre-launch. I’ll walk you through just how quick and easy it is to reimagine furniture, wall art, and décor with these beautiful papers, while making sure you have time to relax and enjoy the creative process too.
As we head into the busiest part of the year, quick #designforjoy projects are a wonderful way to relieve stress. There’s something so soothing about a creative session, followed by stepping back to admire your work with a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of cake. I’ve always believed in the magic of Christmas—it’s truly the most wonderful time of the year—and what better way to celebrate than by creating Autumnal and Festive DIY Projects?
Quick and Easy Wall Art with Made by Marley Papers
If you're looking for super simple but incredibly satisfying projects, I’ve got to say that DIY wall art is a great place to start. Here's a peek at a seasonal make I did using the new Pumpkin Pie paper.
It was so easy! I tore the bottom of the Pumpkin Pie paper and applied that to the bottom of a frame. The leftover piece? I flipped it upside down, creating a fault line right across the middle of the top. Then, I painted this brown and stamped on some words (you could easily use stencils if you don’t have stamps!). I roughly painted the edges to tie the whole design together and waxed it to protect the finish. Just like that, I had a cute piece of seasonal wall décor.
Another Seasonal Wall Art Using Rouge Paper
I did something similar with the Rouge paper, this time applying the large cardinal bird to the right side of the frame, with flowers and Autumnal berries from the accent sheet. Ipainted a line down the middle in dark brown to pull the whole thing together, then used a wood grain tool to add texture. A bit of blending and—voilà!—the piece was done and admired in about 5 minutes. Want to add extra flair? Try fussy cutting the Made by Marley paper and adding it to the frame. It adds movement and makes the piece pop!
Furniture Makeovers Made Easy
Moving onto something a bit bigger, although still quick, I transformed a small cabinet with the new Oscar paper. I applied it to the sides, front, and top, blending the paint finish between transitions and adding a stencil for extra detail. Honestly, it was so easy! Furniture upcycling is such a rewarding way to breathe new life into old pieces, and with a small piece like this, it can be done in just one afternoon. The best part? The paper does most of the work for you!
A More Intricate Furniture Project with "I'm Late" Papers
Now, let’s talk about a more detailed but totally doable design, especially if you have a day to yourself with a cup of tea and a good audiobook (ask me how I know!). I picked up this occasional table for just £6.00 at a local shop, and it was perfect for the new I’m Late paper from Made by Marley. Inspired by the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, this paper has a whimsical, slightly dark feel—ideal for my project.
I offset a rabbit on either side of the table, then added ripped-up flowers to the top and bottom. Filling the gaps with burgundy paint and using a harlequin stencil in gold brought everything together. A few stamps added the finishing touch, and I couldn't help but feel happy as I stood back and admired my work. Vintage furniture upcycling like this is always fun, and anything Alice-related tends to sell well for me. Do you have certain themes or designs your customers love?
Vintage Santa Décor: Festive and Fun
When I first saw the nostalgic Santa in the Better Not Pout paper, I instantly fell in love. As a Santa lover (though not all Santas are created equal!), this set ticked all my boxes. I used one of the Santas from the set and applied him to an old faux leather box file. Our decoupage paper adhered perfectly, even over the textured surface, without needing to be wet first. A quick paint job, some cute hardware, and a transfer later, I had a fabulous festive piece. Imagine this box filled with Christmas chocolates and treats for your grandchildren—or just for you!
Easy Christmas Crafts with Kids
Looking for easy, festive crafts to do with the kids?
Here’s a fun one: take an old clock, remove the workings, and decoupage one of the smaller Santas from the Better Not Pout paper into the back. Add some festive greenery, twinkle lights, and you’ve got yourself a Christmas clock that will bring a bit of extra magic to your home décor.
Quick Kitchen Décor: Pumpkin Pie Platter
Lastly, let me share a fun and easy project that would look perfect on a kitchen counter or occasional table. Using the Pumpkin Pie paper, I transformed a large vintage salver I found at a charity shop into a lovely fall-themed platter. I fussy cut the leaves for the edging, added resin letters, and tied a ribbon around it for a bit of extra charm. It was a fun, quick project that made for a really satisfying afternoon of crafting.
So get your giddy pants on with our Autumnal and Festive collection which is sure to bring some jolly vibes to your home and projects for this year!
You have been so busy showing us how brilliant your newest papers are. Lovely to behold, so bright and cheery.
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Design for joy of course, but also a splendid and very good decoupage paper quality from Made by Marley as usually. Very beautiful job Lel&Martyn