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    Home » Decoupage » How To Make A Nutcracker Soldier Using Vintage Wallpaper

    How To Make A Nutcracker Soldier Using Vintage Wallpaper

    This post may contain affiliate links

    My Idea To Use Vintage Wallpaper To Make A Nutcracker Soldier

    If you want to know how to make a nutcracker soldier using wallpaper I'm your girl. This genius idea is all my own. I made the unusual nutcracker soldier using a stencil and vintage wallpaper.

    The colors in the wallpaper design screamed Christmas and the Nutcracker Soldier is definitely a Christmas tradition.....so.....

    DIY Nutcracker Soldier Decoration

    Nutcracker Soldier Decoration

    I’ve had the red and green and gold wallpaper forever. I bought the wallpaper at a thrift store because I loved the velvety texture and the colors. I don’t remember what I paid for it. You guys know me….it had to be a deal.

    I’ve tried using it as a table runner, display backdrop, and several other things. But I couldn't really come up with a good project idea.....until now. When I worked on the nutcracker stencil project last week I had an ah-ha moment!

    The nutcracker stencil was large and all of the cut out stencil areas were large. I could see using the stencil as a template and cutting the nutcracker out on paper of some kind. Why not wallpaper?

    How To Make A Nutcracker Soldier

    craft project Petticoat Junkiton

    Find a Backdrop For The Wallpaper Nutcracker

    I needed something to put the "paper doll nutcracker" on. I found this reclaimed cabinet door in my stash of wood parts and pieces. The front side of the door was covered with sample paint finishes from old projects. I decided to use the back side of the door and paint it black.

    Royal Design Studios Stencil Petticoat Junktion project

    See, the stencil is pretty BIG. How about the wallpaper? Pretty isn't it.

    wallpaper stencil decoupage project Petticoat Junktion

    Cut The Soldier Out Using The Stencil

    Since the wallpaper design was straight lines and stuff, I made sure I placed the nutcracker all nice and straight on the back side of the wallpaper. No one wants a womper jawed nutcracker.

    I taped the stencil down on the edges so it wouldn't scoot around on me. I used a pencil to draw around the inside of the stencil then I cut out the pieces. It reminded me of cutting out paper dolls when I was little.wallpaper decoupage project Petticoat Junktion

    I couldn't stand all that nice smooth black paint. I grabbed the sandpaper and did a bit of distressing. There was yellow paint underneath the black paint and the distressing looked good.

    Elmers wood glue for decoupage project Petticoat Junktion

    Apply Glue to The Cut Out Pieces

    I placed the pieces of the nutcracker on the door getting them all nice and straight. Then I brushed Elmer’s wood glue on the back of each piece working with one piece at a time. I tried not to overdo the glue.

    diy nutcracker soldier for Christmas

    Place The Soldier Pieces On The Cabinet Door

    I gently rubbed each piece of wallpaper/nutcracker onto the door .....squeezing out the air pockets as I went. I wiped off any glue that seeped out with a damp rag.

    Christmas Nutcracker diy project Petticoat Junktion

    Wait For Glue To Dry And Hang

    Surprise! I got him all nice and straight on the door and the wallpaper designs are all lined up. Doing the happy dance.

    Royal Design Studios Stencil Project Petticoat Junktion

    DIY Nutcracker Soldier

    What do you think of this idea? I'm going to see what other stencils I can try this with. Not with Christmas wallpaper, something else....not sure what just yet.

    I didn't really know anything about nutcrackers except that we decorate with them at Christmas. I did a bit of googling and this is what I found.....

    According to German folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to your family and protect your home. The legend says that a nutcracker represents power and strength and serves like a trusty watch dog guarding your family from evil spirits and danger. A fierce protector, the nutcracker bares its teeth to the evil spirits and serves as the traditional messenger of good luck and goodwill...source, Magic of Nutcrackers 

    You can find my regular stenciled nutcracker here....The Christmas Nutcracker | Colorful Stencil Project

    Want more Petticoat Junktion Christmas Inspiration? Click any photo below!

    Christmas-gift-wrap-idea-burlap-ribbon-and-Kraft-paper-Petticoat-Junktion.jpgHandmade-Christmas-Ornament-Tutorial-Petticoat-Junktion.jpgElsa Frozen Mason Jar Gift Idea Petticoat Junktion diyhttps://petticoatjunktion.com/christmas/vintage-christmas-welcome-home-tour/Hardware Christmas Tree Petticoat Junktion

    green-Christmas-decorations-Nashville-Flea-Market-Petticoat-Junktion-shopping-trip_thumb.jpgSilver-and-Gold-Metallic-Christmas-Tree-Wall-art-Petticoat-Junktion-2.jpgSparkle-and-Rust-Hardware-Christmas-Tree-Petticoat-Junktion-reclaim-project.jpgChristmas-Decorating-vintage-and-new-At-Home-project-Petticoat-Junktion-1_thumb.jpgchecker Christmas tree

    The nutcracker project first appeared on Petticoat Junktion in 2014 and I get questions about the process every year so I reposted it for you guys. I hope you enjoyed it.

    Thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Regena

      December 19, 2019 at 7:07 am

      Adorable
      I love it!

      Reply
      • Kathy Owen

        December 21, 2019 at 9:30 pm

        Thanks Regena

        Reply
    2. Rebecca (Becky) Hackman

      December 16, 2019 at 6:27 pm

      very cute and clever.

      Reply
    3. Sandi Allen

      December 16, 2019 at 1:42 pm

      Wow! This is so Beautiful! Loving the wallpaper!❤

      Sandi

      Reply
    4. ROSE LEFEBVRE

      December 16, 2019 at 7:24 am

      Cute! I think some of the textured wallpapers would make a cut one as well.

      Reply
    5. Sally

      December 04, 2018 at 8:38 am

      This is wonderful! Love it so much.

      Merry Christmas!

      Reply
    6. FannyBo

      December 04, 2018 at 7:35 am

      Oh, so creative. Your ideas are always great and your adventure of "the doing" is so entertaining!

      Reply
    7. Ruth

      December 23, 2014 at 3:14 pm

      I have a friend who loves nutcrackers, this is great!

      Reply
    8. Mary Barber

      December 22, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      I like!

      Reply
    9. [email protected] Interior Frugalista

      December 22, 2014 at 10:11 am

      Very cute idea! I need that stencil for next year. Merry Christmas!

      Reply
    10. Marisa

      December 21, 2014 at 1:56 pm

      I love that! I just pinned it to my Nutcracker board. I need to buy that stencil. Great idea and Merry Christmas

      Reply
    11. chris aka monkey

      December 21, 2014 at 10:19 am

      at first glance i thought this guy was like six foot tall until i saw you putting the wall paper paste on him ha ha,the paper is perfect for this i love the little guy....he would look good on your mantle too xx thinking of you xx

      Reply
    12. Karen

      December 21, 2014 at 9:05 am

      That wallpaper is perfect for this. Fantastic job.

      Reply
    13. Vicki Darnell

      December 21, 2014 at 8:04 am

      Great use of repurposed items. Kudos!

      Reply
    14. regina

      December 21, 2014 at 7:14 am

      I like it, too. I have stencils and old wallpaper scraps. I'm putting this on my to-do list, but it will be much smaller.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kathy!

    The gal behind Petticoat Junktion and I love decorating my home. My decor is eclectic and unique. I find fun things at thrift stores, junk shops, and flea markets and make them better. Every day is a new adventure.....

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