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DIY Watercolor Paper Squares Backdrop

Jordan recently came up with this awesome idea to make use of her scrap letterpress paper. It’s simple, quick to make and it creates such a huge impact as a colorful backdrop for a buffet or even a party photo booth!

DIY Watercolor Paper Squares Backdrop | Oh Happy Day!

DIY Watercolor Paper Squares Backdrop | Oh Happy Day!

DIY Watercolor Paper Squares Backdrop | Oh Happy Day! DIY Watercolor Paper Squares Backdrop | Oh Happy Day! DIY Watercolor Paper Squares Backdrop | Oh Happy Day!
DIY Watercolor Paper Squares Backdrop | Oh Happy Day!
Materials Needed: Cold-press watercolor paper, x-acto knife, ruler, watercolor paint (or gouache), 2” paintbrush, cup or container for water, vinyl tablecover (or other waterproof surface), pencil, painter’s tape

Step 1: Cut watercolor paper into 120 – 4.5” x 5” rectangles. If you’re using a 9” x 12” pad with 30 pages, you should have just enough!
Step 2: Paint swatches of colors onto each rectangle using big, broad strokes. Play around with the density of the pigment, making some swatches brighter or lighter than others. Lay the papers out to dry on a waterproof surface.
Step 3: Once dry, arrange the swatches out end-to-end in a gradated order. To have the dimensions that we had, you’ll want to have them laid out 15 swatches wide and 8 swatches tall. When you’ve settled on a design, it’s time to put it up!
Step 4: Lightly mark your table’s midpoint onto the wall in pencil.
Step 5: Using loops of painter’s tape, adhere the swatches onto the wall one by one, starting with the middle-most column at the table’s midpoint. Make sure to take a step back here and there to check that the swatches are all going up straight! You’re all done!DIY Watercolor Paper Squares Backdrop | Oh Happy Day!DIY Watercolor Paper Squares Backdrop | Oh Happy Day!
Crafting by Naomi Julia Satake

  1. TwoPlusCute

    April 14, 2016

    So pretty and the colors make me smile. It’s a smile board! 😀

    Great backdrop.

  2. kylee

    April 14, 2016

    Love the table! Where is it from?

  3. Dani @ Danielle and Co.

    April 14, 2016

    So bright and colorful – I like that you could just use portions of it in specific colors too, if you needed a smaller background for something! Very pretty!

  4. Paige Flamm

    April 14, 2016

    This backdrop is beautiful! You d id an amazing job!

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.com

  5. Kari

    April 14, 2016

    What a simple, yet beautiful idea!
    Kari
    http://www.sweetteasweetie.com

  6. Cynthia

    April 14, 2016

    That watercolor paper looks so pretty! This is such a creative use of leftover letterpress paper. I majored in printmaking, so I know exactly what your friend’s pile must look like 🙂

    Likely By Sea

  7. Melanie | Toots + Dill

    April 14, 2016

    How fun!! This would be so cool on a wall of my home!!! I wish!! =)

  8. Sabine S.

    April 14, 2016

    Thank you – soooo beautiful colors.
    And a great idea!
    Have a good time 🙂 – all the time
    Sabine from Worms in Germany

  9. Michelle

    April 15, 2016

    This is beautiful! I can imagine using this as a permanent piece of art in my apartment!
    https://www.makeandmess.com/

  10. marie

    April 15, 2016

    Very nice !

  11. Cintia

    April 15, 2016

    I want it!!!! It’s so beautiful
    http://soldenochedecocrochet.blogspot.com.ar/

  12. Crystal

    April 16, 2016

    This-is-so-FUN!

  13. Jen B

    April 24, 2016

    Very pretty. My kids might even want to try to do this together.

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