Welcome to one of my favorite days of the month, beautiful friends! It’s Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday!! Today, I’m sharing how to update a basket with decoupage paper! I share a lot of trashy makeovers around here, but it’s always more fun when I get to do it with my friends. Be on the lookout for their makeovers at the bottom!
Before we get into it, I have drawn 15 winners for the breast caner awareness transfers and everyone has been notified. However, I still have two winners who have not responded back. (Their initials are TM and PT.) If I don’t hear back today, I will be drawing two more winners. Please check your spam or junk folders just in case my email ended up there.
Also, I have three more transfers on the way, and I will draw winners from this giveaway for those, so continue to watch your inbox!
Let’s get to it!
Here is what I am bringing to the party today:
I picked up this picnic basket at the thrift store for $6.
I’m going to guess that it may have been a wedding gift for the Swensons?
Evidently, the Swensons no longer picnic and that is fine by me because I happen to love vintage picnic baskets!
I’ve included a few affiliate links to you can find the products I love.
Sand
The first thing I did was sand the top smooth with my Ryobi Cat sander:
This smaller sander is ideal for small jobs like this.
I didn’t sand it all the way down to the wood beneath the letters, just enough to make it smooth to the touch.
Next, I used my shop vac to vacuum the top and the rest of the basket to remove any dust that had accumulated over the years.
It was actually pretty clean.
Paint
Ready for paint!
For this basket, I went for Dixie Belle’s brightest white, Cotton, which I applied using the Best Dang Brush:
The large flat round head makes painting baskets so quick and easy!
I gave the inside and outside two coats as well as the underside of the lid. You could also spray prime with Rustoleum spray primer first, just to get a quick first coat on and save you some time, but I brushed both layers on this time.
Prime with BOSS
I decided to prime the top with one coat of white BOSS stain blocking primer. I was afraid the red from the letters might bleed through the paper, so this was just a precaution. Then I let it sit out in the sun for a couple of hours. I usually let BOSS sit overnight, but the warm sunshine will speed up the process.
I just needed a white backdrop for my paper and the BOSS gave me that, so I didn’t even need to paint it.
Sand
I wanted to distress this one some, and I did that with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge:
Update a basket with decoupage
Finally, it was time for the fun part! Dixie Belle recently released several new decoupage papers including this pretty Springtime in Paris one:
It was the perfect size for the top of this picnic basket…almost. (More on that coming up!)
To apply the decoupage paper, I used Satin Clear Coat as a glue, brushing it on the top of my basket:
Then, I laid my paper out and used both my hand and my transfer tool to smooth out the paper…
Once I had it all smoothed out, I added another coat of Clear Coat over the top:
Can you see that it doesn’t quite reach from edge to edge?
I pulled out several colors and did my best to fill that space in…
I think I did okay lol.
Then I used a sanding sponge to help remove the excess paper around the edges:
I added one more coat of Clear Coat to protect where I had filled it in, and this makeover was complete!
The after
Here is how the Swensons’ basket looks now:
Oh how I love a white painted basket!
Now let’s see the pretty part!
This decoupage paper comes with one sheet.
Here is where I “fixed” it on the right side:
Not too shabby! You can barely see where the line is where the paper ends.
The inside
I just kept the inside simple by painting it white…
This could hold books, magazines, knitting or crocheting supplies, pet toys, or here I imagined it in a guest room holding fresh towels:
I have added SIX brand new papers from Dixie Belle to shop my shop HERE, including this special Flowers for a Cause paper created specially for Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
It’s the same size as the one I used on today’s basket, and it is gorgeous! I had wanted to use it for this basket but didn’t receive it in time. I do have it in stock for you HERE though! Dixie Belle has sold out, so when they’re gone, they’re gone!
Question??
Redesign with Prima has some gorgeous decoupage papers also, and I have been thinking about adding them to my shop. Is that something my makers out there would be interested in? Please let me know in the comments! 🙂
Don’t forget to check out what my friends are sharing today!
One more done!!
See what I’ve completed from this haul so far below if you missed any:
Painted Metal Quilt Rack
Vintage Brother Sewing Machine Cabinet Makeover
Child’s Chair Makeover
Painted Console Table
French Provincial Dresser Makeover
I’ll be back on Thursday sharing what I did with this framed cubby shelf:
UPDATE: This shelf turned out prettier than I thought it could! See it HERE now!
SHOP NEWS
One more thing before I go…I have brand new limited release HOLIDAY TRANSFERS and MOULDS from Redesign coming to the shop tomorrow! They go on sale at 11:00am EST! They’ll be the first items listed in my shop HERE once I get them listed!
Have a fantastic week!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh I love it, you know white is my favorite also! The top turned out awesome, and I love how well you matched your paint to fill in the spot that didn’t cover! If the Swensens see their basket they will want it back! LOL!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Painting images is not one of my talents…glad I was able to fudge my way through fixing those edges lol! And yes, they just might! Have a wonderful week, my friend! XOXO
Robin Stephens says
Love it! And, I LOVE the idea of it holding towels in a guest bedroom! I think I’d add a “French” bar of soap to the top of the towels. That would keep everything not only looking lovely but smelling lovely, too! ❤️ Dollar Tree used to carry nice bars. 🤷🏼♀️ I don’t always comment…but, know that I love what you do and enjoy your final reveals. You’re the best!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Robin, thank you! And yes, a lovely french bar of soap would be perfect in there! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Christy, I just love the ooh, la, la you gave this basket. It’s beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Denise Zdziennicki says
This turned out so darn cute Christy! I love the Paris decoupage! XOXO
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend!! XOXO
Nana Diana says
That turned out great, Christy. I think you did an admiral job of ‘filling in’…no one would ever guess you did that! Have a wonderful Tuesday. xo Diana
Christy says
Thank you so much, Diana! Glad I was able to fix it! Enjoy your day also! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
You do love a white basket, Christy! But it’s got to have some élan, too. I was sure you were going to paint stripes on the sides or edge it with gold. But no, and you truly cannot see the paint unless you look for it. Which no one will 😁 I hear the cash register ringing…
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I sure do ha ha. Looking through the photos now, I wish I would have added something to the back of the lid…might still do that! 😀 XOXO
Cyndi says
Good job! It’s beautiful. I’ll bet the Swenson’s want it back now. Ha ha!
Christy says
Ha ha! Thank you, Cyndi! XOXO
Janice Holt says
This paper looks like it was painted on. Turned out so pretty.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janice! I tried lol! XOXO
Godby Charlene Soucy says
Christy, I must’ve missed the registration for the drawing but I’m a breast cancer survivor too. I had a lumpectomy in April 2020, right smack in Covid time! Did not need chemo nor radiation, thank God!
Christy says
Oh no…I am so sorry you missed the giveaway, Charlene, but so glad to hear that you found yours early enough to catch it! XOXO
Mary Smart says
I loved this transformation! The Swenson’s lost out on this one! It looks great for a Spring picnic!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! They sure did lol! XOXO
Addie says
Look out the Swenson’s might be calling for it back!!! It is so funny when you said….it could be used for _, _, _ or crocheting supplies. I use an old picnic basket for my crocheting supplies!!!! Great minds think alike!!!
Good save!!!
Christy says
Ha ha they just might! And that is so funny…it’s ideal for crocheting supplies! Thanks, Addie!! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
So sweet! And I think you blended it perfectly!! xo
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! I sure did try lol! XOXO
Cheryl says
I think you did a fantastic job filling the space in!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cheryl!! I don’t paint pictures, so I did my best lol! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
This nice large basket is so pretty now. And I agree about adding a little something to the other side of the lid, a French themed transfer perhaps. What I couldn’t get over was how you were able to match the colors so perfectly on the edges! Well done!!
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! I do need to add something to the back of the lid. I didn’t even think about it until I was editing my photos! I’m not a painter of pictures, so I appreciate that vote of confidence. Luckily, I have a generous paint supply! XOXO
Tina Manley says
I was wondering if the initials TM for the decals were mine.
Christy says
Hi Tina! Thanks for responding. The T isn’t for Tina, unfortunately, but I will have to redraw if I don’t hear back from the winner, so check your inbox tomorrow just in case! XOXO
Naomi S Shelton says
Christy, I have a picnic basket nearly identical to the one you just gave a makeover. It was a gift years ago from my sister who lined. it with a red bandana print and matching napkins. As you can imagine, the red bandana theme doesn’t exactly appeal to me anymore, plus, I really don’t go on picnics, either! So I’ve been wondering what to do with that basket. And here you have solved my problem! I’ve wanted to try using a transfer so this seems like the perfect solution. One question: when I order the transfer from your store it asks for a coupon code; where do I find one or is there one that would apply? Thanks for your posts and tutorial. I can’t wait to get started! If it turns out well, I might gift the basket back to my sister and see if she recognizes it!
Christy says
Hi Naomi! I am so excited that you have been inspired to redo your own basket! You don’t have to put anything in the coupon code area, however, Etsy has a promotion that ends tonight at midnight. Use the code Yes10 to get $10 off of any $40 or more purchase! I also provide free shipping over $50 (no code needed), so you if you can find enough to buy, that is a nice savings! Have fun… and I love the idea to regift it to your sister! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
That paper looks so nice on this and I can’t believe how you painted in the edges. You’d never know. I must try decoupage soon. Have wanted to for a while.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! I’m so thrilled I was able to match up the colors. I hope you give it a try! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh, Le Printemps au Paris! Magnifique!!!
Christy says
Ah mercie beaucoup, Michele! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
This turned out so pretty, Christy! I’m a sucker for all things French – and you did an amazing job painting the edges to match!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Robin says
What a fabulous job on that basket, Christy! Such a different take on it compared with all of your previous basket make-overs. You do have the painterly touch! I’ll be that basket flies out of the booth quickly.
Christy says
I’m so glad you like this one, Robin! Thank you! XOXO
Deborah Mealus says
As always, your design is amazing! But what is even more amazing is your artistic ability! The talent you displayed with the blending on the edges is truly incredible! ( Can you tell I’m super impressed? lol) I love what you did with the basket and this has nudged me in the direction of painting some of my Longaberger Baskets collection. I also do decoupage so having some available in your shop would work for me!
Deborah
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Deborah! I don’t paint images, so I was impressed myself ha ha! And thank you for weighing in on the decoupage papers. I think I will be adding more soon! XOXO