Hello, amazing friends! I have a FUN post for you today! I’m joining five talented friends as we partner with Dixie Belle to play with their holiday goodies! AND, we are each giving away $200 to spend any way you choose at dixiebelle.com!
My project is a yard sale tote that I updated for the holidays, and I’ll link to the others at the bottom!
A Yard Sale Tote Updated for the Holidays with Dixie Belle
Here is how my tote started:
It was $3 at a yard sale. Totally worth that!
Clean
This holiday tote makeover started with a good cleaning with White Lightning using a terrycloth pad:
This little thing needed a good cleaning! Once I was done, I swapped my dirty water for plain water and wiped it down once more to remove any residue.
Fun holiday items!
Here are just a few of the holiday Dixie Belle items I was considering:
See all the holiday items I have in my Etsy shop by searching “holiday” or “Christmas” in the search field in my shop.
It was hard to choose, but I ultimately decided on this Winter Wonderland Rice Decoupage Paper and this sweet Caroling Cardinals transfer from Dixie Belle’s Belles and Whistles line:
Paint
I started on the inside of my tote with this perfect holiday red, Barn Red:
And then I painted the outside in Fluff:
Looking better already!
After applying two coats of each, I lightly sanded to smooth all over using a sanding sponge.
Adding transfers
Now for the fun part!
Here are all the pieces in this transfer set:
I used a bit of each design, placing them randomly on the front, using the burnishing stick that is included:
If you haven’t used a transfer before, they are super easy, especially on flat surfaces like this one! See more about applying transfers HERE.
Seal
Once I had them where I wanted, I sealed the inside and the front and back with Clear Coat in satin using my mini angle brush (to make it easier to get to those inside corners):
What about the sides??
For the sides, I added decoupage paper!
There are three designs in this Winter Wonderland Rice Decoupage Paper set:
They are the A3 size which are 11.7 x 16.54 inches.
One of the plaid pieces was just enough to do both ends.
Apply the decoupage paper
To apply it, I used my Clear Coat in satin:
It works well for these thinner rice papers and dries clear.
I applied it with a chip brush (any brush will do):
Then, I added my paper, using the transfer tool to smooth out any bubbles.
Once it had sit for a few minutes, I used 220 grit sandpaper to lightly sand the edges to remove the excess:
This helps it to tear nicely:
Then, I applied another coat of Clear Coat in satin to seal…
And this project was complete!
Yard Sale Find to Holiday Tote with a little help from Dixie Belle
Here is how this $3 yard sale find looks now!
It’s perfect as a plate and utensil holder for my holiday buffet!
While we were putting away our Halloween decorations, I was digging around for a Christmas wreath for staging…
I told my hubby I was starting on Christmas decorating. He nearly fell out! Ha ha!
I’m not quite ready for that just yet!
This transfer set has several festive pieces to play with, but I love the cardinals!
And what about the ends? The plaid decoupage paper blends so nicely with everything else!
The other side
The other side of this tote got a more simple update:
One piece centered in the middle was all this side needed for a more simple look.
This would be pretty holding greenery or displaying festive towels in a bathroom…so many ways to use it for the holidays!
I’ll be using it just like this on our holiday buffet!
Now for that giveaway!!
Dixie Belle is graciously allowing each of us to give away a $200 gift certificate redeemable on their website for any Dixie Belle goodies you’d like! Thank you, Dixie Belle!!
**This giveaway is available to everyone WORLDWIDE!!**
To enter to win, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below. This will allow me to pick the winners randomly after the contest is over. Follow Dixie Belle on Instagram and then there are a few simple follow-me tasks to earn more entries!
If you have any trouble accessing the Rafflecopter, you can enter to win HERE also!
YOU CAN ENTER ONCE A DAY UNTIL THE GIVEAWAY ENDS NEXT TUESDAY, November 12th AT 12:00 AM EST!
Then, we will each draw a winner randomly to be notified via email. They will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen. You must be 18 years or older to participate. Void where prohibited.
BUT DON’T GO ANYWHERE JUST YET, THERE’S MORE!!
Be sure to visit my friends’ amazing makeovers and enter their giveaways as well while you’re there!
SIX chances to win!!
4. Living Large in a Small House
I’m starting to make my way through this HUGE haul!
See what you’ve missed so far below…
Painting the Smalls #31 (the dollar edition)
And that’s my kick-off to the holiday season!
But don’t worry if you’re not quite ready (I’m not either!), I have a very non-holiday makeover for you on Thursday:
I hope to see y’all then!!
UPDATE: Lucky you! You can see how that stool turned out HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST
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Janice Redden says
Christy, the tote is beautiful – it has a simple elegance to it that will complement most any seasonal theme; my in-laws in their 90s don’t decorate like they used to so Christmas decor like this is perfect for them. What a nice treat to see to get in the holiday spirit…
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I enjoy the simple, traditional holiday colors, so this will fit in my house perfectly! Hope you got a chance to enter the giveaway!! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh snap! I knew I should have picked up that tote I saw at the flea market. I have a ginormous one but the smaller would have been good for this purpose. Love how yours looks! That plaid! ???? I finally have a piece of furniture to do something with so it would be great to win!
????Cecilia
Christy says
Oh no! Isn’t that always how it goes? Thanks, Cecilia! Good luck on the giveaway! XOXO
Gina says
I have two of those same totes in my garage right now – what a great way to purpose them!
Christy says
Oh perfect! I just love them and grab them up when I find them. Thanks, Gina! XOXO
Lynn says
What a transformation and perfect for the holidays!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Lynn! XOXO
Jackie C says
SUPER cute!! ???? I love the plaid on the ends. This would be a super cute card holder. Unfortunately I don’t qualify for the giveaway since I don’t have Instagram. Good luck to those who do!
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie! Bummer…that is DB’s requirement. You know I’ll be doing another soon enough though! XOXO
Christy says
I forgot to say that I love it for cards… never even thought of that! 😀
Ruth says
As always, beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Ruth! XOXO
Cyndi says
Love it!! As you said, it would be perfect for many things. Load it up with shiny ornaments or arrange flameless candles, pinecones, greenery, etc. in it. Lots of ideas! So pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! Ooh yes..I can totally see that! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I know you love those totes, Christy. They don’t interest me, until you go and turn another one into something marvelous! If you didn’t keep it, I bet this one would get grabbed up quickly. It’s festive, but doesn’t scream Christmas, so it can stay out more than a few weeks. Beautifully executed.
Christy says
Ha ha! Well I’m so glad you like it…thank you, Marcie! It could totally stay out all winter! XOXO
Linda says
Those colors are so rich in your vignette against the brilliant white. Just lovely! Wreath is stunning, and goes without saying (almost) your tote is darling. So much to like!
Christy says
Aww yay! Thank you so much, Linda! I picked up two of those gorgeous wreaths at the end of the season for 75% off last year! I had forgotten all about them…love when that happens! XOXO
B says
Christy, the tote turned out awesome! Such a great find & a perfect size for holiday entertaining. Your upcycles are amazing!
Christy says
Thank you, B! I appreciate that so much! I’m looking forward to using this in my holiday decor this year! XOXO
Cheryl B Acampora says
Christy girl,
You have outdone yourself AGAIN! The box just looks like Christmas and it’s so cheerful! Cardinals have a special meaning for me and you made me smile today! You are a treasure!!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend! I have a soft spot for cardinals also. Glad I could make you smile today! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh. that is so cute!!!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! XOXO
Colleen says
I love the red plaid and the cardinals!
Christy says
Thank you, Colleen! They are right up my alley too! XOXO
Victoria Hempe says
As always you are inspirational. The colors and decals are perfect. I love it! I will have to see if I can find a tote box????????
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Victoria! Thank you! Good luck in your search! XOXO
Cindy Rust says
The plaid looks amazing with those cardinals! Thanks for the inspiration! Now need to find an old tote1
Christy says
Thank you, Cindy! I hope you find one! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Hello from Savannah! I didn’t get a chance to see your post yesterday until this morning, because yesterday my 13th grandchild was born! Her name is Clara Mae. She weighed 7lbs 12 oz 19.5 inches long! She is beautiful and momma and baby are well! I love how your tote came out!
Christy says
Awwwww I love that name…such a sweet throwback! Congratulations!! I’m so glad you stopped by today. My niece is still hanging in there lol. Thanks, Mary and enjoy your time in Savannah!! XOXO
gail wilson says
I love the combination of the transfer and the decoupage paper!!! So pretty Christy!
gail
Christy says
Thanks so much, my friend! It was fun digging into the Christmas goodies! XOXO
BARB says
Hi! I would like to know if the transfers could be used on an outdoor piece of furniture? Would Spar varnish protect it enough? Thank you for all the wonderful inspiration you give all of us.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Barb! If it is on a covered porch, that might be okay. I’m not familiar with spar varnish, but Gator Hide is water repellent and would protect it well outdoors. However, transfers do tend to fade in the sun. XOXO
Marietta Walker says
OMG! You Killed this one! You knocked it out of the park!! To the moon and back, girlfriend!!! wow-wow-wow
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, my friend! I’m so thrilled you like this one! It was fun to bring out the holiday goodies to play with! XOXO