I’m so glad you’re here, dear friends! Today, I have a super simple vintage picnic basket update to share with you!
This basket was a $6.99 thrift store find, and I just loved that it looked like it had some age to it:
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Clean
When cleaning baskets, I usually just take my shop vac to them to remove any dust or cobwebs that might be hiding in the weave.
Paint
As I often do with smaller items, I gave it a quick first coat with Rustoleum Spray Primer:
This is my small spray shelter when I need to contain the spray, and using a lazy Susan makes that much easier:
I have both the small and medium sizes, but if I could only pick one size shelter, I would pick the medium size as you can fit items as large as night tables or chairs inside!
Once that coat was dry, I used my Best Dang Brush to give it one coat of Cotton:
The large flat head of this brush is great for painting baskets! Be sure to rinse out the paint as soon as you’re done to keep the natural bristles nice.
Sand
I applied just one coat of the Cotton over the primer and then sanded liberally all over with 220 grit sandpaper to distress once the paint was dry.
I had originally planned to add something to that top, but I just loved it as it was after sanding, so I decided not to add anything on the top.
However, I did add a little something else!
Adding some cute tags
I pulled out the Lysandra frame mould:
This frame mould isn’t just a frame, it also has a built-in backing. I decided to pour all the options using Amazing Casting Resin:
And here is what the fronts look like:
I then painted them in Cotton:
This is one coat, but I gave them two coats.
New Luxe Transfers
Next, I pulled out the new Romance en Fleur Luxe Transfer:
This is a new style of transfer, so I tested one image on my phone stand:
These are so easy to use!
You simply:
- Remove the white backing
- Apply the transfer where you want it
- Rub across the image with your finger
- Remove the front clear sheet
And that’s it! There are four designs in all!
See them all HERE as well as all the new Redesign items I have in stock!
More fun facts:
- These mini transfers are water resistant, so they can be hand washed
- They do not need to be sealed
- They leave no halo around the transfer
Seal
Both the basket and the tags got a quick seal using Clear Satin Spray from Rustoleum. That’s just an easy way to get a seal on a rough surface like a basket. (I sealed for the paint, not the transfer!)
Vintage Picnic Basket Update Reveal
Let’s see how this very simple makeover turned out!
I just love a simple white painted basket!
One coat of paint allowed it to distress really easily…
And here is the little addition I added…
I ended up adding a little gold gilding wax and doing a speckle effect with black paint. I basically dipped a toothbrush in black paint and then flicked the bristles with my nail to spatter against the tags.
I drilled a hole in the top with my drill to feed the fabric through.
The Inside
While I didn’t add anything to the top, I did add black and white gingham to the underside of the top:
I applied a coat of matte Mod Podge using a synthetic chip brush first:
I then laid the fabric and let it dry overnight. I went back the next morning and trimmed the fabric with a sharp razor knife.
There is no need to add another coat over the top.
The inside was also painted the same way…
And here is a quick shot of the top..
I just loved it and saw no reason to cover that with anything.
And that’s it…quick and simple!
That’s one more done from this haul!
See anything you may have missed below:
$5 Painted Press Back and Cane Chair
Painting the Smalls #39
Make an Old Flatware Box Beautiful!
Painted Pine Dresser
Update Lamps with Paint
Give a dated Shelf Vintage Charm
Update a Jewelry Box with Paint and Decoupage Paper
$10 Night Table Makeover
Update a Mirror with Moulds
Update a Flatware Box for the Holidays!
Yellow Painted Chair
Trashed $10 Thrift Store Table Makeover
Round Wooden Storage Case
Washstand Cabinet Makeover
I’ll be back sharing what I did with these pictures next:
Have an amazing weekend!
UPDATE: See how cute they are now HERE!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh it is perfectly beautiful! I love the fabric inside the lid and the tie to hold the tags! It makes me want to go on a picinic! Great job making this one beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary! It’s funny how the gingham adds so much, right? Enjoy your weekend, my friend! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, you never disappoint with your creativity. The basket is so cute with the addition of the “tags” and the surprise on the inside!
One of my friends asked why I do “stuff” to the inside of projects (painted drawers, decoupage etc) – I told her it’s like pretty lingerie under a gorgeous outfit. No one sees it but it’s there and it’s beautiful.
You have a great weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend! I think those unexpected details really speak to the love and care you put into redoing your items, and I know buyers can feel and appreciate that too! Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well! XOXO
Jackie C says
as always, I love it!! I swear you can make anything beautiful. My bucket list includes shopping in your booth (with a u-haul obviously 😂).
Really glad you showed a way to use those tiny transfers. I bought them expecting them to be bigger and was disappointed at how small they were. I had planned to use them on white ceramic planters, but they are too small.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Jackie! That would be awesome if you could visit! These transfers are quite small, and I had hoped to use them on the last set of smalls to show that but didn’t have anything in that group that would work. These are perfect for this use though, and you can also make the moulds pliable by taking a hairdryer to them, and they can then be glued to the front of a rounded planter, so maybe that is an option. XOXO
Jackie C says
Ooooh that’s a great idea using the molds with transfers glued to a pot. Thank you!!
Christy says
I want to try it now ha ha! XOXO
Wendy Keliher says
Christy,
The two ladies above said it perfectly, simple, adorable, perfection! What I love most about your blog is you share, simple projects to more involved projects, with teaching moments, and always a surprise inside. I look forward to many more! Have a Blessed Valentines weekend –
Wendy Keliher
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Wendy, thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy the variety, and sometimes those smaller makeovers are just as rewarding to redo! I hope you have a truly blessed Valentine’s weekend as well, my friend! XOXO
Cecilia says
I like the simplicity of this! The tags are super cute and nothing beats black and white gingham. You always come up with great solutions to spiffy up tired pieces. Have a wonderful weekend/Valentine’s Day.
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! This one was so simple just painted, so it was fun to add some extra details! Happy Valentine’s day to you as well! XOXO
Cyndi says
Wow. This turned out to be such a sweet little basket. It’s great staged as you have it, open and holding towels, but it could hold lots of things! I love those little tags, and the touches you added to them, the gold and the flecks of paint. Just darling!
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! Absolutely…I love picnic baskets for extra storage that can sit right out in the open! The tags were a fun addition to make! XOXO
p says
I love that you always add that extra touch. Definitely shows the care added, and a special personal / custom feel 🙂
And who doesn’t love having special custom things in life.
Your pieces makes me think you love what you do.
Christy says
I love that so much, P, thank you! I do absolutely love what I do, my friend! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh, that is so neat now! How clever!
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! Happy Valentine’s Day! XOXO
Catherine says
Love a basket makeover! This one turned out great!!
Love the fabric inside the lid to tie everything together!
Christy says
Me too, Catherine! Thank you…I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! XOXO
Patricia Marshall says
I love the final results. The black and white really compliments the basket. Beautiful job as usual!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Patricia! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! XOXO
Kathy from JAX says
So simple and yet so perfect. The tags, the gingham touches and the color are all perfect. One day I’m going to take a road trip to your booth, it’s on my “TO Do” list. Your creativity is fabulous. Don’t you just love baskets? I’ll look forward to the next one.
Christy says
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! It would be awesome if you got the chance to visit! And yes…I love a good basket! XOXO