12 Upcycles Using the IOD Candy Cane Cottage Transfer
Let’s be honest. I’m a sucker for an IOD transfer. I just love them all and they’re so easy to use! So when IOD unveiled the 2023 Candy Cane Cottage transfer (now retired), I couldn’t wait to play! So I dug through my junkin’ stash to see what I had that could use an upcycle. Here’s what I came up with.
No. 1 Jewelry Box
I found this little jewelry box at an antique shop and had saved it for the perfect flip. Painted in Fusion’s Azure, it was the perfect backdrop for the florals on the Candy Cane Cottage transfer. I used Fusion’s Pale Gold metallic paint to add a bit of bling. So sweet!
No. 3 Framed Santa
I found this cute little frame at a flea market and stuck it back for future use. This Santa was perfect! I transfered him onto some cardstock and stuck him in the frame. I think I’ll go back and add a black background so he’ll pop more. How cute will this be for holiday decorating!
No. 2 Silver Tray
Vintage silver trays are so easy to upcycle! This one got a thin coat of Fusion’s Ultra Grip to ensure the paint would stick, then two coats of Victorian Lace in preparation for the transfer. The roses on the handle gave a nod to the roses on the transfer. I dry brushed some metallic Vintage Gold along the edge of the tray and finished with General Finishes High Performance Top Coat.
No. 5 Enamel Plates
I was giddy when I found these three vintage enamel plates in a stash at an antique mall. Oh, that red rim! So each plate got one of the transfers from Candy Cane Cottage. I used the tree, Santa, and candy canes on these. These are just for decorative use so I sealed them with Beeswax Finish. They can sit in an easel or hang on the wall for extra cute holiday cheer!
No. 4 Large Framed Santa
So this frame wasn’t a vintage find, but it was inexpensive and perfect for the large Santa. I found this frame at Dollar Tree. I used some Christmas sheet music scrapbook paper as the perfect drop back for the Santa. He was a tad too tall, so I actually cut part of his legs off and then transferred the boots onto his stubby legs. You sure can’t tell he used to be taller!
No. 7 Wooden Tray
I’ve had this tray for a while. Not sure where I found it, but it was painted turquoise. I have it a coat of Fusion’s Cast Iron and then decided I wanted the center of the tray to be green so I whipped up a custom mix. The transfer out of the package wouldn’t fit. That’s not an issue. Don’t be afraid to cut them apart and rearrange them. I really love this layout! Transfer was sealed with High Performance Top Coat.
No. 8 Vintage Match Holder
Another rusty find, this vintage match holder was a blank canvas and the truck transfer fit perfectly on the front! Don’t have matches to stock it with? Just add some greenery!
No. 10 Book Stack
Who doesn’t love a book stack?! I used three books from a flea market and painted them in Cast Iron. Santa was transferred on one end and I used the Letterpress stamp to stamp out the message on the spines with white ink. All it needed was some pretty plaid ribbon and some greenery embellishments to finish it off. I just might keep this one!
No. 6 Tool Box Decor
If it’s old and rusty, it just seems to call my name. So I grab old tool boxes whenever I find them. This one was GREEN! Just perfect for holiday decorating. I added the holly transfers to the front of the tool box, added some scrapbook paper to the inside of the lid and glued on some glittered snowflakes from the retired Snowflake mould, and filled the box with greenery. Won’t this be perfect as part of the decor in an entry!
No. 9 Chalkboard
I think I found this cute little chalkboard at Hobby Lobby. I loved the blocks on the stand! This was a simple flip. Just transfer Santa’s cute face in place! I didn’t top coat this in case someone wants to chalk on a message. He’ll be cute sitting anywhere! I just love this Santa image!
No. 11 Canister
I think I found this canister at Hobby Lobby last year on clearance. The black is a perfect backdrop for so many transfer images! I love this little tree on it. I sealed this one with Fusion’s Furniture Wax. This will be perfect with hot cocoa mix or marshmallows on a cocoa bar, don’t you think?
No. 12 ???
I just haven’t found the perfect thing for this truck transfer! Have you? If you’ve used it, show me what you’ve done! Got an idea?? Share it with me! I’m dying to use this one!
Hi there! I think this is the first blog post I have received from you and I am so happy I did. I have this transfer book and I’m struggling to find what to do with the tiny o es. I wish the sisters would have made those beautiful. Christmas trees bigger!! That color you used with the cocoa bar transfer is perfect
Thank you for the inspiration!!
Yay! I’m so glad you found some inspiration here! You’ll do great things with yours, too!