Mystical Garden Checkerboard Tray

Give a simple wood tray a little Halloween-ish personality with paint, a bold checkerboard pattern, and the beautiful Mystical Garden Transfers.

In this project, Melissa Bradshaw of Junk and Craft Treasures combines deep black, crisp white, and touches of purple for a tray that works beautifully for everyday seasonal decorating. The best part? You can easily change the colors or transfers to make the design your own.

Jump to Project

• Materials
• Prepare the Wood Planks
• Paint the Wood
• Assemble the Large Panels
• Add the Checkerboard Pattern
• Create the Crow Background
• Apply the Mystical Garden Transfers
• Finish the Tray
• Helpful Tips

Materials

Prepare the Wood Planks

Start with two larger wood planks and two smaller pieces for the tray sides. Melissa's original pieces were approximately 15" x 5¼" for the larger boards and 10⅜" x 2¾" for the smaller side pieces.

Make sure every piece is clean and completely dry before painting.

Paint the Wood

Paint the Large Panels White

Paint both larger panels white using a chip brush or paint brush. Apply a thin, even coat and allow it to dry completely.

If you can still see some of the wood after the first coat, that's okay. Let the first coat dry before adding a second coat.

Paint the Smaller Panels Black

Paint both smaller side pieces black. One coat is enough because you'll be sanding the edges later to create a distressed finish.

Assemble the Large Panels

Once the paint is dry, join the two large white panels together.

1. Apply wood glue along the edge where the two panels meet.
2. Press the panels together firmly.
3. Use clamps while the glue cures for a permanent project.

For a live project where you need an immediate hold, Melissa used a little Stick Fast with hot glue.

Add the Checkerboard Pattern

Now it's time for the bold background. Position the Large Checker Pattern Stencil across the joined panels.

1. Load a 5/8" stencil brush with black paint.
2. Offload the excess paint before touching the stencil.
3. Use light pressure and a swirling motion.
4. Repeat the pattern until the surface is covered.
5. Allow the paint to dry completely before adding another coat.

Less paint is better when stenciling. Too much paint can seep beneath the stencil and blur those crisp checkerboard lines.

Smooth the Surface

Once the checkerboard is completely dry, lightly sand the board.

This is a great way to soften small imperfections or areas where the paint went slightly outside the lines.

Create the Crow Background

Before adding the crow transfer, create a darker area behind it so the design stands out from the checkerboard.

Blend black paint into the center-bottom portion of the board. You don't need to cover the entire checkerboard. The goal is to create enough contrast for the crow to become a focal point.

Trust the process. A little layering can make a big difference once the transfer is added.

Apply the Mystical Garden Transfers

Once the paint is completely dry, it's time for the fun part.

Choose the crow and a few butterfly designs from the Mystical Garden Rub-On Transfer Set.

1. Cut out the crow and butterfly designs you want to use.
2. Arrange each transfer on the board before applying it.
3. Place the crow toward the center-bottom area.
4. Scatter a few butterflies across the upper section.
5. Burnish each transfer carefully with the Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool.
6. Slowly lift the backing to make sure the entire design has transferred.

The darker purples and blacks in the Mystical Garden collection work beautifully against the checkerboard background.

Finish the Tray

Add the Lower Black Section

For the lower portion of the design, place a strip of tape across the center of the board to create a clean division. Lightly apply black paint to the bottom section and allow it to dry completely.

This darker section helps anchor the crow and gives the finished design more contrast.

Distress the Smaller Panels

Once the black side pieces are dry, lightly sand their edges.

Sand just enough to create a rustic, worn look without removing too much paint.

Attach the Tray Sides

Apply adhesive along the bottom edges of the smaller panels and attach them to the sides of the finished board.

Check that each side is straight before the adhesive sets. Allow the adhesive to cure according to the manufacturer's directions.

The Finished Tray

And there you have it! A bold checkerboard tray with a little mystical character.

The checkerboard creates a playful background, while the crow, butterflies, and purple details from the Mystical Garden Transfers add just the right amount of Halloween-ish charm.

Melissa's reminder is one worth keeping in mind: sometimes the project in your head needs a few adjustments along the way. That's part of creating. It's just paint, and most things are fixable!

Use this tray for everyday decorating, seasonal displays, or as a starting point for your own color and transfer combinations.

Ready to Create Your Own?

Shop the Mystical Garden Rub-On Transfer Set and pair it with the Large Checker Pattern Stencil to recreate this look or put your own spin on it.

Watch the Full Tutorial

Want to see Melissa bring this mystical checkerboard tray to life? Watch the full tutorial below for the step-by-step process and helpful tips along the way!