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🎃👻 Double the Spooky Fun: Reversible Ghost Signs for Fall
Double-Sided Ghost Signs: Pumpkin-Spice Frame + Rustic Chippy Ghost
A cozy, easy Halloween + fall project with rub-on transfers and a checkered stencil frame. Crafted with Melissa of Junk and Craft Treasures.
Project — Side 1: Sweet Ghost (Pumpkin-Spice Checkered Frame)
Materials
- 8×8 framed wood canvas panel (back used as frame)
- White paint (for inner area)
- Antiquing glaze or brown stain
- Orange paint — “pumpkin spice” tone
- The Gathering Place Stencil (checkered pattern)
- Wildflower Ghosts Rub-on Transfer Set
- Stencil Brush Set | Pure Natural Bristle Brushes
- Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool
- Sandpaper, cloth, scissors or craft knife, heat gun or blow dryer (optional)
Step-by-step
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Paint the inner area: Paint the inner 5⅜" section of the 8×8 panel with two coats of white. Let fully dry.
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Stain the frame: Wipe antiquing glaze or a brown stain across the frame edges. Wipe away excess with a dry cloth. Speed dry with a blow dryer if you like.
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Stencil the checkers: Position the checkered panel from The Gathering Place Stencil along the frame edge. Use a stencil brush and the pumpkin-spice orange to fill the squares. Work horizontally, then vertically to finish the pattern.
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Choose and apply the transfer: Cut out the ghost (and optional pumpkin or bats) from the Wildflower Ghosts Rub-on Transfer Set. Center the ghost on the white inner area, remove the carrier sheet, then burnish from the center outward with your transfer tool. Work in sections to avoid missed edges.
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Add accents: Use small bats or pumpkins from the transfer sheet to add playful accents above or around the ghost. Trim carrier sheet as needed for tight spots.
Helpful tips
- Paint knots first: If your panel has knots, seal them before white paint to prevent yellowing.
- Work center-first: When burnishing transfers, press the center down first, then work to the edges to avoid lifting and misalignment.
- If you get orange on the white: Wipe quickly with a damp cloth — water-based paints and glazes are forgiving.
Project — Side 2: Rustic Chippy Ghost (Reversible)
Materials
- Back side of the same 8×8 framed wood canvas panel
- Antiquing glaze / brown base (water-based)
- Clear soft wax (apply only where you want the chippy effect to show)
- White paint (two coats)
- Paint scraper / sander for distressing
- Wildflower Ghosts Rub-on Transfer Set (different ghost)
- Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool
Step-by-step
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Base glaze: Flip the panel and apply antiquing glaze across the board. Wipe away areas to create a weathered base. Let dry.
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Wax strategically: Lightly apply clear soft wax around the edges and in random spots. Avoid the area where your transfer will go — wax prevents adhesion.
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Paint white coats: Brush on one coat of white paint across the board. Let dry and apply a second coat. This gives a crisp background for the transfer.
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Create chippy distress: Once fully dry, scrape and sand select areas to reveal the glaze below and create a distressed, chippy look. Blend edges with sandpaper for a natural finish.
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Apply the transfer: Choose a large ghost from the Wildflower Ghosts. Center it on the board and burnish carefully with your transfer tool. Avoid any waxed spots.
Helpful tips
- Wax only where you want chippy texture: Any wax under the transfer will prevent adhesion — keep transfer area wax-free.
- Two coats of white: This makes the transfer pop and helps the distressed reveal look cleaner when scraped back.
- Fixing mistakes: If you lift the transfer accidentally, re-burnish the area or sand lightly and reapply another small transfer patch.
Final reveal
This tutorial was led by Melissa Bradshaw of Junk and Craft Treasures. She loves reversible projects, rustic texture, and quick, showy finishes — perfect for seasonal decor.
Ready to make one? Get the exact products used:
- Wildflower Ghosts Rub-on Transfer Set
- The Gathering Place Stencil
- Stencil Brush Set
- Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool
Shop the Wildflower Ghosts set and the rest of the Halloween & fall collection to recreate Melissa’s reversible sign. Browse the collection.
Full Tutorial — Watch Melissa
Melissa goes step-by-step and answers live chat questions — great to watch while you craft.
Make it yours: Try the pumpkin-spice frame or the rustic chippy side (or both!). Tag Melissa or Essential Stencil when you share — we love to see your finishes.
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