Fall 2026 πβ¨ Give Thanks in Style: Create a Gorgeous Metallic Fall Leaf
Featuring Tammy Muto
Bring a little autumn shimmer to your space! πβ¨ Turn a simple leaf-shaped wood piece into a beautiful fall ...
Bring cozy fall charm to your home with a soft, neutral Thanksgiving sign featuring the Heirloom Thanksgiving Transfer and a subtle checkerboard background. π€β¨ Melissa from Junk and Craft Treasures shows us how a little Chateau paint, simple stenciling, and the right finishing touches come together to create a warm, rustic piece perfect for Thanksgiving decorating.
Project size: 12x16 inches
Start with a 12x16-inch wood board. Paint the entire surface with bright white paint.
It doesn't need to be absolutely perfect. The checker pattern will add another layer over the base, so don't worry about achieving a flawless finish at this stage.
Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on.
Once the white base is completely dry, it's time to add the background pattern.
Position the Large Checker Pattern along the edges of the board and secure it with tape.
For the checks, use Fusion Mineral Paint in Chateau. This soft cream and gray-white shade creates a subtle background that won't compete with the Thanksgiving transfer.
Load your stencil brush with a small amount of paint, then offload the brush really well before applying it to the stencil.
Use a light swirling motion and work in sections. Continue repeating the pattern across the board until the entire surface is covered.
Helpful Tip: Less paint is better when stenciling. A well-offloaded brush helps prevent paint from bleeding underneath the stencil and keeps your checker pattern soft and crisp.
The result should be subtle. You want the checks to show through without overpowering the Thanksgiving design that will be layered over them.
Allow the checker pattern to dry completely before moving on.
Once dry, lightly sand the entire surface with 250-grit or higher sandpaper.
You aren't trying to remove the paint. The goal is simply to smooth the surface and soften the layers so everything feels blended together.
After sanding, carefully wipe away all of the residue.
This step is especially important before applying a transfer. You want a clean, dry, oil-free surface so the transfer can adhere properly.
Transfer Prep Tip: Don't skip the cleanup after sanding. Even a small amount of dust can interfere with transfer adhesion.
Now for the fun part! π
Position the Heirloom Thanksgiving Transfer onto the board.
Take a moment to make sure everything is positioned exactly where you want it before you begin burnishing.
Starting at the top, work across the design in sections. Use the Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool to carefully burnish the transfer onto the surface.
Work slowly and go back over each area before completely lifting the carrier sheet. This gives you a chance to make sure all of those beautiful little details are sticking down.
Pay special attention to the words, wheat details, and smaller areas around the edges. These are the details you don't want to accidentally leave behind on the carrier sheet.
Transfer Tip: Burnish in sections and check your work as you go. If a detail hasn't transferred, simply lay the carrier sheet back down and burnish that area again.
For the finishing touch, use the same Chateau color to lightly brush around the edges of the board.
Keep the application soft and subtle. You only need enough color to gently frame the design and give the piece a little rustic character.
Finishing Tip: Keep the edge color light. The goal is to frame the sign without creating a heavy border that distracts from the transfer.
And there you have it! π
The soft checker background adds just enough detail without taking away from the Thanksgiving design. The neutral combination of bright white, Chateau, and the warm tones of the transfer creates a cozy piece that's perfect for fall and Thanksgiving decorating.
It's a simple combination of layers, but the finished result has plenty of character.
Ready to create your own Thanksgiving piece? Start with the Heirloom Thanksgiving Transfer and pair it with the Large Checker Pattern for a soft, neutral background.
You'll also want the Stencil Brush 4pc Set for creating the checker pattern and the Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool for applying your transfer.
Happy crafting, friends! β€οΈ
Want to see how Melissa created this beautiful neutral Thanksgiving sign? Watch the full video tutorial below and follow along as she brings this cozy fall design to life! ππ€
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