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Cozy Tin Can Upcycle + Textured Welcome Sign ✨
Two Cozy Upcycle Projects: Tin Can Holiday Decor + Textured Welcome Sign
In this tutorial, creator and furniture artist Sharon Hankins of I Restore Stuff shares two warm and inviting DIY projects perfect for the cozy season. Using Essential Stencil’s December 2025 designs, she transforms an ordinary tin can into a charming reversible winter bucket and creates a textured “It’s so good to be home” sign with beautiful raised details.
These step-by-step instructions walk through each technique—from painting and layering transfers to working with embossing paste—so you can easily recreate both projects at home.
Table of Contents
Upcycled Cozy Winter Tin Can Bucket
Materials
- Small tin can bucket
- White paint + off-white paint
- Sanding block
- Cozy Winter Cuddles Rub-On Transfer Set
- Essential Transfer Tool
- Paintbrushes
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Lightly sand the tin.
Give your tin a quick scuff so the paint can adhere smoothly.
2. Apply the first coat of white paint.
Cover the entire surface and blow-dry to speed things up.
3. Brush on a soft off-white second coat.
This layer warms up the tone and helps create a cozy, matte finish.
4. Add your rub-on transfers.
Cut the ornament and foliage designs from the Cozy Winter Cuddles pack and burnish them onto one side of the tin.
5. Flip the tin and apply the coffee-cup transfer.
This makes your tin reversible—holiday on one side, everyday cozy on the other.
Final Look
Helpful Tips
- When applying transfers, burnish thoroughly from the center outward to avoid bubbles.
- Keep leftover transfer scraps — they’re great for future mixed-media projects.
- Matte paint helps transfers adhere more cleanly than glossy finishes.
“It’s So Good to Be Home” Textured Sign
Materials
- Thrifted wood board or plaque
- Deep muted green paint
- Off-white paint
- December 2025 Stencil of the Month Club – Premium + Add-On
- Stencil Brush Set
- Smooth Embossing Paste
- Mustard-colored acrylic paint
- Small crafting spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Paint your board a muted green.
Blow-dry the first coat and follow with a second for full coverage.
2. Add the main stencil design.
Center the “It’s so good to be home” stencil from the December Add-On set and stencil with off-white paint.
3. Mix your raised medium.
Blend Smooth Embossing Paste with mustard-tone paint for a creamy, 3D-ready paste.
4. Add the sunflower borders.
Place the sunflower border stencil from the Premium Set at the top of the board and apply your textured medium using a spatula. Repeat along the bottom edge.
Final Look
Helpful Tips
- Embossing paste dries quickly — work in small sections for clean edges.
- Hold the stencil firmly to keep raised details crisp and sharp.
- Try a light sanding after drying for a distressed farmhouse feel.
Ready to Create Your Own?
Explore the full collection of stencils, rub-on transfers, and tools that make projects like these simple and enjoyable. Shop the latest designs below:
➤ Stencil of the Month Club
➤ Cozy Winter Cuddles Rub-On Transfer Set
➤ Browse All Essential Stencil Collections
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