Thrifted Hollow Christmas Book Receives A Makeover With Decor Transfers

November 30, 2021

Photo of a hollow Christmas book box from the thrift store.
I found this Old World Style Santa hollow Christmas book at Goodwill recently.

I decided to give it a farmhouse style makeover with chalk paint & decor transfers.


(When you click on the bold Amazon, Old Sign Stencils or Dixie Belle Paint Company affiliate links you will be taken to the products I use for this project. If you order it does not change the price or service at all. As an Amazon Affiliate, Old Sign Stencils Affiliate or Dixie Belle Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 

Photo of the spine of a hollow Christmas book.
This is the spine of the hollow book.

Photo of a hollow book box being painted in off white chalk paint.
After giving the book box a good cleaning, I brushed a couple of coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Paint in Drop Cloth on the outer surfaces.


Photo of the inside of a book box.
I did not paint the interior of the box, just the edges.

Photo of three small Christmas decor transfers from Redesign with Prima.
  I purchased these small Christmas decor transfer packages from Maika's Daughters (online).  They are also available on Etsy. 

I have used them on several small Christmas projects already. 

Photo of a Christmas decor transfer being applied to a hollow book cover.
I cut out some Christmas shapes from the decor transfer sheets, decided where to put them, and then removed the paper backing so I could rub them on with the enclosed rectangular stick.

Directions are included with the transfers.

Photo of a thrifted hollow book box upcycled with Dixie Belle Paint and small decor transfers from Redesign with Prima.
I faux distressed the edges of the book using my FolkArt Home Decor Layering Block and brown craft paint.  If you follow my blog on a regular basis, you know that I have used the layering block on a lot of old projects.

Photo of a thrifted hollow book box upcycled with Dixie Belle Paint and small decor transfers from Redesign with Prima.
I then waxed the book box with Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax in Clear and a lint free rag.

Photo of a thrifted hollow book box upcycled with Dixie Belle Paint and small decor transfers from Redesign with Prima.
The book can stand up or lie on its side.

Photo of a thrifted hollow book box upcycled with Dixie Belle Paint and small decor transfers from Redesign with Prima.
I decided to stage the book box standing up. The small wreath is new this season from Bachman's.

Photo of a thrifted hollow book box upcycled with Dixie Belle Paint and small decor transfers from Redesign with Prima.
The small jar with berries is from Target's Hearth & Hand holiday greenery collection.

Photo of a thrifted hollow book box upcycled with Dixie Belle Paint and small decor transfers from Redesign with Prima.
The hollow Christmas book box also worked in this rectangular basket with faux trees.

Photo of a thrifted hollow book box upcycled with Dixie Belle Paint and small decor transfers from Redesign with Prima.
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Thanks for visiting!



Thanks for reading my blog, Carlene

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