Primitive Country Thrifted Shovel Makeover with Old Sign Stencils

November 19, 2021

Photo of a primitive country snowman shovel.
I found this little snowman shovel at Goodwill.  

The shovel front was painted navy blue (rusty on the back), and a snowman was hand painted on the front.  The wooden shovel handle was wrapped with wire and a torn cloth ribbon.  I decided to give it a makeover transforming it from primitive country to farmhouse style.

(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 a shovel head being painted black.
After removing the wire and washing the shovel down, I brushed two coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Paint in Caviar on just the front of the shovel head.  

Photo of a Mini Christmas Trees Stencil from Old Sign Stencils.
I then pulled out the Mini Christmas Trees Stencil from Old Sign Stencils.  This is a great stencil.  It's like the baby brother of the Old Sign Stencils' Christmas Trees Stencil, my favorite Christmas stencil.

All prices on the Old Sign Stencils's website are listed in Canadian currency.  A handy currency conversion link is provided for your convenience.

*Old Sign Stencils provided me with complimentary samples. All opinions about these fabulous stencils are my own.


Photo of a shovel head being stenciled.
I taped the stencil on the bottom part of the shovel head front using blue painter's tape.

I'm going to be honest, stenciling on non-flat surfaces is harder than on flat ones. I usually have to hold the stencil down with fingers too while stenciling on an uneven surface.


Photo of mini Christmas graphic stencils from Old Sign Stencils.
I then used the star stencil from the Christmas Mini Stencils set from Old Sign Stencils to add stars to the sky above the trees on the shovel.

Photo of a painted and Christmas stenciled shovel.
I stenciled three of the small trees above "You Cut Tree Farm", and stained the handle of the shovel with Dixie Belle Voodoo Stain in Tobacco Road.  Voodoo stain is a water based stain.

I waxed the shovel front with Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax.

Photo of a garland and wire seed lights string.
Now to add some lights and greenery to the shovel handle with an Ashland Pine & Berry Garland from Michaels and battery operated copper seed wire lights.

Photo of an upcycled shovel painted and stenciled with the Mini Christmas Trees Stencil from Old Sign Stencils.
Here is the finished shovel.

Photo of an upcycled shovel painted and stenciled with the Mini Christmas Trees Stencil from Old Sign Stencils.
My shovel coordinates perfectly with my Fresh Cut Christmas Trees Black Bucket.

Photo of an upcycled shovel painted and stenciled with the Mini Christmas Trees Stencil from Old Sign Stencils.
The two trees on the right are from Target this season.

Photo of a stenciled tiered tray & Christmas toolbox.

Photo of painted & stenciled farmhouse Christmas decor.
A close up of the stenciled shovel head and bucket too.

Photo of thrift store items stenciled & decorated with coordinated Christmas stencils from Old Sign Stencils.
And in the center of the hearth is my Christmas Trees stenciled rug.

Photo of an upcycled shovel painted and stenciled with the Mini Christmas Trees Stencil from Old Sign Stencils
Pin for later.

Thanks for visiting!


Thanks for reading my blog, Carlene

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Comments

  1. Looks gorgeous....so festive and cosy. What an improvement with the shovel. Thank you for all these great ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks gorgeous....so festive and cosy. What an improvement with the shovel. Thank you for all these great ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very cute upcycle, Carlene! I love the stencil you chose but I especially love the lighted greenery around the handle. So festive!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cute Christmas project Carlene! That stencil makes it so easy! Loving the stenciled mat too! Pinned 😊

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm totally swooning over this project Carlene! That starry night sky does it for me! What a pretty outcome!

    ReplyDelete

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