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.

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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.

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.

I used Fusion Mineral Paint in Raw Silk, Fusion Mineral Paint in Bayberry, and Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Paint in Putty for the stenciling.

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.