Chalk Couture Apple Pie Transfer on a Thrifted Sign

I love finding an old surface at a thrift store and giving it a completely different look. For this fall project, I used the Chalk Couture Apple Pie transfer, white paste, and a painted thrift store board to make a sweet kitchen sign that includes a real apple pie recipe.

The simple white design looks so pretty against the dark background, and the finished sign can stand right on a counter because the board already has a kickstand. This project came together fast, but it looks like the board was made for it.

Starting With a Thrifted Board

The surface came from one of my thrift store hauls. It had another design on it when I found it, so I sanded the surface and painted over the old finish. Once that was done, I had a blank board ready for a new project.

I buy surfaces like this all the time because sanding and painting can give an old sign a fresh start. You can look past the existing colors and words when you’re shopping. The shape, size, and condition of the piece matter more because the finish can usually be changed.

This particular board has a kickstand on the back, which makes it a great choice for kitchen decor. It can sit on a counter or shelf without needing an easel or hanger.

Choosing the Chalk Couture Apple Pie Transfer

As soon as I saw the Apple Pie transfer, I knew which board I wanted to use. The transfer includes the apple pie design along with a recipe, and the size worked beautifully on my thrifted surface.

I kept the colors simple and used white paste for the entire design. There are plenty of ways to add more color, especially if you want to fill in some of the individual details, but the white gave me the clean look I wanted. It also created a strong contrast with the dark paint underneath.

Fall projects can move in so many different directions with pumpkins, leaves, scarecrows, and warm seasonal colors. The apple pie design feels especially right for a kitchen, and it can stay out throughout the fall season.

Supplies I Used

I kept the supply list short for this project.

• A thrifted board that I had sanded and painted
• The Chalk Couture Apple Pie transfer
• White paste
• A squeegee
• My shirt for lightly fuzzing the transfer

You can use this transfer on another surface if you don’t have a board like mine. A framed sign or another painted decor piece could work as long as the transfer fits the available space.

Fuzzing and Positioning the Transfer

Before placing the transfer on the board, I fuzzed it lightly on my shirt. Fuzzing takes down some of the stickiness and makes the transfer easier to work with on the painted surface.

Next, I centered the design on the board. I took a moment to check the spacing around the edges before pressing it into place. That quick check helps keep the design from looking too high, low, or off to one side.

Once I liked the position, I smoothed the transfer against the surface so it was ready for the paste. Good contact helps keep the design crisp when you spread the paste across it.

Applying the White Paste

The paste has a thick consistency, and a small amount can cover a good portion of the transfer. I used my squeegee to spread the white paste over the open areas of the design.

A light touch is enough. I moved the squeegee across the transfer and made sure the design areas were covered while keeping the paste where I wanted it. Working carefully also helped me avoid pushing extra paste beyond the edges.

After covering the design, I removed the extra paste with the squeegee. Then I lifted the transfer to reveal the apple pie recipe underneath. That reveal is always one of my favorite parts because the design appears all at once.

The bright white recipe looked so good on the dark board. The little details came through, and the design filled the surface without feeling crowded.

How the Paste Works

Once the paste dries on a surface like this, it stays in place and won’t simply scrape off. On a chalkboard surface, you can wet the paste and scrape it away when you’re ready to change the design.

That gives you options when choosing a surface. You can create a lasting seasonal sign on a painted board, or you can use a chalkboard when you want to switch designs later.

Displaying My Apple Pie Sign

The kickstand makes this sign easy to display in the kitchen. I can place it near my fall decor, set it on a shelf, or tuck it into a small arrangement on the counter.

I like the sign with the design all in white, but you could add several colors if that fits your decorating style. Apples, leaves, and other details could each have their own shade. I wanted to show how pretty and easy the project could be with one paste color and a thrifted surface.

The recipe printed in the design is a real apple pie recipe, so this sign may inspire an actual baking project in my kitchen too.

Chalk Couture supplies

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