DIY Holiday Greens & Mistletoe Galvanized Buckets

There's nothing I love more than a thrifty DIY home decor knock-off. And this one has to be one of my all time favorites!  Galvanized metal buckets have been on my list of faves for a long time now. I've been known to dabble in stenciling them as a way to add character and vintage charm. Today I wanted to show you a new take on the idea.

This galvanized French flower bucket was transformed with my DIY stencils. It remains a favorite project of mine. The bucket still stands at the back door holding umbrellas. I love seeing it every day.

About a year ago I picked up two galvanized minnow buckets at a local pop-up estate sale for $4.00 each. Even then I mentioned that I might just have to stencil something onto them.

I have always wanted one of those really old minnow buckets with time-worn graphic images and words on them, but I was happy to settle for these.

I mean, look at the detail.

Each one was just a little bit different than the other, which I loved. I couldn't decide exactly what to stencil on them so I put the project on hold. Later I stumbled across some really cool galvanized buckets a la Antique Farm House as well as one other online retailer for a whopping $146.00 for three buckets (the other retailer was selling them for $80 each!). Doesn't take a genius to figure out that that kind of pricey farmhouse decor is out of my reach.

Now don't get me wrong. I am a HUGE fan of Antique Farm House and their normally reasonable prices on farmhouse home decor and accessories. I just couldn't reconcile my love for these buckets with their incredible price tag.

Wow. Aren't these awesome? Such vintage-inspired goodness! Too bad I can't afford them. Never fear, I knew I had my minnow buckets at the ready just waiting for their transformation. Don't you just love lightbulb moments?

All you need are the buckets, some paint, a paintbrush, some painter's tape and some stencils. 

I just taped the stencil to the bucket with painter's tape and filled it in with paint. I love how this particular paint went on fairly light, leaving a vintage, worn look. I think it goes well with the vintage, worn-looking buckets themselves.

I'm also blessed to have a yard that's filled with free greenery. While we don't have actual mistletoe, I think the pine branches and juniper branches do the trick.

I can also fill them with two small faux pines.

I even took them outside to see how they look in the snow.

I am over-the-moon thrilled with how these turned out. Next stop: my Christmas mantel! The perfect place to display these holiday gems.

Well, friends, this is my last post of the year. I'm off to wrap gifts and maybe even bake some cookies. Here's wishing you and yours a blessed and happy Christmas and best of New Year's. I'm looking forward to the creative opportunities that I know 2017 will bring, and I hope you'll continue to join me along the way.

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