Step into IOD Artisan Connie Hemmer’s quaint garden studio, and you’ll find a treasure trove of thrifted odds and ends just waiting for their next story. Connie starts with a vintage wooden peach crate and turns it into a beautiful stage for a cottage garden village—complete with tiny wood houses, soft spring blooms, and playful bunnies tucked in like a storybook scene.

In today’s tutorial, Connie walks you through how she cuts and layers bits from the Madeleine Transfer, then invites darling details from the Les Lapins Mould to finish the scene. She also shares her best tips for getting transfers to adhere properly on painted wood, building a darling floral composition with transfer bits, and styling everything inside the crate so it feels whimsical and full of imagination.

Grab your IOD goodies from your local stockist! If you’re not sure where to find one, click here to use our store locator.

• Madeleine Transfer 
• Les Lapins Mould 

• Thrifted Wood Houses/Wood Crate
• Sweet Pickins Milk and DIY Clay-Based Paints
• Big Top DIY Clear Sealer 
• Sweet Pickins Dark Wax
  

STEP ONE: PREP & PAINT YOUR PIECE 

Connie gives the little houses a refresh with a deep brown paint, taking them from primitive to rich and timeworn. For the crate, she runs a wax bar along the edges before brushing on white milk paint. This is a simple trick that encourages the prettiest cracks and crazing as it dries. Then she gives everything a light sanding.

STEP TWO: APPLY YOUR TRANSFERS

Connie layers botanicals and those whimsical birds from the Madeleine Transfer, laying out the pieces until the placement feels just right across the crate. With a bit of trimming and thoughtful layering, the design starts to bloom into small decor that can cozy up on a shelf, tabletop, or any little corner that needs a touch of spring.

STEP THREE: DRESS UP COTTAGE HOUSES

To add character to her little cottage homes, Connie uses bright chalk-style paints—pinks, buttery yellows, and soft blues. Then she lightly sands the edges so they feel a bit more collected. A few more layers of the Madeleine Transfer tie everything together, turning these wooden houses into the sweetest spring decor, and she finishes by sealing the whole project with a clear topcoat.

STEP FOUR: CAST YOUR MOULDS

Connie also casts the sweetest bunnies from the Les Lapins Mould in quick-set resin, tinting the resin with dark brown paint so they look a bit like chocolate bunnies. Once they’re cured, she dry-brushes the high points to bring out all those mould details, then finishes with a light wash of dark wax.

STEP FIVE: ASSEMBLING THE TABLESCAPE 

To build her garden scene, Connie creates a sturdy base inside the crate with a bit of cardboard and egg cartons. She adds faux greenery in the back for a lush backdrop, then uses foam to lift the cottage homes, so they sit up nicely. Spanish moss makes the perfect “ground cover” to soften everything and pull the scene together, and she simply trims the bunny skewers so they nestle right in next to the houses.

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!