Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Tray Chic!

Hi everyone, hope your year has gotten off to a good start so far!
I just love trays.  Whenever I'm out thrifting, I always keep my eye out for interesting and sturdy pieces that I can transform.  It's amazing what a little paint and tlc can do!
Whenever I come across well built pieces, even though they might not look too terribly attractive, you can be that I quickly scoop them up!
Do today I thought I'd share with you two trays that I just finished and added to my shop.
 While I don't always know just how I will transform each piece, with a little thought inspiration usually quickly comes!
I had so much fun with this little wood tray!
It wasn't ugly or anything when I found it, just plain wood.  I could almost hear it begging to be painted my favorite creamy dreamy shade of white!
I thought it would be fun to add this fork, knife and spoon graphic, that I found over at the Graphics Fairy.
 I cut them out by hand, then decoupaged on after painted and distressing the tray a bit.
I never need to be told to eat (hahahaha!), but thought the "bon appetit",
which I stenciled on by hand, would be the perfect addition.
 I was super excited to find this large and heavy wood tray, below, in the same thrifting expedition.
Again, it wasn't hideously ugly or anything (like many of the trays I find start out as!).
It was just plain ol' brown wood.
So I painted it the same shade as the tray above, then added one of my favorite Frenchy stencils, this pretty French patisserie sign.
 I just love all of the swirls and fleurishes.  I hand stenciled it in a dark midnight blue, which I thought was much less harsh than black.
 Tres chic!
 I've transformed many trays over the years, and thought I'd share with you some that I sold several years ago in my shop.
You know how much I love aqua.  I thought it was the perfect choice for this tray that had great curvy lines and pretty metal handles.
I decoupaged it with a French label, also from the Graphics Fairy.
 Sometimes I actually remember to take "before" shots!  Usually, I am so excited to get started with makeovers that I remember when it's too late!
 I added white little polka dots as fun accents, and glazed it to give an aged appearance.
 This little metal and wood tray is a real cutie, I think!
(check out the before, below.  Not so cute!!)
I painted it a bright and cheery aqua, then decoupaged copies of gorgeous floral vintage wallpaper, also from the Graphics Fairy,

 I nearly forgot I made the tray below til I was looking thru my photos.
I really love using vintage French book pages in my creations.  I decoupaged torn pages, along with these gorgeous vintage French rose prints (which were quite alot of work to cut out by hand!).
 This tray below was a favorite of mine, too.
(darn, I should have kept that one for myself!!).
It is solid wood and quite large, with great curved.
I found this darling bird image, again at the Graphics Fairy
(gee, I would be lost without Karen over at GF!), and decoupaged to the tray that I painted cream.
 Such sweet little birdies!
 Ok, last of all, a beachy themed tray.
I painted it my favorite aqua shade.
I don't have a close up of this one, but I decoupaged copies of vintage sheet music,
called "By the crystal sea", as well as this gorgeous mermaid.  Both found at the Graphics Fairy.
So that is it for now.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Wishing you a creative and fun day!

15 comments:

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Such beautiful and creative trays. I think my favorite is the french tray, but I love the birdie too! I see things at auction sometimes and say to myself "what would Donna do with that?"
Need to be creative but busy taking down our tree today before it dries out anymore.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Donna,
I will never, ever pass up another plain tray after seeing yours. You've inspired me to get moving and start creating. I've been a little lazy, maybe it's the after holiday fog, but seeing your work makes me want to get out the paint!

hugs
Sissie

The Bear's Blog said...

My favorite is the blue birds. We saw a Blue Bird over the weekend. Sure hope they are okay with the super cold temps. We will be in a deep freeze with snow flurries beginning tomorrow morning. Here comes winter....

Be safe, stay warm. Katie Bug will need her blankie.

Hugs

Linda @ A La Carte said...

You are so talented! Love the trays! I have some I need to paint and stencil...one of these days!
hugs,
Linda

Okio B Designs said...

Each one is just so pretty, Donna! I really love that birdie one. The colors are so vibrant. =)

Jeanine

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

I love all your tray makeovers! Tray chic, indeed! My favorite is the aqua one... love those curves and the handles are the perfect touch. Happy New Year!!!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Donna, Just love your tray redesigns. So pretty and I love them all especially the birds on the branch.The aqua tray with the handles is just stunning too. I can't pick a favorite they are all wonderful!!
You have been a busy girl and all your new creations are special. They are going to fly out the door of your shop!

Have a great rest of the week and happy creating.
Hugs

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

WOW, Donna I love them all - they are terrific. You really outdid yourself on these trays. Love the French ones and the birds.
Have a wonderful week. Thanks for sharing, you have given me some good ideas.
Mary

Rose L said...

Such cool trays. I would love one to say Tray Jolie

Get it -- Tres jolie which means very lovely, very pretty.

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que preciosas bandejas!!!!!

Bente said...

Hi dear Donna. Wow, you have made many beautiful trays. Number two is my favorite.
Hope you have great days in the new year.

Hugs from here

Little Miss Maggie said...

I agree. Trays are fun to make over and they are great sellers too. I love the one with the utensils the best. I might have to copy that one. Happy new year.

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

So clever Donna! My favorite is the Patisserie - makes me hungry for french pastries. Great job!
I just noticed a comment from you last month on my Xmas post and you asked me a question. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner! You wondered where I got my glittered stars. I bought chipboard stars from StudioCee on etsy (search for 12 graduated sizes there) and then I glittered them myself. I think I got the 3 larger star ornaments (3-D) from Stampington's store (Shoppe at Somerset). Happy New Year to you!

Debbie said...

You are SO creative, Donna!
I really love the white one with the French writing done with blue ink/paint. So pretty!
All are beautiful!
You can tell you enjoy what you do.
Debbie
xo

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I love all of your tray ideas, Donna! I was trying to re-do a tray not long ago...trying to decoupage it. It was large and the paper just wouldn't lay properly. After two tries I ended up going with paint lol. Your trays are gorgeous! Thanks so much for stopping by...for some reason I don't get your comments to my email, I'm sorry if I've been missing them! I don't know why that happens with some comments...I'm going to have to check comments right on the blog, too!