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!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Another Tray Makeover, and a Giveaway Announcement!

Hello everyone!
I'm so very excited to announce that I am going to have my first giveaway this Wednesday!  I can hardly wait, so I thought I would give you all a little heads up.  I will be giving away $25 credit towards anything in my Etsy shop, and the winner will also get free shipping!  Be sure to check back here this Wednesday to find out how you can enter!

***Edited to add info about my giveaway***
Jan over at BobbyPins Boardwalk has so graciously offered to host my giveaway! One lucky winner will receive $25 credit towards anything in my etsy shop, plus free shipping!   Jan is a real sweetheart, so head on over to find out how you can enter!

You may remember a tray that I showed you a few weeks ago that I picked up at a yard sale.  She was pretty boring, but I just knew that with a little paint and decoupage, she would have a great future!   Well, I thought I would show you the "after" first, so, ta da!!

There she is on the right , before her makeover.  Kind of hard so see in the picture, but it was pretty ho-hum!

Here are some of the things I used to complete her transformation!  I love these little wooden dowel caps from Hobby Lobby.  They make great legs, and I thought that was just what the tray needed!  After epoxying them on, I primed the entire tray, then gave her two coats of aqua sprat paint by Rustoleum, letting it dry between each coat.  I had made a tray with a similar feel awhile back, that you can read about here.
I loved the neat vintage French advertising label that I used on that tray so much, that I wanted to use it again on this project.  I got the image from The Graphics Fairy, which is where I get the inspirations for so many of my projects.  Be sure to check her out if you've never visited, as she has some awesome graphics!  I didn't want the background of the graphic to be stark white, so rather than using regular white printer paper, I printed it on ivory resume paper.  I then got out my trusty Mod Podge & gave her several coats (three, to be exact!), letting dry between each coat. 

In the other aqua tray that I mentioned, I added cute little polka dots around the edges, so I decided to do the same for this tray, using cream colored craft paint.  I think the dots add a touch of whimsy & fun!

I let the paint cure for a day before I distressed it a bit with fine grit sandpaper.  I find that seems to work better.  Of course, you won't be surprised to hear me say that I used Ralph Lauren's antiquing glaze in "smoke"!  Love it!

And here are a few more shots. What do you think?  I really love the addition of the little legs.  Seems like I have been on a real "leg kick" (get it, leg kick?!), lately and have been adding them to alot of my projects!  What gives you a kick?!

I am linking up with these great parties.  Be sure to check them out!
The Graphics Fairy, for Brag Monday
The Shabby Chic Cottage, for Transformation Thursday 
Le Chateau Des Fleurs French Obsession Party 
504 Main Tickled Pink Party 
Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt it Friday
Beyond the Picket Fence Under $100 linky party

24 comments:

Christine said...

Wow! I absolutely love what you did. To say it is much improved is an understatement.

aurorafedora said...

this is beautiful! i have a small wooden tray from the dollar store, i could try something like this! thanks for the inspiration!

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I really like the way this turned out! It looks great with the little feet added to it. I have got to stop passing by those ugly trays at GW!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Very sweet with the aqua paint and the image.
Ooh, I love wooden trays and yours is so charming.

hugs
Sissie

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, you did a great job!!! It is gorgeous! Love the legs--so cute! And add something so special to the whole piece--awesome!

I have a new blog...I'm hoping you'll come visit...I've got some drawings going on too...so just come and take a look around...
Also, I'm going to see if I can be a follower here...if so, I'll sign in!
HUGS,
Cindy
http://cindyadkinswhimsicalmusings.blogspot.com

Debbie said...

Hi Donna~~~this turned out so cute! Those little legs make it unique. LOVE the color and label!!!
Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment.
Debbie@houseatthelake

Ashley said...

LOVE the way the tray turned out! OMG I have so many similar prints saved on my computer to use, and I had no idea how to use them.....I"m off to print them off and to start mod podging everything in site!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This is such a great project~ inspires all sorts of ideas! Thanks for sharing!

girlfrugal said...

Wow, the tray looks marvelous! Love the color.

Karen The Graphics Fairy said...

Another good one!!! Love that blue and the little feet really add a nice touch. Thanks so much for linking this pretty piece up for Brag Monday!

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

That looks amazing. What a great transformation.

Debbiedoos said...

Oh I just came from Jan's blog, and I said I have to go check this gal out....well I know you my friend:) Your tray rocks....now watch out this modge podge gets addicting!!~

Barbara Jean said...

Love that color.Great makeover.
Glad to meet you.

blessings
barbara jean

PetraB said...

I love your tray makeovers. The colour is so summer like.

Wendy said...

Super cute! :) (And it matches your blog background! :) :) )
Found your link on Le Chateau des fleurs!

Wendy -- wendyandadam.blogspot.com

cherry said...

love it !
Happy 4th to you & yours
hugs from Savannah, Cherry

Leo said...

I love this....very creative!!

Debbie said...

I love this. The colors are absolutely beautiful!

Tania Pelletier said...

I love it Donna, it's so pretty and the little feet are just the right touch! Thanks for commenting on my bookcase... I hadn't thought about just painting the back... I'm not sure about painting it, but perhaps just lining the back with some neutral colored paper of some sort would work too!

Tania

Unknown said...

HAAAAA I can not believe this! You are a genius!
Thank you for linking up!
XO
Frenchy

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Thank you for not only posting the instructions, But also, the great tips on where to find the stuff! It is Such a big help! Luv the tray~
Leticia

Holly Lefevre said...

I am totally in love with your tray! The color really make sit pop and that graphic is amazing!

Jami said...

I am amazed by your talent. That is such a beautiful tray! I'm your newest follower!
smiles!

www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com

Leo said...

THANK YOU DONNA!! I love the tray....it looks awesome in my house. Will send you a photo!! It is so nice to be able to see how you made it...and now it is in my house. It looks even better in person :) Debbie