New and Easy Displays for Old Trays

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I had a few trays around the house that I loved but were really under-appreciated in their old location, on top of the cupboards, so I really wanted to put them somewhere a bit more prominent. But with a grabby toddler running around I've learned that I can't really put up any fun sort of fun displays that he won't get into, so instead I went for this.

My first tray has a fun pattern on the bottom that I didn't want to cover, so I made a little wreath and hung it from the tray's handle.

It was a fun way to frame the wreath without putting it in a frame, which is how a few of the other wreaths are displayed around my house. (I just think it looks so cute that way!) I was trying to do something that was slightly different, so I guess that is as far as I got, slightly different. Oh well, I still like it. :)

For my other tray, I have always loved when people have those "Eat" signs in their kitchens, but I never found a little piece of wood or a space for it that seemed like it would work. But as soon as I thought of putting the word on a tray, I knew I had to do it.

I painted the bottom a whitewashed white, and then used my tried and true pencil transfer method. I printed out the word in the size I wanted, outlined the back with pencil, put it on the tray where I wanted it and then rubbed over the front of the letters with a lead-less pencil.

It transferred the letters perfectly (can you see the light outline?), and I filled them in with black acrylic paint.

I sanded over the letters and background a bit just to give it a broken in look, wiped over it with a light coat of stain, and then wiped off the excess.

I think they both turned out just right. They're a fun little addition to that corner of my kitchen, and re-purposing them from other areas of the house made the price just right.

They also are a great compliment to my newly re-finished blue chair.

Can you guess where my new favorite little corner is?

I have a few other tray projects that didn't get completely finished this week, so please come back next week to see a few other ideas. I am going absolutely crazy over one of them, I can't wait to show it off!

Have an amazing week and check out these parties for some great summertime projects!