Monday, June 21, 2010

New and Easy Displays for Old Trays

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.

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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.

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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. :)

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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!


Visit thecsiproject.com


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51 comments:

Maria Babin June 21, 2010 at 6:05 AM  

love it! gonna have to try the eat sign!

Tonia Lee Smith June 21, 2010 at 6:13 AM  

I like the idea. Especially if you have a few to display together.

Tiffany June 21, 2010 at 7:23 AM  

LOVE these displays on your wall! The Eat sign is absolutely perfect! I want one seriously. The wreath was a great touch to that neat tray! And the blue chair just compliments it all! Well done, Erin! : )

Jill@Barnes Yard June 21, 2010 at 8:25 AM  

Love it! I've been wanting an EAT too!

Handbags*and*Pigtails June 21, 2010 at 8:30 AM  

I love this idea! Just linked it up to my blog-I hope that was Ok. LOVE your ideas:)
Sarah
handbagsnpigtails.blogspot.com

tickledpink.nicole June 21, 2010 at 8:37 AM  

I can see why this is becoming your favorite corner! What did you use to mount the trays?

Pearl Girl June 21, 2010 at 9:51 AM  

I just love this idea! thanks for sharing. I saw you on the link parties today.
I am right here if you have a chance to stop by.
beckyscraftcloset.blogspot.com

Nikki June 21, 2010 at 9:57 AM  

Very clever and cute!

blogofncook.blogspot.com

The Autocrat: Haley June 21, 2010 at 10:18 AM  

What a great repurpose!! Looks fabuous! Especially love the one that says "eat".

Kristi Flanagan June 21, 2010 at 10:34 AM  

Especially love the "eat" tray - not that I need to be reminded to eat! LOL!

Cute, cute, cute!

Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions

Mel P June 21, 2010 at 11:18 AM  

I love this idea! I just read somewhere that if you love something enough to keep it, you should have it on display (I'm paraphrasing). This is a great way to appreciate your trays every day!

Jill June 21, 2010 at 12:21 PM  

Aren't trays the greatest?! I'd love if you checked out what I did with a tray last week: envirocraftiness.blogspot.com

~JILL

fiberdoodles June 21, 2010 at 12:26 PM  

Oh I love it! It looks great!! Thank you for sharing.

Amy June 21, 2010 at 1:24 PM  

How perfect! I love your nook! Very clever using trays on the walls.

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! June 21, 2010 at 1:39 PM  

What fun ways to use things you already have and love in your home! Thanks for showing this to us on Modern Craftswoman Monday! Rory

Pam Kessler June 21, 2010 at 2:39 PM  

I love the wreath/tray combination. Very pretty. I had never thought of hanging my trays before!

Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com June 21, 2010 at 2:58 PM  

Those are fabulous!

Jen June 21, 2010 at 3:04 PM  

I simply love this idea! I am wanting to do a "eat" sign in my dining room as well, and this is great inspiration!

I wanted to let you know that I awarded you something on my blog. You can accept this award here: http://framefanatic.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-first-blogger-award.html

Kim @ Starshine Chic June 21, 2010 at 3:57 PM  

I love them both!!! I really like the idea of hanging a small wreath inside.

The Polka Dot Closet June 21, 2010 at 8:31 PM  

Great idea, I can never pass up a tray. I paint them and mosaic them, but I have never hung them!

Thank you
Carol

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} June 21, 2010 at 8:32 PM  

Super cute!

Amy Kinser June 21, 2010 at 9:04 PM  

Very neat ideas! I love the wreath hanging with the tray and I love the "eat" also. I guess I love them both. Great suggestion that I will be trying. Going to help a friend do some decorating tomorrow, so that might be a good idea for her. Thanks and God bless.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming June 22, 2010 at 12:00 AM  

These are adorable. I love the boxwood wreath tray - it really showcases it! Great idea. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly apprecite it. Hope you are enjoying your week. ~ Stephanie Lynn

Beth June 22, 2010 at 12:49 AM  

What a GREAT idea!!! Thanks for sharing (found you at Tutorial Tuesdays!)

Jessica June 22, 2010 at 8:09 AM  

Love the "eat" tray!

Destiny June 22, 2010 at 11:07 AM  

I LOVE THIS!! Good Job! Doing this one for sure! I have the perfect tray! Thank you for the inspiration! It's fabulous!

Tiffany June 22, 2010 at 1:28 PM  

I really like this use on the wall. Brilliant - I hope u win over at CSI.

Stephanie@cre8tive June 22, 2010 at 2:39 PM  

I love this idea! Mainly because I love trays. Kind of a fetish actually. Now I have a new way of thinking on where I can put them, grand idea.

KimMalk June 22, 2010 at 7:21 PM  

What a great idea. They are both so cute.

Orange Peanut June 22, 2010 at 9:38 PM  

Super Cute! I love how simple this seems but yet looks so expensive!!!

Jill June 22, 2010 at 11:04 PM  

Love the tray idea! I've never seen "eat" signs up before - but think it's a brilliant idea!! Maybe psycologically some pretty pictures of green veggies would help my kids eat them up???

ChRiS June 23, 2010 at 7:57 AM  

love it......chair and trays now i have to llok for trays a GW....my list just gets bigger!!

Brandy June 23, 2010 at 8:00 AM  

That is such a great idea, I love it!!

Anonymous June 23, 2010 at 12:25 PM  

wow, these look great! neat idea!

Maggie June 23, 2010 at 2:34 PM  

I love this. I have yet to tackle the kitchen eating area...this gives me great inspiration!

michelle@somedaycrafts June 23, 2010 at 2:50 PM  

DARLING!

Kaysi @ Keeping it Simple June 24, 2010 at 6:50 AM  

Amazing! You all come up with the best ideas!

One Cheap B*tch June 24, 2010 at 9:22 AM  

Love the eat sign! And I'm with you - two grabby little boys so we have to come up with very inventive ways of displaying mommy's knic knacs!

Jeanine

Joy@Thrifty Parsonage Living June 24, 2010 at 11:40 PM  

Very cute! I love the eat tray and also how you made a little corner display using the blue chair.

Krissy June 25, 2010 at 8:24 AM  

LOVE these!! I'm off to search for some trays!! LOL!

TidyMom June 25, 2010 at 9:54 AM  

I LOVE this idea!! how cute!!
Thanks for linking up!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking June 25, 2010 at 3:26 PM  

What a great way to use trays... I need to keep my eyes open for some. Thanks for linkin' up to PoPP.

Katie Olthoff June 25, 2010 at 4:27 PM  

LOVE Them! Especially the one with the wreath. And the one that says "EAT." Okay, I admit, I love them both!

KentuckyCooking June 25, 2010 at 11:00 PM  

Stopped by from the I'm Lovin' it Fridays party - following you now :) I'd love for you to stop by my blog and say hello!
http://soupson502.blogspot.com/

Your trays are really adorable - having a hard time deciding which one I like best!

Tru June 26, 2010 at 6:51 AM  

Great totorial. Very nice display for a small area.

Tru June 26, 2010 at 6:51 AM  

Sorry, TUTORIAL.

Nancy June 26, 2010 at 10:46 AM  

Can wait to try this. Thanks for the tutorial! I have two trays that need some help!
Nancy

Coleen's Corner June 26, 2010 at 12:54 PM  

Oh I love them! I have a tray that has been sitting around forever waiting for a new purpose. I believe you've shed light on my dilemma - awesome!

Recaptured Charm June 26, 2010 at 1:06 PM  

These trays turned out beautiful! Love the chair too! Nice idea for old trays in need of a lift!
Lisa

Patrice June 27, 2010 at 4:10 PM  

That looks wonderful. I've never thought of that before!

Hailey September 14, 2010 at 3:46 PM  

Love this! Great job.

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