Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Tray Transformation

 You might not know by looking at it now but this was
a snoozer of a tray.  






Not to be too harsh but just look at it.




Sure it had good bones.  It's big and it has a nice curvy frame, but exactly what is that bottom made out of?  Mystery material?  I don't like the unknown. 





However, this was an easy fix.  I sprayed the bottom with two colors of green and a metallic gold covering the bottom randomly but completely.  I let this dry for a good long time.



Next, I found some dusty old silk fern fronds .  I would have tried the real thing if it wasn't winter and if I had brought my ferns in from the cold.

Using spray adhesive, I sprayed the front of each frond and let them sit a few minutes.  You'll want them to be tacky -- not sticky.




I placed the fronds on the tray bottom the way I wanted them and pressed them down.  Then, using black spray paint, I painted the entire tray being careful to use several light coats.  




I removed the silk fern and...




I'd say this sleepy little tray is now wide awake!




 






Just when I needed the computer to download my pictures, 
the guard-lings (Lexie and Lizza Jane) 
were found protecting the laptop hubs... 








If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!
Posted by Lindy
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44 comments:

  1. HeatherFebruary 15, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    What a great transformation! And cute dogs too!

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  2. ChrissieFebruary 15, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    I love your tray! You did a beautiful transformation on her!

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  3. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleFebruary 15, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    You are just too smart to come up with that idea for that tray. It looks fantastic!! Your dogs are too cute!!!

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  4. Katie @ OhhBabyFebruary 15, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    That looks awesome! Great job!

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    I like the shading on your ferns. A long time ago, I did a similiar tray but used a stamp. Very creative to use the silk fern instead.

    My mom reads your blog sometimes and she'll be jealous of your furbabies. She (well we) have always loved yorkies.

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  6. Pam @ Our Adventures in Home ImprovementFebruary 15, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    Great transformation! It's sure beautiful now!

    Have a great day!
    Pam

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  7. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeFebruary 15, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Your tray is just unreal. I love it. How clever to use the ferns. Love the bottle carrier also. Hugs, Marty

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  8. Art From The heartFebruary 15, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    What a great transformation,you did a super job.
    Hugs, Amy

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  9. The Decorative DreamerFebruary 15, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    That is so pretty! I love how it turned out! Great job!

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  10. Nancy HoodFebruary 15, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    Okay, so now I want an old wooden tray to refinish!!

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  11. NanaDianaFebruary 15, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    GREAT idea. That so reminds me of the school projects we used to do where we would coat the paper with all different colors and than black crayon over everthing. Then we would take something and scratch a design into it. That was cool then but this is so much better...it's a craft that is all grown up! LOVE IT! You better win after all the voting we did (or I DID-anyway;>) xxoo Diana

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  12. Green Door GirlFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    great tray redo - I love the idea of the ferns used as stencils - very creative and cool!

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  13. Sharon@Keen InspirationsFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    I love this idea! I have a similar tray...might have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing and have a great week!

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  14. EllenFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Wonderful painting technique! Its gorgeous. Good luck in the competition!

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  15. The Autocrat: HaleyFebruary 15, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    I am sooo jealous of tray!! I have been really been wanting to jazz one up! Oh and lovin' the bench too!

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  16. La Vie QuotidienneFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Oh your dogs are so cute. The tray looks great I love what you did with the ferns.(-:

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  17. CayetanaFebruary 16, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    Preciosa la bandeja, maravillosa transformación y muy original. Me encanta tu blog y todo lo que haces, es de los mejores blog que he visto. Te visitaré a diario para ver todo lo que pones. Un saludo

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  18. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleFebruary 16, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    Lindy, you know I love this tray. Thanks for sharing it at the party. I don't see a link to the party so others can find it through your blog and join in.

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  19. Simone @ Doberman's by the SeaFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Great transformation. Have a good day.

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  20. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastalFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Oh I love the idea of using the fern for a stencil. It turned out so well. Not boring anymore :)

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  21. Between3Sisters.comFebruary 16, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Thanks for the tutorial. I have had these white trays that I have been needing to dress up.

    Love to have you link up to our party--
    http://www.between3sisters.com/2011/02/midweek-motivation-link-party-3.html

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  22. MeganFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    adorable pups! this is a great transformation!

    megan
    craftycpa.blogspot.com

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  23. Michelle @ Sweet Something DesignFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    What a great project Lindy! The ferns are fantastic and trays are so functional, love them! Great job!

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  24. extreme personal measuresFebruary 17, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Love this! Very creative!

    Denise
    Extreme Personal Measures

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  25. The Cranky QueenFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Cute tray. Very clever. Thanx for sharing! Visit me at thecrankyqueen.blogspot.com Tiff

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  26. Legacy of LoveFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Very well done! Don't you love redoing old trays? I have done a few myself but not with such a cool idea as leaf impressions.

    Have a great Friday,
    julie

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  27. Becky@Beyond The Picket FenceFebruary 18, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Beautiful tray, it turned out great! Thanks for linking up to Beyond the Picket Fence.

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  28. Liz @ the Brambleberry CottageFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Boy, Lindy, you sure know how to wake up a snoozer! The multi-toned fern leaves are fantastic. They really bring life to that piece. And your fur-babies are adorable!

    Thanks for linking to the party. And be sure to enter the giveaway, if you haven't already.

    Have a fun-filled Friday!

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  29. SAS InteriorsFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Lindy-
    Love your unique style and I've awarded you with The Versatile Blogger Award ~ take a look: http://tinyurl.com/6chr84e
    I'm also your newest follower. Have a great weekend!!

    ~Jenna, SAS Interiors
    www.sasinteriors.net

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  30. FarahFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    Hi Lindy...
    Great creativity, fab idea and tons of thanks to share and gorgeous is the end result
    Can you please spare a little bit of your time for my new post, its something different I hope you enjoyed
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  31. TheprincessandthetotFebruary 20, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Super cute!

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  32. Marie C.February 20, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    The tray looks beautiful! And I think your method of spray painting & using leaves is far less messy than what I've been doing, so I am going to steal your method. :-)

    I saw your post at Dittle Dattle's Amaze Me Monday & I'm now a new follower.

    http://educatorssoliloquy.blogspot.com

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  33. JillFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Love the tray and the tutorial! so as requested I have become a follower! :)

    I would love if you came over and linked this project to my weekly Round Tuit party at:
    http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/02/round-tuit-37.html/
    Have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success

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  34. Judy @ In His GripFebruary 20, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    OMG, this is so good. Great idea!

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  35. Terry @ La Bella VieFebruary 21, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    Well this is just so perfect! I can't wait to find an old tray to do this with!
    Terry
    PS Yep I am now a follower!!!

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  36. AtticmagFebruary 21, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    So clever! I could never have imagined that from words alone -- the pictures made it ideal. Jane

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  37. mammiediFebruary 21, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Just wonderful.....

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  38. UnknownFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Just fabulous, as always! I shared it on StumbleUpon, Lindy.

    Love how you sprayed the metallic and green 1st, so they'd peek thru. Great idea!

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  39. SueFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    I love how you did this! I couldn't figure out at first why you were painting it with the lighter colors...duh...I wouldn't have thought to do it. Beautiful!

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  40. janetFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    absolutely beautiful!!!! and love how you made the tray over
    hugs
    janet

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  41. Amie {Kitty Cats and Airplanes}February 22, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    What a fun technique! It turned out great!

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  42. SAS InteriorsFebruary 23, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Your project is great and would love for you to link up to my Saturday Spotlight Linky Party @ SAS Interiors. Check it out this Saturday: http://www.sasinteriors.net/features/

    Best,
    Jenna, SAS Interiors

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  43. SueMarch 8, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    I have to say that I thought those first random coats of spray were looking a little scary, but the tray turned out just wonderfully when bits and pieces of those colors finally appeared under the fronds against the dark ground color! Such a really fun transformation, Lindy.

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  44. Creative GrammieApril 28, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    Wow, how gorgeous! I love to repurpose when I can, it's something I enjoy. You did such a great job!
    You have lovely dogs, so cute.
    TFS

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I'm excited you're leaving a comment. I can't wait to read it...L.

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