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!

44 comments:

  1. What a great transformation! And cute dogs too!

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

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  3. 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. 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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  5. Great transformation! It's sure beautiful now!

    Have a great day!
    Pam

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  16. 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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  17. 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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  18. Oh I love the idea of using the fern for a stencil. It turned out so well. Not boring anymore :)

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  19. 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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  20. adorable pups! this is a great transformation!

    megan
    craftycpa.blogspot.com

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

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

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

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  25. 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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  26. 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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  27. 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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  28. 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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  29. 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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  30. 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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  31. So clever! I could never have imagined that from words alone -- the pictures made it ideal. Jane

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  32. 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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  33. 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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  34. absolutely beautiful!!!! and love how you made the tray over
    hugs
    janet

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  35. 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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  36. 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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  37. 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.