It's been a while since I've posted a fun craft/tutorial on my blog, so today is the day! I recently decorated the slick plain surfaces of these 2 red trays as a gift for a friend. This project has a sweet bit of recycled sentiment attached. It was not only fun to do but hopefully my friend will enjoy the spirit in which it was made just for her.
I began by sanding only the bottom of the trays. You can see the difference of before and after. Without sanding to rough up the plastic, the paper and Mod Podge would not be able to adhere to the tray. Then make sure you clean off all plastic particles (it gets surprisingly messy!) before you begin the rest of the project.
Lay out your main design in several configurations until you are pleased with how everything looks. This is where my little bit of sentiment comes in. A year ago for Christmas, my friend gave me an adorable wall calendar about friendship. It was all done in black & white, and along with sweet statements about friendship, it had darling hand drawn, doll-like figures representing friends. I really loved it and could not bear to throw it away when the year was over. So I decided to repurpose and give back to her what had meant so much to me.
Lay out your background paper, especially since you are working with rounded edges which can be tricky. Don't worry if things look a little wonky! Mine did! Just make sure you get the bottom of the tray covered and the edges look nice and clean. For those of you that recognize this paper, you get a star on your foreheads! It's from THIS!
Ah, Mod Podge, how I love you. I even love the smell of you. But not as much as the smell of spray paint. Or permanent marker. Or spray acrylic. But I digress. If duct tape holds the world together, then Mod Podge holds the craft world together. You can quote me on that, Amy :) Amy is the Queen of all things Mod Podge and I hold her responsible for my love of it. She is the Pied Piper that has led countless unsuspecting bloggers down this road via her blog Mod Podge Rocks. But I digress yet again.
Make sure you use a generous amount of Mod Podge on the entire surface of the tray bottom as you are laying down your background paper. Add another nice, even coat on top of your paper. Place your main decorations on top of your paper, making sure they adhere well and coat them with Mod Podge blending it into the coat on your paper layer. When that coat is dry, put one final coat over the entire surface of the tray, making sure everything is covered evenly. Carefully wipe away any Mod Podge that gets on the sides of your tray with a damp cloth.
I waited a few days and then sprayed 3 coats of acrylic glaze as a top coat. If this were a project that was not going to be around liquid, there would not be a need for an acrylic top coat. But since trays frequently come into contact with liquid, a few coats of an acrylic glaze is a good idea. I learned this from Amy when I did THIS! The acrylic dries to a hard shell and is wipeable when spilled liquid gets on your tray. Whatever kind you get just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. I shielded the sides of the tray with paper as I was spraying. No, I did not suggest you smell acrylic. I only admitted I like to smell it in an unventilated area the smell of it. A lot.
So this is what it will look like when those first few coats of Mod Podge are done - pretty cute :)
LET'S HEAR IT FOR FRIENDS!!!
These are not only the most adorable trays I have ever seen but the most thoughtful, creative gift I have ever received. I absolutely love them. They will hold some of my favorite things in life, ie, diet coke, magazines, snacks while watching TV and everytime I use them I will think of you. Thank you for your friendship and for being so dang creative. XOXOXOXO
ReplyDeletethey are wonderful and so happy. i'd rather hang then on the wall than use them, though. enjoy your weekend! xo, c
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE the trays. What a great gift! What a great idea to recycle the calendar! You are such a great friend, so thoughtful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet friend you are to make those for a friend! They are ADORABLE!!!!!
ReplyDeletethese are so much fun! let's hear it for cut and paste projects, and especially for mod podge!
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job with these! They look great.
ReplyDelete