Wednesday, February 20, 2013

DIY Bedside Tray



Coming out of a wedding and an international move in 2012 left Husband and I on a tight budget around the Holidays.  For me that meant coming up with fun craft projects that wouldn't cost us a load of money and that weren't tacky were cute enough to gift. 
 
Bedside trays have been very popular this past year.  Just typing "tray" into Pottery Barn's search engine pulled up 24 different types around 42 Euros a piece!  While my bedside tray isn't quite "catalogue material" I like the shabby chic style. Plus I really enjoyed the project, became addicted to Mod Podge and went on to make 4 more  bedside trays after my trial run.
 
 
Here are the steps to making a Beside Tray:
 


 1. Start with a blank wooden tray of your preferred size.
I chose a tray 14"x10" from Hobby Lobby.
In Munich you can find these trays at Idee Creativmarkt. 
 
2. Pick out acrylic paint and 2 pieces of coordinating 12"x12" scrapbook paper.
I used Light Buttermilk acrylic paint by Americana because it wasn't a stark white.
3. Paint the inside and outside sides of the tray.
Don't worry about the middle section as you will be covering it up!
 
 
4. Lay your main piece of scrapbook paper inside the tray.
Fold the excess 2" of paper along the corner of the inside of the tray.
Cut off the excess 2".
5. Cut 2- 1"x10" strips out of the coordinating paper.
These 2 strips will go on the far left and right sides of the tray.
 
 6. Brush enough Mod Podge down for the left and right strips of paper.
I used Matte Mod Podge for this part.
Make sure the pieces lay smoothly and do not have any air bubbles underneath.
 
7. Brush the remaining part of the tray with Mod Podge.
Gently center your 10"x12" paper.
Press down to smooth out the piece to eliminate any air bubbles.
 
8. Cut a 2"x10" strip from the same paper you used on the right and left sides.
Brush Mod Podge along the top of the tray.
Center your coordinating paper and smooth it down carefully.
 
9. Brush Mod Podge Gloss over the entire bottom of the tray.
Check for any air bubbles and smooth as you go.
Once the Mod Podge is set it will dry quickly.
Be careful not to tear the paper once the Mod Podge starts drying!
 
That's all there is to it!
 
This would also make a cute tray for your bathroom counter to catch your jewelry, a coffee station in your kitchen, or holding napkins and cutlery at the center of your dining table.  The possibilities are endless with the different fun seasonal scrapbook paper and a little bit of coordinating paint!
 
 
Happy Wednesday,

 




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