Hi Friends! Are you up for a thrifty makeover today? I found this super large oval tray at the thrift store a few weeks back. This thing is really big! It was $12, but I just had to bring it home:
This was gorgeous at one time, but had really started to show its age, so I decided to give it a completely new look:
Doesn’t even look like the same tray, right?
I painted the tray in a mix of Annie Sloan’s French Linen and Pure White. Then I created this graphic in Photoshop Elements, opened it in my Silhouette machine, and cut a stencil out of contact paper…
I had to connect four separate pieces together since this tray is so large.
I gave it two coats of white acrylic paint and then removed the contact paper.
I use contact paper instead of vinyl because I’m cheap. I’m sure transfer vinyl would be so much easier, but again there’s the thing about me being cheap.
I’ve had someone ask me if the contact paper leaves a sticky residue, and I have had that happen. I just sand like normal and when I add the wax, the sticky residue can be buffed right off.
This would have been pretty easy to do without a silhouette also since I used a large font (Bodidly). I would have blown this up at Blockposters.com and transferred the image like I show here, then painted it in.
I sealed it with Annie Sloan’s clear soft wax.
You may remember this DIY Shell Garland from my Summer mantel last Summer:
Can’t wait to pull out all my Summer flair this year!
Hope you enjoyed this quick coastal makeover!
I’ll be back later this week sharing a look back at how I transformed most of these yard sale treasures:
It’s always fun to look back! Do you remember any of these?
UPDATE: See them all HERE now!
Have a great day, Friends!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
Love it! Can’t wait to see what you do with all the “stuff”. Love everything that you do. # 1 most favorite blog ever!! Thanks once again for all the inspiration.
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Mary! You sure know how to make my day!! XOXO
Joanne Taggart says
I really like the tray as you painted it. Gosh, it looks so different. So much lighter and beachy! Am looking forward to seeing what you do with your yard sale items. Have fun creating!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Joanne!! It really does look like a totally different piece! 🙂
Christina in FL says
Christy, I applaud your “cheapness” !! lol This tray is fabulous and oh so beachy. Thank you!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thanks, Christina! 😀
Amy says
Love the tray, and can’t wait to see what you do with all those treasures! 😀
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Amy! I came across this photo recently and realized I had redone almost everything there…thought it would be fun to share! 🙂
Sandra@lookingforpotential says
I love this makeover, great job. I should really look into learning to do this type of stencil this way. Love it!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sandra! I think It is a total pain to piece four pieces together, but so worth it not to have to paint in the letters. 🙂
Gina Keysor says
I love it!! You do so great cutting out your stencils. I have a cricut but rarely do stencils with it. Thanks for sharing your creativity.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Gina! It is a bit of a pain when you have to piece four pieces together, but so worth it not to have to paint in all the details by hand. 🙂
Lisa Johnson says
Whoa- that was a crime! Please don’t paint over toll paint-
Christy K. James says
No worries, Lisa…this was not hand-painted. Plus the finish was damaged by what looked like nail polish maybe?
Doreen @ Altered Artworks says
Hi Christy,
Love your tray makeover. I’m obsessed with ocean, beach and nautical themed projects. I’m currently transforming a set of nesting tables in this theme, and can’t wait to finish them.
Doreen
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Doreen! I am the same way…always drawn to anything coastal. I’m sure your tables will turn out beautifully! XO
Becky says
`Wow, yeah that definitely looks like a whole new tray! How cool! Your lettering is always so perfectly sized and spaced for your projects. I’m going to have to try to pull off some “Christy quality” work this summer! : )
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Becky! Yes, definitely no traces of the original tray left, and adding graphics is always a great way to update a piece. 🙂
Clearisssa says
I can’t tell you how much I love this transformation. Great!!
Christy K. James says
Oh yay I’m thrilled that you love it, Clearissa!!
Tania says
That tray turned out so great!
Tania
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tania! XO
Rose L. says
Very nice! I sure someone doing coastal decor will want it!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rose! I hope so. 😀
Chris says
Love the tray Christy, can’t wait to see what you do with all those treasures!
Chris
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Chris! I’ll be sharing those tomorrow! 🙂
Marcie Lovett says
I chanced upon your site by following a pinterest link for your reimagined flatware boxes. An hour later, I’m still here! Now I’ll never get that time back and my brain is bursting with inspiration. Beautiful projects, thanks for sharing.
Christy K. James says
Awesome…thanks so much, Marcie!! I’m glad you enjoyed your visit here!
Maryjean says
Another great project Christy! Love it! Gotta save this one too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Maryjean! XO
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
Seriously, this is awesome! I’m loving crab coastal projects lately. Sharing on my Fb page, my readers will love this! Have a good week:)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Wendi! I did one on a dresser last month and it sold right away, so I thought I’d use it again. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!! XO