Hi sweet Friends!
I’m back today as promised sharing what I did with this tray I found for $5 at the thrift store:
I can’t even tell you how long this has been hanging around my garage!
When I did my super cleaning a few weeks ago, I found it again.
Our Get Your DIY On theme this month is Numbered and Lettered projects so I knew this would be a great candidate for this challenge:
I decide to fill the bottom with random numbers!
I love how it turned out! I created this graphic and uploaded it to my Silhouette machine. (affiliate link)
I swear I have a love/hate relationship with that thing, but it’s a real time-saver once you learn to navigate it, and I know there are people out there that rock this thing! I had to cut four pieces to get it all since it is 20″ x 20″ (larger than the 12″ x 12″ mat) and piece them together. You are supposed to be able to cut longer pieces without using the mat which would only have required two pieces, but after a pile of contact paper ended up on the floor from it jamming, I gave up. Surely I was doing something wrong. There may have also been a few curse words invoved.
No Silhouette? No problem! You can also upload it to Blockposters.com and make it any size you need, and use my transfer method found HERE to create this look on one of your own pieces. You will need to print it in the reverse for this method. (see below)
I’m including the printable version of this for you both as-is and in the reverse in case you’d like to use it for your own personal use:
Print HERE as is, or print HERE for the reverse.
After lining them up properly, I used black acrylic craft paint to brush in the numbers, brushing along and away from the edges.
I used one coat of paint, then immediately removed the contact paper. When the paint was completely dry, I lightly sanded the entire surface to smooth out any raised areas. I sealed it with Annie Sloan clear wax.
I think the numbers add so much character, don’t you?
Adding graphics to a piece really adds so much!
If you liked my tray, you might also like this makeover:
I was excited to have this as our GYDO theme for February! (If you’re new around here, you can read more about our GYDO challenges and party HERE.)
Speaking of Get Your DIY On…I have some sad news and some terrific news. We are sadly saying good-bye to Abby from Just a Girl and her Blog as one of our original five co-hosts. We will miss her terribly, but her blog is taking a new direction, and we wish her much continued success! She gave us her blessing though for our awesome new co-host, and my buddy, Nancy from Artsy Chicks Rule!
Nancy loves all things DIY and budget-friendly, which is what this party is all about!
We also have a fresh new graphic for our party, thanks to April!
Here’s what my lovely and talented co-hosts came up with for this month’s theme:
“Home is Wherever I’m With You” Free Printable Art from Krista at The Happy Housie
How to Make a Rustic Sign from April at House by Hoff
Wood Baseball Sign from Mandy at The Hankful House
DIY Coordinates Sign Tutorial from Nancy at Artsy Chicks Rule
The party fun starts this Sunday, February 7th, at 7:00pm EST.
Bloggers, come share your Amazing Numbered and Lettered Projects, so we can inspire our readers!
I’ll be back with the makeover of these estate sale chairs on Tuesday:
UPDATE! Check out how these chairs got their mojo back HERE!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
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I love to share at these great parties:
The Happy Housie Design Dining and Diapers Liz Marie Blog Funky Junk Interiors Savvy Southern Style Tatertots and Jello DIY Show Off Between Naps on the Porch Just a Girl and Her Blog Sand and Sisal Interior Frugalista
DebraShoppeno5 says
The tray is so cute. What a great transformation.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Debra! XO
Terry Moore says
I feel close to the same way about my Silhouette but am glad that I have it for reasons like this cute tray.
Christy K. James says
Ha ha I’m glad I’m not alone! I’m sure it would be easier if I took the time to learn it properly. 🙂
Krista says
AH-MAZING, friend! I love how it turned out- so cute to use numbers like that. What a find. You always find the most amazing stuff in your thrift shops. Ours only have junk most of the time… though I must admit I haven’t had much time for thrifting this year:) I need a day!
Christy K. James says
Aww thank you, Krista!! This was a nice find, but don’t worry…I have my share of finding nothing great as well, I just go a LOT. Yes you need a good thrifting day after all that hard work!! 🙂
Debi@Add Value To Your Home says
Great job! LOVE it!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Debi! XO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I love your numbered tray!! Isn’t that Silhouette awesome??? It is now that I have more control and understand what I’m doing anyway!! 😉
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy! I do love that I can create outside of silhouette and then send it for sure, but I am all thumbs sometimes trying to figure that bad boy out! 🙂
Patti Rice says
It is such an adorable tray but somehow I missed one of your steps. Not sure about the contact paper – did you lay it over the numbers and then paint? It doesn’t seem to be uploaded to the blog. Thanks!
Christy K. James says
Hi Patti! Thank you! I used my silhouete cameo machine which cut the numbers out of the contact paper to create a stencil. Then I adhered the cut contact paper to the tray and painted in the numbers, then removed it. I hope that makes more sense. 🙂
patti rice says
Ahh, now I see. Thank you for clarifying that step. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Sure! 🙂
April Hoff says
Love this, Christy! I love the different sizes of the numbers…so fun!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, April!! XOXO
Sandra Powell says
WOW, I really like this great idea, and great job!! :))
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Sandra! XO
Ange says
Hi Christy, Just curious why you didn’t use black vinyl instead of a stencil? I love my SC, but I too have had some challenges with it at times. I have a laminate tray that I’d like to try your idea on. Will chalk paint work on laminate? Thanks for another great project.
Christy K. James says
Hey Ange! I used contact paper only because it’s much cheaper than vinyl, and you can absolutely use chalk paint on laminate. I would lightly sand the surface first just to dull it and give the paint something to really grab onto. 🙂
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
Love it Christy – love this month’s theme too and the new linky party graphic. See you on Sunday!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marie! I know you’ve got something good to share!! XO
Mattie says
Love this idea!! Can’t wait to try it for myself. Thanks for sharing 🙂
~Mattie
http://www.mattiesmakings.com
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Mattie! Your welcome! 🙂
Paula@SweetPea says
Cute project, Christy! You before picture tricked me. When I saw it on your post earlier this week, I thought it was much larger than 20 x 20. I feel your silhouette pain, it certainly isn’t easy to learn to use (not that I’ve tried that hard). The end result with the tray looks great.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! Just dropped it off at the shop yesterday! I don’t think we’re alone in our feelings about the silhouette. It’s not user-friendly at all! XO
Maryjean says
Christy, you have so many great ideas! I was just looking for a way to paint a tray like this one! Thanks!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Maryjean! This post came just in time then! 🙂