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Friday, June 29, 2012

Butler's Tray

Here is a quick project I found to do after shopping my own inventory.  I didn't even have to leave the house for this one.

This is a very large tray that was black when I bought it at the flea market.  I sprayed it with Rustoleum Canyon Black to freshen it up.  Now I had a blank slate to work with.  I used one of my grainsack stencils from Maison de Stencils.  This is the same stencil I used on the French Book Cart.  However, the entire stencil would not fit on the tray so I improvised by using two other inexpensive alphabet stencils I purchased at the craft store a while back.  For the corners I used an Anna Griffin embossing stencil.   Then I used painters tape to do my border lines.  Now let me tell you.  I have painted many a piece of furniture and then taken mailing tape to the piece and tried to achieve this same look.  You know how sticky mailing tape is.  The painters tape lifted not only my paint but the layer beneath it revealing a goldish color. 
 So I decided this was meant to be and I took more tape and lifted off more black paint.  Not it's a shabby black tray.  I'll seal it with a clear coat, but if it happens to chip more, it will fit right in with the look it already has.
 I did the lettering and stenciling with ivory acrylic paint and then went back over it with gleam gold.  That's also an acrylic paint you can find in the craft paints.  I had this little stand I found a long time ago and the two are a match made in heaven.  Now if you like a more refined look without the chippiness, check out the french book cart here.  It had a much more pristine look.  That was one of my favorite pieces and it sold immediately.
Hope you're getting your projects ready for the upcoming Hot Summer Fun link party.  It starts a week from today.
I'm partying at...


Mondays          Le Chateau des Fleurs        The Graphics Fairy     Between Naps on the Porch
Tuesdays          Knick of Time       Tutus and Tea Parties       Coastal Charm  
                                      Boogie Board Cottage    A Stroll Thru Life
Wednesdays     Savvy Southern Style         Ivy and Elephants        Faded Charm Cottage            
                                     Fine Craft Guild      
Thursdays        Embracing Change     The Shabby Creek Cottage    No Minimalist Here 
                                     Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday    Fishtail Cottage
                                     Rustic Restorations Homespun Happenings
Fridays            French Country Cottage       My Romantic Home        Miss Mustard Seed
                                    At the Picket Fence     Potpourri Friday     Common Ground
                                    The Charm of Home    Decorating Insanity   Rooted in Thyme
Saturdays        Funky Junk Interiors

Sundays           It's Overflowing

18 comments:

Inmaculada said...

Una preciosa bandeja.
buen fin de semana.......

Susie said...

The tray is nice and the things you added make it look adorable. Smiles, Susie

Debra@CommonGround said...

Oh I love your frenchy tray. You've given me some great inspiration for a makeover of my own, now I need to order a stencil!

NanaDiana said...

Very, very cute! You did a wonderful job on it- xo Diana

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

Love the tray! I hope the stencil company is giving you a good deal for sending customers their way! I may have to order one myself to decorate pillows.

Time to get busy on some summer projects, but it's hard to find time when I'm busy playing outside. :@

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That looks great, Maggie! You always put together the best stencils. Love the corners you added on this project. The stand does work out great with the tray!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

OMG that is gorgeous and perfect! I love it

Carol

Angie@Echoes of Laughter said...

Awesome job! Love the design and the colours you chose! Lovely! Angie xo

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Hi Maggie,

Your tray is beautiful and it's so French looking with the layer of paint missing.

Dee

Pat C. said...

My goodness, you are the Queen of Improvising! I love how you don't let unexpected setbacks stop you from creating such beautiful pieces!

And isn't the border on the tray gorgeous?! xoxo

miss flibbertigibbet said...

I love it! The dark color was the perfect choice..so elegant!
Blessings, Lorraine

Unknown said...

Oh, I love your tray! That looks so great. I just had to pin it. :)

Unknown said...

Très jolie cette petite table pliante.

Something Special said...

I have done lots of furniture transfers, but never in white. How did you do the white on dark?

Kathy said...

I love your tray and I want to look for one and paint it. I think the chair in front of the house is so pretty with the pillows. Thank you for sharing. I would love for you and your friends to join me at www.sewcraftykathy.blogspot.com

Kathy said...

I love your tray and I want to look for one and paint it. I think the chair in front of the house is so pretty with the pillows. Thank you for sharing. I would love for you and your friends to join me at www.sewcraftykathy.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

So pretty!
Thanks so much for linking!
Come back Monday!
Bisous
Isabelle

Erika said...

This tray looks awesome, love the color, the letters, it looks vintage and yet very modern, it's wonderful.