A Homely Tray Becomes A Beautiful Sign

Ever want to be on one of those makeover shows?

I used to think I did.

But then I realized I just wanted them to

give me the $5,000 to buy new clothes.

I didn't want them to tell me that I needed to wear bright

colors or floral prints or anything funky like that.

And I certainly didn't want them to color my hair or tell me I should

straighten out my curls when it took me so long to decide I liked them.

And then there's the whole idea of

"how bad do you really have to dress before someone nominates you"

kind of thing.

Yeah...I didn't want to think about that.

So I stick to doing makeovers on inanimate objects.

And so far it's worked out juuuuuust fine.

It all started when I saw this sign on Antique Farmhouse.

At least I think I saw it there first.

I don't know why, but I couldn't bring myself to pay $50 for it.

{I think that's what it was.}

Then I saw it in a local shop for $75...and I realized just how LARGE it was.

Since I've had a little time on my hands this week...

I decided to make my own.

I've had this tray I picked up on clearance at

Hobby Lobby a while back and thought it would be perfect.

While it's not totally hideous to start off with...

there was definitely room for some improvement.

The clerk kinda looked at me funny until I told

her I was planning to paint it or something.

She said, "oh, good." :)

I used 2 coats to cover the harlequin design.

I should have used more...you'll see why in a bit...but that's okay.

I forgot to show you the vinyl I created on

my Silhouette before I started painting over it.

My bad.

You know, the theory is that if you first paint around the

edges of your stencil with the base color...

you won't have the fill color seep under the edges.

Whatever.

It never works for me.

I always have touch up work to do.

I used some DIY chalk paint to cover the whole thing.

Sanded it lightly between coats so it was smoooooooth.

Then I peeled off the vinyl.

I lightly distressed the whole thing...

but it still seemed a little too bright for me.

So I added some dark wax.

Beautimous.

See what I mean about only using 2 coats of black?

You can kinda see the diamonds peeking through where I sanded it slightly.

I'm okay with it if you are. :)

So that's the story of how an ugly duckling tray

became a beautiful swan pie sign.

I hope you enjoyed this make your own makeover.

I must run...I've got 13 yards of fabric calling my name.

I've been trying to ignore it...but the living room is begging for new curtains.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Partying here:

Tatertots and Jello

Serenity You

Sassy Little Lady

I Heart Naptime

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

The Dedicated House

Home Stories A to Z

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Clean and Scentsible

The 36th Avenue

The Gunny Sack

Kammy's Korner

PJH Designs

 Lil' Luna

High Heels and Grills

Thrifty Decor Chick

Jennifer Rizzo