Monday, September 19, 2011

The Paper Trail

I found this letter tray in our garage while we were packing things up.   My husband would have just thrown it away, but I yelled “Good God, man, have you learned nothing in all this time I’ve been blogging”!   Under my craft cart it went awaiting its turn.

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It’s a nice solid piece and made of wood.  I know it will come in handy once we are moved to keep things neat.  While I am working on a custom order for decorator books, this tray was really calling out for some help.  So I grabbed the can of Espresso spray paint and headed outside.

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Gave it two quick coats.  You can’t see it here, but the wood grain on the sides shows through a little bit.

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Then added some scrapbook paper which I wound up centering because the tray is longer and narrower than the paper.  I didn’t glue it down because I could see changing the paper out every so often as the mood strikes.

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I then added an embellishment I got from a new Bo Bunny package to the front. 

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Now I have  a neat place to keep paperwork on my desk in an organized yet pretty manner!

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I had the tray, the scrapbook paper and the paint already.  I recently bought the package of embellishments, on clearance for $3.99.  I used one of about 6 or 7 embellishments so this cost me about $.50 to do.

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Linking up with

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Treasure Hunt Thurs. at From My Front Porch To Yours

Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Kathy

30 comments:

Marsha @ Tattered Chick said...

Looks great, Kathy!! I found a wire one on Saturday (don't know if you saw the photo of it) to replace the pink one I had . . . BUT I'm,not throwing the pink one out, LOL, it's under the bed for now . . . .

xxoo
Marsha

Jenny @ Simcoe Street said...

Looks great -- the embellishment totally makes the piece!

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

Nice! I like that you'll be able to change the paper inside. There are so many papers that I just love and I am always wondering what I can make with them. Love the paper you put in there in the photo and combined with the Espresso color paint....perfect! Did you husband just shake his head like mine would do? :)

Sherry said...

I am going to have to be on the lookout for some embellishments to add to the many projects I am inspired to do by creative bloggers like you. That was a long sentence, thanks for your inspiration.

Karena said...

Looking good Kathy as always, a terrific transformation!! Where do you find your cute embellishments?

Xoxo

Karena
Art by Karena

Always Nesting said...

Love this project. I've seen those old paper trays and would love to own one. Tell hubby not to throw ANYTHING away till you see it first :) My favorite saying is that "I have a vision" and then I get the "uh oh" look.

Donna, The Decorated House said...

I can't believe you are doing little projects in the middle of packing! Oh never mind, yes I can :)

Cute idea!

Jane said...

I have a couple of those trays and love them. Yours looks a lot prettier than mine does. Great paint color and paper. And yes, husbands, sometimes they just don't know good junk when they see it!!
Jane

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Men are just such slow learners. hahaha
Glad you saved the tray.
What's really amazing is your doing these beautiful projects while moving.
You are my hero
Love
Maggie

Gail said...

LOL...you gotta love the husbands! What a great transformation. Love the paper you chose.

Enjoy your day,
Gail

fran said...

I love it! I can't believe you have the ability to be so creative through the chaos of packing. I would probably be going insane about now. All of my creative juice would have stopped flowing all together! You amaze me.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

I love this Kathy. I'm so glad that you salvaged the wooden tray. You are going to have to train that man! LOL!

hugs
Sissie

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

It came out neat!...love that paper you put inside! Funny how our men will never learn huh? lol:)

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What a charmin' idea sweetie. We use to us trays like these in my Special Ed. classroom in cubbies to put finished papers. I just adore the idea.

I've been lookin' for a 'cute' tray to put on my MIL's ottoman in assisted livin' so she can use is as a table also. This would look great with some old pictures and maybe an overlay of glass. Thanks so much for the great idea!!!

God bless ya from the happy hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa and have a most beautiful day!!! :o)

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

MEN!!! Love what you did with this - when are you moving?

Room to Inspire said...

Looks great Kathy! I love the embellishment - a perfect place for that stack of papers.

Chelsea

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

So cute Kathy! I love the scrapbook paper you chose and that little embellishment looks so good! All ready for it's "new" home!!

Lou Cinda ")

Sheila said...

Love it!!

Debbie said...

It looks wonderful! I need a more attractive way to handle my paper pile. That little clock embellishment finishes it perfectly.

Okio B Designs said...

That little clock makes all the difference for me. Love the color and the paper too!

J

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Kathy,

Your so smart not to let your husband throw the tray away!

I think you did a beautiful job turning it into an attractive tray.
xo,
Dee

a quiet life said...

looks wonderful~

Judy said...

Kathy! I just adore this darling (used to be, plain ol') letter tray! The embellishments are charming...way to go, girl!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Kathy, doing paperwork would not be such a big chore if I had this pretty box to work from! What a clever girl you are to see this beauty in a worn box!
I am in a cleaning out and organizing mood, so you have inspired me to look for something for my mail too (it is stashed in a basket).
Being able to change out the paper will keep your box updated and the bottom of the box always nice and clean.
Thanks for the inspiration... great post!
Yvonne

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Great idea Kathy. I would have never thought of something this simple and cute!

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

Just fabulous, Kathy! I love everything about it now. Your cute little embellishment on the front was definitely the crowning touch. ;)

Thanks for joining Time Travel Thursday again this week.

Hugs,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

xinex said...

You did a good job transforming it into a real beauty..Christine

Gayle Page-Robak said...

Love what you did with your letter tray...great find and beautifully refurbished.

Annie said...

I picked up two similar trays at Goodwill. I like the wood look, so all I've done is line the inside bottom with a piece of felt cut to size and put little bumpers on the underside bottom 4 corners. I love having trays!

Pamela said...

Love it Kathy! It looks amazing! I really can not wait to see your new place come together with all your new treasures. Hope your weekend is going well! Thanx for linking up to THT!

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