Lemon Drop Tray

I was shopping at Goodwill last weekend, when I came across a beat up tray marked down to 2.99 it was 5.99. I had been on the lookout for a great simple tray. I knew it  look great in our living room and would have many uses; from holding, flowers and candles t keeping my books looking cute stacked on our wicker storage basket.

Here's my tray before, it was dirty, banged up and had nicked paint. However, I could see all its potential.


My tray now. I wanted the tray to pop where ever it was in our living room, so I painted the tray a bright cheery yellow.  






Here's what I did.

First I cleaned the wood tray with a mild hand soap and a damp rag. I let the tray dry and then cleaned the glass with window cleaner (the glass was glued to the wood, so I didn't try and remove it) Next I removed the picture matte.

Then I lightly sanded the tray and primed it with Zisser Primer using a sponge brush. I used a sponge brush to apply the primer because they are cheap and can be tossed, less cleanup! I allowed the primer to dry for two hours and then lightly sanded the tray and then applied a second coat of primer.

First coat of primer applied


Next applied my first coat of yellow paint to the tray and allowed the tray to dry for 24 hours before applying the next coat. I applied three coats of paint allowing each coat to dry 24 hours before apply the next coat.
Pop of yellow


I wanted my tray to be super glossy so I applied two coats of poly to the tray, allowing 24 hours between each coat and light sanded between the coats. The tray now is super glossy.

Do you recognize the fabric inside the tray? I used left over fabric from the lumbar pillows I made for our chairs in our living room. I thought it would be the perfect addition under the glass. I ironed the fabric then cut the fabric to the size of the glass and attached double side tape to the board that goes under the tray. I didn't want to use adhesive spray, just in case I come across other fabric in the future and easy way to change the look of the tray.

It was a simple diy project that's made a cute addition to our living room and the price can't be beat!

Cost Breakdown

Tray $ 2.99
Sample Paint Valspar $ 2.99
Key West Fabric - n/a had on hand
Poly - n/a had on hand
Primer - n/a had on hand

Total Cost $ 5.98

Remember, next time your in a thrift store or see a tray on clearance, think of what you could transform in into for your house. What do you think of my little lemon drop tray, isn't it a cute addition to our living room? Do you use trays in your home?

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Getting My Knit On

Remember when I said I wanted to learn how to knit and make pillow covers for the winter months, and blankets and scarfs. Over the weekend my sister and I stopped in Micheal's looking for supplies for me. I came across one book that came with all the go to knitting supplies and I picked up some pretty light putty yarn that complimented our living room (for a throw?) Well the book sucked, it had crappy hand draw pictures with no color and no left handed tips (since I'm a lefty). I quickly returned it and came across a small pamphlet book called 'Knitting Made Easy' and picked up two sets of knitting needles on clearance for $0.99 each! I mentioned to one of my friends that I really wanted to knit, and guess what she used to knit! She's going to teach my the basis and how to read patterns. Jamie Lee from Starting Out Savvy, suggested I check out You Tube for how to Knit Videos, I've checked out some amazing videos already.

I love this color yarns its a soft putty color, even though the photo appears more off white then what it really is.






After I came across this photo in one of my favorite shelter magazines, I kicked my learning how to knit into high gear. My living room needs a knitted pouf! I've seen a similar knitted pouf from CB2 which I love but its the wrong color. I started searching for knitted pouf instructions and came a across one! I'm so making this. I've even spied some amazing yarn that will be perfect for a pouf.

The diy version looks the same as the store bought version above


Hopefully next knitting updated I'll be finishing up my throw and getting reading to knit my pouf. I'm in love with the pouf, could you see a knitted pouf in one of your rooms in your home?

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