Serving It Up…

Going to estate and garage sales, and also at the GW, I see alot of pretty and/or useful trays. There are so many uses for them that I decided to look into different ideas for how to repurpose or upcycle them, and also how to make my own with objects I like.

I figure I should see if I should take advantage of all of those great deals I find.

And I found alot of inspiration!

You know I like this idea, using chalkboard paint! I am thinking you could also use magnetic paint on a tray and make it into a reminder board. Or use a metal tray as one w/o having to paint it.

Urban Cottage Studio

Using as a bird feeder – great idea!

You can choose your materials depending on your individual tastes too.

Transient Treasures

Repurposed as a jewelry holder/wall decoration

Shabby Vintage Mom

Upcycling a TV tray into a small, foldable, portable ironing board.

I’m totally going to do this!

Oh Fransson

Using an old cabinet door as a serving tray. I’d like to do this with a very old cabinet door. But I wouldn’t want to paint or decorate it.

I’d just want it to look old and chipped.

Hippy Shopper

Repurposed ORANGE PEELS!!!

Urbanecologie

How to make a darling serving tray using an old picture frame

Apartment Therapy (with tutorial)

This person gave new life to a rusty old tray by using spray paint and a rub-on decal. (see before and after pics there)

Valet Tray made from an old record album!

Brinda Kay Design

There are lots of things you can do to make your own tray (use an old cookie sheet or?) or to give a new life to a tired tray, or one you don’t really like. I found lots more all around the web. People are so creative!

I have several trays around my house for various things. When I see a tray, I am also reminded how I should serve others. I need lots of reminders!

I use this one for my Quiet Time items so I can easily have my QT anywhere I want to.

It also helps when my coffee sloshes, so my books and tablecloth don’t get spilled on.

I use this lap tray for my laptop, for writing notes,

or for soup when someone is sick.

Don’t you love the little clips on the sides for holding your paper down?

I have no clue as to why it folds upward like this.

This old mirrored tray is on my dresser and holds a grouping of items

I enjoy or that mean something special to me.

(The lil item in the reflection means quite a bit to me too! Yes, he’s napping.

When else could I blog?!)

Trays come in so handy! What ideas do you have for trays?

What do you use them for?

Serving up some love to all of my bloggy friends,

on a super cute, whimsical tray!

Oh! I almost forgot to remind you to join me tomorrow for Soup's On Saturday! Bring your appetite for comfort food, and your favorite recipe using seasonal produce!

Basket Case

I see lots of stuff online I’d like to use to set up and organize the homeschool room. Boy howdy, is there alot of fun stuff out there! For us though, I just want a place for everything, everything in it’s place and still lots of uncluttered, open space.

I'm thinking baskets. Maybe some of these?

Fabric Basket Storage Ideas

Seat Sack is the name of the company. For around 10 bucks already made, the main reason I can think of for making my own is because I could customize them to fit whatever chairs we finally end up with. Maybe I could repurpose some vintage fabric I saw at a Goodwill recently. There are lots of patterns for messenger bags on etsy.com that I might be able to use.

Hanging storage baskets Look at how adorable these are!

Super cute storage baskets I could use for my shelves.

Lovin this wall rack for canvas baskets. The company is no longer functioning, but I have an idea on how to make a version of this. Hmmm, we’ll see.

If I make any of the fabric ones, maybe I could buy some super cute fabric from my friend Jona at Fabritopia. If I make anything, especially if I fat chance actually SEW, I'll let you know.

If you are a basket case today, I hope it is this kind!

What is it?

Look what I found on the way home from our camping trip, in a little out-of-the-way town.

It is over 2 and 1/2 feet long and a foot wide. It sits up on little legs and has a stationary handle, which goes the length of the box. There is a divider in the middle of it, making it into two separate compartments.

If I had to guess, I’d say it is an old toolbox. But it’s been used for something else. I can tell because there are water rings inside of it.

I’m excited about using it. Can you guess where in my house I will use it, and for what? Because, yep, I got me some plans for it. But I am willing to be swayed. A little. Maybe.

Do you have any ideas on what it was originally made for, or your own suggestions on what to use it as?

Thanks again Goodwill. And thanks kids, for being patient when I have to stop at each and every one I see…