I loved how the first monogrammed tray I did turned out. Lindsay loved getting it for her birthday, and it is beautiful in her home. In fact, I loved it so much that I made another one for a friend who is getting married in October and I have one for myself in the works.
This one is Ashley’s that I gave her at her bridal tea a couple months ago. I did it a little differently than the last one I did.
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With the last one, I used leftover trim to make the bottom. For Ashley’s, we didn’t have enough trim for the bottom and sides, so I bought a piece of MDF at Lowe’s. Grunt Labor had it cut to size and put together before I could snap a shot of the materials. Here is what it looked like together.
Pretty basic. He just cut the MDF into rectangles and cut the trim to fit around it. He used a finish nailer and wood glue to hold it all together. I primed it with gray spray paint primer and mixed up some chalk paint with some white and dark blue paint samples I had to get the light blue color.
From looking at the comments on some pins from my last DIY monogram tray, I think there were some questions about how I did the monogram without a Silhouette or painting it. It was really simple. All I did was create the monogram in word. I used the free Cursif font I found here. I just typed in the letters and made the “H” bigger than the other two initials.I printed out the monogram on regular printer paper then I cut out the letters and taped them to some textured scrapbook paper.
I cut them out with a pair of scissors and an X-Acto knife for the really tight spaces.
Next, I just laid the letters on the tray, centered them, and used Mod-Podge to adhere them. I finished the whole thing off with a gloss topcoat.
I bought the handles at Hobby Lobby. They were originally rust brown. I sprayed them with gloss white.
The tray seemed to be a huge hit. The bride loved it (or at least put on a really good show acting like she did! haha, I’m kidding, Ashley!) and everyone at the tea gave it wonderful compliments, which made me feel pretty great! Oh and fun fact: The bride’s name is Ashley. Guess what the groom’s name is?! Ashley, too! Isn’t that fantastic!? I can’t wait to see how they screw with people’s minds on that one!
What do you think? Done any tray projects lately?
Looking for more tray ideas? Check these out:
DIY Bathtub Tray – make this bathtub tray to hold your wine glass and your favorite book while you’re soaking in the tub!
DIY Lucite Trays – so darn simple, you won’t believe it!
Target Dollar Spot Tray Hack – keep this hack in mind for any cheap trays you find!
Goodwill Glass Vanity Tray Makeover – you won’t pass up a tray like this again!
You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.
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Very nice! I would love one of these. We have been using the same trays for years, and could use new ones … or at least update them!
Thanks, Lauren! It was simple to make! I did one for myself as well since I loved it so much!
Jenna, this is a great gift! I love the paper idea, I really thought it was paint at first glance. The textured paper really adds that extra something! I bet Ashley and Ashley will love it for years to come!
I hope so, Kim! I think they both liked it really well! I love using the paper as well! It gives it some extra texture without getting in the way!
Oh thank you for explaining about the monogram, how you made it. It is very striking looking, sharp. I can maybe do that. I love that tray so much. So glad you shared your tray with all of us. I love your blog and enjoy your posts so much. Hope you’re having a great summer.
I did a tray from a project sheet I found at Michaels. It was using burlap with black fleur-de-lis on it. They glued it on a picture frame but I used a tray. I fixed the burlap on a piece of cardboard so if I want to take the burlap out I can. I have a problem with commitment I guess. The burlap fleurdelis at Micheals was a bit more expensive so I bought same at HobbyLobby using a coupon, only bought 1/2 yd which left me with enough to make something else. Was thinking of putting it in a frame and putting a paper mache fleur de lis on it. It’s painted silver. Might repaint it bronze or gold to show up on burlap.
Oh, you are so sweet, Jane! I’m glad the post was helpful! So happy to have you following along with me!
Good job girl 🙂
Jamie
This is wonderful, Jenna! Thank you for explaining the monogram! I’ve been wanting to create something like this but don’t have a silhouette machine! I can do this! Great job!~~Angela
Yep, Angela, you can do it! Its so easy!
What a fun and creative gift. This looks easy enough to recreate… I’ve been searching for ideas for the try in my bathroom. Hugs, Holly @ coconutheadsurvivalguide
It was easy, Holly! And, yep, it makes the perfect gift!
This is the perfect gift for a bridal shower! I would have LOVED to get this when I got married. It’s also nice to see that it’s possible to do a project like this without a Silhouette. Thanks so much for linking up to Frugal Crafty Home! We love seeing your posts on our hop!
Thanks, Carrie! Yep, I don’t have a silhouette, so I have to get creative!
Soooo cute! I admire your patience (and steady hand) to cut out the letters!
Christy @ Creating a Beautiful Life
Thanks! The letters weren’t that hard – just time consuming!
So pretty! Mod podging the letters is a great idea. Love it!
Thanks! The mod podge worked really well!
I am lucky, Megin! Thanks so much!
This is a beautiful tray. You did a great job on the tray.
Have a great day,
Ellya
Thanks so much!
I love this idea! I Discovery doing a nest painting job is not as easy as I thought. However, using spray like you did, I might be able to pull this off as well. Thans for sharing!
You can pull it off – its easy!! Thanks for your comment!
Thanks so much for the feature, Amy!
Absolutely gorgeous! I love the blue and white together and excellent job on the monogram. Thanks for sharing at All Things Pretty!