A shabby cottage tray project

In a book about cottages that my friend Lorrie sent me recently I saw a beautiful tray made with an old picture frame and vintage hankies. I couldn't wait to make one of my own!

I found this picture frame at the thrift store for just $4.99 and knew it would be perfect!

Then I went to the hardware store and bought some wooden knobs to use as feet. I glued them to the bottom corners of the frame and then painted it all white.

After I sprayed it and let it dry I used some Rub n Buff in Spanish Copper to give it a shabby look. Sorry, I forgot to take photos of that step. Rub n Buff can be found in the paint section of most hobby stores and some hardware stores. You just put a little on the tip of your finger and rub it over in small areas. You can see the Rub n Buff in the photo below. The Spanish Copper color is my favorite to use. I love the distressed look it gives. You could also sand it but I think this looks better.

Then I arranged the linens I was going to use on top of the cardboard backing that came with the frame. I used some vintage napkins and a vintage hankie.

Then you carefully put the glass over the linens and drop it back into the frame.

That's it! Now you have a cute shabby chic tray that you can use in just about any room in your home! The total cost was less than $10.00 since I already had the linens.

Instead of vintage linens you could also use fabric, scrapbook paper, old postcards, wallpaper, ribbon, old photos, dried flowers...the possibilities are endless! Now I want to make more!