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!
81 comments:
Hi Cindy,
Your tray project turned out just beautiful and it'a good solution for smaller things we have that we're not sure just how to display. I think I have a boxful!! It distresses me that some (of younger ages than you and I, don't have quite the appreciation for these pieces. The artists who made them are long gone and it is truly becoming a lost art. Have a great day, I always enjoy your blog! Linda
What a wonderful idea ~ I love it!
Great idea, I love it!
Ciao, Helena
I love this project! Thanks for sharing how you did; I hope to make one for my house. I so enjoy your blog regularly.
Very darling idea and one i will put into place this weekend! Just one thought, Instead of the cardboard backing directly on the hankies (not good for long periods of time because of the acidity of the cardboard), cover the backing with some archival paper (think scrapbooking) and you'll be safe. One more thought, resist the urge to leave the tray in the sun.. the glass will magnify the harmful UV rays that will make fabrics fall apart. --- a fabric- aholic :)
LOVE IT...I'm so going to make one! Thanks for the idea!
~Cheryl
Hi Cindy! I love it! Ok, now i'm gonna have to make one too.
Blessings,
Sandra
Cindy I am definitely going to try this....thanks for sharing. I can't remember but have you ever made over a chandelier? I picked one up this morning at goodwill, its brass. I am going to spraypaint it and maybe turn it into a candle chandelier? I'm not if it works or not so that is why I am going to use candles instead.
You always come up with the best projects. I love the color choice too.
What a fabulous idea! I have been looking for trays in my rummaging forays and so far have not found any that really grabbed my attention. A few months ago my mother gave me some picture frames of various sizes and styles and I put them aside as I was not sure what I would do with them. Now I do. You always have the greatest ideas and are very generous to share them with the rest of us.
Thanks also to Marlis for the extra tips.
Tracy
Wonderful idea!
Wendy
You are so talented! This turned out great! I love the idea of the wooden feet! I'm going to going out today to get me some of that Rub & Buff in Spanish Copper for a picture frame I'm turning into a chalkboard! Patti
Oh that is so sweet! I really like this idea.
~ Sarah
That is a gorgeous tray and a wonderfully creative idea! You are just so smart! Hugs, ~cindy s~
I lOve this idea and it turned out so pretty!
Love it! I need to make one for my coffee table! Love the feet!
Lou Cinda :)
Great idea and thanks for the directions. I'd like to make one with pictures, postcards, tickets and so on saved from a vacation trip.
Hi Cindy, what a lovely way to display beautiful vintage hankies and napkins and other treasurers, and functional too. Love this fabulous project!
Tina
Cindy,
The tray is beautiful, what a great way to display some of your vintage linen collection. I think if you made these for sale you would have a definite hit on your hands!
Lorrie
That is totally awesome. I have some vintage postcards that would look great in that tray.
How pretty. Great way to display old linens.
Glenda
gorgeous!!!!!!!
I love this project! Keep them coming! i will be back!
Tea-rific Post, thank you for sharing the great photo and how to!
I'm off to gather the parts and pieces!
Wow! Love it, Love it, Love it!! I think that is one great idea! Like you said, the possibilities are endless!
~Patti
That is amazingly beautiful!!
Oh Cindy, you have given me a great idea. When I was little I was quite a "daddy's" girl and would only use a hankie NOT a kleenex. So I still have my hankie that I carried, I've always wondered what I should do with it, and never could figure it out. NOW I know! Thanks so much for the idea!
This is a fantastic project. I love how you could seasonally update it by just switching linens.
Delightful accessory to any coffee table! I like the use of linens, hankies, etc., the way they can be interchanged on a whim, and love the finished look after using Rub N Buff. I know you'll enjoy this tray very much, not only because it's beautiful, but because you made it yourself!
Oh Cindy,
This project sure got me excited! You make it look so easy I must give it a try! Your cottage tray turned out beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing so many wonderful projects with us! Now to look for the perfect frame and linens!
Hugs,
Maryjane
Love this tray!!! I'll make it after I finish your shell wreath:-)
I love this project. I love old linens. What a great combinations.
Debra
Another fun and easy project I can't wait to do!
Cheers! Rita
Just adorable Cindy!
Simply Beautiful as always! Tahnk You for sharing! Have a great week. Love the blue linens! I found some of those starfish that I loved & asked you about while in California. I bought so many cool mermaid things & shells while there.
Cindy,
This is so lovely. I love the way you put the "feet" on. You have such talent. Thank you for your beautiful blog and all the great ideas. Lynn
very cute what a good idea!
This is awesome, my best friends birthday is this weekend and I am soooo making her one of these. thank you for the GREAT inspiration. I LOVE your blog!!!
kelly~
Cindy, how pretty! Do you EVER
sleep??? I need to know what
kind of vitamins you take! LOL
The only Rub n Buff I can find
is gold or silver. Not pretty!
Where do you find yours?
Becky
Hi Cindy, Your tray is way cute. Thanks again for hosting the giveaway party. It was so much fun!
Liz
can do this :-) Not sure 'bout the paint job but yes, liking the idea :-) Thanks!
What a great project! Nice job distressing the frame and I love your selection of hankies, so crisp and clean. Perfect for Summer.
Cindy what a great idea and that linen piece is just perfect for your tray! I have a ton of old frames- will have to try my hand at making one!
My sister probably wishes I had one of these- she was trying to find a tray around my house when she was here this weekend to help me during my recooping time!
blessings
mary
Love the tray! Now I have another idea added to the rest. I just was looking at some gorgeous hankies that I have..so the ideas are turning.Rub n buff...I have been using my acrylic paint in dark brown with a little water to thin it. With my finger..haha..so I should look for this other. Thanks for sharing. Gosh I like your white and pale blue decor. I have all white in my guest bathroom..I have pale blue towels..with a few roses and the old picture The Six Senses. I love that..it is shabby with water marks. Gosh can I ramble. XO's Sally
That is a beautiful way to use vintage hankies. I've also seen where they put pretty cabinet handles on each end.
~elaine~
Oh, I love this project. I have a lace hankerchief from my mother's wedding. It would be perfect for this project.
Yours turned out beautiful by the way. Thank you for such a nice tutorial!
I just LOVE your blog!!! I could spend all day just reading it and watchting these amazing pictures.
Hi Cindy: Love the tray. I going to try to make one of my own. I think I know just the frame to use. Great idea, thank you. Martha
Cindy this is truly beautiful! I must give it a try..my budget is low these days so this totally works! and its fun to make too!
I LOVE that idea!!! I have a hanky, just one, that I'd love to do that to.
I still think the entire concept of hankies is weird..
My dad had huge ones and actually blew his nose into them. Yuck.
I am amazed at how that Rub and Buff worked. I have never used it before and will have to give it a try. Your tray turned out wonderful.
Becky
OOOOOOOO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS PROJECT !
I'm going to give it a whirl with hankies from my grandmother that have been sitting in my curio.
I am soooo excited I read this post today! I know exactly where to use this project AND the rub n buff idea. Thank you ~ thank you very much!
Great idea and easy too.
A friend has a tray I always admired that is similar. Hers has a piece of linen and has bead embroidery. She bought hers pre-made, but you could duplicate it.
Old tea towels would be great for a kitchen. I'd like a piece of crewel embroidery - wish I'd saved some that I did back in the 70's!
But for now, I may copy you and use hankies. I have summery ones and fall...you could even do seasonal. The possibilites are endless!
Connie
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing your inspiration! :-)
I absolutely adore your tray...it's beautiful! I love the effect that the spanish copper rub and buff gives to the tray. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful idea!
I hope you have a great day!
Big Hugs,
Queenie~
I love this idea!!! It would be so easy to change for each season to:)
Beautiful!
I was mad for a ....
Congratulations!
Kisses
Andréa
Good morning Cindy,
Beautiful post. What an absolutely perfect idea...I have some beautiful vintage hankies I was not sure how to display and here you have given me great inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
~Ana♥
I was in Home Goods and saw a box similiar to that, on a clearance shelf. I had it in my cart then put it back cause I didn't know just what to do with it. I think I will go back and get it today. You just gave me some ideas.
Hi Cindy!
I think trays are my all-time favorite decorating item. A great start to the perfect vignette. I've used old frames lots of times too. And, you're right....the possibilities are endless....yours is just adorable. You've inspired me to do my room pale blue next time around.
Blessings,
Spencer
Cindy, now if any of your friends need any lace, send them my way. http://www.teatimeconsultants.blogspot.com
All USA made lace.
Looks beautiful. I've been meaning to make one of these for a while. Can you tell me the size of the frame you used? Also, I saw this somewhere else where they added door hardware for the handles. Makes it easier to pick up! ;-)
(And I'm sorry people were so mean in the giveaway post. The teapot is a beautiful giveaway and while the ads are distracting, you gotta do what you gotta do. I certainly will be back. I like your blog ads or not!)
Oh what a great idea! I'm going to make one of those as I already have everything needed. Going to make the shell wreath too.
Thanks for all the great ideas and inspiration!
What a great idea. I am definitely going to make one. I want to compliment you on your photos. I had written to you asking what kind of camera you use and you were kind enough to respond. But it is also the staging of the picture. Very creative. Thank you for another great idea.
I've just got to do this one! Thanks!
Cindy, your tray turned out beautifully! What a fun idea.
I'm sorry someone was rude to you! Darn 'em!
Couldn't be more timely. My grandmother just gave me great-grandma roe's hankies. Thanks
I love this! I have some antique ladies handkerchiefs that will be stunning done up this way. Hmmm, now I need a frame. Thanks for this great idea Cindy! :)
Your picture frame tray is very clever and pretty! Think of all the different options you could create!
Wonderful tray project.. love the vintage hankies underneath displayed bur preserved..hugs ~lynne~
Hi Cindy
A faboulous idea. I am going to go out the the thrift shops and try and find some frames. I went to Michaels before and they don't seem to carry Rubb & Buff. Maybe i will ask. Thanks for sharing another great project.
Dianne
Oh Cindy~Love the tray~beautiful, how creative you are!!
Have a beautiful weekend~ leaving here so inspired!! :)
Cat
I just LOVE this! I want to do this for my mom for her birthday!
Thanks for the idea! karen.....
Hi Cindy,
Your tray project is awesome, thanks for sharing.. i just love that starfish.
This is a fabulous project. I love repurposing & recreating items for the home. Thank you for sharing your creation - it's inspired me to try it out too.
Your creation looks gorgeous.
ciao for now,
Elena :)
Your tray turned out gorgeously chic!
First time visit, over from Restyled Home. A great idea-thanks for sharing.
Tremendous! It is so delightful that I want to do it today.
I love the idea of using the handles as feet. I just did a makeover on a tv stand and have 3 knobs that I almost threw in the trash... so glad I didn't. Oh no!!! Now I'm really going to hold on to everything!! :)
Beautiful!
Happy day!
Christina
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