Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Dollar Tree Fun

I like to occasionally check our local Dollar Trees for something I can transform to fabulosity. Most of the time I don't find anything, but this week I hit the jackpot. These silver trays come in assorted shapes. Not pictured is an oval scallopy (I know, not a word) one that I got too excited about and painted before taking a picture.
The rectangular tray went to my bathroom for a catch-all. We don't have drawers in our bathroom, so there are a few things I have to keep on the counter. I do not like it, I would rather the counters be empty except for a few decorations, but this is a nice alternative. The trays will rust (they are not real silver you know) so I keep an old rag hidden under this one.

The round tray went on a shelf in our entry. Tray chic (he, he).




Finally, I primed the oval tray with spray primer. I then painted it off-white with craft paint. I used a paint marker to write "PRIVATE" and then lightly brushed black craft paint on the raised edges. I used my usual method with dressmakers paper to paint the word on. I used the sign for our bedroom door. I was going to use a plate hanger to hang it, but I decided I didn't want a hole in the door. So I went with sticky tack. It is holding surprisingly well.
The new sign has really kept the kids out, well not really but isn't it cute?

Also, this week I found this metal tray type thing at a junk store for $.50. It was already painted blue and red. My good friend Melissa wanted a sign for her bedroom that said "honeymoon suite". This was perfect.


Using the same technique as the "private" sign, I created her sign. She hasn't seen it yet but I think she will like it.







A little bonus: a stool makeover. Those of you that are my Facebook friends have already seen this. I found this stool at the same junk store. It cost more but is so worth it. I just painted the legs, ripped off the old material, and stapled on the new. The whole thing took about an hour. It now sits next to our front door next to our shoe box. Thanks for stopping by.


BEFORE:



AFTER:

8 comments:

Kimmy said...

Those are all so cute!!! I LOVE your stool makeover, so gorgeous!

Ruth said...

They are all gorgeous. What a great find and great transformations. I love the private and honeymoon suite signs.
The stool is fabulous, too.

Ruth

Carolyn said...

That stool is adorable!

Anonymous said...

Love the pretty toile you used on the bench!

Shanty 2 Chic said...

I love your painted trays and that great little stool... too cute!
~Whitney

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

everything looks great!
love the signs!
gail

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

what is your dressmaker paper technique? :)
gail

FineArtPainting said...

It is amazing what you can achieve with a bit of pretty fabric. I love your new stool. Can I come sit on it... it is adorable.

I used to have some wrapping paper of the exact same design, and after we used it for wrapping, I used to to create a desk calendar... I think it was for the March page.. can't remember but it's on the blog,
http://www.FineCraftGuild.com

Rose

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