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April 1, 2011

Fabric + Cookie Sheets= Fab Trays!

I have had this little project on my to do list for months now. I saw a photo on another blog (that sadly does not exist anymore) and a video tute is actually on Martha.  I just never got around to it but once I did, I seriously wondered at my crafty prowess.  This particular DIY was a bit tricky.
I actually bought my cookie sheets from the dollar tree (the mini 13 x 9 ones).
I was not sure what fabric I was going to use but I went with the green.
I laid out a rough amount of fabric that I knew could cover around the front, edges, nooks and crannies (that nearly drove me loony), and the back. After doing it, I realized I should have been more precise with my cutting to make it look neater on the bottom of the cookie sheet. 
To adhere the fabric, I used spray adhesive.  
My word, this sticky stuff is really hard for me to work with.  
 But it's very forgiving on fabric so you can pull it up if it starts to bunch.  
I just sprayed the middle and up the edges first...
...and laid my fabric and started working it into the corners.  
Warning: This is not as easy as it seems.
See the bunching here in the corner?  This happens a lot and I had to keep lifting it up and redoing it.
Once I was totally exasperated happy with my corners, I flipped it over and began going over the edges starting with the longer sides first.
There are a lot of rolled edges so it was hard to tuck the fabric in there.  I would use a sturdy, plastic knife to kind of tuck it in there.  While you are at it, use a dough scraper or credit card to get out all the bubbles on the flat parts.
Now here is the part that made me almost not post this tray tute but I figured we all are not perfect, sometimes we need to hide our oopses and enjoy the process.  
So I posted to tell you what NOT to do.  
At my expense.
Your welcome. :)

You are supposed to fold the edges in like a present. As you can see at the top I did not do that. Not enough fabric.  But on the other side, I had too much!  Will I ever learn to take my time? Probably not

Weellllllll...I folded it in too much so it got all crazy looking. My advice? I would actually try NOT to make such a severe fold, and factor this in when you initially cut the fabric. I wing it too much.
I did cut off the excess but ended up exposing some of the tray on the bottom which just plain irked me.
The last step is to adhere felt to the back to give it a nice clean finish. I used a 8 x 11 piece of craft felt and cut it to size...the wrong size. You like how I stretched it a bit on one corner?
Sheesh.  Now I really am regretting this post even as I type.  But I will probably still post it because hey...I am not perfect and hopefully you will still love me. 
Even if my crafty endeavors sorta, kinda...don't work out like I hope.
Ahhh...yet when you flip it over...no one sees the crafty woopsie and it still serves it's adorable purpose.
I think it is really pretty and I want to make a ton of these! 

I think they are great for a coffee table or a sturdy surface on my ottoman.  

How about for a great Spring tablescape?  

I love the idea (since they are small) to use them at each place setting for a dinner party.

What could you see them used for?  
I would love to hear your ideas!
Hugs to all you super creative and lovely friends!

linking to:
Tip Junkie handmade projects



29 comments:

  1. I love it! I think it looks great despite all of the supposed flaws!

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  2. I love it!!! As soon as I saw what you were doing, I thought, how did she get the fabric straight in all those corners. We have just recovered our dining table chairs....ummmmm...not really true. We recovered one chair, fought with the corners, realized it was not the easy project we expected, and have been meaning to recover the other 3 chairs for the last 3 weeks! So, I digress. But I love the idea of these as place settings! Is there any way they could be cleanable or more wipe-offable? I would be so sad if they got dirty after the effort that I know go into these, and I am NOT any kind of close to the crafty genius you are. I actually bought colored wooden dowels, balls, and cubes at the $1 section in Staples because I thought one day Jessica will have the best craft for these, and I will have bought them cheap :) So, thank you, bloggy friend, for going to Staples with me in my heart :)

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  3. Oh, I totally forgot to mention that part! The video tute talks about putting plexiglass in there or even getting glass cut to size. Maybe even using a thin sheet of plastic. Another option is using laminated fabric for this project so that you can just wipe it clean! Amy Butlers are just fabulous. Check some out here http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/fabrics_love_laminated1.php.
    I hope this helps!

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  4. So cute!!! I think I am going to have to make one. And, I'll probably end up winging it too!! Thats how I roll! :)

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  5. Oh My Goodness. At first I looked at it and thought, "Oh, I could totally do that." Then I kept reading. If you had some struggles... I would DEFINITELY have many struggles.
    What a great idea to get the trays from the dollar store!

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  6. I LOVE this Jessica! I am TOTALLY doing this. Pretty easy too. :)I love all your crafts

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  7. This is one of my favorite color combinations. Thank you for your nice comment on my blog too!

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  8. Love this! Thanks for sharing!!
    Desi

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  9. I love it! I'm going to have to visit the dollar store I think... and then make a bajillion or two.

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  10. Very cute, Jess! I was thinking laminated fabric would be the way to go on these too if you were ever going to put something on it that had any chance of getting the fabric wet or dirty. Heather Bailey has some lovely laminated fabrics as well. :)

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  11. Hello,

    I just found your blog and I really really like it. So many wonderful ideas - you are so creative! Your blog is so inspiring!

    The idea of the fab tray is great, I could even think of hanging it up as some kind of picture frame.

    eva

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  12. did you get my email? when i sent it yahoo made me do a word verification on it so i dont know if it went to your spam box! :/

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  13. Hi Jess! I LOVED talking to you!!! You really just feel like a friend I have had forever! I now you will be :)

    Cute color! & I love those dishes you set on there too! I think that looks like such a fun project! I REALLY think it would be fun for the family to bring me breakfast in bed on one of these...I wouldn't even spill on it!

    I didn't even know you could get those pans at the dollar store! I need to take a trip there soon!

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  14. I love the color combo, too. And as always happens when I read about your craftiness, I get inspired... for YOU to make one for me. Do you think I'll ever be inspired to DIY? Not when I have crafty friends, I guess. So, I guess I'm asking the question... when etsy so I can buy one??? Love ya!

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  15. Ok, just like another poster said, my first thought was, "I can like totally do this one". Then as I read I realized that "oh, no, probably not". It just doesn't seem like it's that hard to do initially. Love the final outcome!!

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  16. Great idea! I had never heard of it before... for an extra idea, I would hotglue magnets to vintage buttons and use those cute trays as picture "frames"

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  17. What a cute idea! I may have to try it...

    http://confessionsofawichitamom.blogspot.com/
    http://andis-attic.blogspot.com/

    Hope you have a sec to stop by!

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  18. I really like this and I see so many uses for this. Magnetic holder for artwork just by adding some decorative magnets to it. Serving trays of course and just pretty for hanging or layering with it if you use silouettes on it or monograms.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Marianne @ piecesofmymind-marianne.blogspot.com

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  19. Such a brilliant idea! I'm left thinking...why didn't I think of that?! Thanks for leaving me inspired.

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  20. I am so going to steal this idea!!!! I have the perfect fabric for my room, and doing this would add so much. Thank you for posting directions. Visiting from Show and Tell at Blue Cricket.
    ~Kimberlee
    {$15 Amazon GC Giveaway} 

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  21. Cute! I like the fabric choices. =)

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  22. I love the project. Thanks for your total honesty. I think I will try this one. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to come and check out my blog and follow me back at www.diybydesign.blogspot.com. Thanks so much.

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  23. I found you at tt&j (we are next to each other), and LOVE YOUR BLOG! I love the wreath you linked, but I am crazy about this tray! I want to make a few. Maybe it will be my project this week! Thanks for the inspiration! I am your newest follower :)

    <3

    Risa

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  24. What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing! The fabric is soo cute - I'm lovin' it! :) I can't wait to have my own house so I can start making things for it, haha. Hope you're having a great week!

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  25. I wonder if I could just paint clear finish over the fabric to make it washable?

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  26. These will be great for pool parties. Too many people too little table seating when we eat. They'll make great tray/plates! Can't wait to use up some spare fabric this way! Thanks for the tip!
    Erika

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  27. So pretty! Love your honesty re: the difficulty of the project too :)

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  28. wonder if Modge Podge would work to make them wipeable....?

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  29. Just made these using elmer's glue and hot glue gun. It was tricky- took about 2 hours and my corners and edges sucked, but very cute. Great use of scrap fabric and my old cookie sheets that had gone rusty.

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