Faux Silver Autumn Chalkboard Tray

Happy Monday, all! This weekend I was flipping through the latest Country Living magazine and came across this gorgeous chalkboard tray, perfect for fall decorating:

Photo Credit: Country Living

I fell in love with it and had to make it right that minute! I have several vintage silver trays, but none I really wanted to sacrifice for a craft project. What I did have was a shiny silver tray from The Dollar Tree that, with a bit of ink and paint, could easily pass for an old heirloom.

Here's how it came together:

Begin by taping off the outer edge of the tray with painter's tape. If there are a few edges that don't get completely covered, that's fine. A little bit of overspray will add to the vintage look of the tray.

Next, paint the inside of the tray with Krylon chalkboard paint. Several light coats are best. Remove tape and let dry completely.

Mask off the painted area of the tray with sticky notes. Apply Latte and Slate alcohol inks to an applicator and apply to the edges of the tray to give it an antique, tarnished look.

When the ink is dry, apply Black Soot Distress Paint to the entire inked area. Let it sit for a moment and then wipe off. Now your shiny metal tray looks like you unearthed it from an antique store or flea market!

Finally, remove the sticky notes and stamp the tray using Tim Holtz's Thankful text stamp and ColorBox Alabaster Chalk ink. Let the ink dry a bit and then smudge lightly with a cotton swab to give it a handwritten chalk look. Use a heat gun to set the ink.

I am so in love with how this turned out! I punched a couple holes with a nail and tied on some jute twine for a hanger. To decorate the tray, I used the Tattered Leaf garland I made a couple years ago. I'm amazed at how vibrant the leaves still are after two years. And how cool is that tarnished silver look? I'm already planning one for Christmas! I'm also thrilled with how text image looks stamped with chalk ink. For anyone like me who is handwriting-impaired, this is a lifesaver. :)

The supplies I used can be found at Inspiration Emporium and Amazon via the links below. Don't forget to use my coupon code - stamptramp - at IE to save 10% on your order.

Thankful Silhouettes Sizzix Tattered Leaves Die Sizzix Textured Leaves Texture Fades Barn Door Distress Stain Fired Brick Distress Stain Peeled Paint Distress Stain Wild Honey Distress Stain Spiced Marmalade Distress Stain Latte Alcohol Ink Slate Alcohol Ink Alcohold Ink Applicator Felt Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool Distress Paint - Black Soot Krylon I00807 Chalkboard Aerosol Spray Paint, 12-Ounce, Black ColorBox Full Size Chalk Pastels, Alabaster

InLinkz.com

Thanks so much for stopping by today - have a wonderful week!