Decoupage Tray

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Over the last couple of weeks I have been working on some spring and Easter themed crafts and one of the projects I had planned was an Easter project that used napkins to make a decoupage project. While I was pulling out supplies for that project I remembered I had some wood trays that I thought would be perfect for another decoupage project, so I went ahead and made that too. 

I got 3 pack of these scalloped wood trays a few years ago from Oriental Trading Company. I don't think they still have them available there, but I have seen similar trays at craft stores and online. Or you can easily find a straight edge tray too. 

I wanted to use napkins for my decoupage and I found some that are a toile type print online that I thought would be perfect for this project. There were a few color options but I decided to go with the green. I picked a green paint that matched the green in the napkins. I also painted the bottom white before adding the napkins, just to be sure the white background stayed white once applied to the tray. 

It was a really simple project to make, that really didn't take long at all except for the drying times between the paint and Mod Podge. You can use it in any decorative way, as a centerpiece on a table with a few seasonal items placed on the tray, or use it as a pretty place to store stuff. However you choose to use it it is a fun way to upgrade an unfinished wood tray into something prettier. 

How to Make a Decoupage Tray

You will need:

• unfinished wood tray
• napkin with desired print
• Mod Podge
• acrylic paint in desired color (I used Folkart acrylic in Wicker White and Mossy Meadow)
• paintbrushes

Instructions:

Begin by prepping the tray. Sand if needed, then paint the bottom of the tray in white as a base for the decoupage, and the sides in coordinating color. 

Peel the two plys of the napkin apart so you only have the thin printed piece. 

Cut the napkin to fit in the bottom of the tray (you can cut it just slightly larger to make up for any wrinkles you may have when applying to the Mod Podge, excess can be trimmed or pushed down with the Mod Podge).  

Paint a layer of Mod Podge on the bottom of the tray. Carefully place the napkin on the Mod Podge and press down to stick. Let dry.

Paint a layer of Mod Podge over the napkin to coat. Let dry.