Gift Wrap Tray

Last updated on March 6th, 2016 at 12:39 am

Decoupaged Gift Wrap Tray with Distressed Paint Finish

There are so many pretty gift wrap papers around these days that you are sure to find one that is perfect to make this decoupaged gift wrap tray.

This project also provides a great opportunity to recycle a nice gift wrap that you may have received as part of a gift, or to use up the end of a gift wrap roll.

This particular craft features a distressed painted finish; simple to do and highly effective when you choose colors to complement your choice of gift wrap.

What You Will Need:

• Wood tray (any size)
• Lime Green paint (or your choice of base color)
• Vanilla White paint (or your choice of top color)
• Sandpaper (fine grit)
• Varnish or Paste Wax (See Helpful Hints)
• Gift Wrap
• All purpose craft glue (clear dry)

Project Instructions:

Begin by sanding the tray and removing all dust particles. Paint the entire tray with lime green paint, or your choice of base color. Let the paint dry, then paint the entire tray again with two to three coats of vanilla white paint. Make sure the top coat completely covers the base coat color.

When the painted tray is dry, gently sand areas where normal wear would occur (typically the handles, corners and edges), allowing some of the base color and the natural wood colours to show through. Remove all the sanding dust.

Place the painted tray over your gift wrap sheet and trace around bottom of tray on the paper. Carefully tear your paper all around the inside edge, about one inch inside of the traced line. Don’t tear a straight line. If you leave the edges ragged and random it will create a nicer effect. Apply glue to the back of your paper, being sure to cover the entire sheet.

Place the glued gift wrap in the bottom of your tray. Pour glue over the top of your paper and gently spread the glue across the entire bottom of the tray, at the same time, gently pressing with your fingers to remove any bubbles trapped under the paper. With a foam brush or paint brush, spread glue evenly over the bottom of your tray, removing any excess glue. Allow the glued area to dry completely.

To finish your decoupaged gift wrap tray, apply two or three coats of varnish over the entire tray, allowing each coat to dry and gently sanding between each coat.

Helpful Hints:

For a more severe distressed look, apply a coat of paste wax after the base paint, then apply the top coats of paint. This causes the second layer of paint to adhere less securely, therefore allowing you to sand off more of the top coat paint. Use this method only if you desire a dramatic distressed look rather than a time worn appearance.

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