Old Metal Tray Transformed with Vintage Paper & Mod Podge

We're not sick of decoupaged trays yet I hope? Not after this new-mexico-converted-into-blue-&-gold-patterned-tray, or this old-girl-on-horse-turned-into-red-floral-tray? I hope not, because here comes Idaho-turned-into-red-vintage-stamps-tray! I just love these things - old metal trays are fun to go scouting for at thrift stores, they're quick to transform (because sometimes you want a project that's going to take an hour of your time and not two weeks!) and you have so many options available in terms of design.

Did I also mention that they make great gifts? This time it was my sister's turn to receive one, and for her I chose a vintage style paper featuring old stamps.

You know the drill: paint the sides (with awesome Martha Stewart all purpose paint) which this time took quite a few coats because the black and gold pattern was vagely visible even after the fourth (!) coat. 

Then cut the paper to size and glue it to the tray with mod podge.

And then give the whole thing a few coats of Mod Podge. I think I ended up with three or four - here my philosophy is really the more the better!

And there you have it: shiny, colorful, a bit retro, fun.

I think it turned out real cute. And I know it's already been used by my sister to carry stuff from the kitchen a few stairs down up to her room. And that's what these things are for: to carry, to group, to organize. I need to make a few more for me to have around, because I end up using them for grouping objects, and then I don't have any left when it comes to carrying my tea and cookies!