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A Thoughtful Place

A Thoughtful Place is a Tennessee based lifestyle blog about design, fashion, gatherings and the occasional from the heart post.

{DIY} Monogrammed Tray for $5.00

August 28, 2012 by Courtney 33 Comments

Thank you to everyone who took the time to post such a sweet comment yesterday or sent me an email. The support and friendship truly lifts us up. Today I am back to my DIY nuttiness. Fun and interchangeable trays are certainly not a novel idea, but I had to share the ones that I have been making lately. Mongrammed Tray A Thoughtful Place I stumbled upon cute wooden trays in the Target dollar section. Although these puppies are $2.50. Still quite the steal. I scooped up the lime green and black trays. I knew I could use any type of cute patterned scrapbook paper to instantly transform them. Mongrammed Tray A Thoughtful Place I hit up my local home improvement store to purchase a piece of acrylic. For less than $10, I bought one sheet and they kindly cut it into four pieces to fit my trays. These trays are roughly 10 x 8.Cuts are free, by the way. So ultimately, I made four trays for roughly $20. Not bad. I have a supply of scrapbook paper at home so it was just a matter of digging through what I already had. Mongrammed Tray A Thoughtful Place Lastly, I used Microsoft Publisher to create a monogram or initial for each tray. I created a text box to write the letters and then outlined the box with a coordinating color.  You can play around with fonts and colors to get the look you are going for. Once the file prints, just cut around each square and lightly adhere it to the larger piece of paper. When the acrylic is placed on top, it gives the illusion of being one piece of paper. Mongrammed Tray A Thoughtful Place It’s just too much fun playing with the different patterns of paper. This one is for my glasses and watch when I walk in the door. I am known to lose them pretty easily so a tray is perfect for me! Mongrammed Tray A Thoughtful Place My daughter now has a tray next to her bed. She likes to keep a bottle of water there at night. Mongrammed Tray A Thoughtful Place I made this one to keep in my closet for pretty trinkets and jewelry. I have made gifts using lucite trays and think that these wooden trays might make fun gifts as well. I think it would be nice to layer a few monogrammed papers under the acrylic so the recipient can swap out different colors and looks. Sure wouldn’t take much more work to do that. Mongrammed Tray A Thoughtful Place …………………….a tray for guests My in laws are here from Pennsylvania so this one was holding fresh flowers by their bedside. {Notice the floral decals my daughter insisted on putting on the wall! She is all about décor these days!}. Mongrammed Tray A Thoughtful Place Check out other tray ideas here:    Tray Transformations And these talented bloggers & tray projects:   Honey We’re Home on TV     House of Fifty      Two Twenty One enjoy your day Linking up to Home Stories A 2 Z

Filed Under: Do it yourself, five minute projects, gift ideas, Uncategorized, what a steal

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Comments

  1. Morgan S. says

    August 28, 2012 at 9:56 am

    I actually picked up one of these Target trays in pink a few months back. I taped off a design in the middle and used white spray paint, but the paint leaked into the tape edges, so it didn't turn out as I'd hoped. I think I will try this idea to remedy the situation! http://www.styleoyster.blogspot.com

    Reply
  2. Jennifer {The Chronicles of Home} says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:50 am

    How cute that your daughter is getting into decorating 🙂 The trays looks really, really pretty. Love the idea of using it on a bedside table!

    Reply
  3. 17 Perth says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    I have wanted the lucite trays for a while—but just can't talk myself into spending $50-$60. Haha. This version however is right up my ally! It would be perfect for my dresser or nightstand. Very cute.

    Reply
  4. LovePink says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    I did the same thing a few months ago when I found them. The $ section is my first spot to hit up when I walk in! I used mod podge though instead of acrylic over my scrap book paper. These would make great Christmas gifts too!!!

    Reply
  5. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    August 28, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    I love anything with a monogram! These would make the cutest gifts – I'll to file that idea away! – Emailing you – I'm coming out there next month!!

    Reply
  6. Amy @ 11Magnolialane says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    This is inspired! They look like they came from a high-end gift store. Heading to Target today to see if I can find those trays, what great gifts they would make. Thanks!

    Reply
  7. Meghan says

    August 28, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Love this! And this is the perfect idea for a gift!

    Reply
  8. pam {simple details} says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    I've never met a tray or monogram I didn't like, your are darling! 🙂 Thanks for the tip, I didn't know they would cut acrylic!

    Reply
  9. {Hi Sugarplum!} says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    So cute!! I love all of them! You have a nice selection of craft paper!

    Reply
  10. Jennifer (Moonpie Dreams) says

    August 28, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    These are gorgeous! I actually picked up one of these trays last week and plan on giving it an overhaul! Love this idea! But, I have to ask, where on Earth do you find those gorgeous papers? They are so pretty!! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Courtney {a thoughtful place} says

      August 28, 2012 at 8:30 pm

      Hi Jennifer! I get most of mine at a store called pages of tyme near me. It's not a chain but I also scoop some up at Hobby Lobby. They have the cute zebra ones!

      Reply
  11. Megan {Honey We're Home} says

    August 28, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    OMG- those are so cute!! I love how you monogrammed them! I'm gonna have to try it!

    Reply
  12. Lili says

    August 28, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    these I WANT to make!!!! great easy project!!!

    Reply
  13. Ali Richardson says

    August 28, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    These are beautiful!!! I always avoid the $2.50 items in the dollar bin (still holding a grudge from when they changed it from all $1 items I guess – haha!) but I will have to grab some of these trays!

    Reply
  14. Amanda says

    August 28, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    another reason why I wished i lived closer to you. You could teach me all your crafty tricks. I LOVE this tray!!!

    Reply
  15. Allison says

    August 28, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    These are wonderful! I'm with Amanda…I wish I lived closer to you, too! I would love to learn some crafts with you along with some of your amazing organization tips. Your daughter sounds adorable and definitely following in your footsteps. So so cute.

    Reply
  16. smart momma says

    August 28, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    wow! i love the green tray!! awesome!! for $2.50, after the monogram, that looks a lot more than $2.50!!

    huggies***
    smartmomma

    Reply
  17. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful} says

    August 28, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    These are so perfect and for $2.50, I'll splurge for the acrylic, too (c; So fun and functional, I feel like I need a whole mess of those cute lil' guys!

    Reply
  18. Lauren says

    August 28, 2012 at 10:16 pm

    I can't believe these are only $2.50! I'm definitely going to have to go to target this week to see if there are any near me. I really hope there are! I've been wanting trays for awhile now, but all the ones I see are so expensive. These are so cute. Such a great decorating idea – thanks! 🙂

    I'm also hosting a giveaway right now, if you want to check it out!

    Lauren
    http://laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  19. Motivated Mommy of two says

    August 28, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    I think I need to shop at your Target 🙂 I cannot seem to find cute stuff like that at my Target or maybe I go at the wrong time.
    They turned out really cute.

    Reply
  20. Michaela says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    I'm with the comment above me….seriously your Target rocks. Wowza…take me shopping there when I come visit?? hehe:) Adore these trays. Simple and quick way to add some color and pattern.

    Reply
  21. Holly says

    August 29, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Woohoo! You are on fi-ya! Love it.
    Holly
    McCallManor

    Reply
  22. Erin {Home Everyday} says

    August 29, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    This is adorable! I love trays. I think i may have a tray problem. They are so pretty and functional at our house. Looks like I'm hitting up Target!

    Reply
  23. buildingthisnest says

    August 29, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    What a great, thrifty project! They look fantastic, and I love how customizable they are. We're getting a couple of Target stores in my city next spring (I'm in Canada so we don't currently have one) and I am SO excited to be able to get some of the great stuff that I see other bloggers pick up from Target. I also love that these were only $5 each as opposed to $150+ retail!
    Steph 🙂

    Reply
  24. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    August 29, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    What a fantastic custom look! I think these would be great to have on hand for teacher or hostess gifts. I'll have to check Target and gather the supplies. Thanks for sharing this fantastic idea!

    Reply
  25. mjla2007 says

    August 29, 2012 at 9:04 pm

    Courtney, you know how much I have been wanting to make these. What type of paper did you use to print the monogram? You can email me if it is easier.
    Aunt Mary

    Reply
  26. Vel Criste says

    August 30, 2012 at 2:04 am

    great idea! i should get that tray and try this out! thank you!

    Reply
  27. Jen says

    August 30, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    I love this idea! Can't wait to try it.

    Reply
  28. Fletcher @ High Cotton Style says

    August 30, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    I'm going to RUN to Target and snatch some of these up! Soo cute!

    Reply
  29. Me says

    August 30, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    What a great idea – simple too!

    Reply
  30. iheartorganizing says

    September 3, 2012 at 6:55 am

    I adore that the trays are custom and look like the expensive designer ones, but at such an insanely discounted price. Incredible!! <3 Love your scrapbook paper picks too! Enjoy your time with your in laws!
    xo,
    Jen

    Reply
  31. sameera says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:46 pm

    I am novice to crafts and just learning the tools and kits used.I didn't understand the part of "Piece of Acrylic" here. Could you please enlighten me.

    Reply
  32. online florist says

    May 9, 2013 at 11:25 am

    So Very thanks for this post and your writing skill. keep posting.i will again come here very soon for further information.thanks
    singapore florist

    Reply

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