Table Display for those who use their table

I like my boring old dinner table to look as springy and festive as the next person.

The problem I have is that we use our dinner table.  Yes, we actually eat at it--many families don't anymore.  If you want more family time, want to know what your kids are up to at 6 pm, want them to eat healthy and at least pretend they belong to the family...Eat together.  Really.

Anyhoo...off the soapbox and back to the display.

I make my poor, abused children set the table for dinner and they are never very good about moving the display and/or putting it back.  So...put it in on an easily removable serving tray.

I found a really ugly serving tray at Goodwill for only $1! It was ugly, busted up wood with a shiny, shiny glaze all over it.

(I took a picture, but that mumbling teen of mine erased it)

I made it pretty pretty pretty by painting it and aging, or antiquing, it. 

You'll Need:

• Light sandpaper (not pictured)
• Paint (acrylic or left-over house paint) in base color
• ACRYLIC Burnt sienna or other dark brown color for antiquing
• Foam brushes
• Rag or paper towel
• Water spritzer

1. Sand the surface a bit, paint and let dry

I used leftover indoor house paint in blue.  I'm an awful painter and it shows.  No worries, we'll cover that up.

2. Strategically sand a few areas like edges and corners to "age" the piece

3. With a dry foam brush paint on your darker color.  The aging color MUST be acrylic or this technique won't work.  I used burnt sienna.

4. Wipe off the darker paint with your DRY paper towel or rag

Dry wiping alone leaves a very dark finish

5. Spritz with water and wipe again to lighten further. 

This is why it's important to use acrylic paint which is water soluble and is removable even after it dries.

You can keep spritzing until desired results are achieved.  If you spritz too much, just repaint and wipe.

Now all you need to do is put your deco in it and put it on the table!

(I think I might need more pebbles)

Easily removed for a hap-hap-happy family dinner!

Tomorrow on kluckingbear...

How to recover an eyeglass case by Bo the puppy-- LOL!

 

Linking this project to:

Friday Flair at Whipperberry

Favorite Things Friday No. 19 at The Speckled Dog

Weekend Wrap-Up at Tatertots & Jello

Everything But the Kitchen Sink at A Little Knick Knack