Craft # 1 - Summer Serving Tray

Ready to make a great vintage inspired serving tray that you can use and display all summer?

Here is what you will need to get started:
*Decoupage Glue
*Magazines and Catalogs (that you are willing to cut up)
*Sponge Paint Brush ( or other small brush)
*Scissors
*Sturdy Inexpensive (or vintage) Sheet Pan (any shape)

STEP 1
* Gather any magazines, catalogs and other ephemera that you don't mind cutting up and gluing down. Look for images that remind you of summer - I like images of the 4th of July, picnic scenes, yummy summer treats like ice cream and fresh fruit, along with images of vintage flags and Adirondack chairs. All things that sing of a classic Americana summer to me.
What says summer the most to you? Let your images reflect that!

STEP 2
*Once you have chosen & cut your images, start laying them out on your cookie sheet or pizza pan, making sure to gather different shapes and sizes. Make your "decoupage collage" as random or symmetrical as pleases you. Remember you can overlap pictures as needed, and add smaller ones on top of larger ones. Layering is encouraged!

STEP 3
*If you choose a rounded pan, the best way to get your pictures to smoothly fit up to the edges is to create a crease in your pictures as shown above, creating a "pattern" to trim them down by.

STEP 4
*After you have creased your pictures (if using a round pan) or made your final selections and arrangements on your pan, do any final trimming needed before you start gluing!

STEP 5
*Let the gluing begin! Using whatever type of glue you prefer for this type of craft ( I used Mod Podge this go round, and I have used regular craft glue when in a crunch,) give the back of your images a light coating. Next place them down on your clean pan. If you have used a vintage pan I suggest you get any flaking off and sand it down so that is a clean and smooth surface.
After gluing your pictures down, smooth out the bubbles using your fingers or a brayer.

STEP 6
*After everything is glued down and in place, it is time for the top coat of your glue. This time take your glue and generously and gently coat the top of pan and all your pictures, continuing to gently smooth out any wrinkles (if you can't get all the bubbles out, don't stress out about it - remember the goal of Camp is to HAVE FUN!) with your fingers or brayer tool.


STEP 7
*Let Dry! Even a craft needs it's beauty rest!
If you feel you will give your tray a good work-out serving food and drinks over the course of the summer, give your tray several repeat coats of the decoupage glue for added protection. Make sure to let each layer dry thoroughly before applying the next one...You don't want a goopy sticky tray on your hands.

STEP 8
*ENJOY!
Serve up some cool summer beverages on your new Summer Serving Tray and be the belle of the bar-b-que. Or do like I do, and display on a picture or plate easel for everyone to enjoy during the summer months!

Want to add some vintage images to your tray but don't have any on hand?
Well here is your first Free Download of Camp - 2 Pages of Vintage Patriotic Images!

(Want to give this craft a little extra bling? For further embellishing try encrusting the handles of your pan with red or silver glitter! Simply coat the handles of generously with craft glue and cover with glitter. Just make sure you do this step AFTER the top layer of decoupage glue has dried!)