Butterfly Tray Makeover (Thrift Shop Shakedown #6)
Butterfly transfers made transforming this butterfly tray makeover simple! (plus see how we found it in our brand new thrifting video!)
Hello sweet friends!
How are you? I’m hanging in there, hope you are too!
And I’m over here working through this brand new haul I shared on Tuesday.
And playing around with more Prima transfers. These transfers are so much fun.
They can transform anything into something amazing and beautiful!
Like this brand “new” butterfly tray makeover I’m sharing today. Perfect for spring.
Not only am I sharing this fun new makeover but I’m also sharing a brand new video! Yippee!!
Christy nd I managed to go thrift store shopping one last time before everything shut down, thank goodness.
I shared all the things I found that day on Tuesday. If you missed it, you can see it here >>> Thrift Store Haul #2
So, today I’m sharing this butterfly tray and a brand new thrifting video, and Christy is making something over too!
Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom to click over to see what she did for today’s makeover.
And if you are new around here, my blogging bestie, Christy over at Confessions of a Serial Do It Yourselfer and I get together a couple of times a year to go thrift shopping. We record all our finds and make a video of our adventures and share them with you here. By the way, we didn’t know each other before, we met through blogging, realizing we don’t live that far from each other…and became best blogging friends. That was in 2014!
Okay, before we get to the makeover…let’s go thrift shopping!
If you have trouble viewing or hearing the video, you can hop over to Youtube to watch it >>> here.
Butterfly Tray Makeover
Here it is “before”…
I loved the carved wood so had to have this one.
Although I loved the wood, I knew I wanted to paint it to bring the details out. Paint and distressing are so great at doing that.
I decided to use this transfer which is the same one I used on this flatware box I made over recently.
I was thinking I could use the cursive writing underneath and the pretty butterflies on top.
I didn’t like how the words were leaving white space on the tops and bottoms of the tiles so I cut each sentence apart so I could place them how I want. (I’ll show that further down) Plus you might notice I had to piece words together to make a sentence on a few. I didn’t really care if the sentences made sense!! lol I just needed it to look the same all over.
I gave the wood portion 2 coats of white and the tiles I gave about 3 coats.
I sanded in between coats to keep the tiles nice and smooth.
Done but not at all liking those gaps between the tile and the tray. Nope, they’ve got to go! lol
MATERIALS SOURCE LIST
- White Chalk Style Paint (my favorite and cost-friendly!)
- Butterfly Transfers
- Caulk
- Poly Top Coat
- E6000 Glue
So I caulked those gaps.
I used paintable white caulk. (I have plenty of that around here…I’m kind of a caulk freak! haha)
SO MUCH BETTER.
Right?? Night and day and such a simple, quick, and easy fix.
I also lightly sanded all the edges and details to bring some of that wood out.
Love how it brings the details out so nicely.
Laying them out before I attach them.
See how I spread them out a bit?
Love how it turned out!
Now to add the butterflies right over top.
Laying them out first to decide which ones I want to use.
And attach them the same way I attached the cursive word transfers.
Want to see how to use these transfers/decals? Check out this post here >>> French Rose Decal Tray Makeover
I applied one coat of sealer over the whole thing and then put two more coats over top of the tiles only.
And decided to use these old knobs for the feet on the tray. I like adding feet to most of my trays.
I know these are so pretty, pearlized blue and all but I have had these for at least 7 years and never used them yet!
So I figured what the heck, I like the shape and think they are the perfect size for the tray, etc.
I sprayed them with flat black spray paint and attached them with E6000 glue so they’d be good and stuck for forever! ;)
And done!
I love how this one turned out. I’m a big butterfly fan so that certainly helps.
But I just really loved that wood frame around the tiles too.
Can you imagine if I didn’t add that caulk???
Trying to show how the tiles look… a nice sheen, which is what I wanted.
Cute little feet.
On my favorite coffee table! I love this table SO much and had no intention of keeping it when I made it over recently.
But here it sits! haha
If you missed that makeover, you can read all about it here and catch what it looked like “before” >>> Coastal Style Coffee Table Makeover (with paint and stain)
Thought I’d take a few shots of it in our morning room too.
A few more close-ups…
Want to see more trays I’ve made over?? ( I must love making over trays because I’ve done a lot more than I realized)
- Simple Thrift Store Tray Makeover With Tile
- White and Gold Tray Makeover
- Repurposed Tray Turned Message Center
- Thrifty Tray Botanical Decoupage Makeover
- Blue and White Tile Tray Makeover
- Give Us This Day Tray Makeover
- Mini Tray Makeover (using tissue paper)
- French Rose Decal Tray Makeover
- French Basket Tray (with transfers)
PIN it to save it!
Don’t forget to hop over and see what Christy did with 2 of her finds from our thrift shopping trip! (link below)
Click here to see! >>> Christy’s Thrift Store Makeovers – Confessions of a Serial Do It Yourselfer
Want to see even more of our videos from past shopping trips?? Check them all out here >>> My Videos Page
I’ll be sharing this one next!
UPDATE!! See it now, here!
If you missed any of the rest of Thrift Store Haul #2, you can see them all here:
- Butterfly Tray Makeover (you are here!)
- Welcome Box
- $4 Men’s Valet Box
- French Floral Bucket
- Beach House Platter
- Flower Display
- Decoupage With Fabric Paris Box
- $2 French Floral Bucket
- Thrifty Decor and Old Framed Print (with your own photo!)
I hope you enjoyed being a part of our shopping trip today. Hopefully, we will be able to do another one before too long. Hopefully, we all will!
Have a wonderful and blessed weekend, friends!
xoxo
So cute now, good job! It turned out so beautiful!! Amazing what a little paint and caulk can do for an old cast off piece!! I love it!
Thanks, Mary! :) xo
Very pretty š¦
Thank you, Colette! xo
Totally Awesome! I do love the butterflies and such a great addition adding the knobs.
Forgot to add that your plant looks wonderful on the tray. What kind of plant is that?
Curious mind wants to know. :} I thought maybe it was a spider plant but not sure.
Enjoy your day; stay safe, & stay healthy.
Oh yes, that is what it is! Thanks!! You keep safe too, Colleen. xo
Thanks, Colleen! :) xo
This turned out SO pretty!! I LOVE it!! The caulking was key for sure…great idea!! Can’t wait for our next thrifting trip!! XOXO
Thanks, Christy! Caulk is a winner, always! ;) Me too!! Hope it’s sooner than later! xoxo
Hi Nancy. I love what you did to this tray. I had that same transfer and I used it on several small makeovers. I love what you did though. Thank you for all your great ideas.
Hi Cheryl, thank you so much! Oh fun, yes, it is the perfect one to use for a bunch of small items. I just love it. So many different transfers in there. :) xo
You took an outdated tray to modern beautiful tray. I just love it.
Thanks, Becky! :) xo
I’d never guess that dark, heavy tray could look so bright! It really did need the caulk, you can’t even tell it’s there now. I love that transfer and how you cut it to fit the tiles. This was a great project, and seeing you and Christy shopping was entertaining, as always. š
So different! Thanks so much, Marcie. :) Haha, we try!! xo
Love what you did with this tray! It’s beautiful. And I always love your thrifting videos with Christy…reminds me of my daughter and I thrifting.
Thank you, Jan! :) Aw, that’s great. It’s such a fun thing to do, especially with a friend (or daughter!). xo
Nancy, this is such a wonderful makeover, aren’t you glad that Christy challenged you on this one? Those butterflies and lettering behind were the PERFECT choice! and so was adding the chaulk! and i agree with you about adding feet to trays. good for you finally letting go of those beautiful pulls after 7 years! (do you keep notes, or do you just remember things?)
Thank you, Gwen. And yes, I sure am! :) And nope, I just remember when I bought those. I’ve pulled them out I can’t tell you how many times over the years and never ended up using them. lol Crazy! But that’s not to say I don’t need notes…haha! There’s plenty I don’t remember these days! I need notes for the notes I write! ;) xo
my husband and i can usually remember what antiques shop or even garage sales where we got stuff, but it’s the little, more important things that we can’t remember often – like where are one of my 6 pairs of cheaters!!! i really get a kick out of you and Christy together!
Oh, funny!! Yes, same!! ;) So glad you enjoy the videos. We sure enjoy making them! xo
Hi Nancy! When I first saw that tray I was hoping you would grab it! It turned out amazing! I am intimidated by caulk but that truly made all the difference. Stunning-and how fun to create one of a kind pieces!
Hi Kim! I just love trays…obviously!! lol I could’ve never pass that one by! And oh, don’t be intimidated by caulk. Get the water clean up kind that’s paintable. It’s so easy to work with! I am the “caulker” around here. Trim, windows, etc, etc, on all our remodels. I love making things seamless! ;) Give it a go! xo
Nancy! This butterfly tray is in my top three favs for your smalls makeovers (too many Ss?). I love the double layer transfer. Did you seal over them?
Also, I am having thrifting withdrawals so your video helped tremendously! Looking forward to your next post, as always! Thanks so much
Hi Ann! And really??! That’s so great. :)
Yep, I used the same sealer I used on the rest of the tray, High Performance Top Coat (my go-to). It’s linked in the gray box in the post if you want to take a look at it. And you and me both! I can’t wait to get back out there someday. xoxo
Gorgeous!
Thanks so much, Robyn! :) xo
This is lovely! Great job!
Thank you, Olivia! :) xo
I love all the choices for this one from the caulk to the little feet! But the butterflies with the script showing through is just the bomb! Your visions are unbelievable and your talent to complete them are spectacular! Stay safe and be strong!
Aren’t those transfers so lovely?! I just love butterflies! And aw, thanks so very much for saying that, Cecilia! Hugs..stay safe, my friend! xoxo
You turned that tray into something absolutely beautiful!
Thank you so much, Diana! :) xo
Love it! You knocked that one out of the ballpark right into the 21st century!
Haha, thank you, Paula!! :) xo
Love this makeover. The tray is so light and airy and I love how you used two transfers! Makes the tray spectacular and the feet add just the right touch!. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Sue! xoxo
Love the butterfly tray…sooooo pretty now!!! Great job!!!! Yes!!! Filling in the tiles was just the perfect idea!!! Keep going on your piles and stash.
Be safe and stay healthy.
Thank you so much, Addie! :) And yes, I’m working on it!! Stay well!! xoxo
I think this might be my favorite make over you have done! I love it! You have such an amazingly creative eye. Thanks for sharing!
No way, really?!! That is so awesome!! I do love how this one turned out!! Surprised even me!! :) Thank you, Michelle. xoxo
Oh Nancy, your tray turned out so pretty. You have a good eye for what what is old and tired and then make it into something new and beautiful. The caulk was the magic ingredient. You rock! I love to see you and Christy thrifting together. It reminds me of my daughter and me shopping. I do a lot of dancing with hats etc.
Thank you, Marian! The caulk was most definitely the magic ingredient! :) Oh, yes, we laugh the whole time! Sounds like you and your daughter have a lot of fun too. xoxo
You made this tray so beautiful, Nancy! I love the transfers that you used and your caulk tip is such a great idea. I also enjoyed your video!
Thank you, Paula! :) xoxo
Scrolling down I thought, “Wow! That is beautiful!” I, too, love butterflies and the white paint has completely transformed this dated tray. Great job.
Aw, thanks so very much, Marie! :) xoxo
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE what you did with the tray! I would purchase it in a heartbeat!!
Aw, thank you Rose! :) xoxo
I love this butterfly tray! You have such vision for these beautiful transformations! I would never have thought of doing what you did with that older tray. I love the transfers. I’ve yet to dive into that realm but am itching to try it! I can’t wait until we can go shopping, thrifting again after it’s safe to do so. Thank you so much for all the lovely ideas you bring us. And of course, your talent is so appreciated!! Take care and stay safe and healthy!
Thank you, Michele! Those transfers are so much fun. You’ve got to try them! And yes, you and me both! I’m ready. :) Stay safe too! xoxo
Your butterfly tray makeover is simply gorgeous!! Is it for sale?
Hi Sherri!! Thank you so much. :) I haven’t decided if I will keep this one yet! xo
Well, I wouldn’t blame you if you decide to keep it! You did such a beautiful makeover! I can’t wait until the thrift stores open again so I can try and find a similar tray and make a feeble attempt at interpreting your brilliant creation!
Lovely. I agree, that caulk save the piece. It unified the tiles. Very nice.
Thank you, Sharon! xo
Hi Nancy! I remember another gray you did like this and I copied you.(twice) and both times they sold quickly. I’m glad you posted this today because I have another tiled tray and I’m going to do the same thing. Thank you for sharing and for your inspiration
Oh yay!!! I love that so much! You are so very welcome! I’m so glad you are going to make one like this! :) xoxo
It’s really pretty. At first glance, I thought the butterflies were tiles! Beautiful work.
(I mean I thought they were actual butterfly tiles.)
Thanks, Lizzy!! I got ya!! And you are right, they really do!
Aww I loved this then and I love it now! I really enjoyed watching our video! We need to make another oneā¦we have so much fun thrifting! XOXO
It’s fun to watch them, isn’t it?! Some of them feel like forever ago…probably because they are! lol We definitely need to do another! xoxo
Ohhh, I LOVE what you did with the tray! And those feet are just adorable! Thanks for the idea of using old knobs in a different way.
Question: How did you make the design in the caulk?
Thank you so much, Caye! Isn’t it neat to use those for feet? Works so well!
Okay, for the design you are speaking of, I had to go look to try to see what you mean. I think what you see is the wood portion of the tray in between the tiles. It had a design already in it. I just painted over it, then lightly sanded and it brought it out. :)