Handmade Butler's Tray: Summer Collage Project

Summer in Wisconsin - and just about anywhere for that matter - means family and friends getting together for BBQ'd delicacies while enjoying the warm summer breezes with a cool drink.  This season those evenings may be few and far between with temps the highest they've been in 90 years, however they do present a unique chance to work some special magic and get all crafty!

At least - that's what I told myself when I decided that I needed a tray to serve drinks, food or just to carry things from one place to another.  Often called a "butler's tray" these wonders of convenience were, at one time,  made of silver and highly polished.  There's no way I can afford either the money to buy one of these or the time to polish it, however that didn't stop my wanting one.  So, I did some research, and some crafty designing and here's what I came up with.

You will need

Picture frame, 11-inch by 14-inch, 1-2 inches deep with glass

1/8" piece of wood - cut to fit the frame

Paint to match the frame

Screwdriver
2 handles
Screws
Cordless drill
Patterned Scrapbook paper
Scissors
Glue stick

The first step is to take the frame apart.  Set aside the back and glass - you'll need them later.  Put the handles against the frame so that they may be fastened at least halfway up the outside side of the frame. They should be easy to use - so you'll have to test them (I used painters tape to hold them in place until I was ready.) Predrill holes for the screws to keept the frame from splitting. Make sure the screws are only as long as the frame wood is wide. For example, if the frame wood is 1/2 inch then the screws should only be 1/2 inch long. Screw the handles in place - but make sure they don't go all the way through the frame.

Lay the paper or cardboard backing that you removed from the frame on a table.  Place your paper on the backing and cut it to size.  Get creative, no one said you just had to use 1 piece of paper! Glue it into place.   While the glue is drying, paint your piece of wood. I painted mine the same color as the frame - but you can use your imagination (or any leftover paint you may have).  Allow it to dry completely before assembling your tray.

Turn the tray upside down and place the glass in first, then the scrapbook backing, then finally the piece of wood.  Secure it all by placing screws or nails (at a slight angle) into the frame making sure they overlap the back to hold it in place.  Test it before using with anything heavy as you may need to reinforce it before using it to serve heavy items. 

There you go - you're very own serving tray.  Now if I just had the butler to go with it!

~ Dani