"S" is for Serving Tray

Build: personalized serving tray

A wedding gift for a newly married couple.

A friend asked if I would come up with gift incorporating the map that was part of their invitations:

I made a wood serving tray with handles:

and personalized it with the couples names and the map:

Everything is sealed under clear lacquer to protect from liquid and spills, you can the shiny protective layer in this picture below:

Here's how I made the wood serving tray:

1. Cut the #2 pine boards:

3 - 1x5 @ 19"

2 - 1x3 @ 19"

2 - 1x3 @ 15"

2. I used pocket holes to connect the pieces, both the tray portion and the side pieces.

Then cut a 1/4" plywood piece to fit the bottom.

Glue and secure with 3/4" finish nails.

3. Make a template for the handle cut outs and trace at center on both short ends:

4. Begin by drilling circular holes with spade bit:

5. Then jigsaw remaining middle portion:

6. Prime and paint two coats Behr swiss coffee:

7. Paint on red strip detail then distress:

8. Stain entire tray to age:

9. Secure map (shown below is a wedding invitation from a similar tray) with matte mod podge on front and back:

10. Print out lettering to fit space: 

11. Line up and trace outline of letter with ballpoint pen:

12. Paint on and inside the indent left behind by the pen:

13. Repeat process for names:

14. To seal map and personalization, paint on multiple layers of Americana DuraClear gloss varnish on flat serving surface:

15. Finally seal the entire tray, sides inside and outside with Minwax clear gloss spray poly.

I'm linking up to:

SAS @ Funky Junk

Nifty Thrifty Sunday @ Nifty Thrifty Things

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Tutorials & Tips Tuesday @ Home Stories A to Z

Strut Your Stuff @ Somewhat Simple

Share Awesomeness Thur @ The 36th Avenue

Pretty Things Thursday @ Scissors & Spatulas

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

SAS @ Just a Girl

Remodelaholics Anonymous @ Remodelaholic

inspiration board @ Carolyns Homework

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table & Dreaming
Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now