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Easy DIY Summer Serving Tray

Hello everyone! How's everyone doing? I hope all is well. Today I am bringing you a quick and easy design. We're going to create a summer serving tray. You could also use this tray as a decor element as well. I am reusing a wooden crate I purchased a few years back for $3 at my local Target store. I figured it would be perfect to repaint and add a few other embellishments. If you're ready, let's create a cute summer tray.

Painted wooden serving tray with bright yellow summer sign with decorations on tray

Video tutorial





Craft materials displayed on a table


Materials


One wooden crate
I am reusing an old wooden crate I purchased at Target for $3. 

Acrylic paint
Optional mod podge-If you decide to seal your paint
One paintbrush
Scissors
Fruit stickers or other summer embellishments 
I found a pack of clear fruit stickers at Dollar Tree
One wooden summer word sign
E6000 or hot glue

Pink acrylic paint, paintbrush and wooden serving tray on a table

Begin by applying your acrylic paint to your wooden tray. I am using multisurface acrylic paint for the main tray. Be sure to allow your tray to fully dry. Between each coat of paint, I used my blow dryer to help with the drying process.


Acrylic paint, paintbrush and painted tray on a table

After applying paint to the outer surfaces of your tray, take your second acrylic paint and begin to apply the paint on the inside of your tray. I wanted the inside of my tray to be white. Once you have applied your paint and it has fully dried, you can take Mod Podge to seal off your paint. Using Mod Podge is optional.

yellow acrylic paint, wooden summer sign and paintbrush on a table

Next, take your wooden summer word sign and apply your acrylic paint to it. I decided to go with a yellow color. I thought the yellow color would pop against the brighter pink color of the tray.

Painted yellow summer sign, adhesive, and painted tray on a table

Afterward, take either E6000 or hot glue to apply your summer sign to the front of your tray. 

Wooden tray and fruit stickers on a table

This last step is simple. Take your stickers or other embellishments and add them to your tray using either E6000 or hot glue. 

Close-up of wooden tray with greenery, mini straws and glass cup on a table

Completed serving tray displayed with decorations

Your summer tray is complete. Isn't it cute? I love how it turned out. And just to think that by taking an old wooden crate that was stuffed away in storage, it could be turned into a colorful, summer tray.  Thank you so much for stopping by and creating with me. Be sure to check out more of my crafts here and also on my YouTube channel. I'll see you soon.

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Pinterest Pin with title and image of summer serving tray


 

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Comments

  1. Vintage Style GalJuly 3, 2023 at 11:08 AM

    This is perfect for summer Stephanie! I never think to create items for summer for some reason, something I think I need to improve on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieJuly 3, 2023 at 11:19 AM

      Thank you! Honestly, I would have never thought to create a summer tray. ☀️ I figured it would be perfect for my girls to use during the summer.

      Delete
  2. Dee | GrammysGrid.comJuly 4, 2023 at 1:41 AM

    I like it, the stickers are cute, great color for the tray!! Thanks so much for linking up at #IMadeItMondayLinkParty 15. Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieJuly 5, 2023 at 10:09 AM

      Dee, thank you. I really appreciate it. 😊

      Delete
  3. Donna ReidlandJuly 5, 2023 at 7:33 AM

    This is very cute ... and practical!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieJuly 5, 2023 at 10:09 AM

      Donna, thank you. 😊 Thank you so much for visiting.

      Delete
  4. Life as a LEO WifeJuly 5, 2023 at 3:31 PM

    So cute Steph! Thanks for sharing on Crafty Creators!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieJuly 5, 2023 at 7:37 PM

      Thank you! 😊 Always love sharing on Crafty Creators.

      Delete
  5. Carol, The Answer Is ChocolateJuly 6, 2023 at 8:57 AM

    This is so perfect for Summer! Featuring when my party opens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieJuly 6, 2023 at 9:30 AM

      Carol, thank you! 😊 I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed my summer tray. Thank you so much for visiting.

      Delete
  6. Perfectly Imperfect - Life with LyndseyJuly 6, 2023 at 8:06 PM

    This is adorable! I have been looking for some type of tray to go on my low table on my deck. This might be the idea!

    I would like to invite you to join my Tell It To Me Tuesday link party for the chance to be featured. This link party runs from Tuesday - Friday, and can be found at Perfectly Imperfect - Life with Lyndsey. Perfectlyimperfect-lwl.com/ > for you > tell it to me tuesday. I hope to see you there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieJuly 6, 2023 at 8:32 PM

      Aw, thank you! I'm always happy to receive feedback on my craft creations. Thank you so much. 😊 I'll be sure to check out your link party.

      Delete
  7. PaulaShort July 9, 2023 at 8:46 AM

    Absolutely love this Steph! I had been thinking of making a summer tray, this great tutorial has given me the motivation to make one.
    Thanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieJuly 9, 2023 at 10:36 AM

      Paula, thank you. I really appreciate it. I am also happy to hear that you enjoyed the tutorial and that it has given you motivation to create one. I am sure it will turn out wonderful.

      Delete
  8. Mariama@foodnuttersJune 30, 2024 at 2:07 AM

    Awwww, this is adorable :) I'm not sure if I'd be able to get the summer sign, but I'll try to make something similar. It's just too cute. Your ideas are absolutely rocking, every time I come here there's something new and it's always great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieJune 30, 2024 at 5:59 AM

      Mariama, thank you so very much. You are so kind, and I appreciate it. I hope you will give it a try. And yes, any theme would be wonderful. Thank you for visiting. ♡

      Delete
  9. Jennifer at Shoreline JourneysJune 30, 2024 at 7:24 AM

    I am not crafty at all, but this is so absolutely adorable. I am popping in because I saw your post on Home Matters Linky party and I had to stop in and say hello and let you know how cute your craft is. Have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieJune 30, 2024 at 8:00 AM

      Jennifer, I appreciate you stopping by. Thank you. That's perfectly fine if you aren't crafty. This project is super simple and requires very few materials as well as skills. Perfect for any beginner. 😊
      I hope that you have a wonderful week.

      Delete
  10. Sum of their StoriesJuly 1, 2024 at 3:56 AM

    How sweet, this looks adorable. Thanks for sharing with us at Handmade Monday

    ReplyDelete
  11. LindaJuly 2, 2024 at 9:22 AM

    Love this summer tray! Perfect for the season. from Turn Around Tuesday #41

    ReplyDelete
  12. Carol On The LakeMay 12, 2025 at 8:07 AM

    The tray is bright and cheerful, just like summer! Good instructions too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieMay 12, 2025 at 2:05 PM

      Thank you! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed this summer craft.

      Delete
  13. Jennifer WiseMay 19, 2025 at 8:45 AM

    This is so, so cute, Steph! I love those stickers you found, too. The perfect summer tray. Thank you for sharing this with us at the Will Blog for Comments #62 linkup. We hope you'll share more at #63 which opens next Monday morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. StephanieMay 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM

      Jennifer, thank you! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed my summer tray. :)

      Delete
  14. SimsLife.co.ukMay 29, 2026 at 7:59 AM

    That is a really sweet idea for Summer - we just need the weather now! ;) Sim x #SpreadTheKindess

    ReplyDelete
  15. Kristen OsborneJuly 2, 2026 at 12:49 PM

    This is so simple and fun. Beautiful creation!

    ReplyDelete

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