When a friend asked if I’d custom make her a red tray, I kinda sorda listened. 🙂
She requested that it be around 18″ x 18″. So going through my stash of pallet wood, I came close and dry fit the above together.
I never worry about the wood being too rustic. Using a good palm sander takes care of that in minutes.
Paint used / Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Tricycle and Ironstone
Wax used / dark antiquing wax
She told me she’d paint it herself, but I was dying to try out Tricycle. This is milk paint from the Miss Mustard Seed line.
Milk paint comes in powder form, so you add equal amounts of water vs powder, and stir it up.
The beautify of milk paint is, you don’t need to prime wood first. And the finish is matte, so it distresses beautifully. Or so I’ve read.
Tip: because the paint is powder and I worked outside, the surface got a little messy with the wind blowing things around. So if you’re using two different colours, ensure you either have 2 work spaces, or more paper to cover your surface or are just a whole lot neater and smarter than I am and work inside. 🙂
The colour was pretty bright going on wet! But as it dried, the tone did deepen.
I had a leftover decal from my original Farmers Market sign, and used part of it to give it an old sign kinda vibe.
I didn’t think the decal would stick to the paint being that the finish was so flat. But I was wrong. There was just enough grab. I was pleased!
(And if you are one of the 1000’s that have emailed me asking me where the hey my old sign ebook is, I’ll be firing it up in the fall again! I heard that ‘yeah right…’)
Using Ironstone for the lettering, I admit I painted as soon as I mixed it. If you allow the paint to sit for abit, the lumps go away moreso.
But then I was glad I painted it with lumps.. you’ll see why soon.
After the paint cured, I lightly sanded with a palm sander, touching the edges of the boards.
I was pretty pleased how well the paint bonded and how smooth the finish became! Smooth as silk after sanding.
But what really sealed the deal for me was the addition of the antiquing wax. That brought amazingly authentic patina to the red paint! And because the lettering was bumpy, it got a great finish as well.
At this point I squealed! And called her over to check it out!
She was CRAZY in love with the red, and what the wax did to the finish!
But then asked why I put market on the sign.
And why the sides were white.
Yeah, she did ask for red. I just didn’t listen. I got all carried away making something into an old sign yet again.
So I promised her I’d fix it! So you are going to see one tray two different ways. Because by golly, this time I’ll listen!
p.s. those hydrangeas in the toolbox use to be BLUE! Isn’t that green something?!
Hmm… maybe I’ll make her another milk painted pallet wood tray in tricycle. You know… in case I mess this up. 🙂
Yes Donna the paint is fabulous! I love the tray you made even if she didn’t…. hey, you were using creative genius!
LOL… yeah, just never order custom from me again, right?! haha Just an excuse to make another I say!
Love it! I think tricycle is one of my favorite MMS milk paint colors. Thanks for the inspiration. I’m pinning and will share on my FB page!
Leslie
Aww, thanks Leslie!
I love the market word and edging in white! I want to go make my own tray right away! Super cute, thank you for sharing.
I think it is amazing! Love, love, love your wood shed! Keep up the great work, even if you don’t listen!
Donna,
Love love love the tray! I really like the market addition. Just sayin’!
Always enjoy your blog!
Smiles, Alice
How cute, I want it. I’ll be sharing on my FB page today.
Thanks so much Dawn!
LOVE Love love the tray and the color!
Love it! Definitely make your neighbor another one, this one’s too stink’n cute to give up. Isn’t Tricycle a gorgeous color! Typewriter and Lucketts Green are two more of my favorites – you gotta try them Donna.
Donna,
This is just beautiful!! Like everything else you do, amazing….
And in this corner… Donna taking on the pallet wood with no day job in sight. Ding ding… we have a winner.
Busting!!!
I love it the WAY YOU did it, more original and fun! You have to know I ma drooling over that metal toolbox! OM gosh, if you EVER part with that, I know a girl in Montana who would love it ;)!
Haha… don’t you adore a chippy paint style we didn’t have to work hard to achieve?!
i am pretty sure that was a decorian slip haha not a fruedian you wanted to keep it as soon as you saw the red lmbo it is drool worthy xx
Yes, that’s EXACTLY what it is! Decorian indeed. I’m going to be using this one from hereon out.. haha
Wowzza! Love the Market tray, just as it is! The white sides make it perfect. Haven’t tried Miss Mustards Seed paint yet, but we have a new shop in our town that sells it so I’m going downtown on Saturday to check it out.
Wish I had the guts to decorate my house like yours, and make all the stuff you do. I’m a huge fan!!!
This is fantastic. I love the rustic look. Love using MMSMP here in Australia. This is a great project, I’ll share on my facebook page and pin on pinterest.
I’m so hoping you keep that tray as is and make a second one. It’s striking and it goes way too well with the red tool box. Love it!!
Love the tray…the red is PERFECT!
nice to hear from you once more. great project.
That was my thought, Donna. Make another one for her…keep that gorgeous thing for yourself!!! 😉
oooo I love that paint color! this is really cute, you might need to keep it for yourself and start from scratch for your friend 🙂 haha
Hi Donna,
I love the tray. I love how the red contrasts with white. And the Market decal adds more character. And the hydrangeas…which is my all time favorite flower are gorgeous in that tool box.
Looks awesome Donna! Love the mess up!