MyScrappinRoad: Artists Printer Trays

A Great Idea

My first project using the 7 Gypsies Printer Trays was

for my mother in law's 90th Birthday.

You can check out that project by following

the link here:
http://myscrappinroad.blogspot.com/2011/06/mother-in-laws-90th-birthday-7-gypsies.html

I really fell in love with these trays because

of their versatility and you can add so much

detail to them which provides a cute decor

project to a shelf or cabinet in your home.

The year after my father passed away,

my mother planned a Christmas in the Smokey Mountains.

I am not one that likes being away from home

during the holidays, but my father always loved

the Smoky Mountains and this is what my mother

wanted to do for the holidays so .....I went for her...

knowing that my entire family wasn't going to be able to go.

I decided I would plan a project to give to every family that went.

I have three brothers and a sister, and my mom and of course I had to

have one too!

I thought that since this was for the holidays...there would be lots

of pictures taken.....and you can put quite a few favorite photos in

these trays...so that is how this idea came about...another tray project.

.......Times 6.....

This project brought me so much joy. I ended up
giving my tray to my nephew and his wife who ended up coming
to the mountains for a few days. I had already made them a
"FAVORITES" mini book, but they both really loved the tray....
I can always make another one for myself...
(a project for another day).
The paper, bells, and ribbon and the small wreath all came
from the Paper Studio Collections at Hobby Lobby.
The small bear is just an image I got on line and
mounted on chipboard. Everything else is either handmade
or a Tim Holtz or Sizzix die. The snow on the embellishments
is Ranger Adirondack Snow Cap acrylic paint.

Here are a few close ups of the projects progress.

I began by making my embellishments. I wanted to

have everything made so all I would have to do is glue

the embellishments on when I was ready for them.

This Christmas Tray was a big hit! Everyone loved their gift
and I feel so proud when I visit my sibilings homes and my mom's house
and see their trays sitting out with photos from that special Christmas.
And.....Yes, I ended up
adding pictures to my mom's tray for her.

This next tray is not one of my designs, however,

I have to tell you that I am really TERRIBLE about

following directions on a project.......especially if I feel

as if it doesn't apply to me. Don't ever be afraid to change
a design if it doesn't work for you.
As you look at the directions, you can see this project was designed

for a couple with one child...I have two boys...both grown,

so I changed it to fit my needs.

I went shopping at Archivers,

there use to be a store near me, with some

girlfriends and we found their tray project and of course

purchased it.

Archivers Wall Art: