Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Upcycle Picture Frames to Trays

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Have you ever looked at a picture frame and thought that would make a pretty tray? Creating one of a kind trays from picture frames is a great way to bring new life to something that might be stashed in a junk drawer, closet, or sadly, thrown away! Just imagine that DIY trays are the ultimate home hack! Perfect for styling, serving and streamlining your space! They can elevate your decor, serve in style and organize with ease - the stylish way to serve, decorate, and declutter! Trays do it all!

Now, imagine transforming old picture frames into decorative, functional trays by applying stained glass window film to the glass. It's a great way of repurposing frames into faux stained glass serving trays, vanity trays, or just decorative trays!  How beautiful would that be!

But before we get to the how-to, it’s time for another Creative Craft Hop co-hosted by Sara @Birdz of a Feather  and Donna @Modern on  Monticello who take turns every other month! The lovely and talented Donna is our host for this month!

And if you're visiting from our other amazing host, Sara @Birdz of a Feather, her gorgeous crochet leaf earrings are truly one of a kind, handcrafted, and quite unique, aren't they! 

Now back to my project! Upcycling an old picture frame into a serving tray involves cleaning and sometimes painting a sturdy wood frame, reinforcing the back with thick cardboard, and installing handles and decorative feet. This is one way to create faux stained glass crafts using faux stained glass window film for an instant, colorful transformation. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well it is!!!!

Materials:

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! Plus Google Adsense provides a platform for me to monetize my content by hosting ads from Google's network of advertisers. The money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

How To:


Let's begin with this picture frame from an earlier post that I took apart. You must use pliers or other tools to remove any hardware, like a sawtooth hanger, triangle hook or any brackets on the backing of the picture frame that would prevent the frame from sitting flat on a surface. 

Then take the inside of the frame apart.  The frames I'm using were basically in good shape so no painting was needed.

For the first frame, use the cardboard backing as a template (don't worry! I'm saving the original cardboard backing with the design base and embroidered florals) to make a new backing using white posterboard. White posterboard will help make the colors of the stained glass film pop as opposed to using a dark color which would diminish the look .  .  . 

along with corrugated cardboard from an old cardboard box. Then add glue to cover all of the cardboard and .  .  .                                           
then placing the cutout white poster board on top - matching edges while smoothing it out.
While the glue is drying, unroll the stained glass window film and select the design from the pattern you want to use. Once the glue has dried, place the new board backing on top of the film design selected and .  .  .
                      
cut out.

Next, clean the glass from the frame thoroughly with water, glass cleaner or alcohol. The directions for the film call for spraying enough water on the glass to easily install and reposition the film. But, for this frame, I just glued down the film edges all around the white board backing and smoothing it out (sorry for the shadows).
Here, I'm about to insert the faux stained glass film board in the frame after placing the glass in first.
And it's a perfect fit!
        It's time to screw on the feet - that is, after removing the staples and paper scraps along the back frame.
Line up the feet with the corners of the frame to insert the screws.
The metal feet fit perfectly along the corner edges of the frame.
Looks pretty good!
To attach the handles, I used masking tape to cover the holes and area along the handles for an exact placement on the frame.  
And then had my hubby to drill the holes on each end .  .  .
to screw and attach the handles firmly to the frame.
How cool does this look!


I found the next frame for three dollars at an estate sale in my neighborhood last year. It's smaller but I love the details and design.
And the backing was done in a velvet-like black material (which catches a lot of lint, lol). I removed the hanging hook and attached stand to allow the frame to lay flat on a surface.
I followed the same steps I did on the first frame to add the stained glass window film and .  .  .
handles. 
At first, I decided not to add feet, but later changed my mind.
This setting looks so adorable!


I hope you enjoyed how I upcycled picture frames into trays! Up next is Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction sharing her lovely Crochet Tablet Case! And be sure to check out all of our super talented bloggers and their amazing creations listed below:
 

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Soda Can Pansy Wreath DIY

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Hello and welcome to our "Do It Over Designers" Blog Hop! The "Do It Over Designers" is a group of creative bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/ DIY, hosted by  Anne @The Apple Street Cottage. It happens the 4th Saturday of every other month and it's all about taking something old and/or unused and 'doing it over' into something new.


 Pansies are popular, cool season annuals known for their vibrant, "faced" flowers that thrive in spring and fall.  They are cute and colorful and come in a variety of colors - especially purple hues - my favorite, lol! Pansies are the perfect DIY project for me to create this time of year! Their flat, five-petal structure makes them particularly easy to replicate. 

This darling hand fashioned and painted pansy wreath is made from soda cans and tubing.  The technique involves cutting soda can aluminum metal into petal  shapes which are painted and assembled recreating the layered look of overlapping, heart-shaped petals placed onto and around a green hollow tubing base.  

Materials Used:
  • Soda cans
  • Utility knife/craft scissors
  • Heart and leaves templates
  • Masking tape 
  • Parchment paper
  • Acrylic paints/paint pens/sponge brush
  • Quick Hold Glue
  • Green hollow tubing
  • 22 gauge wire

How To: 
Since I don't drink sodas anymore, my son saves his for me! First, rinse the soda cans and shake out as much water as you can. I like to lay the cans upside down on a paper towel and let them dry before cutting them. You don't want any sticky soda residue left on the cans.
Carefully cut off one end of the soda can using  a utility knife or craft scissors. *Caution: You may want to wear gloves for this! 

Then cut along the body of the can to the opposite end - it was easier for me to use craft scissors for this part .  . .
to remove the bottom of the can.

Be sure to cut off any slivers or jagged edges.
Smooth out the curve of the can by rolling on the edge of a table or countertop.
 Creating a flat rectangular sheet of aluminum.
Pansies have a unique and distinct five petal structure - to me, often in heart shape blooms with two top petals, two side petals and one petal at the bottom. I found a heart shape "petal" online and printed them out to use as templates. This is what they looked like after cutting them out . . .
and putting them together: Btw, the two top pieces are actually one heart shape cut into two parts!
Draw these petal templates directly onto the silver side of the flatten soda can . . .

and cut out.

This is what the metal petals look like put together:

But before gluing them together, I painted all the individual petals using a multi-surface satin acrylic called Juneberry and let dry.


Layer the petals starting with the two top ones glued together at the sides using Quick Hold glue, followed by the heart-shaped sides, glued together at bottom .  .  .
and finally, the bottom petal glued onto the center of the middle two petals.
Be sure to glue on the top petals behind the center petals.

Once all the petals are painted and glued together, it's time to add the signature "pansy face and whiskers" using assorted acrylics paint pens. You can tell I'm not very artistic when it comes to this part, lol!
Repeat the above process for making the leaves: First by drawing on the leaves to the soda can metal.
But after I did that, I thought of an easier way to cut the leaves out.  Fold a strip of masking tape together just short of the length of the leaf template and put on the back of the template. Then stick the template on the metal and cut the leaf out.  It was so much easier to cut all the curly portions of the leaves out this way!
Once all the leaves were cut out, add score lines or "veins" using the tip of scissors. But once the leaves were painted, I could not see the veins. So after the painted leaves were dry, I went over the veins with the scissor tip to see them better. The leaves look so much better and defined this way!
In case you're wondering, I found this tubing in my hubby's stash. I did ask him what it was for and he commented that it was originally from a garden watering system he had tried but didn't work out. Good for me!!! 
While the leaves were drying, it was time to wrap the tubing together in the shape of a 14" circle and securing in places using floral wire.
Once that was done, I needed to add the pansies and leaves around the circle.



I'm loving how this pansy wreath is taking shape!
So cute and adorable!
Here it is on the back of my front door!
And on my coffee table!
It's the perfect DIY piece to add an ever loving touch of pansy charm to your home! 


Before you go, don't forget this is a blog hop and all of the designers have some amazing and very innovative projects to share with you.

Be sure to visit all of this month's creative projects by the 
 "Do It Over Designers"  listed below: