Dollar Tree Trays Become Door Decor

Dollar stores can be a great source for crafting. One of my favorite projects that can be adapted for any holiday uses metal serving trays from Dollar Tree. You can use any shape, just make sure you get the metal trays.

Paint the entire tray gray with acrylic paint. Once it is dry, paint the center of the tray with chalkboard paint. I use some black paint to "age" the gray rim. If you want a more contemporary look, you could skip the gray paint and leave it as is. 

Next, glue leaves or flowers to the bottom portion of the tray. This can be done with tacky glue or a glue gun. Using chalk, write your message on the chalkboard center. You can also use a chalk writer if you want a more permanent message. 

Make a bow using wired ribbon and attach it to the top with glue. Attach a magnetic clip to the back of the tray for a hanger. 

If you want to hang the tray on an outside door, you can spray the tray with acrylic spray after you write a message and before you attach the flowers and bow. You can also sand or prime the tray before painting for more durable outdoor use. I've hung the trays on an exterior door without doing this step, and they've been fine. However, I think the acrylic might be a good idea in the event of inclement weather. The total cost is less than $10 per tray. These could be done just as easily for any other holiday or with any other message. 

Fresh Pumpkin Rocks

CAUTION: If you've never had fresh pumpkin pie and you've been eating that canned junk, then do not attempt this method. You can happily pop open that can, add ingredients, slap it in a pie shell and be none the wiser. If you proceed, your tastebuds will be forever ruined and you will no longer be able to enjoy anything but the fresh pumpkin. Proceed at your own risk.

Use 1 pie pumpkin or small standard pumpkin (pie pumpkin has a thinner rind). Cut pumpkin in half and remove seeds. Place pumpkin halves open side down in a baking pan. Fill pan with enough water to reach a half-inch up the pumpkin. Bake 350 degrees for 1-2 hours depending on the size of the pumpkin. Add water if needed. Bake until the pumpkin is fork tender.

Remove pumpkin from oven and cool. The rind will peel off easily. Place pulp in a food process and puree until smooth. Use 1-1/2 cups of pumpkin per pie. Pumpkin can be measured and placed in freezer bags and frozen for up to a year.

We always save back one Halloween pumpkin for pies. We just paint on a face or use transfers on it so that it can become Thanksgiving pie. Once you've tasted the fresh pumpkin, you'll never return to the "Canned Side."

Happy Thanksgiving!