Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Make your own paper food trays!

As promised, here are the directions for the paper food trays I made for Rachel's Ellie party. What started this is I wanted to serve dinner in these to make it seem more carnival-like and I found that I only had two.

So, I took one apart and used it as a template to make more. Now, you can too!

Cut a rectangle that measures 6" x 8" from scrapbook paper.

Cut the corners at an angle. Your cut should measure 1 1/2 inches.

Now, make slits at the corners, these cuts should be 1 3/4 inches long.
Cut on the short edge as shown.

Crease the sides to create a "boat" effect - as shown.

Fold at each slit you made to create a flap - as shown.

Flatten creases and lay your paper flat again.

Cut a piece of contact paper to fit over both sides of your paper and peel off paper backing.

Press one side of your paper smoothly onto contact paper. Fold over and repeat for the other side, now both sides are "laminated."

Trim edges of contact paper to match the scrapbook cut out. Cut slits through contact paper in the same places you originally cut them.

Re-fold on all creased lines.

Seal flaps with a dab of hot glue. Use a clothespin to hold in place until cool if necessary.

Enjoy!

15 comments:

Unknown said...

These are great! Thank you, Monica for the tutorial...I will certainly find a reason to make some.

Josie

Wendi said...

I will be saving these directions. How neat that I will be able to personalize the trays!

Keeper of the Home said...

Oh you are so smart! That is the neatest idea.

~Mrs. M

Blissful & Domestic said...

how cute I am going to use these for libbys party come january. Thanks for the step by step on how to make them. I can't believe how simple it is.

Tiffany said...

What a great tip! Thanks so much for the lesson. How clever of you.

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

With the contact paper are you able to wipe them off to use again or did you find that they needed to be thrown away after one usage?
Blessings,
Nancy

Elise said...

Those are so cute!! I guess you could reuse them, since they are laminated?? Love them!!
Elise

homeschooldawn said...

Too cute, thanks. What a great birthday party, too!

Mary Ann said...

I'm wondering the same thing that Nancy wondered. Can you reuse them? I'm thinking if the food isn't too greasy, you probably could?

I just got some new scrapbook paper that would be great made into these trays for a game or movie night!

Monica Wilkinson said...

I'm ashamed I did not even try to save mine in the mad rush of birthday partying!

I do think they could be used again. As someone mentioned, if the food was such that it was not too messy or too greasy - they would swiftly wipe clean.

Enjoy!

Sharon said...

Those are great Monica! I can just picture using Christmas Paper or Autumn Paper to deliver goodies to the neighbors in :) Thanks for sharing :)

Amy said...

What a great tutorial- thank you so much for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Really neat idea.
QMM

kirwin @ graceful creative said...

This is so cool! I'm totally bookmarking this for my kids' future parties. Love it.

Angelia in TX said...

This fulfills the desire I had on the 4th if July to have some french fry baskets. Did you use clear contact paper like you line cupboards with? Can't wait to make some. Smiles Angelia in TX