Jaime Costiglio

build - paint - sew

Type Tray Repurposed

Type tray turned in an Advent calendar.
type tray repurpose project

type tray advent calendar
Although the countdown has not begun yet (we still have 58 days!) we are ready.

type tray christmas countdown
I found this simple type tray at United House Wrecking in Stamford, CT.
They have all kinds of unusual items for the home; furniture, decor, memorabilia.
type tray before
Clearly it used to hold letters for some sort of printmaker.
But it was a bit boring.  And I figured out the 48 spots would make a perfect Advent calendar.
type tray after
Any candy will do but the kisses fit so perfectly.
christmas countdown with hershey kisses
I can’t take all the credit for the kisses idea, Beckie over at Infarrantly Creative makes countdown kisses calendars for nearly every holiday:
infarrantly creative countdown calendar
image from Infarrantly Creative
Click here to see Beckie’s how to countdown calendar.
The kisses sit perfectly on each little shelf ready to be eaten:
advent countdown calendar detail
type tray calendar profile
Here’s how I made the calendar:

1. Sand off visible writing.  Cover outer edge with painters tape.
2. Paint four sides inside each box and background of every other box:
how to repurpose a type tray
3. Remove painters tape, sand top surface edges of all box dividers to remove messy paint:
painted boxes red
3. Cut scrapbook paper pieces to fit boxes:

cut scrapbooking paper to fit boxes
4. Apply mod podge to background of box, place scrapbook paper into box, cover with mod podge.

mod podge paper into boxes
5. Using vinyl rub on numbers line up and rub into place in red background boxes.

vinyl rub on numbers
6. Fill with kisses.
hershey kisses in boxes
My kids already ate this batch of kisses so we’ll be getting fresh ones before Dec. 1.
christmas countdown with hersheys kisses
A very easy transformation into something fun and functional.
type tray makeover
type tray detail
One last side by side:
type tray beforetype tray after
Ready for the countdown to begin.
make a christmas countdown using a type tray

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Comments

  19. Judy says

    Love your countdown calendar. I have been looking to make something similar. Great find. I would love for you to stop by and link up to my party. It's going on right now. Hope to see you there.

    Reply

  21. Sally says

    I love this…such a cute advent calendar. I'm your newest follower from the 36th Ave. blog party. I'd love you to stop by my blog & follow along too!
    Thanks,
    Sally
    loveofhomes.blogspot.com

    Reply

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