How to create a stationery "station" with an old tray

So I got my Xyron goodies in the mail last week and created this fun little stationery "station" for the "back to school" assignment. 

I started with this old wooden tray from Daiso which has obviously seen better days...even the paint has peeled off! *LOL*

I measured patterned papers to fit the sides of the tray and cut them out.

Then I run the patterned paper strips through my Xyron 9" Creative Station to get even adhesive application all over.

Then I adhered the patterned papers to the tray. Looks so much better now, right? :)

I had some leftover strips of patterned papers so I trimmed them and adhered to clothespins using my Xyron tape runner.

Then I coloured a Blue Fern Studios chipboard with a black Sharpie.

This was backed with some red scrap paper and adhered to the edge of the tray.

I tied some twine across the top and attached the clothespins with photos of nephew #2.