2 Giggle Boxes: Decoupaged Plates

I already planned to give my Mom, MIL and Grandmother these for Mother's Day, but I wanted to give them something else...something useful and meaningful! Sooooo I decided to make decoupaged plates. They could use them as a decoration or as a serving tray! And they would think of us every time they see it and remember how MUCH we love and appreciate them!

MD has already come and gone, but you might want to make them for another occasion. I think they would make great Christmas, Birthday, Valentine's Day, End of the Year teacher's gift...etc. Here's how it's done.

Materials:

fabric (How much depends on the size of your tray/plate. I used a fat quarter.), Modge Podge, paint brush (I like the foamy/spongy kind), clear glass plate (I got mine at Wal-Mart for $5) polyurethane (I used the spray kind), disappearing ink pen, scissors, exacto knife, coffee can or other wide brimmed object for pedastool for drying.

Optional: water-slide decal, coordinating fabric, stencils, photo

Wash your plate and take any stickers off. I used Goof Off to help out with that! Be careful not to touch the outside of the plate. You don't want your finger prints to interfere with the Modge Podge.

Iron your fabric. Place the plate on top of the fabric and trace around the plate. Leave some overlap. I tilt the pen as I trace. It's better to have too much than too little. You will go back later and cut the excess off.

If you want any photos or embellishments(butterflies, flowers, decal, etc.) you will want to have them ready. I provided some of my embellishment stencils...You would just print, cut out the stencil, and place it on the wrong side of your fabric(so the marker doesn't show). Trace around it with your disappearing ink pen/pen. Cut it out and set it aside. Carson and Clara have a first year frame and I used the oval from the frame as my template.

Tree and Oval

I used a brown corduroy for the tree.

I put fray check around the edges to prevent fraying.

Make sure your plate is clean and dry. If you are using a decal do this first and let it dry for 3 hours. I laid my tree on the plate to help with the placement of the decals.

If not go ahead and place the plate on the pedestal. Brush on the Modge Podge with your foam brush. Make sure its a nice even layer. I was very liberal with it. Place the fabric/photos/on top of the plate and then apply another layer of Modge Podge over the fabric. I use my fingers to help smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles. I did this throughout the drying period.

Then I placed the tree and fabric down. And another layer of Modge Podge.

Let it dry for at least 24 hours. Then trim the edges so the fabric is even with the side of the plate. Your plate my not be completely dry in 24 hours. I found that some of my plates to a several days to totally dry...the glue on the pictures in particular.

Cut any excess fabric using your exacto knife or scissors. Both worked for me.

When your decoupage is dry you can apply polyurethane. This will help seal and protect your project. I used it only on the fabric side of my plate. Spray 3-6 coats of polyurethane on the plate, following the directions of the manufacturer. Make sure you use it in a well ventilated area. Outside is best.

Now you have beautiful and personalized plates! Great Job! You can use them for serving food, but you will not want to submerge your plate in water. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the surface of the tray or plate.

Grandma loved her decorative decoupaged plate with all of her great grandchildren's smiling faces! C & C loved helping her open it...