I know it sounds crazy, but some of my best Christmas finds and crafty inspiration come from the Dollar Store. Apparently my creative process involves browsing aisles of mostly useless, poorly made items to find the diamonds in the dollar store rough. When I came across these mini silver platters for $1, I literally started giggling as I stashed half a dozen in my cart. I roamed around a bit more before the idea struck to turn them into plaques that hang…from something…somewhere.
On what was I believe my 4th trip to Hobby Lobby this week, I grabbed some striped ribbon. I decided that I wanted simple Christmas phrases on the would-be plaques and made a mad rush to Pinterest for some inspiration. This pin called my name, and I decided to try and recreate the image on one of the platters.
DIY Instructions:
1. Trace the surface area of the platter and begin experimenting with lettering on paper. (If you’re not into free handing, there are some great rub-on transfers at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. Even a simple monogram would look really nice and make a gorgeous gift.)
2. Add your image. I used chalk ink on the platters for the lettering. This worked well because it wiped off with a wet q-tip when I made a few several mistakes. I had planned on adding some color, but ended up liking the look of plain white.
3. Hot glue ribbon to the back of the platters. Trim any excess ribbon that shows from the front.
2. Add your image. I used chalk ink on the platters for the lettering. This worked well because it wiped off with a wet q-tip when I made a few several mistakes. I had planned on adding some color, but ended up liking the look of plain white.
3. Hot glue ribbon to the back of the platters. Trim any excess ribbon that shows from the front.
Once they dried, I played around hanging them in several spots around the house. They were cute just hanging on doors from door knobs, but I ended up putting them on the windows that separate our dining room from sun room/den. (Notice my Dollar Store garland- 15 feet for $1, folks!! Sure, it’s a little anemic, but it was so stinking cheap.)
This little craft really got me in the Christmas mood…I’m planning a few more crafts from my dollar store finds. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you might remember some of my paper decor from last year. Nothing makes me happier than cheap holiday crafts that are unique to my home. Here’s a recap of some of last year’s DIY projects:
I’ll be sharing my new mantel display with you tomorrow. Tonight I’m going to try and make chocolate covered gummy bears. Wish me luck…
DIY Anthropologie Wrapping Paper
DIY: Make A Fabric Banner
Tips for Wrapping a Gorgeous Gift & Plaid Gift Tag Printable
DIY Tissue Paper Banner
This is such a cute idea! And inexpensive? Right up my alley. 🙂
SO cute! I love it!!
What a fantastic idea! I love it when things come together so perfectly like this.
These are GORGEOUS!!!!!!
I absolutely LOVE this!! 🙂 These turned out beautifully! 🙂 Saw your post on the Christmas Cheer link up and figured I’d stop on by! So glad I did, love your blog and excited to follow along!! 🙂
Shannon
Fabulously Vintage
Thanks, ladies! I’m thinking of making a few as gifts this year…just hope no one gets offended at how cheap their gift is!
These are absolutely darling. Until I read the entire post i thought you were a professional sign painter! They look so cute on the silver trays with red and white ribbon.
These are absolutely darling. Until I read the entire post i thought you were a professional sign painter! They look so cute on the silver trays with red and white ribbon.
These are absolutely darling. Until I read the entire post i thought you were a professional sign painter! They look so cute on the silver trays with red and white ribbon.
These are absolutely darling. Until I read the entire post i thought you were a professional sign painter! They look so cute on the silver trays with red and white ribbon.
These are absolutely darling. Until I read the entire post i thought you were a professional sign painter! They look so cute on the silver trays with red and white ribbon.
These are absolutely darling. Until I read the entire post i thought you were a professional sign painter! They look so cute on the silver trays with red and white ribbon.
Genius! Pure genius. I’m doing this for something.
These turned out so cute! I love your handwriting, too. And I’m cracking up about your garland being anemic. Hahaha.
Thanks for linking up to Dare to DIY!
Such a cute idea! I love dollar store crafts!
I love that you found these at the Dollar Store. And, just like Kim, I was smitten by your handwriting. Actually, all of the typefaces and fonts on this blog are beautiful. I’ll definitely be back to learn about more ways to decorate for Christmas! Thanks for sharing!
so smart and super cute!!
Those are absolutely darling! I love finding craft inspiration at the dollar store too. And doesn’t everyone make a daily trip to Hobby Lobby? 😉
Love these! I just bought chalk pens and I’m having a lot of fun with them. Now I just need some trays!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by via one the link parties! Heading to your blogs now:)
Beautiful…I love it! And, that it’s such an inexpensive project!
These are so cute, inexpensive and quick which is exactly how I like my projects. Thanks for the inspiration, now I’m off to the dollar store.
These are so gorgeous. I need to pick some of these trays up on my next Dollar Tree trip. I have a link party up now if you’d like to come on over.
Thanks for stopping by ladies! Good luck with your Dollar Store hunting:)
So cute! Love it! I spray paint trays I find at thrift stores – they’re lightweight too, and would be a fun way to do this with a little more color. Thanks for sharing!
I saw one site where they used chalk paint on the little trays. So many possibilities! Thanks for stopping by.