I'll wait...
On her post, Janette mentioned what she dubbed a trade secret that I had shared with her prior to the big event. Since this little tidbit was new to her, I thought I might yak it abroad here...just in case it's new to someone else out there, too.
I never have been able to keep a secret.
Now, it's no secret that I love to create festive table settings. While I do enjoy doing it for the invisible people, I actually like to do it for my family too. With my culinary aptitude, I need all the meal camouflage I can get.
Yep. I like a pretty table. I also like using glassware. However, I'm also big fat cheapskate who doesn't like spending money for dishes she might use once a year or once in a lifetime.
Quite by accident, I discovered a solution. I just use inexpensive glass salad plates and decoupage the backs of them to match whatever theme or occasion I'm celebrating. Fun enough, but it gets even better. You see, when dinner is over, I just put them in a sink full of warm, sudsy water, and off it comes, clean as a whistle and ready for the next creation.
You've actually seen them in two tablescapes.
This square magnolia plate was made
with a photo copy of the napkins.
Same with this one, but with a bandana.
So anyway, that's the little trade secret.
No, I don't do this all the time. I do have real place settings after all.
And no, I wouldn't whip out the Deco-Ware if the boss were coming to dinner.
And no, I wouldn't whip out the Deco-Ware if the boss were coming to dinner.
I'm not a complete idiot.
I just keep it handy for festive occasions with my real guests of honor.
You know... family.
*****
41 comments:
I love it! It's a great idea to get exactly the look you want on your table. Too fun and thanks for sharing Debbie:@)
Now THAT is a great idea Debbie...no that's wayyyy better than a great idea. Thanks for giving me something else to ponder regarding dishes.
Okay - need more info on this. WHAT? I'm best with step by step tutorials. Just sayin'!
Joy!
Kathy
Wow, I didn't know. Great idea and great dishes.
Clever, clever girl :)
Blessings!
Gail
Well, gee, Debbie. Now that you've let the cat out of the bag, I guess I have to admit that I've done the same thing (although not in any blog tablescapes - so far). Sometimes I use the actual napkins rather than photocopies. That works, too! It's that decoupage love we've got going on... :-)
Who knew . .
What a great idea.
I DID see that trick from you on Janette's post today! ;D
Wasn't her post about honor great?!
blessings ~ tanna
What a clever idea!!! I have to try it sometime. I refuse to buy dishes as I don't even have room for the ones I currently have. I like the fact that it washes off! Great tip, Debbie. xo
Decoupage Diva Debbie!
So clever, as always. Cheap, too. (Not really...)
Ah Ha!! I wondered where you gals stored all of these specialty plates!! I thought well, they have basements, and here in the south we don't...So glad you can't keep a secret!!
Carol
I love your idea! When you least expect it I'm going to show and tell your craft. It looks really terrific Debbie.
You are hilarious...adn super creative I might add. I love the decoupage idea very much. That is awesome. Thanks so much for spilling the beans. I can think of many things I need to make colored copies of to decoupage. Looooooovvvvvve it!
Paula
Good morning! First, Janette's post was wonderful! I loved it too...and second, this sounds like a perfectly wonderful idea, HOWEVER, I am with the gal above....WHAT!??! Guess I don't even know how to decoupage...I'd love a step by step decoupage...I have a open house coming up in Nov., surely I could use this some how, lol. Have a wonderful day!
Wonderful creative idea, Debbie!!
NO WAY!! this is to easy, sure fooled this cheapskate! your tablescapes are always so pretty. I will however be enlarging the photos, to check for more decoupage. lol.
Always such a joy to visit.
Enjoy your day.
Sue
And to think I got rid of two dozen glass plates before moving back to the U.S. Now I really feel stupid! What other decoupage tricks do you have up your sleeves? I love your ideas!
Cheers!
You are sooooooooooo smart! I will have to bookmark this on Pinterest to remember this trade secret. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
Did you hear me say "get out"? Lol! How did that become an exclamation of surprise rather than a directive?
I am going to look for plates and surprise my grand nephews and grand niece on their birthdays, either with them related plates for their cake or maybe even their face on the plate!
love this idea! Yes, I had already dropped by and read Janette's sweet post & wondered about the plates. Just might try this one - too many pretty napkins out there.
Brilliance with a capital Brill. I love this idea. I know I can't find ModPodge here, but I'll see if I can find some spray adhesive. Highly doubtful... *sigh*
What a brilliant idea! I'm defintiely going to remember this little trick. I love how the magnolia plates look.
You're amazing, girlfriend. A tutorial is in order for those of us lacking a few creative genes.
You are the bestest cheapskate that I have seen lately. Very Creative
You're certainly brilliant. However, I already knew that. I know you use this technique with your every day tablescapes, but as far as I can remember we've only used it twice in blogland. (The two pictures in for this post). Right?
I've seen this before and it's great. Not that I've tried it...paper, me and decopage don't do so well together. But I bet you would make it look wonderful!
xo
lynn
What a creative and 'frugal' idea. You are so smart. Thanks for the tip.
Brilliant! ... and just in time for the holidays!
I'm such a klutz, tho -- almost can't wait to see how badly I mess it up. :)
Shhhh, don't tell a soul! Its a brilliant idea & looks so real, no one will know for sure.
I'm stealing it for a BIG square glass tray that I use at Christmas time. Can't wait to see how it turns out. I'm guessing I could do this with fabric, too. You have NO IDEA how much fabric there is in my stash. LOL
Brilliant! I decopauged a napkin on a plate for on top of my cabinets, but I NEVER would have thought to use it for actual serving or plates, etc. That is so smart! I might have to try this next time I take treats to school for the teachers. You are so smart!
I'm really tacky. I don't even adhere them to the glass plate. I often just put a decorative paper napkin under the glass plate. It would look a lot more like part of the plate if I'd stick on the plate. Good idea. laurie
Hahahaha....love it...I've done it for years...depending on what we were having, and if the plates weren't having to be lifted, I just set my clear plate on a pretty paper or cloth napkin and they look beautiful. It's just amazing what us cheapskates can come up with. :)))
Oh I am late getting here...oh well, the mother of a five year old, what can I say.
Yours look great!!! I have to say I need to get it down better...they are beautiful.
Thanks for the tip...for doing this post and sharing my blog
You are great...from one cheapskate to another...how creative we can be!!
Speechless...and that says A LOT!! hahahaha I love it, Debbie. Cute idea, and I'd SO use it on the boss...literally stick it to the boss. ;)
I no longer entertain anyone but my husband and children, too many years of service nearly killed me. Now I actually enjoy such pleasures. I think I'll try this out some time.
Glad you liked your tag. I hope the Tootsie Pops made it safely. I wanted to send some creamy dark chocolate but didn't know how it would travel. Also, I typically use metal eyelets for stringing the ribbons but the craft store was out.
Much love to you, my friend. Headed over the Janette's.
Thank you for not being able to keep secrets - this is a GREAT thing to know. The only one I didn't quite get how to do is the magnolia one - it didn't look like a square plate.
You're wonderful!
sandie
I am a cheap skate too! I love the spray adhesive idea! So many pretty paper naps to use under the glass.
Hope you are well, Debbie!
Now this I LOVE! So do you use mod podge? Details pretty please!:)
Thanks for sharing your secret... I'll never tell! :)
I've never tried this before, great idea! Great looks!
Katherine
This is just too smart! What an amazing idea, and think of all the possibilities!!! I was doing something similar with clock faces because I couldn't find the "real" plates, so I had to make my own. I found clear glass plates at a thrift store and thought they were a bargain for $1.99. Then, a few weeks later, I found them at the dollar store. go figure. I don't have a color printer so I think I'll use napkins. What fun! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Debbie that is so neat! I am glad I went back and caught this post. I love that you can wash the design off and do something new next time. I am seriously going to have to get some clear plates now because I have seen so many adorable napkins out there that I just love. Thank you so much for sharing this again!
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