I’m a bit of a doodler. . .
Like. . . when I’m on the phone . . . when I’m thinking or designing . . . and I even have a specific doodle art journal. . .
So when I started to see doodled plates appearing on Pinterest I knew I had to give this a go.
To be fair. . . the first time I saw this idea was earlier this year over at Kelly’s blog Eclectically Vintage, but Kelly used a porcelain pen. I had one of those pens on my ‘must get’ list for months, then I started seeing pins on Pinterest using Sharpie pens.
Well. . . I have dozens of Sharpie pens!!
So this week I tried out this techniques with a couple of 30 cent thrift store plates.
My first project was to write on a plate that would be fill with homemade cookies and gifting to my neighbours.
I started by making sure my plate was super clean and dry. . . then using a fine line Sharpie pen I simply wrote my message on the plate rim.
Yep. . . that quick. (Here’s a tip… if you make a mistake, the pen is easily removed with nail polish remover).
Next I popped the plates into a cold oven and baked at 180 degrees Celsius (350 F) for 30 minutes. Then I turned the oven off and let the plates cool in the oven.
I’ve heard that sometimes these plates don’t stand up to being washed repeatedly in dishwashers, so I wrote on the bottom of the plate ‘Hand Wash Only’.
Now all I have to do is fill this plate with yummy home baking and wrap it up with clear cello and a big red ribbon.
How’s that for cheap but personalised packaging. . . I don’t even need a gift card because the message is written on the plate.
After I realised how easy and quick this project was. . . I moved on to another one . . . A Neighbourhood Plate.
Have you seen these around before?
They are great for uniting a street and getting to know your neighbours. . . it’s a plate that keeps on giving.
The idea is for one person to fill it and then gift to a neighbour. They then fill it and pass it on to another neighbour. . . and so it continues.
Once again, I uncapped my trusty little Sharpie pen and hand wrote the message around the rim of the plate. This time I got to doodle a bit too!
Here’s the wording:
(Please note, that in Australia we spell ‘neighbour’ differently to the US).
‘This is our traveling NEIGHBOURHOOD PLATE to say “we LOVE YOU and think you’re great!”
Enjoy these goodies we made for you, then here is what you have to do…
Fill it with treats and pass it along, share with your neighbours ~ and don’t wait too long!’
Now my mind is whirling with other ideas for writing on my dinnerware!!
I’ll be sharing this project at this week’s link parties and with these friends: French Country Cottage, The Vintage Farmhouse, 36th Avenue, Clean and Scentsible, Live Laugh Rowe, The DIY Dreamer, Transformation Thursday, At The Picket Fence, Nifty Thrifty Sunday.
I think your idea is brilliant. Pass it on….kind of like paying it forward only with food…lol.
Those are so cute! {and easy!} I especially love the idea of the neighbourhood plate {we spell it the same was as you do in Canada!} I think I will have to try it this year. Pinned!
These look super Kerryanne – what a lovely idea.
Toni xx
Kerryanne these plates are great. Thanks for sharing. I love the idea of the neighbourhood plate.
Your plates are quite lovely. This is a swell idea …. now, if only I could print and/or write as nicely as you. lol
What an awesome idea, thanks for sharing!!!
Paula
What an awesome idea about the neighborhood plate! Thank you for your friendship and what a blessing you are to me! Wishing you the most joyous and blessed of Thanksgivings!
Have a wonderful day!
karianne
Love this,now to find some cheap nice plates!
This. Is. Brilliant. I did not see this when I was featuring your burlap bunting or I would have had a HUGE dilemma! I adore this. Sharing on my FB page now. Thanks for another great idea!! 🙂
This is such a fabulous idea and a great way to get to know your neighbors! Thanks for sharing!
LOVE THIS IDEA! We are trying to get more people involved in our community and I think this is a fabulous idea to pass along!
Tried this and the pen began to wash off with first hand washing – bummer. Adorable idea, will try with oil based sharpie pens.
Oh… that’s disappointing Michele. I wonder if it may have been the pen you used? I still have pieces I’ve decorated and they haven’t faded. That’s disappointing when you put all the time and effort in to it 🙁
just wanted to share the post where i linked this great idea to! http://drinking-the-whole-bottle.blogspot.com/2014/11/holiday-gift-guide-2014.html
This is so cute! Love the idea!
Marry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Vesna
Even though I just joined your newsletter again after a few years, I absolutely love these beautiful plates and the wonderful idea to connect with neighbors. Thanks so much!