Decoupage Thanksgiving Plate DIY

I used scrapbook paper to turn an old thrift store plate into a unique decor accessory for Thanksgiving.

Check out the simple tutorial to create a fun, vintage style dish to decorate your home this fall.

Oh friends, it's been a week.

While the Christmas crafts have been planned and are waiting for me to get my hands dirty, I have to confess, my motivation has been lacking.

Instead of painting and pasting, reading blogs, answering comments and posting, I've been puttering around.

And fall cleaning my house.

I have to say, it's not a job I hate.

I rather enjoy the physical tasks of sorting, washing and decorating.

Moving pillows from one place to another, while music fills the house.

And while I haven't dragged the Christmas bins out of the basement yet, since I love that pause between Halloween and Thanksgiving, the house is filled with candlelight, lots of brand new red velvet pillows and cozy throws.
That holiday feeling is creeping in. 

As a matter of fact, it started weeks ago, when I whipped up a quick Thanksgiving craft, this one from an old thrifted plate.

I've just been too distracted to sit still long enough to share.

Until now...and truth be told, if it weren't for my friend, Shari, who convinced me to put the mop down and start typing, this post might still be in draft.

So if you like today's craft, it's her you should thank.

I'd seen the most gorgeous vintage turkey plates in a local shop, but they were pricey, sold as a set and I really only wanted one for the new shelves in the family room.

So instead of buying all 12, I decided to make one of my own.


I already had a plain white plate on hand, that I'd picked up from the same shop about a year ago, for a buck. It was the same size as the rooster plates already on the shelf. 

That meant the scale was right.

Next, I grabbed a piece of the scrapbook paper I purchased on the same day that I bought the sunflower paper I used to decoupage my pumpkin.

I chose a colorful turkey and cut it out with scissors.

I didn't worry about getting too close to the colored design, since both the plate and the background paper were white.

Once I had my turkey in hand, I picked up my paint brush and my decoupage gel and got to work.

I say this all the time, but if you're new here, I don't love Mod Podge.

It smells terrible and if I can avoid it, I do. Instead I use Dixie Belle's Satin Sealer. It's more expensive than Mod Podge, but it's been so worth it for me.

It has no odor and it comes in a huge container so it lasts a really long time. Plus it's a furniture grade sealer, that means it has staying power.

*Also, keep in mind that no decoupage glue is food safe. This craft idea is strictly for display.

When the dish was covered with it, I placed the turkey on top of it and used my fingers to smooth it down.


I normally wear a glove to remove any bumps and bubbles, so my fingers don't stick to the tacky surface, but scrapbook paper is much sturdier than tissue or napkins and doesn't wrinkle as fast.

It's more like rice paper...which is really my favorite.

I let my turkey set for a bit and then I added another coat of sealer on top of it.


I used a damp paper towel to wipe away any of the decoupage medium that was on the plate surrounding the paper pattern.


Then I let it dry.

When I was done, I had a lovely addition to my growing collection of decoupage Thanksgiving Day decor.


As I said earlier, my intention was to place it on the family room shelves. 

But...it really popped on the red kitchen wall.


And on the plate stand. 

Honestly, it looked good no matter where I put it.


So this festive fellow has been making his way around the house ever since.

Living room, den, family room, kitchen.

Apparently, he's a free range turkey.

Who knew?

Oh, well, at least all the rooms are clean.

🦃

What have you been up lately?

Happy Decorating, Friends!