Studio 5 called me up a couple weeks ago and asked me if I would take the $5 Challenge.
Of course I couldn’t resist!!
So I headed over to my favorite place — The $ Store and scoped it out. I decided to make a few tiered trays. I have been loving Enamel Paint ever since I made my mustache glasses.
I wanted to make some Chevron Platters.
Kind of nautical for Spring!
I ended up making three different kinds of Tiered Trays from the Dollar Store.
The first were Painted Chevron Plates. I picked out two plates and my Dollar Store was out of glass candlesticks, so I had to go scrounge around a few thrift stores to come up with enough for my projects. But they ended up being between .25 and .50 each so score!!
I made a Chevron template on my Silhouette and printed it off on vinyl and then stuck the vinyl to the plates. Then I painted over the stencil with Plaid’s Enamel Paint.
Here’s a tip — do NOT let the paint dry and then peel off the stencil because your paint will peel off too. You need to peel off the stencil while the paint is still wet.
Then I painted some pennants on one of the plates and a flower on the other. You can use a pencil on your plates and then paint over the pencil marks. And obviously, you can paint anything you want. I was also thinking that a big number would be cute on the top plate.
{total cost — $2.50}
I have made a Chevron Stencil that you can download if you want to use it. You can either trace the chevron pattern on Contact Paper and cut it out with an x-acto knife.
Or you can trace the stencil onto stencil material and also cut it out with an x-acto knife. You can find stencil plastic at your local craft store.
Then bake the plates in the oven for 20 minutes to set the paint. Once baked, the plates are dishwasher safe. This paint is technically not supposed to come in direct contact with food, so use a doily or something when putting your food out.
The second type of tiered platter I made was — A Triple Tiered Platter.
{total cost — $4.00}
I got this idea from Joy’s Hope. She made some last Spring and I have been obsessed with them ever since. Super easy. Just get three of the silver platters at the Dollar Store and spray paint them different colors. Then spray paint a couple of candlesticks too. You can attach the candlesticks to the platters with Gorilla Glue, E6000 or 9001.
{total cost — $3.00}
The third platter I made was — Mod Podged Pizza Pans.
I also found the pizza pans at the Dollar Store. You take strips of paper and mod podge the paper on the trays. Then there is a spray you can spray over the top that seals the paper.
{total cost — $1.50}
I have a complete tutorial on how to make these here — Mod Podged Tiered Trays.
So if you have a big event coming up, or just need some unique serving pieces, head over to the Dollar Store and make some trays!!
Here’s the video — if you want to take a look 🙂
xoxoPS – I’m linking this up to Sarah’s
and these other super fun parties — be sure to check them out!!
how high do you bake them in the oven?
Hello, I was wondering what spray you used for the pizza trays you used with the paper strips. Love all of your ideas btw.
Searching for Chevron Printables and ended up here! THANK you for the printable!! And I love love your tiered plates… I may need to have a “Pinterest Pin & Do” Party with myself soon. Lol!
Before putting your food ontop of it, use clear shiran wrap so that the food is safe.
Wouldn’t painting the design on the bottom of a clear plate solve the “food-safe” issue?
Hey,
I featured your DIY Trays on my blog as I made my own tray today!
I went in search of other DIY trays to post to give my viewers more ideas and I love yours!
Here is a link to the post on my blog, "The Browy Blog"
http://thebrowyblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/diy-party-tray.html
I am going to try the mod podged pizza tins first and then graduate to the more difficult. I LOVE THEM ALL!
http://smackdabsavings.com
Hello!
I agree with your commenters that these are all adorable, however..miss Happy Acorn if correct. There is no such thing as 'food safe' paint. Please do not serve food on painted plates or glasses. I also doubt if they are dishwasher safe. I have made the mistake of putting some in the dishwasher and it took the paint right off. Unfortunately the hard working detergent does not know the difference between paint and stuck on food..so beware.
I say these things from experience..I used to paint on glass and dishes as a business. I also worked for the paint company who manufactures these produsts.
Not trying to be a 'downer'…just keeping you informed for your safety.
Craft on!
Janet xox
Super cute Jen! I think my favorite is probably that darling pennant tray…so cute.
We have a baptism coming up in May and I will have to think about doing something like this 🙂
What a BRILLIANT idea! And.. you have a very clean oven… being a clean freak I notice these types of things… I am going to seriously consider making these!
Thank you for sharing.
Leslie
Your newest follower from
Tranquil Acres of Alexandria
Awesome! You are so creative.
By the way, I have a give away on my blog you might be interested in. triumphandtears.blogspot.com
Love this! Very creative!
Denise
Extreme Personal Measures
Jen,
These are amazing i am going to have give it a go thanks so much for sharing tina x x http://scratchycatcrafter.blogspot.com
So cute-love the one with the handpainted banner! I featued it as my favorite post of the week on my blog =)
http://2dayichoose.blogspot.com/2011/02/post-of-week-tiered-trays-for-under-5.html
jenn, this is amazing! i love the flag tray so much! you did an amazing job!
wow Jen, these are awesome, i gotta try to make me some
A home run as usual, Jen! Looks wonderful!
I love, love, LOVE the modpodged trays! And even the "feet" on the bottom… DEFINITELY trying this one 🙂
Awesome post and what a fun challenge! I am thinking of making the modge podge trays for my son's graduation party in June. It would be great to have customized trays for his high school and maybe his upcoming college and I would get to use them 2 more times for my 2 other boys. Thanks for the inspiration!!
I just found your blog I love this idea, the mod podge tray is my favorite so cute!
What a brillant idea! They definitely look expensive! Have a wonderful day!
Jen, you are amazing!!!
YOU are so creative!!!! I must try one of these ideas. I just must. 🙂
Jen! You are so creative! Great ideas! 🙂
$5?!? That's crazy impressive! I think the tray is my favorite (pizza pans) but the others are awesome too! 🙂
I loved these trays last year when you did them and they are still just the cutest!
I have been looking for some inexpensive but cute LIA gifts for our Life Groups Love In Action Month (Feb) and these would be GREAT!!! Thanks for sharing your great ideas
I love visiting here! Each time I do, I find such creativity!
I love these plates! You are chuck full of good ideas!
How are your sweater refashions going?
I can't wait to see them! 🙂
I'm excited to get together next week!
I'm going through "Jen withdraws" ha!
Very cute, however, unfortunately these paints and such are NOT food safe. There is no such thing as a food-safe paint or spray. The only thing you can do is paint on the opposite side of clear glass plate so it shows through and food will not touch it.
Love the chevron pattern! Great ideas.
Oh MAN!!!! I saw those silver trays at the dollar tree yesterday and COULD NOT FIGURE out what to do with em. I knew I should have gotten em!!!! GRRR.
Thanks for the fun idea!
You are so clever! I love all of the ideas. I especially like your clean oven! LOL!
Ok, words can't even describe how fantastic these are!!!!!
I do Dollar Tree crafts all the time…but these are just beyond what my mind would have ever considered!!! 🙂
(Could I use more exclamation points to get through how much I love all of these!?!) LOL
Fun! Can't wait to make one. Think I'm gonna try the Chevron pattern with a number on top! Thanks for sharing this!!
This is too brilliant. I really need to spend more time at the Dollar Store. I really want to make these.
A Week From Thursday
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I make cakes and desserts and these would be so cute to deliver to my clients! We also entertain quite a bit so I am looking forward to making some for our next dinner.
Amie
coffeecakescrazies.blogspot.com
Jen, I swear you are some kind of evil genius, except minus the evil part. 😉 I love the chevron stripes, and the gorgeous little pennants you made. The mod podge pizza platters are pretty awesome too. 🙂
Jen, you are absolutely brilliant!!
love both the glasses and the plates!..so happy and fun!
Thank you so much for sharing. I always head on over to your blog for inspiration!
Love every one of these! Linking others to you from my blog!
Love these!! Absolutely adorable… you talented lady!
Wow, these turned out SO cute! You are so stinkin' creative!! Nice job! 🙂
Love these! Love the colors! My fav is the penant plate!
These are so great Jen!! I love them all but the pennant plate is to-die-for! I actually said, "Awwwww." 🙂
Great job – as always!!!
LOVE all of those! SO adorable. I'm definitely going to the dollar store this weekend!
Super cute!!!! What temp did you bake the plates? Thanks for the inspiration
I love them all, but the mod podge pans with the butterflies were my absolute fave!
Love them all!
Where did you find the food safe spray you can spray over the top that seals the paper??
~Courtney~
http://www.love2sisters.blogspot.com
I love these! What a great idea…I think I will plan a trip to my Dollar Store this weekend to see what I can find. Thanks so much for sharing!
~Courtney~
http://www.love2sisters.blogspot.com
those are all so great. I think I am going to have to try it for sure. I'm having a giveaway on my blog if anyone is interested.
http://www.alwaysinwonder.com/2011/02/little-giveaway-cause-its-tuesday-and.html
These are SO cool – I think I have a candlestick or two around here somewhere – now to the dollar tree/store for trays:) Yours are VERY cute! Love it:)
LOVE the chevrons! Such a clever idea! Hope you win, Jen! These came out great.
Everything's so cute!!! My mom has made some enamel plates for Christmas before, but nothing so great as these.
I have a friend who REALLY wants a tiered platter. I think I will make her one as a hostess gift for her V-Day party this week.
LOVE them! I'm so glad to know that there's a paint that's safe for use w/ food. I've been wanting to make my grand kids "it's your special day" plates, but couldn't afford going to a pottery store to make them. I'm going to the dollar store tomorrow! THANKS!
You are a genius! This is fantastic…everyone I know are getting serving trays for Christmas!
How stinking cute is THAT?! Love it!
Jennifer, these are amazing. I have been wanting to make some for several months, but while I've seen them online, none of them have been as cute as these. Beautiful and fun! I hope mine turn out a tenth as nice as yours did. And thanks for the tip about the spray to use over Mod-podge! ~Lori
awesome idea ,thnks
Jen, I LOVE these. What did you use between plates? Candle stick holder?
You never cease to amaze me. I am throwing a tea party soon and need some tiered dishes. I usually do the candlestick trick, but never thought of painting the plates myself. You rock.
I absolutely LOVE the final tray – the pizza pan with the black handles and little feet – craft love right there…craft love!
Smiles,
Melanie
http://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com
Jen, they are awesome!!
my heart is skipping!
jen these are fantastic. i love love love everyone of them. amazing.
you are so clever. of course, i love the bunting but all the others are just as fabulous.
this entire post makes me happy.
😉
kellie
WOW!!! Absolutely LuV those trays! So Spring-y. I can't get enough of those $1 store finds:)
~Katie
http://www.poshhouseoriginals.blogspot.com
Wow…I can't wait to go to the dollar store. The trays are wonderful! You are so very crafty!
fabulous! so colorful and lovely! love the bunting one and the chevron!
My word, Jen – your creativity astounds me!
Love these trays! I'm going to the dollar store tomorrow!
Thanks for the link on twitter, btw! 🙂
WICKED Cute! I LOVE the pennant one!
I'm heading out to The Dollar Store and Hobby Lobby on Thurs!
Thanks for the ideas!
~Dana
[email protected]
girl, you have VISION!! these are all so fantastic!!
These are adorable! The painted Chevron pattern is CUTE!
Those look awesome!! Great job, I love the chevron print, and the one with the bunting! adorable as always, Jen!
I'm obsessed with this now. I am throwing a baby shower for my brother and SIL and I need more serving trays!!! I am going to the dollar store tomorrow and making this happen. <3 Thank you!
Love each project Jen! Way to go! Hoe you win! 🙂
Happy crafting!
Linda
Very cute I am loving them. I will have to make some for my husbands next back sale at work!
These look awesome! I am totally making one of those mod podged trays! I love it 🙂
You did such a good job with all of these!
Adorable! So cute for so little $$. 🙂
Such great looks!! Way to go!
Love all of those! I have three of those silver platters sitting right here with that same idea in mind! Guess I'll have to stretch my creativity and try something different! Love it Jen!
SO LOVE THE TRAYS AND THE ONE WITH THE PENNANT! I think this is the challenge my mums was telling me about.. YOU CAN WIN A Craft room.. or something??? I so don't have one so THAT WOULD BE A DREAM. love your 5 dollar challenge craft. You so rock!!! hugs, JEN
What great ideas!