Love Letter Platter

Am I the only one that saves greeting cards?  Especially the ones stuck in flowers with that little plastic fork thing.  Yah, those are my favorite.

Maybe it’s seeing my name in his hand writing…or maybe it’s the thought of him taking the time to tell me he loves me on paper.  I just can’t throw them out!

Every single card, note, “letter”…I’ve saved them all.  I have them tucked here and there, and know our girls will treasure them when we’re gone.  Maybe even our grandchildren will blush at the site of their grandfather’s declaration of love towards their grandmother.

I hope so.  That’s why I decided to “seal the deal” into history with this thrifty “Love Letter Platter”.

It’s pretty, isn’t it?

It gives me that vintage, antique, shabby chic vibe.

You may be wondering if I used the original notes/cards for this “Love Letter Platter”?

Well…no.  I did not.  There wasn’t really any reason to go THAT FAR.  I just copied them in black and white and cut them out.

I found the silver platter at the thrift store for a $1.  Our thrift store has millions of them.

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Then I used Mod Podge to adhere them to the platter by brushing it on the bottom of the note first, then turning it over and painting it on top, too.  I was careful not to let air bubbles get too big.  Some were pesky though.  Just do your best, no worries.

This is what it looked like before I decided to paint it.  I almost kept it like this, but then I went for it and painted it.  I wanted a more authentic vintage “shabby chic” look.

I used paint that has primer already in it.  For the first coat I used a “dry” brush, meaning I dabbed off most of the paint onto a towel before I started painting the note areas.  I went very light on the notes because I wanted his writing to peek through.

Then I got thicker with the paint when I was on the silver platter part.  I sanded between coats.  Sanding on the notes also helped bring out the writing.  It was really fun to watch.  If I sanded off too much, I just added a little pencil over the lettering.  Just be careful not to sand after you do that.

 This is what it looked like after 1 coat of paint.

I did 3 coats total.

Then I put 2 coats of glossy polyurethane on it.

That was it.  I chose not to distress it because I was afraid it would all peel off!  I still might try that though after it dries out.

This platter is so is romantic and proof that our love exists.  I wouldn’t go serving turkey on this baby, but I do plan to display it through Valentine’s Day and then I’ll probably add it to our dresser to place my jewelry on.  It would be perfect for tea, or breakfast in bed {think Mother’s Day}. too.

If you enjoyed this “Love Letter Platter”, you may also enjoy my “Anniversary Photo Armoire“:

 Or my “Thrift Store Silver Platter Wall“:

Don’t forget to stop by and see what the rest of the “Thrift Store Decorating Team” is up to today!

The links to these lovely ladies is below… 

Petticoat Junktion

Domestically Speaking

DebbieDoos

Our Southern Home

Mom4Real

Bliss Ranch

Redhead Can Decorate

Our Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

My Repurposed Life