Decoupage 101 - No Rules

So, here's my story.

In tidying up the basement the other day, I found a collection of old books - including an old hymnal that came from my grandparents' home.  I didn't find any dates in the hymnal - but it's an oldie!  (Original cost for cloth bound hymnal = 35 cents!)

My thought was that it would be nice to have that hymnal represented in some way in our home without the book itself (which was falling apart) laying around to be further ruined.  How to make it a keepsake? - that was the question.  It had been in hiding too long.  What was the point of keeping it hidden away?

I also noticed a melamine Christmas plate that hadn't been put away with the other Christmas items.

I wondered if I could combine the two items, and make a decorative plate with a "nod" to some great hymns.  Here's what I started with:

• a 10" square melamine plate
• an old hymnal w/ yellowed & tattered pages
• Modge Podge (matte finish)
• a foam brush

I started by tearing out parts of key hymns that I knew

and wanted to include on the front of the plate.

I set those aside.

Then, I used scraps, and pages with unknown songs

to decoupage the border of the plate.

(Good-bye Christmas reindeer!)

Once the border was covered, I added the chosen pages

(from above).

I've decided to cover the front and back of the plate in case it would be seen from the back.  (I have a plate stand in mind.)   It doesn't matter so much what is around the edges or on the back -- so I can use the random leftover pieces.

 Here's the (almost) final product in the plate stand.

As I was taking pictures, I realized I have a few

odd little spots to cover.

I'm thinking about adding a touch of color somewhere on the plate.

Perhaps a little cluster of buttons?

Any suggestions?