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Thanksgiving Decoupaged Dictionary Page Place Cards

November 18, 2021

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Create unique Thanksgiving turkey place cards for your dinner table with a few napkins and an old dictionary page.

It's a quick and easy DIY craft project for the holiday!

Turkey cut out of napkin on desk with scissors

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I'm a huge fan of second hand treasures.

There's something about finding a diamond in the rough that gives me a charge.

Whether it's at the curb, on a yard sale table or displayed on a shelf at the thrift store, I'm all in.

It should therefore be no surprise that I'm an admin for an upcycling group on Facebook

We're over 66,000 members strong, sharing our junk finds and their transformations.

And I have to say that while I really enjoy the opportunity to share my own crafts and DIY with the group, my favorite thing is watching all the pretty go by.

Of course, some of the makeovers are way beyond my skill set. Others require a unique item...like an old wooden chicken feeder or oversized tractor wheel.

Rare and/ or pricey finds here on my suburban island.

But every now and then, someone posts something that catches my eye and it's totally doable. 

This is one of those crafts.

It was inspired by Sara at Salvaged Treasures

A few weeks ago, she shared the most darling artwork and I was smitten. Unfortunately, time got away from me and I didn't order a print. 

At the same time, I considered making new place cards this year, since I love way they add to the dinner - especially since I'm more about the decor, than the food. 

Then I saw Linda's lovely table setting and remembered some turkey napkins I'd ordered online and, well, you already know the rest.

How To Make A Book Page Place Card 


Thanksgiving Place Card Supplies on a table

Of course, after I ordered them for a premium price, I saw them in my grocery store for $1.99. Murphy's Law.

Crafting Supplies:


Turkey napkins
My favorite clear coat
Inexpensive Picture Frames
Scissors
Dictionary book page
Gloves
Paint Brush

At least, I had the clear coat for decoupage and a few dollar store frames on hand.

The one thing I didn't have was a dictionary page, and those weren't for sale at the grocery store. 

However, I found a great looking one from a 1920's dictionary, for free, and printed it up. Gotta love the internet.

After I gathered my supplies, I cut out one of the turkeys from the napkin, getting as close to the body as possible.

Cutting Out Turkey Napkin

Then, I separated the two layers of paper very carefully. My napkin only had two layers, but some have a sneaky third. 

Just make sure you get them all, otherwise when you add the decoupage you won't be gluing the top layer down.

Peeling Napkin Layers Apart

I've never decoupaged paper to paper before, so I wasn't sure how this was going to go, but turns out it was pretty simple.

I added some of my Dixie Belle clear coat as decoupage medium onto the paper.

Decoupaging Paper To Paper

I just didn't use too much.

Then I placed old Tom on the paper and smoothed him out gently with a glove on my hand.

The plastic glove didn't stick or rip the paper. It's my go to trick, you can peek at on my decoupaged Christmas plate.

Using A Glove To Decoupage Napkin

The last step, in this part of the process, was to go over the turkey with a bit more of the clear coat and smooth again.

He looks bumpy, but the wrinkles settled out once he was totally dry.

Decoupage Napkin To Paper

I was going to repeat this process a few more times to make all the cards, then I realized that I could just copy them in the printer and be done. Product over process here folks.

Not that I didn't enjoy the process, I did, but once for this one was enough.

Copies Of Decoupaged Art Page

With four copies on hand now, I simply got out my very fat, curved edge Sharpie and wrote everyone's name at the top of the card.

Thanksgiving Name Card Adding name with black marker

The marker was bold enough to stand out, but delicate enough to show the print behind.

Then I placed them each in a frame, gold to match my mother's china and flatware and grandmother's glasses.

Thanksgiving Table Setting With Custom Name Cards

I think the table looks very special and the cards take it up a notch. 

An elegant vintage style, handmade treasure to decorate our dinner.

Keep in mind that you can use this crafty idea to make artwork or name cards for any holiday or occasion.

Not just Thanksgiving. 

Wedding cards on love poem pages with floral napkins. Or you could mount floral transfers on sheet music or love poems.

Baby shower decor with storks or teddy bears on name pages.

Or a holiday banner with Santas and reindeer on The Night Before Christmas prose.

Thanksgiving Place Cards on table with gold and white plates

The possibilities are endless.

All you need is a little bit of imaginateion.

A themed napkin.

A book or dictionary page.

And some super inspiring friends.

šŸ˜‰

Before you go, I wanted to mention that if you're not into making a Thanksgiving version of your own, you can check out these very similar free printables. Same look without all the DIY.

MORE THANKSGIVING HOME DECOR CRAFTS:


Thanksgiving Table Treat Jars
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Centerpiece
Thanksgiving Fan Blade Turkey

Kim Signature


Post a Comment | 40 Comments

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  1. You are a genius my friend. I wouldn't have said make copies. No this girl would've been duh I have to make more.

    I do the plastic wrap trick now I have to try the rubber gloves

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks Cindy! I don't know if genius is the right word...more like lazy! Haha! I did keep the original to place in a frame though. It was too pretty to write on.

      And yes, I used to use a zippy bag on my hand, but we had so many plastic gloves sitting around, I decided to try it and it works even better!

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  2. That turned out awesome Kim and so brilliant that you photocopied the rest. I'm working on an advent calendar and really wish I could take a shortcut like that!! I'm just one of those crafters that overcomplicates everything; I envy your creativity and simplicity :)

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    1. Thanks!! I'm a very lazy crafter, Sara! I'm always looking for the cheat that's for sure. This was a very quick way to get there and get a pretty table, so I was all in.

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  3. What a cute and unique Thanksgiving place card you made. I like this idea and it's so easy to make. Thanks for sharing this idea and it's just perfect for the table.

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    1. Thanks Julie. It's an easy way to add a little extra sparkle to the table for the holidays.

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  4. Very pretty and creative idea, Kim. I love the dictionary page background!

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    1. Thanks Ann! Of course now I have an idea for Christmas and I think it might be perfect for our Do It Over Designers hop!!

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  5. I love these, Kim. Your creativity never fails to amaze me. Hugs, Laura

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    1. Thanks Laura! This was such a pretty idea, I had to give it a try.

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  6. Kim, you have so many great ideas that it just keeps my head spinning, BUT this is one of the best. It really turned out beautifully and makes the table so special. I am doing some Christmas things so am running out of time but I love this idea..You are one cleaver lady and I love it..xxoJudy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right back at you...and thank you, Judy. I love springboard ideas, where you take one idea and add something to it. The basis of this one was amazing on its own. I just tailored it to my needs. Can't wait to see some more of your Christmas crafty decor. xxoo

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  7. I love the place cards that you created, Kim. You were smart to think to photocopy the first one to save time. Decoupaging is in my near future and I will try your glove trick when I do so.

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    1. Thanks Paula! I’m such a lazy crafter, the photocopies were a quick way to get a pretty result. And the glove works great. If you don’t have one you can use a ziplock baggie. It works equally as well.

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  8. Replies
    1. Thanks Carol! They really are sweet. I think I'm going to have a hard time putting them away to make room for Santa and company!

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  9. Copying it was brilliant! I would have just kept making them. I'm probably working on Thanksgiving, but do have my whole family (22 in total) coming for Christmas. I'll have to think on a small version of this because I always make place card for the dinner.

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    1. It sounds like you'll have a lovely full house for dinner, Mari! I miss those days. I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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  10. Oh goodness! I am pinning! I have old sheet music.. and this idea would work perfect with it. :-)

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    Replies
    1. I love that idea, Carla! How cute would that be for Christmas??

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  11. These are so very pretty. I love doing crafts with napkins. My dilemma is that I have to buy a whole package of napkins when I want just a few of each kind.

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    1. Oh gosh, Jenny, I can't believe you said that, because I literally just spent the weekend cleaning out my art cabinet and it was filled with napkins!! I'm going to keep a few for future projects, but I need to start using them at dinner!

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  12. Love these Kim. Super cute for your Thanksgiving table. xoxo Kris

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    1. Thanks Kris! They do add a bit of festive flair to the table, that's for sure. xoxo

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  13. Well aren't you a smarty pants! Knowing me, I would have decoupaged every.single.one and never even thought to use that color laser printer sitting right beside me. These are oh so cute, Kim. Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

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    Replies
    1. I was ready to decoupage every one, Marie, when the copy idea hit me. It was an easy task, but the machine really sped it all up!

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  14. Those are vintage-y and lovely!

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  15. LOVE the way these look on the table, and that with imagination, the possibilities are endless! And, I'm right there with you about being about the decor more than the food! Not that I don't love good food, but when I'm hosting, I'd rather spend all my time on setting the mood, and ordering in the food!

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    1. I love good food, too, Amy, but yes, I'm way more about the decorating! And thank you so much. I'm smitten with these little turkeys, as well. I wish you a lovely Thanksgiving and a Happy Hanukkah...a busy weekend full of food and decor!!

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  16. What a fun idea! I love that you named your turkey Tom - that made me laugh. Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Haha! I thought all turkeys were named Tom! šŸ¤£Happy Thanksgiving!

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  17. These are fantastic. I was just telling my daughter tonight about all the really cool projects you do on your blog! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

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    1. Dena, I'm honored and touched that you think enough of my crafts to share them with your daughter. Big smiles over here!! Happy Thanksgiving to you!!

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  18. Very unique. Thanks for the mention Kim, I am glad it reminded you...LOL Making your own place cards is satisfying. Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving.

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    1. Linda, your tables are always stunning. I went to Etsy to look for the cards you had, but the delivery date was long after Thanksgiving. So I had to get creative. I'll have to plan earlier next year! Happy Thanksgiving my friend!

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  19. These turned out great Kim! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I sincerely appreciate the shout out. I just LOVE doing decoupage and when I can combine it with vintage items, it is even more fun! -Sara

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    1. Thanks Sara! Your pieces were so lovely, I was truly inspired!!

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  20. Love, love, love these!! They are so pretty!! Love and hugs!

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    1. Thanks so much, Benita!! I'm so glad you love them, too.

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