Bake - It - Forward!

This is a great gift idea for any holiday.  It is a Bake It Forward plate!  I found this great idea at http://www.infarrantlycreative.blogspot.com   What you do is you make this plate, add goodies and give it away.  When the recipient finishes the goodies there is poem underneath telling them to do the same and “Bake-It-Forward.”  How fun is that?!?!



Supplies:
Plate ( Goodwill for $.25-$1.00)
Envirotex Lite (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Amazon) $7-$10 on sale
Mod Podge (any craft store) $2
Foam brush $.20
Scrapbook Paper $.25
Bake it Forward Poem

1.  Open the poem (right click on the link to save it to your desktop) and size it so that it will fit on your plate.  Print it on scrapbook paper of your choice.
 
2.  Next cut the paper down to the size of the plate.  The first one I did happened to be a 6” square so that was easy.  If you have a circle plate you will have to use a compass or a circle cutter to cut out the paper.


 3.  Using a foam brush and Mod Podge (any sheen will do) spread a thin, even coat of decoupage glue onto the back of the paper.


4.  Press the poem into the plate and burnish (press really hard) the paper making sure there are no air bubbles.  Let it dry.

5.  Put two coats of Mod Podge on it (drying in between coats).  It is really important that you seal the entire piece of paper.  If you don’t the resin will seep through and darken spots on the paper and it won’t look as nice.  Note: If you see bubbles form put some Mod Podge on your finger and press it out.


 6.  Once the Mod Podge is dry prepare your resin ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.  That is very important – believe me!  Make sure you use a container and spoon that you can throw away.


7.  Pour the resin onto the poem.  It is self-leveling so it should spread to the sides by itself.  If it doesn’t - use a plastic utensil to spread it.


8.  Let it sit for 5 minutes.  At that time all the air bubbles will rise to the surface.

9. Take a long lighter and wave the flame over the top (touching the resin slightly) and the bubbles will disappear.  I usually babysit the resin for 30 minutes and use the lighter once more if necessary to get all the bubbles out.

10.  Let it dry overnight.  Meanwhile, bake your signature dessert and think of who you can give a sweet blessing to.  In the morning the resin will have cured.  Make sure you only hand wash this plate.  Now add some yummers and give it away.


   If you have none of the supplies on hand you could purchase about 5-7 plates and have enough of the resin to do all of them.  So it should cost you no more than $3 a plate. 
 
  With Easter coming up, this would be a great time to bake some spring cookies and "Bake - It - Forward"!