To know me is the realize that I will only do an easy craft.
If it involves anything requiring the least amount of patience, I’m out.
My Music Lyric plate fits the bill – it took me less than 5 minutes!
I was inspired by this Halloween plate from Brooklyn Limestone where she wrote the words from The Raven.
My plate is for The Hubs who, being from Jersey, is a true Springsteen devotee.
So of course I had to write the lyrics from Born to Run.
post contains affiliate links
How to Make a Personalized Song Lyric Plate
* Dollar Store White Ceramic Plates ($1 each)
* Porcelain or Vitrea Marker
(I used Vitrea – it’s for glass but worked perfectly on the plates and they can also go in dishwasher)
* Painters Tape
P.S. if you don’t want to make your own plates, these black and white Christmas plates are a gorgeous alternative.
* I put blue painters tape across the plate as a guide and moved the piece of tape down when I finished a line.
* I only used the rim of the plate but you could write across the whole surface if you like.
The Porcelain marker directions say to wait 24 hours for the plate to dry then bake it in the oven at 300 for 40 minutes.
I plan to make three more plates with my (and my girls) favorite lyrics
(I foresee some Bieber & Taylor Swift)!
So for $7, I have 4 personalized plates that took less than 20 minutes.
Baby, I was born to run – and so are you (to the Dollar Store & Michael’s)!
Great news – see how my song lyric plate has held up to hundreds of trips in and out of the dishwasher here.
Want more ideas – check out all off my Simple Projects.
i LOVE this project!!!! oh the possibilities!!!! i sure have tons of plates and i have the markers and…well i guess i have no excuses…i have to get to it since it is a CINCH!!!! you rock my friend!!!! : ) hugs…
You’ll do something fabulous with this – I just know it!
Okay, I am loving this! I pinned it! And now I must run out to the Salvation Army & Michaels so I can make plates for everyone in my familly …
Seriously amazing idea!
🙂
Linda
Isn’t it the coolest – we better watch out or we’ll have 8,000 differently worded plates piled high!
aw i love them
Have you been watching over my shoulder, guess who just ordered those pens? Yes, it was me! I am going to make some for the lake 🙂 I love yours, you go girl!
Didn’t you notice that snorkel sticking out of the water by your dock? That was me stealing all your fab ideas!! Can’t wait to see yours
This is so cool! I’m working on my cinch project, but I keep getting sidetracked haha!
Get cracking on your project! The good thing is – it’s a cinch so you’ll be done in a snap! See you on March 27!
Wow! That’s really cool. I would love to try that someday.
Give it a go – it’s super easy! Send pics if you do – would love to see
Pinned it, tweeted it, I’m clearly in love with the idea. The down side for me is I have awful handwriting, like incredibly bad. I’m thankful that by the time I got to architecture school everything was on the computer so I didn’t have to fail at hand-lettering:) Maybe I’ll bribe someone with nicer script to come do it for me…
Thanks for the pin/tweet!
Just consider your handwriting “artsy” and if anyone questions, look down your nose in disgust!
I don’t think my handwriting is great – a bit illegible but it works! (I’ll write yours – just say the word)!
love this!! saw the same plates at Halloween! love the idea of the lyrics! thank you so much for sharing! 😉
Bonnie – endless possibilities! Glad you like
What a crazy awesome idea! I saw that Halloween plate too, but it never occurred to me that I could do something for the everyday…Love that you used lyrics! Jumping on the pin bandwagon…
Or it could be a poem, recipe, b-day plate … Thanks for pinning!
Kelly,
I LOVE this project…..seriously…..I love, love, quadruple love it. You had me at cinch!
I can’t wait for the party.
blessings,
karianne
I had you at letters didn’t I?!
That is totally AWESOME. Sorry, the Valley girl showed up. Anyhow… LOVE them. Super cool idea. And so customizable. Yes, that’s a word. Because I said.
Like, totally rad dude!
What a lovely idea – would be great as a wedding gift – say all the bridesmaids and groomsmen writing a message to the bride and groom as a keepsake. Thanks for sharing!
Love that idea – would be perfect for a wedding!
Love this! And your handwriting looks like a font…one that I’d like to download please. 🙂
Kristi,
I thought my handwriting was kind of sloppy – I’ll call it artsy!! Can’t compare to Brooklyn Limestone’s version!
Testing out my new auto response (that you taught me)! Let me know if you receive this automated message.
Kelly
Glad you liked it.
Have you tested it out in the wash? I thought the vitrea paint was for clear glass only. Wondering if it works on ceramic as well as the porcelain one.
Oops – it was the only marker in that section – I thought it was a different brand! It doesn’t say anywhere on the marker or package that it’s for glass! Will test it out and see how it washes and update my post with results. Thanks for letting me know!
Washes like a dream!
Kelly
Now, this is just a cool as it can possibly be. I love it….
Kelly, this is just a genius idea!! I can see endless possibilities here. Pinning this next! I hope you will link this up next weekend. Don’t forget, I go to WordPress tomorrow! You will have to drop by to see my new look and my big announcement about a certain project at a certain magazine 🙂
How exciting!! You’re such a tease!! Can’t wait to see what the big news is!
Good luck with WP – if you need a great teacher – I know a gal who’s starting up video classes – she’s taught me so much already!
Kelly
I’m making these for sure! Thanks, brilliant girl!
Brilliant – I’ll take that!! I’d love to see what you come up with!
Genius, Kelly! I’m pinning this project — how fun for special occasions (and EASY and CHEAP)! Thanks for sharing!!
xo Heidi
Wow, that does look like a cinch. This would make such an inexpensive gift. I’m off to the Dollar Store!
cinch is the only craft I will do!
These are so cute! I made bowls a few years ago and the paint is starting to come off a tiny bit, but we use them everyday. The writing is on the outside. Fun, cute and inexpensive- can’t beat that! I love that you used lyrics.
great to know I have years of use with these plates! oohh, now you have me wanting to make bowls!
Cute idea..and wonderful penmanship!
Bristol
Catholic school makes for great penmanship!!
ooh, this is going to be so cool at my Derby party, words to My old Ky home!
great idea! – I found the most fab KY derby glasses at the thrift shop – need to share them soon.
What a fabulous idea Kelly!!! So simple and inexpensive too. Having good handwriting is a PLUS too!
I’d love for you to share this at a party that I have going on at Project Queen.
http://projectqueen.org/welcome-to-link-party-26-turning-the-daunting-into-the-do-able
Hope you stop by! I’m a new follower via L.F. Love your blog. Great ideas and SO inspiring!
Mandy
Girls night out we got together and painted thrift store glassware last year for Christmas presents. I love your lyric plate idea and pens give you so much more control. Painting letters was sooooo difficult. So many gift ideas for the worded plate are swirling in my head. Will share and pin your awesome cinchy project:)
i would never have a steady enough hand to paint letters! thanks for sharing!!
Brilliant! This would make a great gift anytime of the year. You’ve got the wheels in my head turning so fast. Thanks
let me know what you do!
Great idea! I love sentimental gifts and this would be perfect. I’d like to make something similar on a coffee mug! You have beautiful handwriting. 😉
Hey Kelly- awesome idea, I’ve got to go thrifting to pick up some plates! I was clicking around your blog, wanted to let you know that your kitchen demijohns are supreme. Thanks for visiting for a song 🙂
And thanks for coming over to visit me! Would love to see what you create with your plates. Since I love vino – i felt the lights were only fitting!
Kelly
I love this! Your writing is so pretty! I’m a big fan of fast and easy – projects that is 😉
Couldn’t have been simpler – glad you like it!
Cool! So great that you’re personalizing each plate with lyrics that each member of your family loves. Heck, you could personalize almost anything that’s ceramic and moderately flat!
Such a super job. Love the plate! What a great idea.
Thanks for liking my musical plate! So many ideas for this – ideas are brewing!
This is fantastic! I’ll definitely be giving this a try!
What’s not to love…this is awesome!
This is just beautiful. What a great idea. I wish I could try it, but I worry that my handwriting isn’t as lovely as yours. 🙂
I think this would be so much fun to do as a family craft! I will be running like Bruce to those stores! Thanks for the inspiration and great idea!
This is such a great idea with so many possibilities! We’d love for you to share this at our first ever Beautify It Monday link party going on right now!
Bringingbeauty.blogspot.com
This really looks wonderful. i don’t know if I would do such a good job with my handwriting though! Did it really take 5 mins?
Lou
5 minutes max! It really is a cinch!
I have never seen this before! What an amazing idea.
Such an awesome idea!! I LOVE it!!
I love this idea! I am getting a little bored with some plain white mugs and this is giving me an idea about jazzing them up!
Happy to join one of your challenges again.
How did the cups turn out? I want to draw a small gingerbread man on mine for a Christmas Tea at our church!
What a cute idea! These would be perfect for gifts.
Just wish I had better handwriting 🙂
Love this. And you have awesome handwriting.
That looks awesome! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
LOVE this, it’s so cool!!! thanks for linking up to VIF! xo
Thank you so much Kelly! Sharing this today at my party! -K
Wow, this is amazing!
I. LOVE. THIS. PROJECT!!!! Oh my goodness! Sharing this on our facebook page.
Shannon
(www.akadesign.ca)
totally smitten with your project!
hope you’ll visit soon–a great giveaway hapenning:
http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-giveaway.html
smiles.
michele
Awesome!! This plate is so cool. And I’m with you…if a craft isn’t easy, it’s hard for me to even think about doing it. So this is right up my alley! I’d love to use a plate like this on my plate wall in my dining room. Thanks so much for the inspiration! 🙂
Great project! I love the easy stuff too!!
I just pinned it 🙂
We are going to make these at our craft group tonight!!! Not sure of how the handwriting is going to look as the wine bottles empty…lol… but it’s a cute idea! Thanks for sharing it.
I need to see that – any craft sone with some vino is always better!
Kelly
What a fun project … you have me thinking about all the fun lyrics I could put on a plate!
Great way to personalize a plate, and much cheaper than ordering one. Thanks.
~Amy
OK, seriously you just messed me up. I now have a thousand songs swirling in my head. lol. But seriously this is such a wonderful idea. These would make amazing gifts (After I make my own set of course). Now I just need to work on my hand writing. 🙂 I would love it if you could share this wonderful post at our WIW linky party. Hope to see you there.
Paula
Ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial! This plate is wonderful! I’ve featured it today at Grits & Giggles. Come grab a featured button.
http://www.gritsandgiggles.blogspot.com/2012/04/featured-projects.html
I love this craft! This would make such an awesome gift – so personal. I’m going to give it a try. Thanks for linking up.
I’ll be featuring YOU tonight at {wow me} wednesday! You were one of the top ten most viewed links from last week’s party! Wahoo! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing.
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
*fist pump* I’m from Jersey as well! This plate is awesome. I meant to do something like this for my sister’s bridal shower, I bought the plate just never bought the marker. It looks great.
Love this project! I’ve been wanting to try this out for a while now. I just need to decide what to write on my plates! 😉
Hi Kelly! I hope you don’t mind but I’ve linked to this post from my blog (and used a picture too) as you inspired a project for a friend’s birthday present (also for my Wedding Anniversary, but I’ve not blogged about that yet as it’s a surprise for Mr.D!!) If it’s a problem, let me know and I’ll take the link down immediately. I love your song lyric plates, and I’m totally stealing the idea to write “our” song on a couple of dinner plates for our anniversary dinner!!!
I so want to try this! thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina
Just curious…which dollar store did you find the ceramic plates? I can’t seem to nail any down! Thanks for the tips! 🙂
I think it’s called The Dollar Tree. Hope you find some!
I love this. I have some beautiful white plates my Mom gave me last time I was at her house and I just hadn’t done anything with them. The outside is an open pattern so I was thinking chalk paint in the middle, but on second thought I like this much better.
Give it a go and I’d love to see your finished product!
that is fantastic!! i may actually try this one! :o)
Aaarrrggghhhh! My Michaels Store is discontinuing both of the pens. Time to order online!!
I actually got mine at Michael’s on clearance!
I may order online. Our Michaels only had the colors that no one else wants and said they are discontinued. I have so many ideas for these plates – I’m a lady on a mission!!
How very cool!
The Hubs loves his plate!!! But then again, he is a die-hard Springsteen fanatic!
wow that’s awesome! thanks for the inspiration =)
Simple and quick – my two criteria for a craft!!
I love this idea…I do have a question though, are those markers food safe?
Are those markers food safe
Good question Deborah – I checked the website and it didn’t specify but since it’s just on the outer rim, I’m not worried. Here’s the link to the marker site: http://en.pebeo.com/Creative-leisure/Decorate-surfaces/Vitrea-160
Pebeo specifically says their products are not for use on surfaces that will come in contact with food. I’d be wary of using the plates considering how close it would be to food (I know my food rarely stays off the rims of plates!). Would look beautiful as a charger or as a decorative wall hanging though!
I love this idea! I’m pinning this; you could do so many different things with this! I have a brand new link party going on and I’d be thrilled if you would share this over there so everyone else can see it!
http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/05/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-1/
Love this! I have plates on which I’ve written poetry on my walls 🙂
I’m going to work on this project with my daughter as a Father’s Day gift for my music loving husband.
This would be an awesome gift to make for a wedding anniversary. Thanks and I can’t wait to try it out!
My friend Andrea is a big Green Day fan and all around music fan. She took up guitar a couple of years ago. Sadly she and her husband will be moving across the country in less than a month. This will be the perfect (simple and inexpensive) but so personal and meaningful going away gift for her. I think I will do two plates one with songs lyrics from her favourite group and one with mine. Bryan Adams is my all time fave and he has a song called You’ve Been a Friend to Me which I think is fitting.
Thank you so much. Glad I found this.
HOLIDAY TWIST:
1. Write lyrics to favorite Holiday tune and include a plate of homemade cookies.
2. Have kids write letter to Santa on the plate and use the plate for milk and cookies for him. Then display the previous plates as memories for the kids.
3. grandparents: draw handprint of kid and include their writing around the plate.
This is SO GREAT! We did a girls’ night in && this was one of the projects! I ended up writing Jack Johnson’ banana pancakes song on the plate && it’ll be perfect to serve, well, pancakes! 😀 Thank you!!
I was wondering what part of the store you found this marker in? I went to hobby lobby and Michael’s with no luck in finding it and the employees didn’t help me at all. I really want to do this but couldn’t find the markers.
They should be oven safe, since we’re putting them in the oven right?
Yes, I put mine in the oven no problem!
Wow, your plate is gorgeous, it turned out really well! I have this linked to my DIY dinnerware post too today!
I love this!!!
Door251.com
I had NO idea this was possible and you have no idea how excited I am now! My daughter wants a tattoo of some of her favorite lyrics in my handwriting. Maybe she’ll take the plate instead?! 🙂
Love this idea Kelly. I like The Boss too.
What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing this!
So I’m wondering.. now that its been a few months.. paint still holding?! You still loving them?!
Still looks great – been thru the dishwasher at least once per day!
Fantastic! Everyone will be getting one of these this year! Would be te most awesom hostess gift, so personal! Love it!
Seriously?! My hubs would love to get a plate like this. I’m going to have to try this out (glad to see you didn’t use a Sharpie. I saw some fails on that trick.) Thanks for sharing.
This is such a great idea! Simple really is the best for me as well, since time is so limited by working and raising children.
Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas!
Hi, Kelly,
I am linking to you in a round up I’m doing about great Valentine’s projects. I am linking to both this post and your site. If this is not okay with you, please just let me know. Love your project!
[email protected]’s Musings
I am SO going to do this! Thanks for the instructions!
What a great idea!! I love it! Thanks for sharing it again, I missed it the first time. Adding this to my never-ending project list!
Thought this would be a great b’day gift for my son (will be 44) – would write about the day he was born. SO, no luck at Dollar Tree or Dollar General on the plates and no luck city-wide on the Vitrea marker. With no time for ordering, I found plates at Target and Walmart and will have to use oil-based Sharpie markers. Off to compose! Thanks for the wonderful idea.
How did the oil base work out for you? And what kind of plates do you suggest?
The pen worked wonderfully! Just cheap dollar store plates
Such a smart idea to use a song… some of us can’t find the right words… but picking a great song is an awesome idea!
I’m kinda scared to try this because I have really bad handwriting….
Kelly loved this project! It turned out great!
I love your idea, my only problem is my handwriting. It’s terrible! Any suggestions as to how I could do this without my handwriting on it? Maybe Mod Podge?
Try printing or self adhesive stencils (like these: http://amzn.to/XEAaxW) Ida – I think that would look amazing!
[email protected] Vintage thank you so much! I will do this.
This looks so effortless and beautiful. Pinning this for later!
Thanks so very much for the Lyric Plate and etched glass ‘how tos’…..going to work on some projects for my son and new daughter’s wedding anniversary.
Hope they love their gifts Jewel!
Thank you SO MUCH for pinningthis. My daughter/friends will love it!
Are these plates safe to eat from?
I wrote along the plates perimeter where food doesn’t sit Joyce.
I love this idea. I didn’t see in the directions what kind of Pen you used. I would love to do this for my daughter for her birthday. My husband passed away in December 2015, and I would love to do his favorite song on it for her birthday. I know she would love this. Thank you for a great idea. Sheri
I love this and have already made some. Are there copyright laws about writing the song lyrics? I’ve tried researching it.
If don’t sell these – not sure about using lyrics on things for sale
I love the plate idea as a gift. I am going to make one for my 25th wedding anniversary as a gift for my husband on June 22nd. I also plan to have my kindergarten students make it as a Christmas gift for their parents. I purchased a large multi pack of colored Sharpies. They will offer a nice variety for kids. Thank you!!! 🙂
I love this beautiful idea, thank you for sharing! I hate, however, that my handwriting will never look as pretty as yours does – but I’m going to try it! 🙂 Thanks again!
It doesn’t have to be perfect – give it a go!
Must try this. Thanks
Let me know if you make one Shirley!
It wears off after using
I’ve had mine for years and put it through the dishwasher hundreds of times and it has only minimal wear Linda.
Awesome idea! Will be great for gifts
it makes the perfect gift!
So what should this plate material be? Porcelain?? can I get that at the dollar store?
Omg, the possibilities are endless! Thanks for the idea. BTW: love the song on your plate shown.?
Thank you to a fellow Springsteen lover!
This is so awesome!!
Glad you like it Vera!
My 2 sisters, myself, and our 3 wonderful husbands are renewing our vows in May ’17. I have been looking for something unique to do and thanks to you I found it! I will be writing our personalized vows on our plates as a gift to my sisters. Thanks so much! ?
How exciting Melissa! Congrats to you and your sisters and your hubbies!
I love it!!
Great idea! Can’t wait to try this! Thanks. 🙂
Enjoy Sheri!
can photo e transferred to the palete
I am sure there is a way but I don’t have the instructions for that
So is a sharpie pen ok to use the same way
I don’t know Ali – I never used a Sharpie
I have not had any project get my attention this much in a long time… the possibilities are Endless!!
Thank you for this simple tip. I’m amazed at how one can make a ‘designer’ artsy plate in a heart beat! Personalized and perfect. !
glad you like it!
Love this idea! How did you plan out the spacing…I envision doing it…and having 5 more words I can’t fit…
Thanks
I just winged it Lori – and got lucky!
Can the dish then be used for eating or does it become decoration?
I only put the words on the part of the plate that doesn’t come in contact with food – we eat from it
My 3 Year Old Granddaughter goes around Singing all of Her Favorite Nursery Rythms. I plan on doing Her Favorite ones for Her .There are sticker that can be Added, And are Dishwasher Safe , But I plan on Hers going on Her Bedroom Wall with Plate Hangers they will be Cute. I’m even Gonna let Her Help me .These will be wonderful Keepsakes for Her when She grown with Her own Children. She only 3 But real smart, And does real good in Kitchen with me , And other Crafts we have done together….Thank You so much I cannot wait to make these with Her.
Hi Kelly! Before entering into this post it mentioned using black permanent markers but in your post it mentioned Vitrea. Can permanent markers be used too!
Karen – since permanent markers are not food safe,I would not use them on any part of the plate where food will touch.
I’ve been making the song lyric plates for the past 3 years for Christmas gifts. Everyone loves them. This year, I’m having a friend/family get together dinner and plan on trying this with small saucers (white, from the Dollar Store) and putting snowmen, holly, etc. around the edges and then filling them with some homemade goodies. I’m starting with 9 today and then I’ll have about 20 or so more to go. I love the idea and so has everyone I’ve made a plate for. I’ve given them to a 10 year old up to a 62 year old. Great gift, handmade and appreciated by everyone I’ve given them to.
I painted a science on a plate with India ink once…came out great. Mom put it on display for over 10 years. Then one day she wiped it with a wet cloth to clean it! Clean it she did…so sad. Great to know about this project, thanks.
Oh No! Your mom must have felt horrible!
For my sister in law a huge fan of the late great Tom Petty I foresee a number of desert plates coming her way ! This will be an epic Christmas gift! Thank you!
Great idea Loretta – I know she will love them!
Hi, prior to reading the full article, it said that the list of items required included a Sharpie. Will a regular Sharpie work on this project?
Sharpies are not food safe but I’ve seen people use them similarly
Great idea Kelly! Definitely on my “gotta try it” list!
Thanks Susan – it’s still a favorite of mine! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
What size Vitrea Marker did you use? I just ordered one that is 1.2 mm & it’s not fine enough to write on a plate rim. The site on Amazon didn’t offer different sizes either. Very disappointing. ?
I’m not sure of the size (I don’t have the pen anymore) but I do remember it was pretty thick. As you can see from my plate, the writing isn’t very thin.
Can you confirm the time and temp in the oven I’m seeing conflicting posts about that and plates cracking
Jen – I did exactly what the pen directions said: The Porcelain marker directions say to wait 24 hours for the plate to dry then bake it in the oven at 300 for 40 minutes.
Hi,
I love your plates. I was wondering if I could use a sharpie and get the same result?
I’ve never tried it with a Sharpie but have seen it done.
I’m in love with this project!!
Thanks – it’s a favorite of mine too!
Love this! I’ve been wanting to make a plate that says Happy Birthday around the rim! Now I can make it and my husband’s birthday is in one week!!
I hope he loves it Carol!
Did this with my granddaughter for fathers day gifts. She drew pictures on the plates, so cute, but after we baked them, the colors faded quite a bit, in my opinion, looked so much better before we baked them
Love this. Yours came out great. After you bake the plates do you have to put something like mod podge over them to protect them. Do you need to wait a certain amount of time before using them for them to cure.
I didn’t add anything after baking. Once they cool, they are good to use!
Kelly, what a great gift idea. Please share the kind of pens used or where to find them. I love this. Joni
Hi Joni – thanks so much! It is a fun gift! The link to the pen is under the instructions. It’s highlighted – just click on it.
This is so cool. Do you think it’s possible to do this with a mug instead of a plate?
I don’t see why not!
Can we use sharpie
I never tried with one so not sure if it would be durable.
Hi! Can you use Sharpie markers?
Thank you!
Wow. This is such an amazing idea. I am truly thrilled and so excited to make these. I am pinching pennies this year for Christmas, not anymore!!! I now have gifts to give everyone!! Who wouldn’t want their favorite song on a plate!!!
So glad you love the song lyric plates Janel and they do make the perfect gift!
Hi! Love this idea. Is it possible to use china plates instead of ceramic???
I don’t see why not!
How long and what temp should these be baked at? I see two didferent things and don’t want to meas it up!
The Porcelain marker directions say to wait 24 hours for the plate to dry then bake it in the oven at 300 for 40 minutes.
Hi! The plate I purchased doesn’t say oven safe. I’m hesitant to put it in the oven. Are your plates oven safe?
I love this idea for many event’s however, are they safe for food?
The marker is on the edge of the plate, not the eating area.
Can’t wait to try it!
It’s such a fun idea Mary Ann – enjoy!
It’s a good thing I clicked on the instructions. The pin says you can use a Sharpie, but you really need a special glass/plate marker
I love this idea. Now I have my Christmas gifts for my guess. Thank you
Your guests will love this thoughtful gift Maria!
I was thinking of doing this… I have a close friend who is getting married. I am going to use there wedding song!! LOVE IT!!
Now that is a Wonderful Wedding Gift .I’m sure your Friend Will Love that