Transform Pretty Decorative Napkins Into Beautiful Mod Podge Plates

Have you ever Mod Podged? I'm not a crafter but I made this little soap dish plate for my bathroom using a very simple craft technique . I just wanted to share it.

A friend of mine recently hosted a small, informal craft class in her home and invited a few of us over to join in. 

I have to be honest — I am not a crafty person. Not even a little. But I went with an open mind, and I’m so glad I did. If I could do this project, truly anyone can. It was simple, relaxed, and surprisingly fun — and we all walked away with something genuinely beautiful.

We each started with a plain shell

We painted the back of the shell gold

The technique we used is called Mod Podge — basically a glue-and-sealer that lets you adhere pretty designs onto different surfaces. It’s easy to work with and very forgiving (which was perfect for me!).

I cut the napkin to fit the shell

We used decorative paper napkins as our design element, and watching them transform into something lovely was almost magical. 

This was the special glue that glues down the napkin

A friend made this one with mah Jong tiles on it

I couldn’t believe how something so simple could turn into such a charming finished piece.

Cutting away the extra

It's an easy fun project that can easily be done with kids. The best thing to do is to look it up on YouTube and follow directions. 

We also made a glass trivet from a clear glass. 

Clear glass trivet. I put gold paint around the edges
and a pretty napkin. 

How to Mod Podge a Decorative Plate

Important: This technique is for decorative use only. Do not eat directly off a Mod Podged plate unless you are using a product specifically labeled food-safe and sealing it properly.

What You’ll Need:

• A clear glass plate (smooth surface works best)

• Decorative paper napkins (the thin, printed kind)

• Mod Podge (Matte or Gloss)

• Foam brush or soft paintbrush

• Scissors

• Plastic wrap or parchment paper (optional, for smoothing)

  
  

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Step 1: Prepare the Plate

Wash and dry the plate thoroughly. Any dust or fingerprints can affect how the design adheres.

Step 2: Separate the Napkin Layers

Most decorative napkins have 2–3 layers. Carefully peel away the plain backing layers so you’re left with just the thin printed layer. This is important — only the top layer should be used.

Step 3: Cut Your Design

Cut out the design or pattern you want to use. You can do a full-plate design or smaller pieces arranged however you like.

Step 4: Apply Mod Podge to the Plate

Turn the plate upside down (you’ll be working on the back so the design shows through the front).
Brush a thin, even layer of Mod Podge onto the area where your napkin will go.

Step 5: Place the Napkin

Gently lay the napkin design face down onto the glued surface (remember, you’re working on the back). Smooth it carefully with your fingers or place plastic wrap over it and smooth outward to reduce wrinkles. Go slowly — the napkin is delicate.

Step 6: Seal the Design

Once the napkin is in place, lightly brush another thin layer of Mod Podge over the entire back of the napkin. Don’t overwork it — too much brushing can tear the paper.

Step 7: Let It Dry

Allow the plate to dry completely. This usually takes at least 1–2 hours, but overnight is even better.

Step 8: Add Extra Coats (Optional)

For durability, apply 1–2 additional thin coats, letting each coat dry fully before adding the next.

We used this at the end for an extra shiny coat to seal it. 

I had a great time making it ! Have you ever Mod Podged? 

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Ditch Your Teabags -They May Contain Plastics That Leach Into Your Tea

Are you a tea drinker?  Then you need to read this. 

Alert: Did you know that many popular tea brands of regular, green tea, or herbal teas, use tea bags that contain micro plastics that can leach into your cup of tea when steeped in hot water? I had no idea and it could be serious.

Scary, right?

What bothers me most is how little we’re told about what’s really in the food and products we buy every day. So many ingredients and materials are used behind the scenes, and consumers are often left completely in the dark. Who would ever be weary of our tea bags? 

I used to think we could fully trust the Food and Drug Administration to protect us from things like this… but the more I learn, the more I realize we have to become our own detectives when it comes to what we put in our bodies.

My son mentioned to me that he read about the teabags containing plastic that is released into our tea when we add hot water. 

I did some research and found out that it's true. Teabags contain micro plastics. I am not an expert on this subject because I just learned about it myself, but there is a ton of information out there on Youtube and the Internet for you to learn more. 

Why Micro Plastics Are Not Good For Our Health

When a simple paper tea bag contains hidden plastic, boiling water can release a significant amount of microplastics and nanoplastics into your tea—and you end up drinking them.

Microplastics are a concern because they may:

• build up in the body over time

• increase inflammation

• disrupt hormones and gut health

• carry or absorb toxic chemicals

• add to overall toxic exposure, especially for daily tea drinkers

If you’re drinking tea for health, you don’t want it coming with a hidden dose of plastic.

Plastic-Free Tea Bag Brands (at the time of my research)

If you want to avoid microplastics in tea bags, these brands are known for using plastic-free, compostable materials:

• Pukka Herbs (plastic-free, organic cotton string)

• Clipper Tea (plant-based, biodegradable bags)

• Teapigs (plastic-free pyramid bags made from cornstarch)

• Traditional Medicinals (plastic-free, compostable tea bags)

• Numi Organic Tea (abaca leaf fiber tea bags)

• Stash Tea (unbleached, compostable-style tea bags)

• Republic of Tea (paper tea bags, no plastic mesh)

📌  Always double-check packaging, since materials can change over time.

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☕ Brands That May Contain Plastic 

• Tazo — commonly cited as having plastic tea bags. 

• Teavana (Starbucks) — reported to use plastic or plastic-based filters. 

• Celestial Seasonings — their traditional bags contain polypropylene or nylon. 

• Mighty Leaf Teas — known to use plastic or nylon sachets. 

• PG Tips — uses PLA or plastic-based sealed bags (still may release microplastics). 

• Tetley — PLA/plastic tea bags reported (note: brand has been transitioning and their teabags may soon be plastic free. you need to check )

• Twinings — PLA/plastic material in many tea bag formats. 

• Yorkshire Tea — some tea bags contain polypropylene (plastic). 

Important: Some companies are actively switching to plant-based or biodegradable materials — but many of these still use PLA (a plant-based plastic) or plastic sealing to bind the bag, and that can release microplastics when steeped in boiling water. You need to research the brands.

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⚠️ A Note on PLA and Other “Bioplastic” Materials

Even if a tea bag is marketed as biodegradable or plant-based, it may still contain materials like PLA (a plant-based plastic) or other polymers — and research shows these can also shed tiny particles when hot. 

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📌 Best Way to Avoid Microplastics

The most reliable way to skip microplastics from tea bags is to brew loose-leaf tea using a metal or ceramic infuser — that way the only things in your cup are the tea leaves and hot water 

Disclaimer: The information in this and all my blogposts are for educational purposes only and based on my own experience and findings. I am not an authority and you should do your own research. 

Highly Recommend to Watch - It's not just teabags

I found this excellent video on Youtube ( I am not endorsing it- I just watched it and am sharing what I watched) that goes over the micro plastics in our kitchen in addition to and including teabags. It's 15 minutes and I recommend you watch it to better inform yourself and understand better. 

What do you think? Did you know about teabags and other products that we use that contain micro plastics that we end up ingesting? - such as most canned food.  All I can say is that I had no idea. 

If you can stand to watch more, this video shows the results of independent testing on various tea brands and the amount of not only plastics but high levels of pesticides and harmful toxins... worth watching too. 

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and am not trying to diagnose or treat disease. Always consult with your medical doctor before making any changes in your diet. 

Valentine Balloons Along The Waterfront Marina For Passing Boaters

Happy Valentines Day!

Yesterday on my routine morning walk, I strolled along the marina side of Haulover Park (in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida) and saw the sweetest surprise that was displayed for all the boaters. — 

A whole section decorated for Valentine’s Day with balloon pop-ups for the boaters to see as they passed by on their boats!

Instant Pot Black Bean Soup: My Shortcut Recipe Everyone Loves

Easy Instant Pot Black Bean Soup (Perfect for game night)

Looking for a soup recipe that you can throw together quickly for a last minute weeknight meal or get together?

I love a good bowl of hearty black bean soup, especially when it’s quick, comforting, and easy to make at home. The other night, I had friends over for a fun evening of playing Rummikub, and I thought—why not turn it into a soup and salad dinner before the game.