Do It Yourself: Coasters

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I really needed new coasters, but couldn’t find any cute ones that I liked (well, that weren’t ridiculously overpriced). So I decided to make them myself, and am so happy that I did. This project cost me less than $5.00, and only took about an hour to complete. I liked the finished result so much that I couldn’t decide if I wanted to hang them in my kitchen, or actually use them as coasters! I will definitely be making more in the near future, especially since they would make great gifts.

Supplies:

4 Small Ceramic Tiles

1 to 4 sheets of decorative craft/scrapbook paper

Mod Podge

Clear Acrylic Coating

1 Foam Sheet

Hot Glue Gun (Or Super Glue)

Most of these items can be found at your local craft store. I purchased the tile for only $0.16 a piece at Home Depot, and the rest of the items I bought at Hobby Lobby. Since I already had the Mod Podge and the Acrylic Coating, I only spent a total of $4.50 on supplies. Now if that isn’t a good deal than I don’t know what is!

Cut the craft paper very carefully with a paper cutter or scissors. Then spread a thin layer of Mod Podge on the tile (with a paint brush or foam roller). Carefully position the paper, and add one or two coats of Mod Podge over the paper, letting dry briefly between coats.

Cut 16 small squares (four per coaster) out of the foam sheet. Then glue them, using a hot glue gun or strong adhesive, to the bottom corners of the tile.

Then simply take the coasters outdoors and spray with a water-resistant Clear Acrylic Coating, following the directions on the can. I did two coats, which seemed to work out fine.

Note: If you want finished edges you can sand the edges of the tile and paint white. 

Voila, there you have it! If you make your own, be sure to share the photos!

Easy Tray Project

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This is a really simple tray project that I did over the weekend. You can pick up the supplies at a local craft store for around $20 or less. It only takes about 2 ½ hours, and most of that is dry time. Instructions and pictures below. Enjoy!

Supplies:

  • Tray (in the unfinished wood section of your local craft store)
  • Stencil of your choice (I chose a cherry blossom)
  • Spray paint of your choice (I chose an Espresso – Satin Finish)
  • Acrylic Paint of your Choice (I chose Leaf Green)
  • Clear Acrylic Coating
  • Paint Brush (I prefer a foam brush or roller)

Spray paint the tray using the instructions on the can. I did two coats, with about 45 minutes in between each coat.

Once tray has fully dried, place stencil in desired location and secure with tape for a clean line. Then carefully brush on the acrylic paint. I did two coats, letting dry 15 minutes in between. Once fully dry, remove stencil. If your lines are not smooth because the paint leaked, do not worry. It happens. When it happens to me I will take a very small paint brush, dab it in some of the spray paint, and try to make it a little neater around the edges.

In about in an hour/hour and a half (once the stencil is completely dry), spray with a coat or two of the acrylic spray and there you have it!

The great thing is that you can customize it to whatever color/style you want. For a different look you can also use craft paper on the tray (just use a good adhesive – I like mod podge). Here is an example of one I made. If you decide to make your own tray be sure to share the pictures!