homemade gifts: Coasters

I've seen many renditions of homemade coasters on the interwebz.  Some using paint, napkins, rubber stamps, monograms, etc.  I used scrapbook paper because it comes in soooo many different colors and patterns and can be easily personalized for the gift-receiver.  I made these for Christmas presents for co-workers, and am in the process of making a set for each of my sisters.

Supplies:
* 3 3/4" square tiles (set of 4) from Lowe's (I looked at Menard's and Home Depot also, but liked tiles from Lowe's the absolute best.  They are called Sierra Beige something-or-other, and I like them because they have flat tops and straight sides - easy for Mod Podge-ing)
     ***Look over your tiles in the store and make sure no corners are chipped***
* Mod Podge
* foam brushes
* clear acrylic matte coating (aerosol)
* scrapbook paper cut slightly smaller than tiles (I cut mine 3 5/8" square)

just a SAMPLE of the beautiful scrapbook papers out there

1. Wipe tiles with damp cloth to remove dust/tile dandruff.

2. Work with one tile at a time.  Place tiles on top of scrap paper or newspaper to protect work surface.  Brush a light, even coat of Mod Podge on one tile and immediately place one piece of scrapbook paper on top.  Press firmly from center outward.  Then do the same with the remaining tiles.

3. Brush another light, even coat of Mod Podge on top of the scrapbook paper.  Make sure the entire top is covered, and even extend the Mod Podge over the edges and onto the sides.  (This ensures the paper won't be able to come off the tile).  Repeat with remaining tiles.

4. Let dry 15-20 minutes; Then brush another light, even coat of Mod Podge over entire tile surface, extending over edges.

5. Dry completely (i.e. overnight).

6. In well-ventilated area, spray an even coat of acrylic sealer over tiles.  Let dry (~15 minutes), and spray another light coat.

Voila!  Warning: they're kind of addicting to make! 

***Alternative Idea:  The first time I made these, I made a single test tile, which I now use as a SPOON REST on my stove :)

Better late than never....

I made these in December, but just took the time to post them now!  I should have posted sooner, because now I realize I don't have a picture of them hanging on the wall.

Supplies:

* wooden letters (I got mine at Hobby Lobby for 99 cents each)

* paint for edges

* scrapbook paper (I suppose you could also use wrapping paper, stamps, glitter, etc.)

* Mod Podge

* sponge brush

* acrylic sealer

I needed to trace the letters to get the right size to cut the paper.  It was tricky just to trace with a pencil because the letters are smaller on top than the bottom.  The easiest way to do this, I thought, would be to paint the letters with the brown background paint, then lay them upside down on the scrapbook paper.  It worked great! 

When the paint was dry, I cut the letters out of the paper.  I put two coats of paint on the letters to make sure there was no wood showing.  No need to paint the back, because they would be against the wall anyway.

Once dry, I placed a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the letters, placed the paper on top, then put another thin layer of Mod Podge to seal everything together.  Twenty minutes later, I put another layer of Mod Podge over it all, just to make sure.  I let it dry completely for a day, then sprayed a coat of acrylic sealer on top.  Bam!  I wanted to hang them by ribbon vertically on the wall, but couldn't figure out how to make all the letters centered (that darn 'J' was the problem!).  So I ended up just using 3M strips on the backs of the letters.  If you have any better ideas of how to hang them on the wall, please leave me a comment!