Every year on Black Friday, my internal debate of what to get everyone for the holidays begins. Andrew and I knew this year we didn’t really have the option to get too crazy because we are working our tails off to live without credit cards, and be free of our credit card debt. But, there is nothing I love more than Christmas shopping and gift giving. What’s a girl to do? We were stuck between a rock and a hard place. That’s when it dawned on me. Homemade is the way to go! I ran the idea of giving the gift of craft project by Andrew, and he gave the green light. The real question was what to actually make. With my recent discovery of mod podge (yeah, I know…I’m a late bloomer), I started thinking about what I could make with scrapbook paper. The light bulb went off and coasters came to mind. Everyone needs coasters!
We started off by drafting a list of who would be receiving our DIY coaster project. The final tally came to 17 different sets of four. One trip to Lowe’s later, we came home with 68 4′ by 4′ white ceramic tiles, two spray cans of clear acrylic spray, and three boxes of pads for the bottoms of the tiles. We picked up a few books of scrapbook paper at TJ Maxx for less than 5 dollars for each pack, which had at least 25 sheets of paper if not more. Pleased with our purchases, and even more pleased with our gift savvy-ness, we embarked on our project.
The first thing I did was sort through the stacks of paper and grouped four different designs together to make a set. In the picture below, I stacked all of the same sheets together, but you don’t need that many sheets for this kind of project.
Once I had all the groupings together, I busted out my handy dandy X-Acto cutting board. I measured out four inches, and started cutting. 68 cuts later, my arm was definitely feeling the work out the following day. And the day after that…
Once the paper tiles were cut, Andrew started the mod podge station. All he needed was paper towel to lay the paper on when gluing, a plastic ramekin with mod podge and a small synthetic bristle paint brush.
Mod podge away!
Look at how he very gently is holding the now glued paper. That’s because once the glue is on, the weight of it make the paper a little goofy and it’s easy to get a crease. Once glued, just flip it onto the tile and press evenly to adhere here. It’s really easy. The only thing you have to worry about is bubbles but with even pressure, it shouldn’t be a problem.
As you can see, he’s tired of gluing and being delicate. Make your manly face! Grrr!
For the sake of masculinity, I gave Andrew the job of spraying the clear acrylic spray over the tiles. Make sure you do this outside, because this stuff will seriously get you high if you do it indoors. Even more so than regular spray paint. But, if you’re into that sort of thing…well, then you’re into that sort of thing.
Two coats of spray later, we kept the tiles out for an hour and a half for it to dry. The weather was warm that day, so it helped them cure a little faster. If it was colder out, we most certainly would have kept them out longer to make sure they were properly dried.
Look how cutie they are! Check out the sock monkey tiles on the right side of the table. Those were specially made out of greeting cards! That just shows that you can accomplish this project with any card stock, it doesn’t just have to be scrap book paper.
Once tried, we brought them inside and started applying the nubbies (clearly not the scientific term, but I dig it), to the bottoms of the tile. In doing this, we can hopefully avoid the tiles scratching anyone’s table surface.
Papered, glued, sealed, nubbed and stacked. We have a finished product!
To make it look all gifty, we bundled the four tiles with ribbon and added a glittery gift tag. With that, our time spent in DIY land has officially come to an end and we have a cute and completely usable finished product. The perfect gift, wouldn’t you say? We are extremely thrilled with the way they came out, and jealous over the fact that we didn’t have a set for ourselves! The recipients seem to love them, and we’re really happy about that! I can’t wait to see what Andrew and I cook up next year for our holiday gifts.
Love, J and A
Great pics for the papers! I bet everyone loved them. Happy New Year!
Thanks so much for taking a look, Amy! Yes, they seem to be a hit! I’ve been getting messages from the family with a big A+! Hope you have a great New Year, too! Will you be ringing in the new year with your new glittery accessories?
They are beautiful! But I would imagine they are very heavy. I was thinking of maybe substituting cork for the tiles. That might be hard to cut, though. But you wouldn’t need the step of putting nubbies on the bottom. What do you think?
You know, I thought they would be heavy too… but they are more substancial feeling than anything else. Sometimes other materials can feel flimsy and loose its structure if you continually use it with a bold beverage. The condensation will affect other styles in the long run. At least with the tile, you don’t have to worry about that.
I was a lucky recipient of Jessica and Andrew’s DIY coasters and I LOVE them!!!! So cute, so well done and a perfect gift.
My girl never ceases to amaze me.
Thanks Heather! Glad you love them!
Cute Coasters ! I hope that you will share them at my party, Some Good Stuff: http://some-good-times.blogspot.com/2012/01/some-good-stuff-2.html
Megan
Hey thanks for share this !! a very simple technique to customize coasters
Hey Swathi,
Glad you enjoyed the post! The project is for sure super easy, and it has great results! We’re still hearing awesome feedback from Christmas!
Cheers,
Jessica
I love making coasters as gifts! They are especially great for housewarming gifts. I bet everyone loved their homemade gifts.
Hi Katie!
Thanks so much for checking out my little place on the web. Now since I know how easy coasters are to make, I’m sure I’ll be using that as a staple for gifts when needed! Homemade is always the way to go, that’s for sure! Now, I just can’t wait til I learn how to work my new sewing machine, so I can get to stitching some homemade gifts!
Cheers,
Jessica
This is a great gift idea. Sometimes I use a manly face when I’m sick of being delicate.
A few blog friends and I introduced a new challenge idea Monday and it would be so fun if you want to join. If you have a second, check in at http://thespacebetweenblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/imagine-the-impossibilities-challenge/ to learn more, and feel free to email me if you have any questions! Your newest follower.
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog
I love these. I’ve been looking for a coaster project for like YEARS. Fantastic. THanks!
Best,
Jen at JustAddWaterSilly.com, hopping from Craftastic Monday
(happily your newest follower!)
Hey Jennifer,
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. It’s a super easy project, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy doing it! Especially since ya get great results! Thanks for the follow, and I’ll be sure to head on over to your site.
Cheers,
Jessica
Love this post! I’m having a linky party, and would love for you to join! Here is the link http://www.thesouthernproductqueen.com/one-stop-shoppe-linky-party-3 Thanks for sharing!!!
Thanks so much for checking out the post! I’ll be sure to head on over to your site next!
Cheers,
Jessica
There is nothing nicer than an handmade gift. You did well.
LaVoice,
I agree! A homemade gift is always the way to go!
Cheers,
Jessica
I just got some tiles to do this with myself….only I am putting photos on mine. These look great. Thanks for sharing.
Pam,
Oooh! Photos! That’s a great idea! Hope to see the project posted online!
Cheers,
Jessica
And oh so lovely when completed!
Keetha,
Thanks so much for stopping by! And yes, it is quite lovely! I should have made a set for myself in the process!
Cheers,
Jessica
Very cute!! Looks like a lot of work…but so cute! Happy VTT
Hello!
It might have been a lot of steps, but it wasn’t hard and it was actually really fun!
Cheers,
Jessica
I did these with photos. They make a great gift. Glad to have you at Things I’ve Done Thursday!
http://www.bearrabitbear.com
WOW! I love these! They turned out great! I would love it if you would link this up to the Tuesday Talent Show this Tuesday at Chef in Training! I hope to see you again next Tuesday!
-Nikki
Chef in Training
http://www.chef-in-training.com
Nikki,
Thanks so much for stopping by! Glad you love the coasters. Thanks for the invite to head on over to your site to link up on Tuesday. I’ll definitely make a point to do that!
Cheers,
Jessica
Those turned out cute, and seems so easy to make! I was just wondering though, how long do they keep? I’d think they have to be hardy-ish because they’re actually going to be used. Does the paper not lift off from the tile along the line? Or does that acrylic paint (so clear varnish paint isn’t good enough?) do the trick to secure them for good? I’m scared (well, a little, haha) to make usable gifts since I’m always afraid they won’t last. Tnx!
Hey there!
I had all of your same concerns when starting with the project. But, I had read a lot online in regards to similar projects when using the clear acrylic spray, and all sources stated that whatever you use it on, will hold up. When we used mod podge to lay the scrap book paper on the tile, we painted a thin layer of the mod podge on the seams of the paper to avoid lift. Once we sprayed them down, it definitely created a barrier. I even tried to pick at one to see if the paper would lift, and it didn’t budge! Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Jessica
What a lovely idea and the paper choices are so fun, crisp, and modern! Love them!
Anna,
Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out the site. I’m glad you enjoyed the coasters! Coordinating the paper sets was the hardest part, so I appreciate the compliment!
Cheers,
Jessica
You guys are a coaster machine! Wonderful gifts and so beautiful. I might try this.
Ann,
It’s true! We are the Energizer Bunny of coaster making! So easy, how can you not go crazy? If you try it, make sure to send some pictures over! Would love to see them1
Cheers,
Jessica
Wow you guys made so many! I love this craft. I made some last week. You can check them out on my blog! I am giving away a set to a random commenter =]
http://www.paintsandpans.com/2012/01/23/diy-coasters/
Cheers!
Natalie
Hey Natalie,
Your coaster sets are stunning! And yes, we most certainly did make a lot. But, we had a lot to family members to gift last Christmas, so we had to make a lot! I will warn you though, it cost more to ship those coasters than it does to make them!
Cheers,
Jessica
These are fabulous! I want to make some right away, but I don’t know if mine would turn out as excellent as yours!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you like them. I’m sure if you gave it a go, the project would turn out a lot better than you think! It’s so easy!
Cheers,
Jessica
These are wonderful! My sister-in-law made me some for Christmas and I just love them! Glad to see the “how to!” Would love for you to stop by The Blackberry Vine and share at the Tuesday To Do Party!
Smiles!
Jami
http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
Hi Jami!
Love that your sister in law made these as gifts! It’s such a great idea. Thanks for stopping by, and I’m heading over to your site now!
Cheers,
Jessica (your newest follower!)
I love making those! I do mine, by printing pictures onto tissue paper, and then mod podging them. I also put cork on the bottoms. But the nubbies are cute
Angie,
What a great idea of using tissue paper! I bet they come out looking beautiful! I also love the idea of using cork too. Especially if you’re a wine drinker and have them laying about the house already. Would love to see how yours come out!
Cheers,
Jessica
These turned out wonderfully!!!
Kari,
Thanks so much for the comment, and for stopping by!
Cheers,
Jessica
great project, love seeing them all together! nice to “meet” you and thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!
Hi Sara! Thanks so much for stopping by, and hosting the link party!
Nice to meet you as well
Your newest subscriber,
Jessica
Thanks for the tutorial. I was thinking of doing something like this for one of my son’s teachers!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Eva!
I’m sure your son’s teachers would love the coasters. It makes such a cute gift!
Cheers,
Jessica
Wow fabulous job making all of those! I love handmade gifts. Thanks for linking up to Scrappy 2nd Saturdays in January. Featuring this on January Favorites tomorrow.
Maryanne,
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m honored by the feature, and can’t wait to see it!
Your newest follower,
Jessica
Hi Jessica, love this idea and am so doing this when I pick up some tiles on my next trip to HD. To avoid the acrylic spray, maybe we can add another layer of mod podge on top – sort of like a decoupage? Don’t know if that will last long. Great post!
Hi Shaan!
Thanks for stopping by! We did use mod podge under and over the layer of paper. But we thought a couple coats of spray would help in keeping the coasters waterproof! Better to be safe, than sorry.
Cheers,
Jessica
hehehe I love the Grrrr Face
The coaster are great!! I love that you can put whatever paper you want to get the theme you are looking for. Thanks for sharing this
I hope you’re going to link it up on my blog
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/02/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-2.html
Christine,
I’m a big fan of the Grrr face too! Everyone once in a while, the hubby is funny.
Thanks so much for stopping by, and I’ll make sure to head on over to your site!
Cheers,
Your newest follower
Adorable! Thanks for the tutorial
)))
Hello!
Thanks for coming by the site! Glad you enjoyed the tutorial!
Cheers,
Jessica
I have seen this done before but your images and the fun patterns you chose and the way you bundled them made this project look fresh and new. Thanks so much for linking up to Motivated Monday at BeColorful
Pam
Pam,
Thanks so much for stopping by! Yes, there have been many variations when it comes to homemade coasters. But, the good thing about the project is that you can change them out as quickly as your change your style or taste. They are so easy to make and with the right scrapbook paper, you can transform it!
Cheers,
Jessica
I love these .We made these for Christmas.I am now following you on Linky follower.I would love it if you followed me back.I always enjoy meeting new bloggers
Hey Michelle,
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed the coasters!
Your newest follower,
Jessica
Great Idea! I’m not crafty but I think I could do this! I’m visiting from Tip Junkie
Kristi,
Thanks so much for stopping by! Believe me, you don’t need to be crafty to master this! If I can do it, you can do it!
Cheers,
Jessica
Found your adorable blog via the Linky Blog Hop! I’m following you, now! Hope you can come visit my blog at http://www.eccentricleopard.com/ Thanks!
Tera Leigh,
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m glad you found me! And I’m glad I found you!
Your newest follower,
Jessica
This is a great gift idea! I would love for you stop by and link up at my linky party via: http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Delightful
Ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for stopping by, and letting me know about your link party! I just linked up, and put your button on my Linkin’ Up page!
Your newest follower,
Jessica
Have some tiles from a long ago project. An easy way to give this a try. They really look fun.
Hi May,
Thanks so much for stopping by! If you try out the project, make sure to send pictures my way!
Your newest follower,
Jessica
I’d love for you to come link this up at my Tuesday Time Out Party!
http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/2012/02/valentines-day-tuesday-time-out.html#.Tzp_eJjlyGc
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework {The Blog}
Tinker B Boutique {The Shop}
Melanie,
Thanks so much for stopping by, and letting me know about your link party. I linked up, and added your button to my “Linkin’ Party” page.
Your newest follower,
Jessica
Found you via the Linky hop and have become your newest follower. Hope you have a chance to visit and perhaps follow me back.
Hi Suzanne!
Thanks so stopping by! I’m most certainly following you! Love your blog.
Cheers,
Jessica
Newest follower from the linky party! Stop by and see us. If you don’t mind, I would like to put this tutorial on my Favorite Tutorials Page for all of my followers (linked to your page of course):) I just started this page so you will be the second one. Let me know what you think. Thanks,
Jacque
Hello and thanks for the great tutorial! I’ve made a few sets of these, but I’ve used a few coats of Mod Podge on each one and then sprayed them with a few coats of Mod Podge sealer. The problem
I’m having is that they are staying sticky, and it’s enough that I can’t stack them on top of each other. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on what I should do differently? Thanks!
Hey Jennifer!
How long since you sprayed the coasters with Mod Podge sealer? For us, when we used the acrylic spray we had to wait at least a day to let it cure in order to stack them. I’m not too familiar with the MP Sealer, but we used Valspar’s Clear Acrylic Spray with no issues at all. I know Krylon has a similar product. It may be worth a try to use a mild deglosser to see if that removes some of the sticky. But, I don’t know how that will affect the overall finish or look of the coasters. Good luck!
Cheers,
Jessica
This is, perhaps, my most slow-pokey week yet. My apologies for taking so long to get over here from “A Little Birdie Told Me..” to enjoy your post. It’s important to me to visit and really give my full attention to all the links, but as the party grows it’s taking more and more time. Thank you so much for bearing with me, and for continuing to share your talent at Rook No. 17!
Jenn
would love it if you could share this on my link party at http://serenityyou.blogspot.com/search/label/Serenity%20Saturday
Natasha xx
Thanks so much for stopping by, Natasha! I linked up to your party, as well as posted your button on my page. Plus, I’m your new linky follower!
Woot!
Cheers,
Jessica
Love these
Thanks for linking up to Serenity Saturday Link Party
Natasha xx
serenityyou.blogspot.com
Visiting from Tip Junkie….those are awesome coasters!!! wanna ship me some? =)
Hello!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Next time I make them, I’ll make sure to set aside a set for you.
Cheers,
Jessica
Great idea. The results are awesome!
Love for you to share it at my “Made by ME” Linky Party Wednesdays
http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2012/02/made-by-me-20-linky-party.html
Thank you for stopping by! I’ll head over to your blog, today!
Cheers,
Jessica
What a great project! I love it. If you would, consider sharing with my readers at http://sassafrassalvation.blogspot.com/2012/03/sasss-sunday-salvation-show-15.html
Thanks!
Very cute! Great easy gift idea…looks easier than I thought they’d be to make. Might have to make some one day.
This is fantastic, what a great idea. How am I gonna find time to try all these great makes I keep finding in Blog land. Found you on tip junkie.
Hi Jessica,
I love your coasters! I made some similar for my brother’s birthday using photos of his family. It was so easy and fun to do. I intend to make more as christmas gifts and may use scrapbook paper like you did. Would love for you to check out my blog.
http://www.passionatelyliving.com/
Monique
They all look great! Thanks for linking to Sew Crafty Saturday!