Warning: This project is highly addictive. Once you get started, you will keep coming up with new, fun ideas that you can’t wait to try, and pretty soon every surface in your house will be covered with these awesome tile coasters. But hey, at least then you don’t need to worry about water marks ever again, right? Right??
This is a project that Erin from Wicked Vegan and I decided to attempt for our severely last minute flurry of crafts for the Summer Bazaar at work. We started with enough tiles to do 7 sets of coasters. By the time we were done, we doubled that number, because we just couldn’t stop. They’re fun, pretty, and relatively easy to make. And the best part is, they’re ridiculously cheap.
Also, I’d like to apologize in advance for the lack of photos. We were so engrossed in the project we sort of forgot…Lame, I know, but it’s pretty straightforward!
DIY Tile Coasters (Via Pinterest)
Materials:
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White 4″x4″ bathroom tiles ($0.16 a piece at Home Depot)
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Mod Podge
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Foam Brush(es)
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X-Acto Knife and cutting surface for trimming
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Scissors
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Felt or sticky felt nubbins (found at Home Depot, $2.99 for 75)
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Scrapbook paper, magazine pages, maps, photos, or anything else you’d like to put on your coasters
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Clear spray-on sealer (We used Krylon indoor/outdoor)
Directions:
1. The first thing to do is plan out your sets of tiles. We decided to do sets of four, so we cut four corresponding images or pieces for each set. We just traced the size of the tiles and cut out the squares, saving precision trimming for later.
2. Once you have all of your squares cut out, glue each one down to the shiny surface of your tiles, carefully smoothing out any air bubbles. We found that a medium, even coat of Mod Podge is best. Not enough and the paper won’t stick, but too much will cause the paper to wrinkle. Leave to dry for at least 20 minutes.
3. Once the tiles have dried, use your X-Acto knife to precisely trim off any overhanging edges
4. Using your foam brush, paint a thin, even coating of Mod Podge over the top and edges of your tile to begin sealing it. Again, you want to go for a happy medium–not too much, but not too little. Give each tile at least 5 coats of Mod Podge, letting each coat dry thoroughly in between, about 20 minutes
6. Once the tiles have dried from their final coat of Mod Podge, bring them outside and spray the tops and sides evenly with your clear sealant, creating a final, waterproof seal. Make sure to follow the directions on your sealant regarding use and drying time!
7. Stick pieces of felt, or the handy little pre-made nubbins, on the bottom of each tile to create a surface-friendly bottom.
Let me tell you, Erin and I are totally obsessed with these. Let’s just say we had intended to make about 10 different products for the craft fair and ended up with only 4, because we just could.not.stop. making these.
The map ones are our favorites–Cape Cod, Paris, London, Florence and Rome. *Sigh* they just make me want to pack my bags and run away somewhere!
How would you decorate your coasters?
