Week 1 – DIY Coasters

Hi everyone!

This is Week 1 of my great Christmas makes and I’ve had such a great time making these coasters.  Oh my goodness!  They are completely addictive and brilliant to make and I do warn you that once you start you will soon become obsessed!  You can make them to echo people’s style or interests making them a truly thoughtful and unique gift.   You can pick up old tiles for next to nothing (or use some that are lying around in the garage) and turn them into something really glamorous!

 

You will need:-

4 square ceramic tiles (don’t go too large – 10cm x 10cm will be best).  If you know someone does lots of entertaining or has a large family do them 6, 8 or even 10.

Decoupage glue or kiddies glue (pva) - you know the stuff you used to stick to your hands at school and peel off!  (diluted with water 1:1 ratio)

Paper – can be anything – scrapbook, magazines, music books, picture books, serviettes or tissue paper. I found that thin fabric works a treat too.

Brush

Waterproof acrylic sealer

Felt or sticky foam pads - for the back of the coasters, if using old ones that already have a backing – happy days!

Ribbon or rafia – to tie groups of 4 together

Method

1. Clean the tiles with a bit of cotton wool and alcohol.  I’ve chosen to use these tumbled marble ones that were left over from my kitchen.  They give a really shabby vintage style but play around with a few and see which ones you like best.

2.  Make yourself a template – just slightly smaller than your tile.

3.  You can use most pictures but make sure the paper is quite thin.  DO NOT use wallpaper.  It is far too thick and impenetrable.  Wrapping paper is good.  Also magazines are a good source if inspiration and thin fabric gives a great effect.

 

Hot tip! – By far the best thing I used were serviettes (which are normally 2 or 3 ply).  Peel off 1 ply so it’s really thin.  Use your template to lay over your picture or serviette and then cut your paper into squares.

4.   Apply a generous amount of glue to the tile and stick your paper on.

If your tile is bumpy make sure there are no air bubbles and the paper is well and truly stuck all over.  Leave to dry.

3. Apply another layer of glue all over the tile keeping your brush strokes in one direction.  Allow to dry and then apply another 2 layers of glue (so 3 in all).

Go careful with with brush as the serviettes are really delicate and if you drag it too much it will tear!  Leave to dry – not on paper – it will get stuck to it!

 

 

4.  When this is thoroughly dry (allow overnight) you can add a waterproof acrylic sealer.  The PVA glue gives quite a durable finish but if the coasters are going to be used constantly I would recommend covering with the acrylic sealer.

These ones are made of thin floral fabric – really pretty…

5.  When they are fully dry don’t forget to add some felt sticky pads or foam pads to the back to protect surfaces.

 

As you can see I got a bit carried away with it all…..

 You can then stack your coasters in groups of 4 and tie with beautiful ribbon.

 

 

They are really easy to make and make a great gift.   Here are a few different ideas -

These coasters will look lovely in a grid arrangement on a table to place vases on.  You can even use letters and spell out LOVE or LIFE or indeed names.  Perhaps teenagers would like one to put drinks on on their bedside tables.  You could cut letters out of newspapers for some retro designs or find vintage books and make some truly vintage coasters.  You can even get little ones to draw a pic and use that.  The sky is the limit but once you start you will be hooked and before you know it everyone will have a set of coasters for Crimbo!

Don’t forget to send us in some pics of your creative coasters for the chance to win a free gift!  Piccies will be posted on our blog so get busy……