Tile and Error

Who doesn’t love coasters?  People who hate pristine wood surfaces, I guess.  For the rest of us normals, there’s no such thing as owning too many coasters–so why not make a customized set of this tile version for your very own?  Half of this week’s Crafternoon Social literally involves doing nothing at all, so it’s the best kind!

What you need:
ceramic tiles in the color of your choice
anything you want to decorate with — wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, photos, magazine cutouts, etc.
Mod Podge
polyurethane (either in a spray can or a small can)
small foam brushes
adhesive felt or rubber bumpers — you can find these in any hardware store

Note: Not saying that you’ll need them, but buy a couple of extra tiles in case you make mistakes.

leave a border around the edges!

1. First, prepare your cutouts.  I used old dictionary pages and maps for the background, and cut out smaller images to paste every-so-artfully over them.  Whatever you choose to do, don’t cut your paper right to the edge of the tile — you’ll want to leave about an eighth of an inch so that you can keep the edges glued down.

the first layer

2.  Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the coaster — make sure it’s a nice even coat and go all the way to the edges.

no bubbles allowed

3.  Lay down your background paper, working from one edge to the other to smooth out any bubbles.

4. Down time!  If I were Martha Stewart I would tell you to go build a coffee table to put these coasters on, but I recommend fixing yourself a sandwich instead.  You want the Mod Podge to dry completely, because otherwise you could get bubbles or wrinkles in your paper.  (The care you take with this step should be proportionate to the level of anger and sadness you’ll feel if your coasters get messed up.)

now you're decoupagin'

5.  Once that’s dry, you can add cutouts on top of your bottom layer if you so choose.  Paint Mod Podge on the backs and place them on your coasters.  Let those dry for 15-20 minutes (completely dry to touch!) and then … brush another coat over the whole thing.  Don’t you think it’s time for some dessert?  Maybe go put a load of laundry in?  Give it time to dry and then –sorry– add another layer.  I promise this will all be worth it, but it’s important to do a couple of layers and give them all sufficient drying time.

go eat something while this dries

6. Evaluation time: examine each coaster for any edges sticking up or anything not completely glued down.  Add another coat of Mod Podge if you’re in doubt.   If you’re satisfied, it’s time for a POLYURETHANE PARTY!!!

polyurethane'd

7. If you have spray polyurethane, lay everything out on a trash bag in a well-ventilated area and spray evenly across all coasters.  For the kind in a can, stir it well and then apply a thin coat over everything using a foam brush.  The brush will leave some lines, so just make sure to paint in the same direction.

7. And now, don’t hate me, but you have to let this dry too, for quite a bit longer.  Follow the recommendations on the container– mine suggested 2 hours.

8.  Follow that up with one more layer of polyurethane.  Final layer!  Let it dry and you’re ALMOST done …

9. Finally, stick the felt or rubber bumpers on the bottom corners of your coasters.  And just like that, you’ve got some gorgeous little works of art just as functional as they are cute.  Wouldn’t they look great under a 25 Calorie Cosmo?

perfect home for your cocktail