Thursday, July 28, 2011

return on creativity: paint sample coasters


I've had this map coaster tutorial in my inspiration file for awhile.  I wanted to make a set of map coasters for my brother; one coaster for each city he has lived in.  The plan was to use an old atlas I had lying around, but all the cities were in the middle of the state, right where the atlas folded in two.  Sigh.

So I decided to make paint sample coasters instead...

All you need is tiles, Mod Podge, spray acrylic, paint samples, and cork or felt.


Would you believe that this project was the first time I ever used Mod Podge in my life!  I've led such a sheltered crafting existence.


My paint samples had rounded corners, so I first squared them off.



Then I measured the samples to fit the tiles and cut them into squares.  I wanted the names of the paint on my coasters so I made sure to keep them when I cut.


Don't you just love a project where even the scraps are pretty?


I used Mod Podge to apply the samples to the coasters and then applied about five coats of Mod Podge over the top.  I let each coat dry between applications and tried to keep each coat as thin as possible.


Finally I applied some spray acrylic.


That's it.  I still need to apply some cork or felt to the bottom.  Here are some things I learned that I would do differently next time:

  • Next time I would buy coasters without a beveled edge.  The paint samples were stiff cardstock and it was hard to get the edges to bend and stick to the beveled edge of the tile.
  • If I can't find non-beveled edge tiles, I'll buy tiles where I don't mind if the edge shows and cut my paint samples smaller so that I don't have to deal with the beveled edge.
  • I bought matte Mod Podge and matte acrylic.  It's OK, but I think I'd rather have a glossy finish.
  • After adhering the paint samples to the tile I would put a book on top and let it dry overnight.  I did get a slight bubble in one coaster where the paint sample didn't adhere flat.
I think these would make a great gift.  I plan on making a monochromatic set with various shades of green for my sister.  Green is her favorite color.

53 comments:

Mandy Jean said...

Very cool idea!

Take Care,
Mandy
http://a37s42.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Great idea. I haven't seen paint sample coasters yet! Love it!

Flannery @ Three Sisterz said...

LOOOOOOOVE!!!! Thanks for using our tutorial. So glad to see your version!

Peggy said...

What an awesome idea! I have travel brochures and maps of my time living in Europe when I was a child which I've always wanted to do something with. Plus I have a bunch of tiles which we got for a song from Lowe's!!

You always have the best ideas to share!

whitney said...

love it!! im having a giveaway for a beautiful vintage tin! please share the word and sign up
www.bamitsvintageglam.blogspot.com

thx xox

MJ said...

Love this! Our paint samples are a lot smaller but this idea is lovely :)

Anonymous said...

I just made some coasters with scrapbook paper and paint-I love these as well! I found you through the Momma's kind of crafty link up-I would love it if you would link this up to my weekly link party Tutorial Tuesday

Kari

Newlyweds on a Budget

Stacey said...

Very clever and resourceful! Great idea for a paint lover like me!
Stacey of Embracing Change

Katie Olthoff said...

These are so cute and fun!! I love the colors!

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Very cute, and I love that you included what you would change to make it easier for next time! :)

Jenn said...

I love this idea. I have really got to try that modge podge stuff!

Kei said...

Those look totally awesome. Great idea!

Unknown said...

Love these!

If you get a minute, hop over and share them on my mommy solution meme.

http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/07/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-2/

Semper Wifey said...

These are so cute and sound so easy! I found your site from the DIY linky! :)

Amanda @ Frills and Frolic said...

Such a great use of paint samples!

Love it!

I found you via the DIY Home Sweet Home linky party :)

Amanda

http://frillsandfrolic.blogspot.com

The Autocrat: Haley said...

Too cool! Great job!

Tanya Anurag said...

Cool... what a way to use those paint samples!

-Tanya
http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I love it. would be a great gift idea!!!
following you nnow
ladeedacreations.com

Anonymous said...

I LOVE it. I may just have to try it! Thanks for sharing.
www.keepitsimpleyay.blogspot.com

Heather said...

SUPER CUTE IDEA! Dropped over from the MORE THE MERRIER MONDAY linky...was sure worth the trip! Now I want to make some for my Kraaft Shaak!
THANKS

Liberty said...

How FABULOUS!!! These turned out great and they are such a great gift idea. Thanks for the tips. :)

InMyOwnStyle said...

Love these -so colorful and do-able. I am going to link this post to the DIY Daily page on my blog tomorrow. It is for my fav DIY finds.

My best- Diane

Adrianne Surian said...

These are *so* cool. I must, MUST ModPodge something, you crafty mamas make it look amazing!!

Happy to be your newest follower ~ Adrianne
happyhourprojects.blogspot.com

dana said...

Hi, great idea there. Thought I'd throw some tips your way. You can cheat on womderful Modpodge by using good ol white glue mixed with half water to half glue. You can soak the paper in water throughly before applying to surface and sometimes the thicker paper will peel in two so use the pretty layer. That solves the beveled edge dilemma. It will also help the paper set on the surface with out the bubble. Smooth with you finger. This also enhances the painted on look of decoupage. And if you want to play with tissue paper the white will dry clear and just as you did seal the glue with your favorite sealer.
If it gets a little bit wet after you do the deal, let the surface dry and don't touch it. It will dry perfectly fine.
Decoupage is great stuff, but decoupage pros like the glue/water blend.
Fabric will do as well but try not to pull it so you don't distort the print. Unless you want that effect.
Sandpaper can help with annoying edges and that silver looking duct tape, not the usual ducktape, but thin metal with adhesive on it, will serve as an effective trim.
K - I'm done. Go play.

Mel said...

I love a good and cheap and useful craft, and this one is primo! Well done and inspiring.

Katie said...

This is a great idea; they look so good!

www.katiescreative.blogspot.com x

david said...

Really great idea and beautifully executed. I'm gonna have to try this myself!

Life In The Thrifty Lane said...

LOVE IT!! Thanks for sharing the tutorial too, I'm going to pin this!
Visiting from Petite Hermine!

Lauren said...

So cool! I'll have to try when I get some free time!

http://scrumptioussaturdays.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I LOVE these! So fun and you chose such fun colors too... I've been loving the map coasters for awhile too and just have to grab some tiles... and I'm excited for you that you discovered Mod Podge. I'm pretty sure it WILL change your crafting life! : )

Sharon said...

My husband is a painter AND quite fanatical about coaster usage! These are going in his Christmas stocking.

Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims said...

Thanks for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday, I featured this on my facebook page! Feel free to grab a featured button from my sidebar or when the party is posted tonight!

Jodi @ Organizing Dolo said...

Love this!!!

Jodi @ Make Three
http://makethree.blogspot.com

Jen @ Domesticated Nomad said...

Great idea! I liked it so much, I made some too. I gave you credit (and a link back) in my post about making them. I hope that's cool with you. You can check it out here:
http://domesticatednomad.blogspot.com/2011/08/beer-me.html

Thanks!

Katie said...

awesome -- thanks for the inspiration!

Kaitlyn Harmon said...

I love this idea! :) Haven't tried Mod-Podge either! Looks like a great time to try it out.

Amber said...

That is so a cool yet simple idea. I have never used mof-podge, but I've been wanting to try it out. I might just have to do something like this :)

Sara said...

Yay! A crafty blogger who suggests improvements! awesome. I have new 'home-moaner' friends who've just decorated and a travel buddy who just circumnavigated Iceland with me....Christmas presents!!!! thank you!

hoosiergirl said...

SOOOOO super cute! All these adorable crafts! My to do list is growing! Can't wait to try these coasters...and thanks for the updated tidbits!

Jenny said...

Absolutely adorable idea and your instructions are so clear. My daughter is an interior house painter. She'd love a set of these and I may just try it! It'll be my maiden voyage with ModPodge too!

Tiffany Talato said...

Hey, I thought this was a really great diy tutorial! I was wondering what kind of "tiles" you used for the coasters, and where can get them?

I hope to make a few for myself!

Julie said...

Love this idea! Great tips at the end too. Thanks!

Jennifer said...

I love this idea. I want to make my own coasters too, but where do you get the tiles?

Rae said...

Very pretty, I have to try this.

Judie S said...

Jennifer, you get the tiles at any hardware store (i.e. Lowe's, Home Depot, OSH, etc.) They are cheap, sometimes less than .20 each. Make sure you check that all four edges are the same. Some tiles have what they call bullnose edges, one edge is different and used for the end row in tiling.

Dana, thanks for the helpful hints!!

I'm not sure if it was included, so I'll mention it. Cut a piece of felt a hair smaller than the dimensions of the tile and glue onto the bottom of the tile so the tile doesn't scratch furniture.

Megan, you crafty CPA, I love this idea. Thanks so much for posting.

Cuscini said...

The love of my life is a nuclear chemist...but he loves, loves, loves to paint. I'm talking interiors and exteriors -- the guys at the hardware store told me he's a keeper, and he is.

He is going to love this when he gets it in his stocking. Thanks for the great tute. I'm Pinteresting this!

Unknown said...

This is a really neat idea! I will have to put it in my to do box for later! Thanks!!

Ree said...

Great craft! I tried it out and it worked great! Thanks so much!

Kelly said...

Did you have any issues with things sticking to the coasters? I made some recently, and used the same spray acrylic except I used the glossy kind. Even after a week of drying, glasses stick to the coasters. I have no idea what I did wrong!

Anonymous said...

A couple of weeks ago I saw round paint samples in Lowe's in an awesome array of colors which I think would make great round coasters!

Anonymous said...

I love them, but you can't get them wet, what if you used a sealant?

Jessica H said...

Yay! I'm trying these today for some office gifts to give during holiday time. Can't wait to see the results!

-JSH
http://seejsave.blogspot.com/

mollyb said...

Check out these super cute coasters!
http://www.tenderheartdesigns.etsy.com

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