DIY Custom Coasters

One of the last things I wanted to make (craft) for my new living room was a set of custom coasters. I found this pin on Pinterest which helped me figure out how I would make these custom coasters. For supplies, I used:

1. 3"x3" black ceramic tiles (purchased at Home Depot)

2. scrapbook paper (6 different designs)

3. foam/rubber shelf liner

4. high gloss acrylic spray paint

5. Mod Podge

6. black acrylic paint

7. foam brush

The ceramic tiles I purchased had a glossy black top, which I though would make it easy because I planned on letting some of the black on the top show. The sides of the tiles were white, so I used the black acrylic paint to paint the sides. It took two coats.

I then used the ceramic tiles to trace and measure pieces of scrapbook paper.

I measured and cut the scrapbook paper squares smaller than the tiles so the black on the tiles would show slightly around the edges. I then used Mod Podge to apply the pieces of scrapbook paper to the tiles.

After applying the scrapbook paper, I made sure to turn the tiles over and set something heavy on them so the paper could try and all edges would stay down. When dry, I applied a coat of Mod Podge to the top of the scrapbook paper to seal it in.

After drying, I took the tiles out into the garage to spray the glossy acrylic paint. I applied two coats.

For the last and final step, I cut out squares of foam shelf liner and used Mod Podge to apply them to the back of the tiles, which would help them grip on a coffee table. 

I am so glad I found this idea because it seems much better than buying a standard set of coasters that are impersonal and all matching. This way, you can customize them and have fun at the same time. I think they would make an excellent gift!

Easy Customized Wall Art

Last week as I was looking on Pinterest for crafts I could make to decorate my new living room, I came across this pin: DIY Scrapbook Paper Wall Art. I thought it would be powerful on the wall above my sofa and the best thing…I could completely customize it to my new living room colors!

I went to Home Depot and purchased a 10 ft by 12 in board for $23. For free, I had the employee at Home Depot cut the board into 12x12 squares for me. Because the wood wasn't exactly 12 in (more like 11.8), I just asked him to make sure they were square. When all the cutting was finished, I ended up with 10 squares which was perfect because I only needed 9 and now I had one extra :)

For the rest of the wall art, the supplies I used:

1. black acrylic paint

2. foam brush

3. Nine pieces of scrapbook paper (in your chosen style/color)

4. Mod Podge glue (bottled matte)

5. Razor Cutter

6. Mod Podge SPRAY glue (glossy)

I started by painting the edges of the squares with the black paint. I used three coats of paint so the wood would be completely covered.

As the edges were drying, I measured and cut the pieces of scrapbook paper for the squares. Once the squares dried, I applied Mod Podge to the wood and attached the scrapbook paper squares. I made sure to add glue to the edges if they were coming up.

I am by no means perfect, so I had to use a razor cutter to trim any extra paper hanging from the wood.

I also touched up the edges with black paint if they needed it.

I laid all 9 squares out to dry (face down). Once they were dry, I finished them off with two coats of glossy spray Mod Podge.

I'm looking forward to hanging this customized art in my new place. I will most likely buy hanging brackets from Home Depot that I will screw into the backs to hang them with. 

Easily Adding an Accent Color

So, as I mentioned in this previous post, I am re-doing my living room in grey, white, black, silver, and my pop of color... which is this emerald-turquoise color. Because I have been having difficulty finding items to decorate my living room in this color, I decided to craft some of my own items. I found this basic wood frame at Michael's and used my 40% coupon  (woo hoo!) to purchase it. 

I already had some acrylic paint at home, so in order to get the perfect color, I mixed green, blue, white, and black until I found the perfect mixture. 

(elephant inspiration)

I then used a foam brush and applied two coats of paint to the basic frame and let it dry.

I love the way it turned out and how easy it was! Slowly but surely, I am acquiring more and more items in my "pop" of color!