by Amber Graham/ Photos by Kelly Carr
Photo Coasters are an inexpensive yet unique gift for friends and family!
Gather your supplies:
4 x 4 Stone Tiles
Tissue Paper
Cardstock
Brush
Mod Podge
Clear Acrylic Spray
Self Adhesive Felt Circles
First, you will print a photo on to tissue paper. I did this in my printer by taping tissue paper to cardstock. Through trial and error I learned that it is best to keep your images in the center of the page and not try to print too closely to the edge. Also, for your first couple, you might print an extra photo the technique used to put the photo on the tile isn’t difficult, it just takes a little practice.
Cut out your photo. I printed a 4 x 6 photo and cut it down to a 4″ square to fit the coaster.
Brush a thin, even coat of mod podge on to your tile. Be sure you go all the way to the edges.
Starting at one corner and working to the opposite corner, lay your photo on the tile with one hand while you smooth down the tissue paper with the other hand. This part took a little practice I had to scrape the photo off my first tile and start over because the tissue tore. If this happens, don’t become discouraged. Just start over!
Getting close to the other corner! When you are finished, set it to the side and give it a couple of hours to dry.
Once the tile is dry, spray with an even coat of clear acrylic
And add some self adhesive felt circles to the back.
Stack up a set and tie with a ribbon!
This technique also works with scrapbook paper!
Amber would like to credit the idea for the photo coasters tohttp://go.tipjunkie.com/hm/585/lindsay-thelees.blogspot.com/2011/02/diy-tile-coasters.htm.
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The photo coasters would be perfect for grandparents. The pretty, paper-covered ones would be a great teacher’s gift. Staying home next week on a stay-cation making gifts! TFTI (Thanks for the idea).
I love the idea of red/black/white scrapbook paper. My question is why you have to print on tissue paper? What happens if you just put a photo on top with the clear acrylic sprayed on top? Thanks!
Love this. I think I’ll try and shop the thrift store for the coasters too as I’ve seen them there in the past. Fun idea.
This is such a great idea! What a keepsake and memory maker using the pictures! Thank you for sharing
LOVE IT… What a great idea!
Ummm…no words…ADORABLE! I am SO doing this! Thanks, Amber! =)
Too cute….this would work with any saying printed off the computer. Would be precious with differnt Scripture verses!! Thanks for the idea.
LOVE the idea of using pictures! I can’t wait to try this!
I just love gift ideas like this that are practical as well as beautiful! The pictures are a great idea, but if you’re using decorative paper, you could print something on it before hand. A monogram or perhaps your family’s favorite scripture verse or a single word like “Faith”. These could even be themed for the holidays! Love it! Thanks Amber!
I love this idea. I think I will try make some with Christmas paper to set out with the Christmas decor.
Love the idea of using scrapbook paper. It will be a great gift for teachers or neighbors. Thanks for sharing with us!
Adorable. I love the scrapbook paper idea, too!
That’s a great idea. We might need to do this for the family’s we traveled with to China! I could do a coaster with each of the 4 girls…loving this idea!
Another wonderful idea. I think this would be a great gift for my brother’s family in California. The kids could have coasters with pictures of their cousins, who they rarely get to see.
Love the look of these coasters! They are chunky and modern with both photos & scrapbook paper. How fun to match your decor or customize with all the possible paper options! Thanks for the great idea!
So so cute!! Awesome idea…great for grandparents!!
A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! This is the perfect gift for grandma’s and grandpa’s who live away from their grandkids…they are going to LOVE them!!! Thanks for the fabulous idea!
Cutest idea ever! Thanks so much for all these great Christmas ideas.
Those are wonderful…what a great idea.