Home Decor Archives - Page 4 of 4

Photo coasters are a beautifully personalized gift for anyone but especially for your mother this Mother’s Day. I do not know one mother that does not love to receive pictures of her children and family as a gift that can be treasured for years to come. After all family is everything. We have nothing without family.

These photo coasters are a great way to display your favorite family photos when having guests over to your house for dinner. They are a great conversation piece and a way to show off your most favorite family photos.

Many mothers are also very diligent about keeping their house clean. That includes keeping those water rings off of her coffee tables. What better way to prevent those nasty rings than with a family photo.

They may be beautiful to look at, but they are also just as simple and inexpensive to make. With a few simple steps, you will have a DIY craft that every mother would love to receive this Mother’s Day. Mothers also love receiving things that their children made for them. Sometimes it is just simply more about the thought that went into a gift than it is the actual dollar amount spent.

Because it is so simple, any age child could make these. You may find that your children would love to make a set for their grandmother with your help a little bit. I also think of women and friends in my life that are special to me that would love to receive these as a gift.

Let’s not waste any time though. Your mother will love opening this special gift this Sunday.

You will need:

Pictures

Scissors or craft paper cutter

Mod podge- There are many different types of mod podge. I had the matte style. It really just depends on what style you really want.

Mod podge clear acrylic sealer- You will not need a lot of the sealant but can definitely use the leftover for any future craft projects. Plus once you make these coasters, you will want to make many more for other occasions.

Foam brush

Tiles- One set is typically complete with 4 tiles. It really is your choice for how many you want to give someone. I chose a tile that was a stone appearance because it matched the décor more of my mother’s living room. Any color or style would work perfect depending on your mother’s home as well.

Felt- I used black. You can really use whatever color you want because it will be going on the bottom side of the tile and will not be seen.

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Ribbon

First you will want to measure your pictures to fit your tile depending on the size you choose. I used a tile that measured 4 inches by 4 inches. I measured my photos to be 3 ½ x 3 ½.

Here is a tip also when selecting your photos. Be sure to choose pictures that are not close up or zoomed in too much.

Once you have marked your photos with the measurement you want, cut them out using either scissors or a craft paper cutter. I find the craft paper cutter is quicker and much easier considering you are pretty much guaranteed a straight line.

You are now ready to attach your photos to the actual tile which will be your coaster. Using your foam brush, paint a layer of mod podge onto the tile and immediately place the photo on the tile before mod podge starts to dry.

Then paint a layer of mod podge directly onto the photo. Do not paint it on too thick but enough to seal the photo in place.

At first it may seem that you have ruined the photo when you first apply the mod podge especially if you have never used it before. Do not worry. The mod podge will dry clear. Just be sure to paint the mod podge in the same direction on the photo.

Let the mod podge layer dry completely before proceeding.

But while you are waiting on the mod podge to dry, you can cut out the felt circles that will be used protect your mother’s coffee table from being scratched or damaged from the tile. Just using scissors, cut out small circles.

I cut out 4 for each tile corner. Place them to the side to use later.

Your mod podge has probably dried now. If you feel that your photo has not adhered to the tile completely, go ahead and add another layer of mod podge, and let it dry as well.

The mod podge clear acrylic sealer is now ready to be sprayed directly on the photo. Follow the instructions on the back of your sealant can depending on the type or brand you choose to purchase. Most will say to shake the can vigorously before applying. This sealant will help the photo to not be ruined from any drink, water rings, or any other liquid. With the sealant applied, you can also wipe the photos off with a damp rag to clean off any water rings as well.

First the first layer of sealant, I sprayed small spurts at a time over each photo being sure to keep a distance some to avoid spraying the sealant to heavy and making it run or clump.

I let the sealant completely dry for about 15 minutes. Once dry go ahead and spray another layer of sealant. But this time, use a sweeping motion from side to side with a constant spray. Be sure to keep a distance once again to avoid spraying too much.

Let sealant dry for another 15 minutes. Two layers of sealant should be sufficient enough. I made some for me and my husband and have not yet had any problems. They have worked perfect for gatherings and parties.

Once sealant is completely dry, flip your coasters upside down and apply a small dot of glue to each tile corner.

Apply a small felt circle that you cut out earlier to each corner. The felt will prevent the tile from scratching the table surface.

Once hot glue has hardened, stack your coasters together and tie a pretty ribbon around them with a bow on top. The coasters are now complete. The ribbon really adds that extra touch to be a homemade gift.

I loved making these coasters because it is so simple but also a great way to display and show off those photos that are probably stored in your phone or camera and just begging to be printed and displayed. I find myself guilty of keeping photos stored in my phone or computer but not actually printing. This is a great way to use those photos as a conversation piece at your next dinner or party.

I hope your mother will enjoy these photo coasters as much as I know my mom will. Happy Mother’s Day to each of you whether you are a mother now or hope to be in the future! And as always, don’t forget to enjoy the little things in life!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

Also check out my magnetic chalkboard and magnetic frame board that would also be a great DIY present for Mother’s Day to help her keep the family’s busy schedule organized or just to display the latest school pictures.

Magnetic frame boards are such a fun way to display just about anything you would like. They are so fun and different from just your ordinary corkboard. The possibilities are endless with the magnets and can be changed for whatever style you like. Magnetic boards are a fun way to use in the office to hang pictures, reminders, etc. They are also great on your vanity or in your bathroom to attach your make-up to for easy access. You would just need to attach a magnet to the back of your mascara, lipstick, powder, etc. These boards are also a great DIY gift idea for any occasion. Mother’s Day is soon approaching. What mother does not like a homemade but also very practical gift from their children? This board is very inexpensive to make and does not take much time at all. Below I will show you how to make the magnetic frame board from which I found the idea from Two Blonde Bloggers.

First gather your supplies that you will need:

Picture frame

Spray paint

Sheet metal- This can be found at your local hardware store.

Metal cutters

Fabric

Iron- if needed

Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks

Magnets- You can either buy decorative magnets or get creative and use other objects as magnets by attaching a small magnet to the back of them. Example: bottle caps, binder clips, wooden knobs.

Let’s get started.

First remove the back of the frame and the glass from your picture frame. The picture frame I am using was found at a yard sale for almost nothing. I just love finding a good bargain.

Now that your frame is by itself, spray paint it being sure to cover completely.

Let dry completely and if needed add an additional coat of paint. As you can see above, mine needed an extra coat of paint especially on one side where the white wood was still trying to peak through.

Any color will work great. I chose gray because I love the way it paired with my fabric. I am sort of on a turquoise blue and gray kick right now.

Also spray paint any of your magnets if needed. I spray painted numerous objects that I found in my craft room. Just start digging through drawers like I did and you are sure to find something that can be used.

I found a metal bottle cap, binder clips, a wooden knob, a 3M plastic hook, and also some decorative magnets that were on clearance at Target but still had not used. I painted my magnets gray as well to match the wooden frame.

While your spray paint is drying, you will need to cut your sheet metal to fit the frame. Use the back of the frame that you removed earlier or the glass piece to measure your sheet metal. I just the glass piece down on the metal and traced around it with a marker. My husband had some metal cutters that I used to cut the sheet metal. I am sure you could also ask someone at your local hardware store and they could assist you with cutting to a certain size.

Also I want to say that while you are handling the sheet metal to be VERY CAREFUL. The edges will be very sharp and could cut you. If your children are helping you with making this project, just be sure to handle the metal yourself.

Lay your sheet metal piece you have just cut on top of your fabric. Cut around the sheet metal about a 1 inch border of your fabric.

My fabric had been folded in a drawer and had some slight creases. I knew it would drive me crazy to leave it and put it in the frame anyways. I went ahead and saved myself much frustration and decided to just heat up the iron and take care of it now. Iron your fabric if needed until you have a nice smooth piece of fabric.

Now you are ready to glue your fabric to the sheet metal. Lay your sheet metal on the back side of your fabric. Be sure the side of the fabric you want to see is facing down. It would be such a drag to have the whole thing glued together and placed in your frame and then you notice it is the wrong side. Such a disappointment.

Start on one side gluing your fabric to the sheet metal with a hot glue gun.

Continue gluing all sides.

When you get to the last two sides, be sure to pull your fabric tightly before gluing down to be sure that there is no slack on the opposite side. You will want a smooth and tight surface. Again be careful with the sheet metal while handling it.

Place your fabric covered sheet metal piece inside your frame once it has dried.

If you spray painted binder clips, wooden knobs, or any other small objects that are not magnetic and will not stick to the sheet metal, then apply a magnet to the back of them.

Place your magnets on the metal sheet and start adding your favorite things. Again display your family photos, sticky note reminders of appointments, new craft ideas you have scribbled down on a notepad, etc. Also attach small magnets to your makeup essentials and attach to the board. Now they are easy to find saving you much needed time in the mornings when you are getting ready and are rummaging through every drawer for that concealer you know you just had in your hand. Another great idea for this magnetic board is to place it on a metal stand and attach your recipe card while fixing your favorite meals. This way your recipe card is not laying on the kitchen counter like mine and getting messy with all the ingredients I somehow seem to spill on it.

I loved making this project as it was easy and not very time consuming. I will probably use mine in my office to display new craft ideas that I am working on and reminders to myself. I hope you enjoy making one as well. Also make one for your girlfriends, sisters, and mothers for Mother’s Day. Hang a special picture of the two of you on it to make that gift even more special.

Hope you are having a great week thus far and as always do not forget to enjoy the little things in life!

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

Photo Coasters

Magnetic Frame Board