DIY Tile Beer Coasters// Homemade Christmas 8

Welcome to day 8 of the 12 Days of Homemade Christmas. This gift is one for the guys and is another favorite of mine. I made these last year, so I have perfected this process. Unfortunately, the first time I made these, the first few batches turned out to be flubs. After a bit of experimenting (and a few extra dollars spent on supplies) I figured out the problem. For this project, you will need the HARD COAT mod podge glue. The regular mod podge glue will not work. I can not stress this enough. I ended up with two dozen photo coasters that had a tacky surface because the other tutorials neglected to mention this. So be sure to take note of this.

Last year I took the more traditional route and made tile coasters out of family photos, this time around I decided to be a bit more playful and made beer coasters for one of our close friends who is quite the beer aficionado. The possibilities for this project are endless. You can experiment with patterns, photos, possibly even fabric. Don't feel as though you have to stick to one particular style. Make these your own. But most of all, just have fun!



For this project you will need:

•  Floor tiles (you can get them from Lowes or Home Depot for $.20 a pop)
• HARD COAT mod podge
• Felt squares
• Photos of your choice
• Acrylic Spray 
• Note: if you want to stay within the $10 budget, be sure to visit the coupon section of Hobby Lobby, Michaels and A.C. Moore to get your 50% off coupons before heading to the stores. Because all three of these stores are located so closely together, I typically print and use one coupon for one supply at each of the three stores. I once saved $25 this way, so be sure to print those coupons!

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1. First, glue felt squares to the bottom of the coaster. This will keep the coasters from scratching each other when they're stacked. 
2. Next cut your photos to match the size of your tiles and glue them to the tiles. Make sure the photo is not crooked. Once the glue dries, you won't be able to move it. 
3. Next, apply a coat of HARD COAT mod podge to the top of the photo and tile. Be sure to cover the whole tile, not just the photo. You'll want the entire top part of the coaster to be waterproof, so apply liberally. Let the mod podge dry for 30 minutes to an hour. Apply another coat. Allow this to dry overnight. (note: I know some of the other tutorials say 30 minutes will do, but in my experience, the mod podge will need ample time to cure. If you don't allow these to dry properly, you'll end up with coasters that stick to everything. Not cool). 
4. The next day, apply a few coats of acrylic spray, allowing time in between to allow it to dry. 

And boom! You're done. Super simple, super cheap, super cute. The best thing about this project? Once you purchase the mod podge and sealant, you can make about 40-60 of these. That's about 10-15 personalized gifts for less than $10. Definitely my kind of present.

If you decide to give these a go, be sure to swing by and leave me a link so I can showcase your coasters. 

Merry Christmas from my home to yours!