Before our DS was born, DH and I had these really awesome coasters from Crate and Barrel in our living room. They were slate and chunky and natural and cool. I loved them.
Then, like the second DS was born, we tossed them in the trash. They were slate and chunky and natural and cool, and definitely dangerous to our newborn. There was no telling what he could do with them – put out an eye, crack his head open – you know, endless possibilities of danger.
We’ve been without coasters for nearly 3 years now. We didn’t really care because we had old cruddy end tables. However, we bought new end tables about a month ago, and I’ve been making DH put his Diet Pepsi’s on note pads and magazines so they wouldn’t leave a ring. We needed coasters before I became Joan Crawford-esque by yelling, “No drink rings on the table!!”
Have you been in the market for coasters lately? I found this one:
Anyway, I figured that the perfect solution was to make my own. It’s really a pretty easy thing to do.
I bought 6 cheap ceramic tiles (they were 16 cents each!) and some felt dots at Home Depot. Then, I went over to Michael’s and picked up 2 sheets of 12×12 scrapbooking paper that matched my living room decor, a bottle of coordinating acrylic craft paint, a foam brush and a bottle of Mod Podge.
I laid out a garbage bag so I wouldn’t ruin my kitchen table with the glue. Don’t use paper towels or newspaper. They will stick to the tiles when you put the Mod Podge on them, and it will make a huge ugly mess. Don’t ask me how I know that.
Next, I used the foam brush to spread a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the tiles and then centered a square of paper on the top. I smoothed any bubbles out with my fingertips.
Lindsay tip: Did you notice that I started with six tiles and now only have four? That’s because I dropped one on the floor and broke it (doh!) and put too much paint on a second one and it looked awful (double doh!). Since this project is so cheap, buy a couple of extra tiles, just in case.
After the paint dried, I applied a coat of Mod Podge to the top and let it dry for about 20 minutes. I repeated that process five more times for a total of six coats. I used the “hard coat” Mod Podge, so that it would really seal the paper and make a solid surface.
One last Lindsay tip for you: According to the bottle, the Mod Podge takes about a month to fully cure. I normally don’t believe in little things like directions, so I just ignored that and put my coffee cup on a coaster this morning. Well, the hot mug stuck to the coaster! I guess because the Mod Podge hadn’t fully set, the hot beverage heated it and made it sticky again. It’s fine now and they work great with cold drinks, but I don’t think I’ll be putting any hot mugs on them for
about a month!
Now, my tables are protected from those evil drink rings. I’m not sure these are actually any safer for my DS, who will probably now use them as weapons, but they sure are cute. 
That is a great idea! We haven’t had coasters in forever, ours were beads the size of marbles. No bueno for a tot.
This gives me something to do instead of shop!!
And I bet my grandparents have the bass fish coasters. No lie.
These look great! I haven’t had coasters in years. I think I got tired of picking them up when the kids were litte. I should try again now that they’re bigger! I like your idea!
-Kim
Love it! Girl, you are my NEW source for INSPIRATION! I wish you lived in my neighborhood! BTW, LOVE this paper, I have a bunch of it that I use to make the most awesome cards! BTWx2 – my house is also dark brown, but I decided to go with green instead of blue, too funny! I call it my chocolate house – dark brown (chocolate), white (chocolate) and a little bit of green (mint, but not really mint green, lime green). LOL
Thanks for the idea! I got a whole box of tiles at a garage sale for free a few weeks ago and thought I could make something with my son over summer break! I have a few thousand dollars worth of scrapbooking paper that I now can put to good use, lol! Maybe we will do tiles for decoration somewhere.
What a great looking finished project! I’ve always wanted to try to make coasters…..thanks for the inspiration!
This article has been up a while, but I hope you’ll answer. In the picture, you are using Hard Coat Mod Podge. I have heard that Outdoor Mod Podge is recommended for coasters since it’s watertight, although Hard Coat is for everyday use. How have the coasters held up to water? Is Hard Coat definitely your recommendation?
Were the tiles shiny and smooth before you used them? I just got a couple tiles at ReStore but I wasn’t sure if glue or paint would adhere… Thanks!
Hi Hilary! I honestly don’t remember, but I know that the Mod Podge will still adhere to them if they are shiny.
I am wondering, after a year or so….have your coasters held up? Did the Mod Podge stay intact with hot beverages placed on the coasters? I am making these and trying to find a good water-proof sealer that will hold up under hot and cold things. I tried clear spray paint but it smells so bad (even after curing) that I am afraid the recipients of my coasters are in danger of brain damage…ick. So I’m trying to find something that is going to hold up, without the icky smell.
I am very interested in hearing your reply to Albo and Heidi’s messages. I have made a ton and would like to know how to seal so that they can handle hot mugs.
Thank you
Thanks for the step by step! Great instructions – my first layer is drying now. I wasn’t able to view your pictures – not sure if that is on my end or if your site has changed??? Would love to see your step by step.
Too bad you threw the slate coasters in the trash. Donating them or even leaving them in the yard or garden would have been a more ecological alternative.
Yours turned out so pretty! I’m obsessed with DIY coasters. I made them last week for my blog, and I’m giving away a set to a random commenter! You can see them here:
http://www.paintsandpans.com/2012/01/23/diy-coasters/
Love your blog!
-Natalie