Belle Noelle's DIY Custom Coasters

Holiday gift giving can be so much fun (or stressful depending on how you look at it!), and a time to put your creative mind to work for the ones you love.  However, when the presents are all bought and wrapped up beautifully under the tree you realize it can take quite a toll out of your pocketbook.  

This year my mother in law mentioned they needed new coasters for their living room and bar area, so being the gift-researcher that I am I found some beautiful options for custom coasters...for about $40 per set!  It seemed to be something that could turn into a fun DIY project that would save us money at the same time, so I decided to give it a shot.

Here is the process I used to make these fun and inexpensive coasters!

1.  Find 4x4 distressed looking tumbled tiles - I prefer Chiaro Tumbled Tiles. You can get them at Home Depot or Lowes; 9 in a box for around $4.00. 

2.  Wipe the tile off with a wet paper towel and let dry before you start.

3.  Cut out a small 1/2" square from a post-it from the sticky end, and stick on the middle of the tile.  (Mine has some ink from previous coasters I stamped).

4.  Using any stamp that you like (I used a chevron pattern for my coasters; $12 Michaels), stamp the image using StazOn or Archival Ink over the post-it.  StazOn ink around $7, bigger Archival Ink around $12.

5.  Now take the post-it piece off.  You will be left with a perfect spot to stamp on the initial of your choice!  

I used Recollections stamps from Michaels; $14.95.

6.  Let ink dry for about an hour or so.

7.  After ink is dry, use a sponge (a clean dish sponge cut into a small square will do) to apply a coat of Modge Podge to the tile.  This will seal your design, and prevent any moisture from affecting the ink.  I used a matte finish.

8.  Let the tiles sit out overnight so the Modge Podge dries completely.  To use as coasters be sure to put sticky felt rounds or cork squares on the bottom corners so they do not scratch any tabletop surface.

9.  Finally, you have a set of beautiful handmade custom coasters!  They make wonderful gifts for the holidays, as a housewarming gift, birthdays, or even as favors at a party.  Get creative with it, and have fun!

Original Photos by: Casey Noelle Bahl of Belle Noelle

Materials Needed:

• Rubber stamp(s) of your choice
• Tumbled 4x4 tiles (I used Chiaro Tumbled)
• StazOn, Brilliance, Archival or Hybrid Palette ink pads 
• Mod Podge
• Sponges
• Cork or sticky felt rounds