7 Days of Gifting
Day 3
"for him"
I don't know about you, but every year I really struggle with gifts for the men in my life...and when I say struggle, I mean wrack-my-brain-tear-my-hair-out struggle. Every so often I'll come up with one fantastic idea, which only makes it harder the following year. My brother is the second hardest person to buy for (N is the first because anything that would really make him smile costs big bucks...we're talking cars, trucks, and large tools...). Anyhow, I'm pretty excited about this project because it's for my brother and I'm kinda proud of the concept;) My brother lives in Manhattan, works for a really cool company and has a really cool bachelor pad. And he loves beer:) So a few weeks ago when my dad gave me a bunch of flattened 6-pack cases and said "maybe you can use these for something..." it only took a couple hours for the light bulb to go off, and for the 6-pack cardboards to begin there extended lives as coasters!
You Will Need:
4 plain ceramic tiles
1.5 Sheets of craft felt
4 beer cardboard 6-pack holders (what the official name for these are ..i do not know)
ModPodge
X-acto knife (careful please these can cause serious damage..I've been to ER twice thanks)
Scissors
Paintbrush
1. Cut squares (same size as your tiles) out of your beer cardboard. I cut mine a teeny tiny bit smaller than the tile so that when I decoupaged them on, I could be sure the edges of the cardboard really stuck down and didn't hang over the edge of my tile. 2. Using ModPodge, decoupage the card board onto the tops of your tiles and repeat coats every 15-20mins (I did four coats to give them a thick, shiny protective coating). 3. Cut to size, four squares of felt and adhere them to the bottoms of your tiles (I used the ModPodge again here, between felt and tile, as it was the only thing I had that wouldn't soak through the felt). 4. Using a spray gloss, evenly spray a final protective layer onto the facades of your coasters ( I find that ModPodge always remains a tad bit tacky, this will eliminate drink bottoms sticking to the coasters).
Your technically done! It's up to you on the packaging. I chose a plain wooden box from the craft store, decorated the lid with an extra sq. of cardboard (ModPodge again here), and rubbed the whole thing down with a bit of natural oil. I also put a ribbon loop on the inside of the box because the box was such a perfect fit, I wanted my brother to be able to lift the ribbon loop to easily remove the coasters for use!
So what do you think?? cool enough? I really hope my brother likes these, I'm so excited for him to see them, aaaand none of his buddies will have them, they'll be so jealous! (boys get jealous right? I don't know.."DUDE! Where'd you get these sweet coasters!?" ...hmm..perhaps!)
What else could we make with tiles!? I've got a whole box! ;)
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Such a nice idea!! That helps me with my Dad's gift!
ReplyDeletehttp://polkadotspincushionsblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks Bethan! Dads are so tough right!? I'm always on the look-out for fresh ideas. Let me know if you give this a try! I'd love to see a photo of yours!
Deletexo
You were wondering what to do with a whole box of tiles. I say apply beer cartons to all of them and tile a back splash behind the bar, or the bar itself.
DeleteVery cool! I've made coasters like this before with pretty papers but the idea of using the beer "boxes?" is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Just found you via your comment at Making it Lovely and I'm really enjoying your blog (and photography ;)).
Brandie, you just made my day;) Thank you so much for this sweet comment...You've given me the oomph I was needing today!!
DeleteCheers!
Xo!
Love this idea. Are the tiles still absorbent after you mod podge them?
ReplyDeleteThanks!I actually gave them several coats of clear gloss finishing spray(see step #4) so that they would be protected:)
Deletexo
Protected, yes, but are they still absorbent?
Delete~Karen W
Missouri
....the Tiles ...
DeleteKaren W
MO
Not after a few coats of the clear protectant. Mine were not, I gave them a test run with a sweaty cold beer bottle.
DeleteLove this idea! I have made coasters with old family photos for my uncle, the family geneologist. But these would be perfect for my brothers! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Shannon! That's what's so cool with a project like this..the possibilities are endless!
DeleteXo
Did you get the ceramic tiles at the craft store as well?? I am going to attempt to make these for my brother who has been working on his bar in his house for over a year and is having an "Bar grand opening" next month~ Also, what kind of gloss spray?
ReplyDeleteThanks You
Tami I actually had the tiles left over from our bathroom, in the garage, but you could try your local home depot/lowes or maybe even the craft store. This is such a great idea for your brother! How exciting!They will make the perfect gift for his cool new bar;)
DeleteI used several coats of ModPodge and then once that had dried, I did two coats of a clear gloss finishing spray. I don't remember the brand off the top of my head but any brand would work, I picked up the can at the craft store.
Have fun!!!
Cheers!;)
S
Thank You~ I am attempting to make these this weekend, I did find the tiles at Menards! I am going to try and make 8......my husband is insisting it would also work with a beer label off a beer bottle but I don't think so because i feel with it being so thin even with modgepodge it would be easier to break than using the cardboard. I did say I would try one each way to make him happy! Lol. I will let you know how it works out!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely let me know how it goes! I would imagine it would be tricky to get the label off of a beer bottle completely intact enough for it to still look good...but maybe your husband know something I don't(?)
Delete;)
Xo
I managed to get a label from a bottle of Jack Daniels - turned out excellent. What a wonderful idea!!
DeleteWhat kind of Mod Podge do you use? I've never used it and saw two kinds at Hobby Lobby. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Angie! I use Mod Podge "Gloss" for a bit of a shine on the finishing coat. Here is a link so you can see what the bottle looks like:
Deletehttp://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/products/1302_2533_618-2812-8_oz_plaid_gloss_mod_podge.html?utm_source=googlep&utm_medium=gpfeed&utm_campaign=gpfeed&gclid=CPSsg8HMqrcCFQ-g4Aodb2cAMw
It also comes in a matte finish if you do not want a glossyness
Have fun!
Xo
Sarah
This is a great idea. Do you have any ideas for doing this with photographs. I was thinking of ones from special trips. But, wouldn't the ModPodge make a mess of the picture, or can it be used to coat photos, too?
ReplyDeleteHi Judi!! Photos would be great for this project as well! Special trip snapshots would be a wonderful idea. From my experience, ModPodge is totally fine for all types of collage, including photos. Just be sure to do several thin coats, letting each coat dry in between!
DeleteHave fun!
Thank you so much! This will be my next project (in a long line of projects, so maybe not 'next,' but in the near future). Maybe I can set a target for Christmas! :-)
DeleteThanks!! Terrific idea!
ReplyDelete~~Karen W
Missouri
Thanks Karen!!
DeleteXo
I wonder if you can do the same thing but use the beer bottle labels instead of the cardboard carriers???
ReplyDeleteI have a silly question. I'm Vry New to the crafts but I needs hobbys lol. and this looks simple and fun and I would love to try. my question being. what is modpodge and how do I use it
ReplyDeleteHi Adam!! Crafting is a great hobby! Dive right in:)
DeleteModpodge is like an all-in-one glue, sealer, and finish. You can use it to stick things down..for decoupage, as a matte or glossy top coat on finished products. It's a great product, I've been using it for years:
Have fun!!
I just did these, and they turned out SO great!! =) Thanks so much for the idea, my brother will love them! The only problem I'm having is that when I stack them on top of each other, the felt from the top one sticks to the one beneath it and leaves a fuzzy little mark in the shiny gloss. Maybe I put too much spray gloss on at the end? Any ideas for how to prevent this, or did this happen to yours too?
ReplyDeleteHi! Did you let them dry overnight? The spray clear coat has to be extra dry and set before you can stack them. Did you use the clear coat spray over the modpodge?
DeleteI let everything dry for about 24 hours before stacking them.
Hope this helps! So happy to hear you liked the project;)
Did these hold up well? i want to make them for my boyfriend and he would use all the time!
ReplyDeleteI have the same question- I'm planning to make these tonight, but my boyfriend is... Well, a boy (technically man, but do they ever stop being boys?)! And I'm a bit scared they might get destroyed by constant use.
DeleteI have a high-gloss lacquer spray (the brand is Valspar) that I am going to use for the finish, but I'm wondering if anyone knows how well they will hold up, or any other tips to make them as destruction-proof as possible! :D
HI! I absolutely love this project! The questions/answers about modpodge really helped!(I'm a craft noob)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking instead of ceramic tiles (afraid my boys will drop and break them) I would cut up poster board I have lying around (the thick, plastic-y kind, not cardboard)
Any thoughts??
Hi Abby!! I'm so glad to hear that this section has been helpful to you:) I think the poster board may be a bit iffy...what about wooden coasters? You could decoupage on top? Or even the thick cork board type of coaster. You may be able to find them at the craft store/Marshalls/HomeGoods or even maybe a bigger Dollar Store.
DeleteGood luck! Have fun!
XO
I like the Cutco cutting board! haha. But I am totally making these for myself! We have been needing coasters and there are so many kinds I want to make, but these are my favorite!
ReplyDeleteHow did you attach the ribbon loop? By the way, they look awesome!
ReplyDeleteI used extra strength hot-glue, and attached the back end of the ribbon to the back wall of the box at the bottom, gluing down just the end so when one pulls up on the loop, the length of ribbon lifts, in turn lifting the coasters up for removal.
DeleteSo glad you like them:)
Hello! I love this idea! I'm wondering if you remember what size tiles you used? I'm worried about cutting off too much of the label. Can't wait to make these! Kristina :)
ReplyDeleteHi! They were 4inch by 4inch white tiles. Have fun!
DeleteI'm also a newbie. When I went to Lowe's, they only had 6" x 6" tiles. Will they cut them down for me? How does that work?
DeleteHi, this is such a cool project! Did you have any problems getting the corners to stick down or the cardboard in general? Do you feel like that finish spray gloss kinda helped with that?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your idea!
I did not find this to be a problem, did you put a thin coat of mod podge between the tile and the underside of the cardboard to stick the whole thing down? The whole thing should be stuck down within the first step, before you put the clear coat on, it will be too late if you don't. Hope that helps!
DeleteDo you know of a high temp gloss coat? I placed a coffee mug in my coasters and it melted a ring into the coaster. I used 4 coats of mod podge and 3 coats of clear gloss. I cant seem to find a high temp gloss to preven that. Or is there another possible solution im not thinking of?
ReplyDeleteO wow, I did a little research and found this product:
Deletehttp://www.stovepaint.com/Products/Products.asp?ID=25
Seems to be the only high heat product that is also a clear finish. Maybe give it a try?
So I made these last night and they are awesome! My only problem is the modgepodge seems to have not dried between the felt and tile, so the coaster leaves a damp spot. Suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHow did you do the felt ribbon at the bottom of the box?
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you... I am attempting to make these right now (love the idea!) but I am having trouble with the mod podge. It is my first time using that stuff. Two questions... Did yoy put mod podge on the tile and then lay cardboard, or only over the cardboard and tile together? Also, how did you elimiate brush stroke marks? I am using a sponge brush but you can see the marks. Will the finishing gloss remove that?
ReplyDeleteHi! Yes I put a thin layer of modpodge between the cardboard and the tile, let it dry and then did the layers of modpodge on top. You will see some strokes in the finished product. Its nearly impossible to get it completely smooth. They do sell a special brush for decoupage that leaves minimal stroke marks ...this seems to help. Also the clear spray protective coat in the last step makes it look glossier and smoother. Hope this helps!
DeleteHi! Can't wait to try these out! perfect Christmas gifts! what kind of clear spray protective did you use?
ReplyDeleteI made these for my boyfriend for Christmas because it's a cheap, easy thing to do. He loved them! But was so mad that I got him something because we didn't talk about getting each other anything. I had to reassure him that they in fact weren't as expensive as they looked and really only cost $5 so he didn't have to feel bad. Now my roommate is jealous that he doesn't have any, and I have to make them for everyone because they all loved them!
ReplyDeleteMy fiancé is a huge beer lover! He is going to die when I make these for him. He's going to think its a great day just because I went out and bought some of his favorite beer. Little will he know that they come coasters. Thanks for helping me earn some brownie points!
ReplyDeleteI use a thin layer of cork on the bottom of coasters instead of felt.
ReplyDeleteHow would these work as a backsplash in a bar area? I was going to use actual coasters from bars and put on the wall as a backsplash. Would you set the tiles and grout them first then apply what designs you want to use? How do you think it would work as a backsplash?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this! I've been saving 6pack containers for this project, but all of the other ones I found online were for beer pictures (from magazines) or labels.
ReplyDeleteDo you get the spray gloss as a craft store or at the home improvement store?
ReplyDeleteDo you sell these? I need these ASAP.
ReplyDeleteJust came across the idea, so I tried a few tiles, I can't get it to not have brush strokes on it. Ant help?
ReplyDeleteMaybe try the sponge applicators that look like a paintbrush? Should be at dollar tree or any craft store.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for these coasters and your sidebar commentary had me rolling :) keep 'em coming!
Thanks for sharing such a nice blog. Its very informative
ReplyDeleteBierdeckel
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ReplyDelete"7 Days of Gifting, Day 3 for Him: Don't miss out on the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation. How Chat Fix Whether it's a thoughtful gesture or a cherished item, this day is a chance to make him feel special and valued.
ReplyDelete