How To: DIY Fabric Coasters

This is a project that I've been dying to do, but never buckled down and got to work. This past weekend I finally kicked myself in the butt and did it. I have to admit, after looking through tons of tutorials all over the blog world I expected this to be a super easy, 5 minute project. While it didn't take very long to do, it wasn't quite as easy as I had thought it would be. 

We've been using these coasters on our coffee table for some time now. I bought them from Pier 1 a few years back. They are perfectly fine coasters (except for a little paint spot on one), but they just didn't match our living room.

I decided I wanted to make my own coasters to better match the colors in the room. I've seen many versions using scrap paper or photos for the design, but I really wanted to use fabric. 

I had these fabric cases that our new sheets and duvet set came in when we received them for Christmas. I know that once the sheets are on our bed, we won't use these cases anymore to store them. We have pretty much been using just the new sheets and wash them during the day and put right back on the bed instead of using a different set. They are just so comfortable that we don't want to use any other sheets!

The supplies I used to make my coasters:

- plain ceramic tiles from Home Depot (I forgot, but maybe $.16 each)

- fabric (or paper/pictures) to cover the coasters

- Mod Podge with sponge brush

- felt tabs for the bottom of the coasters

- clear acrylic sealer spray

Most websites I read had you cut a piece of fabric about the same size of the coaster (maybe a bit smaller) to attach to the top. I attempted that first, but once I cut the fabric, I could see the small threads fraying at the cut edge. Trying to trim these threads just resulted in an uneven edge, and the fabric square getting smaller and smaller with each cut.

I decided to try my own, different approach and wrap the fabric around the entire top of the tile and use a Mod Podge seal on the back. I liked this option better because it resulted in clean edges without the bare ceramic showing. I also can't stand the sound of two ceramic tiles rubbing together. It's like nails on a chalkboard to me, so I wanted to have the fabric act as a cushion when the tiles were stacked or if they knocked against each other.

I put a thin coat of Mod Podge over the entire top of the ceramic tile. I then flipped the tile over and pressed it onto the back of the fabric, leaving at least half an inch to an inch around the edge of the tile.

Once I had a small border cut around the tile, I also cut a slit in each corner of the fabric to make wrapping it around the tile a little easier and look smoother.

I started with opposite sides and put a small coat of MP on the edge and back of the tile (just a half inch or so from the edge) and wrapped the fabric tightly around the edge. I then applied one more thin coat of MP on top of the fabric to seal it. (With Mod Podge, thin layers are key. It's much better to use multiple thin layers of MP than one thick layer.)

The next two sides and corners are a bit tricky. The best way I can explain is that you want to wrap it sort of like a present, where the edges are clean and flat.

Once all four edges are MP-ed to the back of the tile it will look something like this:

The last step before applying the felt tabs is to seal the coasters. I bought a bottle of this clear acrylic sealer from AC Moore. This step is important since you want to keep the fabric from getting damaged from hot mugs, cold glasses and condensation.

I put all the coasters outside on the deck and sprayed three coats of this acrylic sealer on each of the coasters, allow time to dry between coats.

Once the acrylic is sealed take these small felt pads and put them on each corner on the back of the tile. These will protect your table from getting scratched by the ceramic tile. It also keeps a nice cushion between each coaster when you stack them.

If the ceramic tile showing on the back of your coaster bothers you, can can simply cut out a scrap square with your leftover fabric and Mod Podge it to the back of the coaster before you seal it and add the felt cushions. I did this with one coaster to show as an example. I didn't do this with all my coasters simply because it didn't bother me that the tile was showing. No one will really be flipping them over to see the backs. 

Once your coasters are sealed and your felt cushions applied, they are ready to use! 

I'll admit my coasters are not perfect, so if you are picky about your finishing on the back, my tutorial might not be for you. But I'm really happy with how they look. The back doesn't bother me since you will never see it.  And the fabric I used is a perfect match for my new pillows in the living room. 

I think I folded the corners pretty well, too. The look flush and aren't bulky at all. I'm pretty please with my take on the other fabric coaster tutorials I saw around the web.

I took a vacation day from work today so Lucy and I are off to run lots of errands (and possibly squeeze in some thrifting!)

Pillows, Pillows, Pillows!

Most of the pillow covers I ordered from Etsy have arrived. I was so excited each time a new one arrived that I immediately put it into place. It's such a refreshing change to see our living room with some nice neutrals and no harsh, bold colors that clash with each other.

I also love how the corner above the couch looks without the black leaf candle holder that I spray painted and moved to the guest room.  Much more open.

I'm debating if I want to keep or move the black and white pillow now that I have all grey and light colored pillows on the couch. I still love the black pillow (a West Elm purchase, if I remember correctly) and would just put it somwhere new.

Here is the chevron cover from Mandy's Etsy shop, "Pillow Confections.

I'm so glad the sent me this cover. I'm really happy with how it looks on the couch and how well it goes with the other covers I ordered.

I'm still loving the chevron theme (check out how to paint your own chevron design) and will most likely incorporate even more into our home in the near future.

I actually just received this pillow cover last night, but haven't had a chance to take new pictures of the couch.

Jordan has already told me that this one is his favorite of the pillow covers, so I scored his approval on the new textiles! Always a nice bonus.

Next up for the living room I want to revamp our light fixtures on both side tables. They are both boring brushed nickel stands with plain white shades. Obviously I'd rather redo them myself rather than smapend $50+ each on new lamps. I have a few ideas of how I am going to revamp them, so stay tuned!

Also, remember for the month of March Mandy is offering a 25% discount on pillow covers when you use the code SIMPLEKINDIFLIFE at checkout. Be sure to check out her shop  Pillow Confections and grab yourself some new pillow covers!

Starting the Pallet Process

Ok I'll admit I didn't get as much done with the pallet as I was hoping to this weekend. 

Honestly, I only did one little step to prepare it for painting. But I'm so excited about this project that I'm going to share every detail with you all, no matter how small. 

Before I can start painting the pallet, there was some prep work that needed to be done.

There were a number of cracks or splits in the wood as well as nail holes and other gaps.

To take care of this, I bought some wood glue and used that to reattach the pieces that were split.

The wood glue only worked to reattach the two pieces, but the crack still remained. I relied on spackle for the rest of the cracks along with other flaws in the wood.

After debating a little I decided to fill in the nail holes with the spackle. I considered leaving them but I knew they would look like awkward holes that were painted white. While I like the rustic look, in this case I want the pallet to be as smooth as possible when painted. 

It's not much progress, but here is how the pallet stands today with all the holes and cracks filled.

As you can see, there are still some rough spots on the pallet that I need to lightly sand down. 

Once I take care of these spots I will be ready to paint.

I'm hoping to get some more done on the pallet during the week. I am off work on Wednesday to be on baby duty and I'm hoping I can maybe tackle at least one coat of paint on the pallet. I also need Jordan to remove the 5 wood panels on the back of the pallet so it will hang flush against the wall.

Oh, and if you have no clue what I'm talking about with this pallet project, here is what I'm working towards for our guest room:

I've already bought the hooks and I just need to prime, paint and hang!

I'll be back later today to share pictures of my new pillow covers that arrived last week.

Don't forget about the 25% discount for the month of March!

More Spray Painted Madness

Another gorgeous Sunday last weekend meant another day on the deck with my can of spray paint. I had some leftover gold spray paint from my wall leaf project and decided to use it up and revamp a few more things to use in the guest room.

The victims this time?

This small old mirror was a thrift find from years ago. I haven't had a place to put it and it's been sitting in my closet forever waiting for a home. 

This is an old frame that I just stopped using. The picture in the frame is one of my favorite pictures of my grandparents at a New Years party.

This little owl piece was either a thrift find or given to me by my grandparents. I honestly can't remember. I had stashed it with a collection of other various owls in the guest room dresser.

This owl was bought from Pier One a few years ago. It has a mini twin about half the size, but that one is sitting on my desk at work being used as a paper weight.

Lastly, I have this old frame. I'm not even sure where it came from. It's been in the basement with my collection of frames that I keep in case I need one for something. I used to have picture frames in all shapes and sizes and colors all over my house, but I've swapped those out for other decorative pieces. 

Once I gathered my goodies and prepped the mirror for painting, I set up camp out on the deck and got to work.

I lucked out with another non-windy day and it only took me about two minutes to do each coat of spray paint on all the items.

It took 4 even coats of spray paint to get everything covered. The mirror and the owls took a little extra time and effort because of the detail in their design. Some of the items took the paint easier than others. The green owl, for example, needed a little extra TLC since it has a glossy painted finish. I was actually surprised how well it took the spray paint, it just needed to be applied a little more carefully than the rest.

After enough coats and once everything dried they looked like new.

I've built a decent collection of goodies to use in the guest room. 

I found this great little leaf dish at my grandparents' house last weekend.

It needs a little cleaning, but I thought it would add a nice touch to one of the nightstands.

And I am STILL on the hunt for some great vintage frames. I have these old wedding photos from our parents and grandparents that I want to display on the guest room wall in a frame collage. I may resort to painting other old frames with gold spray paint as I'm not having much luck so far with finding any.

This weekend is dedicated to working with my pallets! I'm honestly not sure how much work I have ahead of me and I'm prepared for this project to possibly take a few weekends to complete, but I'm anxious to dive in and get started.

Have a great weekend!

Photo Challenge - February: FAIL, March: Let's GO

I tried, I really did, but I was unsuccessful in completing the February Photo Challenge. I really wanted to complete this and made it past the halfway point, but lost it around the 19th. I couldn't figure out something I hated to do, so I pushed it off for the next day. And then the next, and then, well, you know....

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you probably already have seen these.

Here are the pictures I did take in the order of the daily topics:

Now, that being said, I'm even more motivated to complete the March photo challenge!

Here are the topics for this month:

Anyone joining in this month?