From Home Store To Home Decor - Challenge Time at Decorate To Celebrate

MY STORY:

     OK, I admit it.  I love strolling through the aisles of hardware/home improvement stores.  I love the inspiration I get, not just for future home projects, but these stores are full of bits 'n pieces for the crafter.   Here's an idea for an inexpensive and quick way to spruce up your home decor for the Fall season -- and they make great hostess gifts too.

YOUR TURN:

     Where can you find crafting supplies for under 20 cents each!  Just check out the tile section of your local hardware store.  These simple tiles were only 16 cents each.  And with a sale, they came out to 13 cents each.  Stock up!

     Another must for the crafter is Mod Podge.  This has been a crafting staple forever....it works as both a glue and a sealant.   There is even a book dedicated to nothing but Mod Podge!

  It comes in different finishes and effects- for this example I liked the gloss finish with the basic formula.

     For this project, I had some handmade papers in beautiful Fall colors.  You have to be a little gentle with a thin paper.  But it holds up well with the glue. HINT:  Cover your work surface with waxed paper, the glue gets a little drippy and could leak over the edges.  The waxed paper keeps it from sticking and is an easy clean up.

     Lay your tile over the back side of your paper and cut out.  I like to cut out a little larger than the tile and trim off later.

    Cover the coaster with a thin helping of the glue.  Lay your paper over the covered surface and gently apply a light layer of Mod Podge.  Don't worry when you see it on the darker papers, it dries clear.

    Let dry until completely dry -- you will know when it is no longer sticky to the touch.  I usually like to apply another layer just to insure my piece is protected.  Let second coat dry and trim off any edges you have left.  HINT:  It is easiest to turn the tile over to see where you need to trim.  You get a cleaner edge that way.

    You can use these tiles as they are, I found an inexpensive wood serving tray at the dollar store and glued the tiles on for a nice presentation piece.

  And how cute do they look using milk bottles (I think these will be the new trend for the mason jar crowd).  Fun way to do a centerpiece or to have at each table for your guests.

    I also tried layering different pieces to create more interest.  On half of the coasters, I used some inspirational words, place card size, from The Paper Source.  Same technique as before, coat the top of your coaster with a thin layer of glue, place your card, and glue over the top.

    There were also scraps left from the paper -- and I hate to waste scraps -- so I cut up in random shapes and applied -- same steps as above.

   How cute and easy!!!   The glue lasts forever, foam brushes are very cheap and the tiles were 16 cents each - at their non sale price.   So even if you had to invest in : (6) coasters; (1) package of foam brushes and (1) bottle of Mod Podge, this whole project would cost you only about $10.00.  And after your first set, it would only be .96 cents for each set!  You also don't have to invest in paper, look around at what you have -- magazine pages look just as great!

     Happy Crafting and Happy Holidays!