I’d swear I heard the radio station discussing snow for next week
I sure hope I’m wrong!!
But I think they said once summer ends
SNOW
can be expected at any time!
Who are they kidding?
We expect snow all year round.. maybe not right in our backyard, but certainly in the mountains
where it has already fallen, I might add.
Silly me.. I took out my sweaters early and Mother Nature took that as a sign.
But I will admit, I love wearing boots and leggings, layers of skirts, shirts and sweaters, coats, gloves and even hats.
but I digress..
When the dark days of winter set in, it is always cheering to remember the dog days of summer.
This “easy-peasey” craft will do that for you.
{ I will never share a craft that requires a band-saw or advanced artistic talent, I pinky promise }
It appeared on the Country Living website and I loved that it mimicked the look of vintage polaroids..
and you know I love anything vintage..
♥
and inexpensive
and easy
did I say easy?
And Fast!
♥
They remind me of Instagram..
I’ve had a few questions on Hometalk.. these photos are printed like any photograph at London Drugs.. the appearance looks polaroid because of the large white glass tile border beneath the photo.
You can use a free photo editing software at http://www.picmonkey.com to add any sort of filter you wish if you’d like to make these look more vintage, there’s even a “polaroid” filter you can apply to any photograph. I played a bit with the green set, but left the purple beach set in their original color because I liked how it looked. Then I uploaded my favorites to the London Drugs photo developing website. Some of you may have a home printer that can print your photos on photo paper and that would make it so much easier.
Polaroid Photo Coasters
Materials
5 – 7 photographs
(I had them printed glossy on regular photo paper at London Drugs)
4×6 if making smaller coasters, 5×7 if making larger
(horizontally taken photographs work best, they are easier to crop for your tiles)
5-7 builders white wall tiles
4″ square for small coasters, 5″ square for larger coasters
(found at Home Hardware or any hardware store that sells tiles)
foam brush
mod podge
gloss lustre, waterbase sealer, glue & finish
Crystal Clear Krylon Acrylic Coating
(or any other clear acrylic spray)
small self-adhesive felt furniture pads or self-adhesive polyurethane savers
(those are small plastic disks)
4 per coaster
discarded newspapers
*** Note: If you plan to use these coasters for hot beverages, you will have to go one further step and coat with a product like this Envirotex Lite Pour On Gloss Finish.. or you could just ensure your coasters are for wine only:D
Directions
Crop your photos, 3.5″ wide x 3.5″ height for smaller tiles. Crop 5.5″ wide x 4.5″ height for larger coasters.
Spread a smooth layer of mod podge on the back of your photo.
Press gently onto the top portion of your tile, making the top edge and sides equal distance. There will be a larger space at the bottom, this makes it look like a polaroid photo.
Allow to dry for 30 minutes.
Then spread a thin layer of mod podge over the entire tile, brushing from top to bottom in even strokes, covering the empty spaces around the photo as well.
Allow to dry for one hour.
Repeat two or three more times as needed.
Take outside, lay on discarded newspaper and spray each tile with an even coating of acrylic spray.
Let them dry for 24 hours.
Remember to press each corner with the self-adhesive pads so you don’t damage your furniture.
♥
I think these would make a sweet gift;)
Lovely! I have so got to try this!!
I LOVE this Barbara! This will make the perfect Christmas gifts from my girls to their Grandma and my sister. I’ve pinned it as well because it’s just so cool!! Thanks!!!
Hey, thanks for Pinning:) I think it would be great as a gift.. I’ve got my parents in mind for the little green set I’ve made..
I LOVE this idea!! 🙂
Love, love, love these coasters! If I had any talent for this type of stuff, I would try to make them
so cool!
I forwarded your post to my stepdaughter in law, I think she will love it too…
Oh, you so underestimate yourself, Sally:) No talent required.. remember the white glue from Kindergarten.. yeah, this is that easy:D
These are adorable!!! You are sooo crafty, I wish we lived closer I would come over for tea and craft time allllll theeee timmmmmee!
The door is always open for you Brittany:D
These are a lovely idea. And they would make excellent family gifts too. Your seasons sure do change quickly. Wasn’t it just a week or so ago that you posted all your summer holiday images? The change in our seasons is so much more subtle xx
There sure is nothing subtle about our seasons, Charlie.. I never know what to wear but always have a sweater handy in case things change through the day:)
What a great idea!
They are so creative and gorgeous my friend – a brilliant idea 😀
Cheers
CCU
Barb, these are so great and if I had any confidence that I could pull them off as beautifully as you have, I’d be all over it. I think they would make a smashing Christmas gift and my mom is always sending me old photos…
These are really nice. I received some last year as a gift… with pictures of my brothers and sisters on them … I’m amazed at what can be done .. Diane
What a lovely idea!! I recognize some of the photos ….fabulous!
What a lovely idea!! I recognize some of the photos ….fabulous!
Thanks cuz:D xx
What a gorgeous idea Smidge! I loove the Polaroid look of these.
You weren’t kidding about easy! And the look so professional!
Absolutely love these! What a fabulous Christmas present! xx
Thanks, Lisa! xx
Yes, it seemed like the first day of fall winter was here to remind us it was soon to follow when we saw the Peak covered in snow. I have loved the warmth of summer, but it was a tough one on our community with the fires and floods … a break from all that is welcome.
I absolutely adore these coasters, it’s a project I must try! I’m with you, I am drawn to vintage anything. 🙂
It is so sad to read of communities suffering like this, Judy. We had our “100 year flood” and now worry that it could happen again.. even next year. I hope you have all “rallied” around like we did here, it’s a great blessing to have the help of friends and strangers alike!
bbeautiful. these would make such a wonderful gift!
These are adorable! I love this idea!
Hi Smidge, the coasters are amazing and so beautiful! They make such wonderful gifts, thank you for the idea! 🙂
Smidge your coaster are exquisite – I see these beauties going into Christmas gifts for family and friends.
Have a beautiful week ahead and hope you don’t get snow just yet!
🙂 Mandy xo
Thanks, Mandy!! No snow so far, but this morning we were woken up by a crazy wind storm!! I don’t know what’s going on around here, I bundled up and it was hot out this afternoon! We are having some crazy weather! How about you??xx
Snow? I’m ready for cooler weather – cold, even – but not snow! Anyway, really nice craft. Love the idea of this, and it’s so easy. Thanks.
Yeah.. me neither John, say no to the snow, lol!
These are absolutely beautiful & you’ve inspired me to start on a stocking stuffer idea for my daughter.
Such a great idea Barbara! Oh the thought of snow makes me shiver. I’m loving the warmer weather here right now.
Shivering here now.. the sun goes down and it’s so cold! Why do I still live here, lol!
Love this! You know, when you mentioned snow, I thought of Christmas… and then when I scrolled down and saw these cute little coasters, I thought PRESENTS!!! Such a great idea. And that’s why I love this space; food, crafts, poetry + tons of Smidge style inspiration!! I will definitely be bookmarking this one for the holidays! xo
Thanks, Emilie:) This is one craft I guarantee is easy to make. They’re by no means perfect, you can see my brush strokes.. but I know they’ll be a great gift just the same:D xx
This looks so cool!
Thanks Raymund:)
Pinning this one my friend! And will be making these as part of a Christmas basket! LOVE! (Your execution of these is fantastic too Smidge!) xo
I’d love to see yours, spree!! Maybe one day I’ll be venturing out to the coast and I’ll pop by for a coffee with you.. that would be so nice!!
Yes Barb, I see the Agapanthus – perfect picture and of course know you know the meaning of the word – Love and Friendship it’s even more perfect. These coasters are perfect, and would make a lovely gift x Here’s to friendship and love!
Here here.. I’m raising my glass:D xx
I love this idea Barb… I LOVE IT!
Thanks so much, Kay! xx
I LOVE these coasters! What a brilliant idea! I happen to have some extra tiles from a remodel that have nothing to do. This is perfect! Thanks for sharing this! Yes, it is suppose to snow somewhere this weekend and that somewhere is where my husband is headed. He and some of his buddies planned a fishing trip in southern Colorado and it’s suppose to snow and be in the 20’s!!! I get to stay home and stay warm. 🙂
Barbara, what a fantastic idea … and even I will manage to do this. And what a great Christmas present to a friend that you have collect memories together with.
These coasters look beautiful! It’s great how you can make coasters with the images you want. Much better than going out to buy coasters. Thanks for sharing!
What a lovely post to inspire me to think of people who would love receiving these for Christmas. Your blog always stands out above the rest.
[…] Or how about transferring your photos onto ceramic tiles to create your own homemade coasters (3) – follow along with the instructions here. […]
I loved these Ideas. Thanks a lot for sharing them:)
[…] Barb from Just a Smidgen made the cutest coasters using photos and mod podge. These do make a personable, sweet gift […]