Switching gears for a minute. Yes, I’ll be coming back to more PROJECT LIFE information and yes, I’ll be answering more of your questions in some upcoming Q&A posts … but many of you have been asking about gift ideas, so I wanted to share this with you.

Every home needs coasters, right? Gotta protect your furniture. Here’s a fun way to make some custom coasters. Go for elegant or fun or colorful or neutral. Customize it however you want. You could even use photos instead of patterned paper. Or use your kids’ art! How fun would that be? These are super easy and — let’s be honest — most of us have a secret desire to mod-podge something.

This is what you need:

pre-cut & beveled wood blocks (I like the 4″ size, which I found at JoAnn for 59 cents each)
patterned paper (you likely already have some on hand)
acrylic paint (craft store)
mod podge (craft store)
foam brush (craft store)
clear spray paint (I picked this up at the home improvement store)
adhesive-back felt (craft store)

How to make them:

1. Do any necessary light sanding on the wood blocks and wipe all debris away with a clean cloth.

2. Paint just the beveled sides (not the top or bottom of the coaster) with acrylic paint.

3. Measure & cut squares of patterned paper to fit the top of each coaster perfectly. Apply an even coat of Mod Podge with a foam brush and adhere patterned paper to the top of coaster.

4. Evenly coat the entire coaster with Mod Podge and allow to dry.

5. Evenly coat the entire coaster with clear spray paint (be sure to do this outside!)

6. Once completely dry, cut squares of the adhesive-back felt and stick to the bottom of each coaster.

What you can’t tell from these pictures is how glossy these are (from that spray paint), which makes them really yummy-looking in person.

I don’t remember when or where I’ve seen this idea, but I don’t take credit for thinking of it. Here’s the thing. This concept of painting and implementing patterned paper and then sealing it with Mod Podge and spray paint is a simple concept. And very applicable to lots of potential projects. When you’re walking down that isle of the craft store, look around at the other pieces. You just may get inspired to do something different.

Feeling crafty? : )