Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Tis the Season to be Crafty

This Christmas season has been very tight for me with money, so I decided to look into some lovely craft ideas on Pinterest that would save me money, but also let me give to all my friends, family, co-workers, and loved ones.  I found one pin (no longer available), and I fell in love!  I also thought of a few ideas (although not original), still classic!
My three ideas I used for Christmas gifts were DIY coasters, black chalkboard wine glasses, and personalized ornaments.
Here are some pictures of the coasters I made...



Here are all the supplies that you need for the coasters:
4 x 4 white tiles (I got mine from Home Depot, and they were less than 50 cents each!)
napkins with your favorite design (or you can print out pictures, but the napkins work best)
mod podge
cork board (I bought a roll that had a sticky side.. if you buy this, you don't need a glue gun)
acrylic sealer
glue gun
sponge brush

STEPS:
1. The first thing I did was cut out the napkin to match with the tiles, and cut out the corkboard to match the tiles as well.  Make sure you cut them a little bit smaller than the actual tiles.
2. After, you layer a coat of the modge podge over the ceramic tile(s) and place the napkin/picture directly over the tile.  Let dry for 5-10 minutes.
3. Then I proceeded to cover the picture/tile with another layer of modge podge (as shown below) it will show up as a white coating, but then dry perfectly like in the second picture :) The drying time varies on how much modge podge you use, but I believe it took around 30-45 minutes to fully dry.
4. I put the finishing touches by water proofing the coasters with an acrylic seal. I let them sit overnight to FULLY dry, and then they are ready to go! :)

Here is a picture of the black chalkboard paint from Walmart.. It was priced at 4 dollars I believe? Perfect for wood, glass, ceramic, and other material.  I used the chalkboard paint on wine glasses, mugs, and wooden signs for Christmas.  We are all teachers, and can appreciate a little creativity :)


Here are some of the ornaments that I bought from AC Moore, and personalized with a felt tip marker (or sharpie).  I made sure that they were each neat and clean... 2 ornaments were not neat enough for me and I did have to throw 2 away because they weren't neat enough ;) but that's just me!! And they make beautiful, special gifts!

I hope you enjoyed the crafts!! Let me know what you think!

6 comments:

  1. I saw a blog where the teacher bought coasters for her students to make coasters for their parents...great idea!! I like the idea of the coasters for family members I NEVER know what to buy them.

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    1. Hey! I didn't even think about having my kiddos make them for their parents... a good idea for next year :) I like to get my family a lot of presents, but I also like doing sentimental, thoughtful gifts too!

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  2. Your projects always amaze and inspire me. Laura!! Merry Christmas, friend! Here is to getting some winter beak goals completed:) xoxo
    ~Holly
    Fourth Grade Flipper

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    1. Hey love!! Thank you so much for your kind words and a very merry Christmas to you xoxo my winter break goals are put on hold since I have the flu :(

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  3. Laura!! These are adorable! Seriously!! One of my students last year made me this really cute gift. It's a wine bottle, label taken off. She made a Santa and an ornament out of what I think it window cling paint (I'm not exactly sure what to call it), put them onto the wine bottle, and put a string of 25 or 50 white Christmas lights inside. It is one of my favorite Christmas decorations! Hope you are feeling better soon. Justin & I are bedridden with sore throats, luckily no flu! I'm a lot like you, with a super killer immune system, rarely sick so it really stinks when it happens! Cheers to 2013! :)

    Ashley
    Primary Teacherhood

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    1. Hey Ashley!! So good to hear from you.. merry Christmas and happy new year!!! I looove the lights in a wineglass... my friend has that too and its beautiful! I hope you and Justin are feeling better.. you will have to tell him I said hello!

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