Mother's Day DIY Photo Crafts: Tile Coasters

So you've converted all your film and photos to digital, and we say that the possibilities are endless now that they are in digital form, and this month we are going to explore some fun things you can do!  Mother's Day is coming up fast, so why not make sentimental Mother's Day gifts out of your digitized memories?  What better way is there to tell your Mom how much you care than showcasing photos of her and your past!

First project of the month: Photo Coaster Tiles.  

These are so extremely easy and fast to make.  

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Dry Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Items Needed to Create these Photo Tile Coasters:

• Photos from your past - Do NOT use the originals if you haven't digitized them yet!!  Make sure they are in digital form first, and then we recommend printing a second copy at your local printing shop.
• Mod Podge.  We used the matte style for this project
• Sponge Brush for Mod Podge Application
• Coaster Sized Tiled.  We got these ones from Lowe's.  You will want 1 tile per photo.
• Cork or Foam backing circles.  You know, the things that you put on the bottom of chair legs?
• Last but not least...  a snack!!  Who doesn't like some good old Peanut M&M's?  

 

Steps to creating this fabulous DIY photo Mother's Day Craft:

1- Cut your photos to the correct size so they fit on the tile with a little bit of room to spare on each side of the photo.  I put the tile against the back of the photo, placed it off just a bit to account for the extra room, and traced around the tile.  I then cut along my traced line.  Make sure that you get the focal points of your photo on the tile!

2- Using the sponge brush, apply a thick layer of the Mod Podge on the back of your photo.  Make sure you cover the entire surface of the back of your photo.  After you apply this layer, you will place the photo face up on top of one tile.

3-After placing the photo on top of the tile, snap an M&M in your mouth, and while you are chewing place another layer of Mod Podge on top of the photo.  Make sure that as you are spreading that you are going to the very edges of the photo, and even onto the tile.  This layer seals the photo onto the tile and makes it as one.  While you want a decent layer of Mod Podge on top of your photo, make sure that it is not goopy to ensure that you don't get clumps of dried Mod Podge on the final look.  Once you have made sure it is even spread and smooth, set the tile to the side to dry!

 4-  Let your tiles sit untouched for about a half an hour, and then check on them until they are dry.  The photo below will show the tiles right after the top coat of Mod Podge is on the picture, so you can still see some of the glue.

5- Enjoy your mother's reaction as you give her a gift to remember!  In the photo below, you will see another set of coasters we made using 70's-80's photos.  You can literally use any kind of photo on these beautiful photo tile coasters and it will draw an emotional feel.

We really loved making these photo tile coasters, and hope you enjoyed reading our tutorial!  It is a great, cheap, and sentimental gift that you can make yourself for Mother's Day.  You might want to give a tissue along with the tiles as there might be a couple of tears shed.