Easy DIY Coaster Tutorial

February 18, 2022 aschildmeierLeave a comment

I recently made some coasters for Christmas gifts and they were such a hit! Many have asked how to make them and they are SO simple that I thought I would throw together a quick tutorial for you all!

You will need the following supplies:

-Hot Glue Gun or Permanent Glue of Choice (Such as Tacky Glue, E6000, etc)

-Scrapbook Paper

-Felt

-Mod Podge & Foam Brush for Application

-Acrylic Water Resistant Sealant Spray (such as this one)

-Blank Ceramic Tiles (I like the 4×4 size such as these)

First, you will cut your scrapbook paper the correct size for your tiles being sure you have a tiny edge of tile peeking out evenly on all sides. If your paper fully covers the top of the tile without that edge the paper will not adhere nicely around the edges. I cut my paper to a 4×4 square size and made 6 coasters at a time. I also like to mix and match my paper prints instead of using all one matching print! Once your paper is cut you will spread a thin even layer of Mod Podge onto the surface of the tile. Carefully smooth your scrapbook square on top of the Mod Podge layer (working from the middle out to the edges) being sure you do not have any air bubbles. Once you are happy with the placement of your paper you will spread another thin even layer of Mod Podge on top. Be sure to go all the way to the edge and clean any drips that go over the sides before it dries. After that layer dries fully you will apply 1-2 more coats being sure they are thin even layers.

Next, after your Mod Podge is finished you will seal the coasters! Be sure you are in a WELL ventilated area ( I like to do this step outdoors). Spray the tops of each coaster being sure to use a thin even coating and apply 2-3 total coats being sure to let it fully dry between layers. It is SUPER important not to skip the water resistant sealant or your cups will stick to the coasters (ask me how I know….).

After the sealant dries you are almost finished! The final step is to put backing onto the tiles so they don’t scratch up your furniture. I have used both thin cork and felt for this step and highly prefer the felt. You will cut your felt to size like you did with your scrapbook paper. I cut my felt into 4×4 squares and then glued it onto the back of the tile. You can use your glue of choice and I have found that Tacky Glue has given the best results for my coasters but have also used hot glue. Now, go make all the coasters and have fun with it!

~Amanda~

Craft Tutorials

DIY Embroidery Hoop Ornament

December 4, 2018 aschildmeierLeave a comment

I have been obsessing over embroidery hoops lately. I love them for wreaths, wall decor, just about anything! When we started decorating for Christmas this year I knew I wanted to incorporate them into our tree as ornaments. These were SO quick and easy so I put together a quick tutorial for you to add these to your Christmas tree too!

First, we need to get together our materials. You will need the following:

*Fabric, Approx 1/4 Yard: I used a buffalo plaid flannel from Joann

*3″ or 4″ Embroidery Hoops: I got a 10 pack of 3″ hoops from Amazon Here

*Heat Transfer Vinyl

*Twine or String of Your Choice

*Optional: Spray Paint, Additional Decorative Accents such as Greenery

I opted to spray paint my hoops gold to match my color theme on the tree. After the hoops are painted you will trace the hoop onto paper to make a template for cutting your fabric. Add approx 1/4″ to your circle to allow room for the fabric to be pulled taut into the ring. Once you have your template go ahead and cut your fabric. I found it easier to cut on the fold to get a more uniform circle. Cut your heat transfer vinyl designs as well. I used the same design on all 10 of my ornaments and purchased it in the Silhouette Design Store.

After you have everything cut and heat pressed you add them to the hoops. Be sure the design is centered and the fabric is pulled taut before tightening your hoops. After they are all put together I went ahead and cleaned up the backs by heat sealing the frayed threads. I also needed to add just a dab of hot glue to the tops under the screws to keep the fabric laying flat in that tiny spot. Finish them off by tying twine or other string to the tops to hang them on the tree. You can also add greenery or other decorative accents if you desire.

These ornaments look so pretty on our Christmas tree and tie the colors together so perfect! I can’t believe how fast and easy there were to make, I will be adding more of these soon. I can’t wait to see what you create for your embroidery hoop ornaments as well.

Merry Christmas!

Craft Tutorials

DIY Bow and Headband Holder

April 20, 2018 aschildmeierLeave a comment

With the arrival of our baby girl coming soon my nesting instincts have kicked into high gear. Number one priority right now is prepping all of the decor for her nursery! One item I have made for our girls room that I knew we needed in the babies room as well is a bow and headband holder. These are SO EASY to make and customize to your nursery theme that I wanted to share a quick tutorial with you!

You will need the following supplies to throw together this DIY bow and headband holder:

*Blank Canvas: I prefer the 12×24 size

*Fabric (for covering the canvas)

*Cup Hooks: I picked mine up at Home Depot but you can find them online as well

*Felt

*Grosgrain Ribbon in 1″ or 1.5″ width

*Glue Gun, Scissors, Measuring Tape or Ruler, Lighter (for heat sealing ends of ribbon)

Your first step will be to lay the canvas on top of your fabric and cut the fabric to size. It will need to be several inches larger on all 4 sides so that you have enough fabric to wrap around the back edges. Be sure your fabric design is STRAIGHT before cutting!

Next, you will wrap the top and bottom edges of fabric taut over the back of the frame and glue in place using hot glue. If your fabric is cut too large and hangs over the wooden frame trim it down before gluing. Be sure to check that the fabric is straight and taut on the canvas after gluing these two sides into place.

You will then glue the next 2 sides onto the back frame. Mine were too long and hung over the frame so I trimmed them down before gluing. You will tuck the corners in and glue first, see photos below. Again, be sure your fabric is tight and straight on the front of the canvas. After gluing down all 4 sides you can add fray check around the edges if you would like, I did not on this one but have on the ones I have gifted. These raw edges will later be covered so it isn’t necessary to fray check.

The next step is to add ribbon to the front of the frame to clip your bows onto. You will use your measuring tape to mark along the top and bottom back frame where you would like to attach the ribbons. I marked every 3 inches on mine and then chose to add only 4 ribbons instead of 6 as it covered too much of the fabric design on the front. My ribbons needed cut to 16 inches to fit this size canvas. You will then glue the ribbon down at each marking being sure to pull it taut before gluing the other end down.

After the ribbons have been added to the front of the frame I like to also add hanging ribbon to the bottom to clip additional bows onto. Being a bow maker my girls have LOADS of hair accessories and need as much storage on these holders as possible. Again, you will mark on the back of the frame using your tape measure where you would like to attach the ribbons. I spaced my hanging ribbon evenly between the ribbons on the front. I used 20 inches for my ribbon length, you will need to use your lighter to heat seal the bottom of the ribbon to prevent fraying.

Once all of your ribbon is added you will cover your back frame pieces with felt to cover the raw edges and give the back a nice finished look. **If you would like to add ribbon or twine to hang the frame from please add it BEFORE adding the felt. I chose to hang this one from the frame and not add a ribbon.** Measure the width of the wood on the back of your frame to cut your felt to size, 1.5″ width for my felt strips was perfect for this frame.

Your last step will be to add the cup hooks to hang your headbands onto! You will use your tape measure one more time to evenly space your hooks on both sides and the bottom of the frame. It is completely up to you how many hooks you would like! Since the canvas frame is wood these hooks screw right in so easily.

You are finished! Wasn’t that super easy and quick?! Now, go hang it up in your little girls room and organize all those adorable hair accessories!

Craft Tutorials

Oversized Hoop Wreath

February 12, 2018 aschildmeierLeave a comment

This past summer we upgraded to new furniture in our living room and some fresh new decorations were needed to match! We went with grey as our main color with blush and mint accents. I had so much fun creating the new look, it feels like an actual “grown up” room for the first time!

We have a large empty wall space above our entertainment center that needed an accent decoration. I wanted something large but still simple and sweet. I decided to put together an oversized hoop wreath and put together a quick tutorial for you as it is SO easy and really adds to any room!

The supplies you will need are:

-Oversized hoop: I used an 18″ Quilt Hoop that I picked up at Joann using a 40% off coupon

-Floral wire

-Artificial Greenery and Flowers: I love the selection at Hobby Lobby (AND they go on sale 50% off every other week!)

-Glue Gun

**I did decide to spray paint my hoop light pink right before starting it because the wood did not match our living room decor.**

I started by pulling my flowers off of the stems and laying them out loosely on the hoop to get an idea of what it would look like. After that, just add the greenery on first. I wanted mine to cover only half the hoop. Use pieces of your floral wire to secure the greenery to the hoop.

Once your greenery is secured use more floral wire to secure your flowers on. You can use hot glue as well in any areas that need extra hold.

Once finished you can hang just on the actual hoop or you can add rope, twine, etc to hang it from. It looks perfect centered over our entertainment center and is exactly the oversized but simple statement piece we were aiming for! And, even better, you can easily swap it out seasonally!