DIY: Photo Tile Coasters

Perfect for any special holiday, a set of these tile photo coasters will cost less than $5 to make. The square tiles from your local home improvement store makes this DIY a unique way to showcase your favorite photographs. All you need is some Mod Podge and a bit of felt to complete this fun project.  Stack them and wrap with a ribbon, and you've got the perfect gift for someone special. These coasters are so cute, you'll probably end up making another set for yourself.

I decided to make mine look like polaroids.  Though I screwed up on the vertical one, so don't mind it.  :)  I also didn't take photos of every step, maybe next time.

What You'll Need:

• 4-by-4-inch white tiles
• Photos sized to 3.5x5 - (4x4 if you want to cover the entire tile)
• Mod-Podge (I made mine myself, see DIY)
• foam brush
• Hot glue gun
• Cork squares  (or felt circles) 
• Clear Spray Sealant

Directions:

1.  Pick up small white tiles at your local home improvement store, they are super cheap. Select pictures to use for the project, resize to 3.5x5 inches. (Keep in mind when you're formatting your photos that they will be printed at 3.5 x 5", but you'll be trimming them smaller than that, so make sure your main subject doesn't fill up the entire photo.) Once you have your photos printed you'll need to trim them down to 3.25 x 3.75", which means you're shaving off 0.25" height-wise and 1.25" width-wise.

2.  Clean and dry your ceramic tile. Then "rough up" your tile with some sandpaper helps the Mod Podge stick better.  

3.  Using your sponge brush, paint a thin coat of Mod Podge on the back of your photo. Carefully place the photo on your ceramic tile, leaving about 1/4" border around the top and two sides, and about 1" border at the bottom.

4. Smooth down the photo with a credit card or something similar, taking care not to let the photo slide around on the tile too much. Let dry.

5. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge with your sponge brush over the entire tile, photo included. Make sure you're using even, straight brush strokes, since these will still be somewhat visible on the final product. The Mod Podge will look white when you paint it on, but it dries clear. Let dry for several hours.

6. Repeat step 5 two or three more times until you have a good strong coat on top of your photo. Let dry between each coat.

7. When the Mod Podge is completely dry, spray the tile with a coat of your Clear Acrylic spray. This should remove the "tackiness" of the Mod Podge and make the coaster even more water resistant.

8. Stick cork to bottom of tile to protect your tabletops.

9. Wait 48-72 hours before placing anything on your tile, to make sure the Mod Podge and the Acrylic spray have set.

Enjoy!

Snowman Teacher Gifts

So, I can't take credit for the idea, yes, I saw it on Pinterest.  Actually, a friend posted hers on facebook, and I thought "OMG, those are adorable, I have to make them!"  So I did!  Everyone I'd seen used candy bars, but my son asked his teacher and she said she loved peanut butter M&Ms, so I bought those instead.

What you need:
White paper (I just used printer paper)
Markers
Tape
Ribbon
Fuzzy socks
Candy bag or bar
Optional: googly eyes & Glue Gun

My bag of M&Ms, and most everything I used.

Wrap the paper around your candy.  Tape paper to the bag and then fold over the other side and tape there.  I then folded up the bottom, just like wrapping a present & taped there as well.  

All ready for eyes, a carrot nose, and buttons.

I decided to use googly eyes then draw on the buttons and the carrot.  

I put one sock inside the other, then stretched the other sock over the top of the M&M bag.  FInally, I folded over the sock and used ribbon to tie it off.  

And you're done!!  Such an easy fun gift!

Velata Peppermint Bark

So I don't know about you, but I LOVE Peppermint Bark.  I could eat it all year, in-fact, now that I know how easy it is to make, I just might!  

I knew I wanted to use dark chocolate, instead of milk.  I decided to try it with my Velata Belgium Dark & White Chocolate.  Every time I whip out the chocolate fondue for parties or gatherings, everyone always compliments the taste of it, so I had the *ding* moment, use it for Peppermint Bark!  The packages are the perfect portion sizes, so no measuring needed!

Ingredients:

• 6 oz Package of Velata Dark Chocolate
• 6 oz Package of Velata White Chocolate
• Velata Peppermint Mixable (not pictured)
• 3 Candy Canes
• Tin Foil
• Sandwich sized ziplock bag

Directions:

1.  Line the bottom and sides of a square pan with tin foil, and smooth it out as much as possible.

2.  Warm the Dark Chocolate in the microwave until melted. I put it in the microwave for :30 second intervals.  I did 3 of them, just keep an eye on it prevent any melting of package.

3.  Once melted, pour it into the tin foil wrapped dish.  With a spatula move chocolate to cover the bottom, touching the corners and sides.  I also added some Veleta peppermint mixin to give it more flavor.  

4.  Allow to cool in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes until hardened.

5.  While waiting for the chocolate to harden, un wrap your 3 candy canes and put into a ziplock bag.  This is your chance to get rid of any aggression you may be hiding.  Pound away using what you have available. I used the flat side of a meat hammer.

6.  Once dark chocolate is firm, it’s time to do the same with the white chocolate layer. While still melted, sprinkle the peppermint slivers. As much or as little as you want.

7. Put it back in the fridge for 25-30 minutes.

8.  Once hardened, break it apart.  Enjoy!