Recently, my husband and I made a huge decision to simplify our lives for the winter before a big move next spring — pretty close to what Maggie & Zack just did, getting rid of everything they owned and driving across the country. Yes, this is the part where you can say ‘YIKES!!’. To say the least it’s interesting to take everything you have owned since your first apartment at age 17, and as you turn 32 just have 4 boxes of belongings! With this more intentional way of living comes some simple life dreaming.
As I think about what our new city and home will be like, I can’t help to daydream of all the things I would like to do with our home. We get a fresh start and with that our intentions of living simple will remain with us.
Today I’m sharing an easy project with you that I know will be something I use in our new home. Do you have any home projects you will be working on soon?
Since Instagram is all the rage and the photos are already a square I decided to save a few photos from my feed* and print them on the paper. Cut your photos to fit the frame of your tile and apply a thin layer of Mod Podge directly to the tile and place your photo on top. Project tip: allow your printed photos to dry completely or use Mod Podge for paper for the first layer to prevent ink bleeds.
To prepare the bottom for table top use you can purchase pre-made felt sticky pads, some cork board or just make your own like I did. Cut small circles of felt for each corner of the tile or a square large enough to cover bottom then adhere to tile (I used hot glue). Project tip: to get the best use out of your new coasters, lightly wipe clean or gently hand wash when needed.
This project is not only easy to make, but totally customizable, which makes it a fun project to do with friends or to use as a gift. You could snag a couple photos from one of your friends Instagram feeds and surprise them with a new set of personalized coasters.
If you end up making a set of these tag Maggie (@gussysews) or myself (@thingslovely) on Instagram so we can see how they turned out!
*To print photos from your Instagram feed, use an online Instagram viewer like Ink361. Right click & save the photos you want to print — easy!
Heather Dawn is our DIY contributor and resides in Oregon. She stays busy juggling many roles: writer of JustLove.ly, full-time designer for {just.lovely.things} {an accessories line where she creates wardrobe accessories for magazines, tv shows & some amazing customers}, co-owner of the shop Fawn & Flora, and an indie subscription service called Love❤Club. She’s a huge fan looking at pretty things and attempting to make them.
Omg I love this idea! I have been looking for coasters forever and cant find any I like. These are perfect!
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Gussy Sews Reply:
November 3rd, 2012 at 9:53 am
@Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, I would be tempted to make different coasters for the different seasons!!! Heather did a fabulous job with this post, didn’t she? :)
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Very cute idea! I’m going to have to look through my photos to see if I have any that would be perfect for this project. Now I’m really curious where across the country you are moving to? :)
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Heather @ JustLove.ly Reply:
November 5th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
@Jessica Angel, We actually downsized our living situation and will pick a new city in March… maggie drove across the country like a crazy lady =)
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love this idea! I’m thinking this is a perfect project to do with the kids to make Christmas gifts for friends & family :) Thanks, ladies!
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Awesome gift idea!! I feel like I missed this but did you print the pictures on regular printing paper? That would make sense but I just wanna make sure :)
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Gretchen Reply:
November 3rd, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I was curious about that too! Wonder if it would work with pics on photo paper …
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Heather @ JustLove.ly Reply:
November 5th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
@Hannah Alyse, I used regular paper, but if you use photo paper you should probably use the photo mod podge for your first layer!
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I love this idea! A great way to use those pretty Instagram photos. :)
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love it! i’ve made these with scrapbook paper, but using my IG’s sounds even more fun. ;)
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I used regular paper, but if you use photo paper you should probably use the photo mod podge for your first layer!
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How fun and cute! Got any tips for getting pics from friends feeds without their login information?
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Heather @ JustLovely Reply:
November 12th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@Betsy, Find their user name, go to Instagram.com/_______ <– enter the user name there!
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Betsy Reply:
November 12th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@Heather @ JustLovely, Thanks!!
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