Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Well, not for me.  I've had these done for some time now but they are super quick and easy to make for anyone looking for a last minute gift.  Oh, and did I mention, they're inexpensive!

Anyone who's been on Pinterest has seen the coasters made from tiles.  You may even have some pinned.  These pins show coasters made from scrapbook paper, napkins and even paint chips.  I posted about the ones I made from scrapbook paper here.  But these have to be my favs!

Co-workers are usually hard to buy for.  You don't want an item too expensive because it adds up fast if you're gifting lots of people but you want to have something they'll like.  Since the majority of my co-workers are huge football fans and the coasters were so inexpensive to make I knew what I was going to be gifting.  They were a big hit!  I've even had my recipients asking for additional sets for their family members. 

I simply found graphics online that I liked for each of the teams.  Because I was giving these as gifts and not selling for profit I was able to use these graphics.  Please do not make coasters with these graphics that will be sold for profit.  I placed the graphic in Word and sized to my tile.  Some graphics would not size without losing some of the picture so for those I layered another graphic behind it.  See the houndstooth behind the Bama subway art?  That was copied and reduced from the other tile with the houndstooth and "A."  Once sized correctly, I printed the file with a laserjet color printer on regular copy paper.  Then trimmed with scissors trying to cut a straight of a line as possible.

The paper is attached to the tile with Mod Podge.  I put a thin layer on the tile then added another layer to the back of the paper.  I found this made it easier to make any small adjustments when lining up the paper to the tile.  Then I covered the paper with another layer of Mod Podge.  Because I worked on several of these at once, the first ones were dry enough to add an additional layer of Mod Podge.  Once dry I brushed on a layer of polycrylic.  I used the brush on rather than spray on because it's what I had on-hand but the spray would work just as well.  Be sure to use light even coats and apply in a well ventilated area.  The coasters were finished with small cork feet.

Mod Podge still drying in this pic.

And since we all love a cost breakdown.....

Graphics - free from internet
Printing/Paper - had on hand but would vary depending on your printer
Tiles - purchased at ReStore for $.016 each
Mod Podge and Polycrylic - had on hand but could run $15 to $20 if purchased new
Cork for feet - had on hand but purchased a package of 36 for $1

My total cost per set of 4 tiles: $0.64

Wow! What a great price for this gift! Again, all my co-workers loved them and we even had a little friendly rivalry going on with the Alabama and Auburn fans!

So what does everyone else have on their last minute gift list?  Anyone getting crafty as the hours start to count down?  Do share.

All photos property of Honeysuckle on the Vine.