Homemade Coasters

Ok - so I'm "so" making these for Christmas.  This looks fun and neat and even something I could do with my Sunday School class too!  Check it out....

How to make these beautiful drink coasters...

(The finished product)

Supplies Needed:

4 plain bathroom shower tiles (Hardware Store)
Various colors of scrapbook paper (12" x 12")
Mod Podge clear coat paint
Adhesive backed felt circles or cork pads
Glue (stick glue works best)
Scissors, exacto knife, ink pen, paint and/or foam brush

Here's how to make these handmade drink coasters:

	Step 1: Purchase plain shower tiles at your local Hardware store.  Price ranges from .13 - .20 each or less.
	Step 2: Purchase scrapbook paper, the 12x12 is the best as you can get more squares out of it, any color or design that you like best to go in your home.
	Step 3: Take the scrapbook paper and turn over so you are on the back side, line up a tile in the corner edge of one side and push down to make imprints of the tile on the paper.  Do this in all 4 corners of the paper.
	Step 4: Take the imprinted paper and a pen and lightly mark guidelines where the imprint is, this will make it easier when you cut them out.
	Step 5: Once all of the squares are marked, your scrapbook paper should look like this.
	Step 6: Cut the paper into the 4 squares using your guidelines.
	Step 7: Take 1 tile, 1 paper square and glue.  I use a glue stick as it is easier to use and its colored so you can see where you have been, but any glue can work.  If you use bottled glue make sure you smooth the glue out so you do not have any glue bumps under the paper when it is dry.  Apply generously to the edges of the tile, this is where the paper can pull if not glued down well.
	Step 8: Cover tile completely in glue.
	Step 9: Neatly place paper square over tile so all edges are lined up and push to adhere paper to tile.  Make sure it is attached well and smooth.
	Step 10: Once glue is dry cut any overlapping paper from the tile edges.  Scissors or an exacto knife do this very well.
	Step 11: Gather your paper covered tiles, a small sponge or paint brush and glossy Mod Podge, apply a thin layer of the mod podge over entire tile and edges.  This dries completely clear but take care that the coat is even and smooth, it will make the finished product that much more beautiful.
	Step 12: Allow to dry completely, I let mine dry overnight.  Place felt circle pads (pictured) or cork circle pads in all four corners of backside of coaster, this will help prevent damage to furniture when coaster is in use.
	Step 13: You can group together the four coasters, tie a bow around them and give them as a unique handmade gift as show to the left

So you think you can Sew?

Check this link out to what seems to sound like a very exciting contest.  I dont think I will enter anything as I'm still a "beginner" but I can't wait to see what people submit and get some great ideas!  Sounds like fun!

Ok - they say you learn something new everyday...

Today - I learned I do like Key Lime Pie.  Ok maybe not all Key Lime Pie.  I like my friend McKenzie's Key Lime Pie.  Its suttle - not strong at all and was good.  I admit it!  LOL.  Here is her recipe.  Thanks McKenzie for opening my eyes and letting me try something that I really didn't think I would like - but admit its not bad at all!  : )

Key Lime Pie

8 oz cream cheese

16 oz can of Condensed milk

3 medium to large limes

9” Graham cracker crust

8 oz Cool Whip

3-4 drops of green food coloring (optional)

Let cream cheese soften in a bowl at room temp. Pour in condensed milk. Beat until smooth. Squeeze limes into mixture until desired flavor is reached. Beat until smooth. Add food coloring until desired color is reached (optional). Beat until color is even. Pour into pie crust & top with Cool Whip.

A wreath for a friend...

Ok so I helped in hosting a friend's housewarming recently.  Together my friend Bridgit and I made this really pretty wreath that I'm so proud of.  It came together very nicely I must say and looks awesome on Christina's front door.  The fleur dis les (however you spell it) was a dark brown - it didn't work well in this wreath so with another friend's help (Brenda taught me how to paint) I painted this fleur dis les and gave it a tarnished look - antiqued it - made it stand out!  Check it out!  This wreath was some teamwork for sure!  I really like it better in person than in this photo - it doesn't do justice.  I took the photo with my phone camera

My India Tattoo

This week at work we are discussing diversity and getting to know others and the diverse people we work with.  We had a few tables to check out from the different cultures and backgrounds.  Today - I got a tattoo!  Its not permanent by no means but was neat to do and see and something that I may never get to do again - you never know.  It'll only last a couple of days too.  The tattoo was used with tree leaves called Henna.  The lady applied it with what looks like an ink pen point but reminded you of decorating a cake too!  She did different designs on everyone and I went with a sun.  At first its all gross looking - it was thick and muddy like on top of my skin.  Then that dries and it flakes off and leaves an orangish/red looking stamp.  So check out my tattoo! 

Look how neat this is!

Turn Your Old Soda Boxes into Can Rotators!

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Who else drinks way too much Diet Coke? Yes, that would be me.  I can admit it.  But now I don’t need to feel so bad about my addiction. We can turn the old boxes into a way to organize all the cans in my pantry.  Yea!!!!  Here’s how to make your own Can Rotators:

Step 1:  On the top of the back end, cut out a space that is large enough to fit a can of soup.  This is where you will fill up your can rotator.
Step 2:   Take some decorative paper (around 3 sheets of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper)  and fold it into place to cover the box.  You can also use wrapping paper. Cut out the opening from Step 1. Then just Mod Podge and glue the paper into place.
Step 3: Once the back is completely dry, cover the front end in the same way with coordinating paper.
Step 4:  Add a label on the front so you know what’s in it and Mod Podge the entire thing.  Simple, easy and no more guilt about my Diet Coke habit.  You can never be too organized!
(You could also just leave the box as is, if you aren’t the crafty- mod podge type. )

Anyone else SO excited about this!?!? 

Thanks, ThenSheMade! 

New Sewing Cabinet

Ok - just a warning - with sewing comes many supplies.  Supplies that will multiply after time and you need a place to put it.  I only have a 3 bedroom house and my sons have those rooms.  So my sewing room is also my bedroom.  I had all my sewing stuff beside my sewing machine on the floor - some in bags - some in containers - and some just piled on top of that.  It was not looking too hot - my bedroom!  So I have bought me something - its wonderful!  Here is my sewing cabinet for all my storage needs!  I love it.  My bedroom now is presentable again and being organized - perhaps I can get back to my sewing - and of course here comes the holidays!  I love the holidays!!