Homemade Hymn Coasters!

I saw this idea a few months back on a friend's blog, The Tidy Nest, and I saved it in the recesses of my mind.  I read the tutorial she suggested over at Beneath My Heart.  I bought the supplies, but I never got around to doing the project.  I needed a good reason to make them.

Last week, during my clutter-busting rampage, I found an old hymnbook of which the back cover was completely missing and the binding was nearly non-existent.  I tore it apart page-by-page, and made my own prelude book categorized according to key signature.  I had a small stack of pages left over that didn't fit in the prelude notebook, but I hated to throw them away.  That's when I remembered this little coaster project. 

I cut a few hymn pages into 3-3/4 inch squares.  I tried cutting them square as well as slanted with the print, and I definitely preferred the angled look.  I thought they still needed a little pizzazz, so I broke out the soft pastel chalks, and added a little "aging" to the edges of the paper.

Here's the four 4" tiles with their corresponding paper embellishments.

I coated the backside of each paper with Mod Podge, then quickly adhered it to the tile.  I used an old paint brush because it's what I had, but I think one of those sponge brushes would be better.

Once it had set a bit, I coated the top of the tile and print with a couple more coats of Mod Podge.

 Next, use an acrylic sealer to finish the tiles, so they can get wet without ruining the tile.

After the sealant had completely dried, I cut corkboard squares about 3-7/8".  I found mine as a 6-pack of cork sheets at Michael's in the painting/canvas area.

Using my handy-dandy hot glue gun, I stuck the cork to the back of the tile.  When I do this again, I think I will use a little thicker corkboard or add a layer of posterboard.  The cork sheet that I bought is super-thin, and you can feel the ridges from the bottom of the tile through the cork.  It's okay, but I think thicker would be better.

I think these turned out so sharp.  Even Ben, who merely tolerates my crafty endeavors, was impressed with these.  He kept suggesting additional ideas and changes that I should implement or try.

I gave these as a birthday gift to one of the ladies in my church.  Hopefully, she doesn't look on here, but I thought you would like a breakdown of just how awesomely cheap this little gift is!

4 tiles @ $.12 each = $ .48

1 tbsp. Mod Podge = $ .15 (totally guessing, but I got the big jar in the picture above for like $5.69.)

1 sheet Corkboard  = $ .66

Sealant                    = $ .50 (another guess, but I figure I'm overestimating to be safe)

Total =          $1.79!

This post is linked to....

Look At Me I'm So Crafty, Feature Yourself Friday, Homemaker Monday, Making the World Cuter Monday, Made It Monday, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Saturday Spotlight, Sunday Showcase Party, Make It for Monday, Market Yourself Monday, Motivate Me Monday, Talented Tuesday, DIY Day, Take a Look Tuesday, Trash to Treasure Tuesday