DIY: Instagram Coasters

Hey, look, a new project! I know you've all been sitting around thinking "You know what my life is missing? Coasters." You don't have to say anything, I've been there, I know your pain and I'm here to help. Turn your instagrams into these fun beverage landing pads, and let the healing process begin.

Supplies:

• Plain tiles from the hardware store (mine were like 16 cents each)
• Mod Podge
• Polyurethane spray or other sealant
• Felt or cork for the bottom

First download your instagrams (I used Instaport) and resize them to dimensions of your tiles. Print photos and trim them to size. Note: I'd normally use a laser printer for this since I wouldn't want the ink to smear from the Mod Podge, but I only had my inkjet and didn't have any problems.

Once your photos are trimmed put a layer of Mod Podge on the tile and carefully put the photo on top, make sure to smooth out any wrinkles or bumps. When you have the photo placed correctly, brush another lay of Mod Podge on top.

Now comes the hard part, leave it alone and let it dry. I know, waiting for things to dry is the worst. Once that layer dries clear, brush on another layer and then you have to let that one dry and repeat. Keep adding layers until you're happy with the look. Then I let them dry overnight just to be on the safe side. Finally, since Mod Podge isn't totally water resistant, spray them with a layer of sealant. Because you wouldn't want to mess up your awesome coasters after you let them dry so patiently, would you? (Just be aware that even though it is technically dry, Mod Podge can take a few weeks to actually cure so don't put anything hot on it for at least a month, ok?)

Dryyyyyinggggg.

Your last step is to put something on the bottom of your coasters to actually protect your table. Because coasters are more than just awesome little art pieces, allegedly. You can use cork if you're fancy, or those little sticker pads you put on the bottom of your furniture, but I glued some random leftover felt squares on mine and it worked great. 

And even if you aren't currently going through a serious coaster phase in your life right now, this project is still a fun way to display your (fabulous, I'm sure) pictures. Make a few and prop them up on your desk. Or, wait, make a ton and then tile your kitchen backsplash with them. I bet that would totally get you featured on apartment therapy. Someone who isn't a renter please do this...for me?

Thirty Before 30

Wow, Saturday is my 29th birthday. I say "wow" not because I have a problem with growing older, but because for the longest time I haven't even thought about how old I am. Sometimes I feel really old and sometimes, like when I'm watching my friends compete in air guitar championships or act out Law and Order episodes with puppets, I feel like a teenager would call me immature. Basically, I just go with it.

But, still, 30 is a big deal. It is one of those nice round numbers that makes it seem very important. And as a fan of lists I decided to take the opportunity to create the Thirty Before 30. Honestly, this list was so fun to make...and now it is a bit intimidating to think about doing them all in just one year. Wish me luck!

The list:

1. Edit a stop motion video.
2. Learn to play my keyboard.
3. Knit a proper sweater.
4. Organize my recipe book.
5. Can a batch of tomatoes.
6. Attend an underground or farm dinner.
7. Resist the urge to abandon my blog for months at a time.
8. Organize my digital photos and order a Blurb book.
9. Visit Brooklyn at Christmastime.
10. Investigate adopting a bulldog.
11. Build a piece of furniture.
12. Learn to write some code.
13. Finish writing my play.
14. Start an IRA.
15. Spend a day with Vaeh.
16. Sew something I will actually wear.
17. Go to a convention.
18. Plan a great charity event for kids.
19. Yarn bomb or moss graffiti something.
20. See a lot of stars (actual stars, not celebrities).
21. Have a balloon party.
22. Sell something on Etsy.
23. Design and print holiday cards.
24. Have the orange chair reupholstered.
25. Get a new computer set up at home for designing.
26. Travel overseas.
27. Have a professional picture taken.
28. Tell a stand up joke.
29. Apply to a dream job (subtitled: figure out my dream job).
30. Get a paycheck from the internet.

Warhol Campbell's Soup Cans

It is no secret that I love a little Andy Warhol. So, how cool are these soup cans? They're only 75 cents at Target right now. I scooped up 3 of them on Sunday. Since these are too pretty to be hidden away in a cabinet here are a few ideas for what to do with these iconic cans.

 

1. Use it as a vase for some brightly colored flowers.

2. Turn an empty can into a soup can candle.

3. Add some color to a shelf with pop-art bookends. 

 

4. Organize your desk with a can turned pencil cup.  

via Made In Pretoria

5. Since these cans have a pull tab they would be great for this Gift in a Can project from Made In Pretoria.

Those are just a few ideas that have come into my head. Any others you can come up with?

P.S. I'm thinking of trying to protect my cans from fading or tearing by painting a layer of Mod Podge over the label. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or a terrible one, but I guess at less than a dollar, I can afford to experiment.