By Melody Peralta

DIY author, Melody stands in front of a wooden fence in a hat and a blue dress.
Holiday-loving, DIY & craft-making, motherhood, and lifestyle influencer, Melody is usually found over at @melodyinthemaking. Follow for more craft ideas!

My mother always told me that her favorite Mother’s Day gift that I have ever given her was a handmade memory book that I created in the 5th grade. Twenty five plus years later and she still has it! When I asked her why she kept it for so long she told me that it was because I had put so much effort and heart into it. To this day, this is the reason why homemade gifts will always be my go-to when I want to gift something extra special.

With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day right around the corner, what could be better than a homemade gift from the heart? These DIY Ceramic Coasters only cost a few dollars to make and will serve as both beautiful memories and functional home décor. Best of all, the instant photo prints from MyPostcard are the perfect size for this project! With a little bit of a trim, they are the just the right size to make a memorable gift for a friend or loved one.

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Here are the materials you will need.

Materials

The materials for a DIY photo coaster on a white background: grey felt, a pack of prints, a photo, Mod Podge, a brush, spay and the ceramic tiles.
What you need
  • White Ceramic Wall Tile 4.5 inches x 4.5 inches
  • Felt
  • Mod Podge – water-based glue, sealer, finish
  • Flat Sponge brush
  • Clear Finish Matte Protectant Spray
  • Glue gun with glue sticks (not pictured)
  • MyPostcard Photo Prints in ‘Instant’ size 

Directions

Step 1: Trim

Scissors next to a cut out photo surrounded by the materials for the DIY coaster: a ceramic tile, more MyPostcard photos, Mod Podge and a brush.
Step 1

Trim the MyPostcard photo print to a square that fits the ceramic tile. I used colored prints, but black and white would make a beautiful aesthetic.

Step 2: Apply Mod Podge

A brush paints the Mod Podge on to the ceramic tile. Next to the tile are the photo prints ready, a plate with the glue and the packet.
Step 2

Wipe the ceramic tile with a clean cloth to remove any dirt or dust. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge using a sponge brush. Use sweeping strokes in one direction for a clean look.

Step 3: Position and stick your photo

A photo print of a little girl stuck onto the tile with a brush painting a layer of mod podge on top. A paper plate, the print packet and the mod podge packet are also visible on a white background.
Step 3

Work quickly to stick and position the photo onto the tile.

Tip* Place a book or something flat and heavy on top of the tile to keep the corners of the photo down and prevent curling. Let it dry a few hours, then apply your first thin and even layer of Mod Podge on top of the photo. (It will appear white but will dry clear).

Step 4: Layer Mod Podge and repeat

A hand hold up the half made DIY photo coaster against a white background.
Step 4

After the first layer has completely dried (about 24 hours). Apply a second coat of Mod Podge, using the sponge brush to fill in any gaps between the photo and the tile (see photo). Let dry another 24 hours before applying a third and final coat of Mod Podge.

Step 5: Coat of protective spray

A hand holds up protective spray with the homemade photo coasters in the background.
Step 5

In a well-ventilated, shaded area, lay out your coasters on top of a drop cloth or scrap newspaper and spray with a coat of clear protectant spray. Make sure to spray from a slight distance to prevent it from puddling. Let dry a few hours and apply a second coat. This is what helps the coasters stay water-proof. Apply a third coat for extra protection.

Step 6: Glue felt to back

Scissors held above a cut out piece of felt being attached to the back of the homemade ceramic coasters.
Step 6

After they have completely dried, cut out a square of felt that is slightly smaller than the tile and adhere to the back using hot glue.

Voila! DIY Coasters that will last for years to come.

4 homemade photo coasters featuring a little girl on a white background lying next to orange flowers. 1 coaster is tied with a pink ribbon.
Here’s how they should look!

Make sure to give yourself a few days to complete this project as drying times may vary. I typically waited 24 hours between each layer of Mod Podge to make sure it was completely dried, and used quick-drying protectant spray so I only had to wait a few hours in-between each coat.

Though we may not be with our loved-ones in person just yet this Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, this heartfelt and homemade gift will be a lovely reminder of the good times from the past and impending joyful times ahead.

Do you prefer to give homemade gifts or store-bought? Let us know in the comments!

About the author

Melody is a holiday-loving, DIY & craft-making, motherhood, and lifestyle influencer from Southern California. She’s also a military spouse, an elementary school teacher, and has an energetic toddler named Izzy and a baby boy named Max. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, party planning, and dabbling in home decorating. Follow along for more crafting fun on Melody’s Instagram, @melodyinthemaking!

All images on this page are credited to Melody Peralta.

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Author

Hiya, I’m Maud. I’m an English girl who's moved to Berlin - because who wouldn’t fall in love with a country which has words like ‘Kummerspeck’ hidden around every corner... I love traveling and finding out the quirks of each country - and what better way to remember them than on a postcard?

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