Challenge Accepted . . . Numbered Cork Coasters

 

 

I've had these painted coasters pinned for, like, ever. So when Katie and Sherry issued the Fall Pinterest Challenge, I got my butt up off the couch and sat my butt at the dining table to paint me some coasters. The awesome sad thing about this project is I've had ALL the supplies on hand for months.

 

 

(from here and here)

 

I love the glossy paint against the natural texture of the cork. Ahhhh . . . Balance.

 



I'll apologize in advance for the horrible phone pics. My camera battery was deeeaaad (of course). Here's the supply list:

  - Cork coasters: I found these in the indoor plant section at Lowe's for about $1 each. I
    guess you put tiny potted plants on them?
  - Paint: I used white acrylic paint and a deep teal sample from Lowe's called Teal Zeal.
  - Paint brushes and a pencil
  - Painter's tape: Optional, depends on your design
  - Printed numbers/letters/whatever: If you're doing letters/numbers/symbols, printing from  
     Word works great. The font I used is called Georgia. I think it's simple, yet elegant. Pinky
     out.

Step #1:  Draw your preferred designs on with a pencil and/or tape off with painter's tape.
                  I'm really into chevron, like everyone else. ;) I just taped off one line of chevron as
                a guide and free-handed the other lines.

Step #2:  Paint your designs on. I was at a loss for a forth design, so I free-handed some
                brackets. I love them almost as much as chevron.

 

Step #3:  Trace your numbers. I can't remember where I saw this tracing method
                (probably Pinterest), but after you've printed your numbers/letters/whatever, flip
                the page over and color in the ENTIRE area of the design. Position the design
                and trace over with a pencil. It'll leave the design behind. This works on all kinds
                of things. I even use it when carving pumpkins. :)

Step #4:  Paint on the numbers. I used the tiniest brush I had with the sharpest point
               and painted the outline first, then filled in the rest. I had to do two coats with
                both colors.

And there you have it!

 

I love my new coasters! I didn't do these just because. I actually NEEDED them. I think I'll spray them with a clear coat so they last a long time.

Speaking of time, it took about an hour and a half total to finish these little beauties. But this could totally be a less-than-30 minute project if you went with simpler designs. And with the holidays coming up, these would make a perfect hostess gift!

I'll be linking up to Young House Love to show these off. Won't you join me?!

Fall Pinterest Challenge

I've been following the AMAZING duo that is John and Sherry Petersik, over at Young House Love, for a couple years. Those people have it together. I cannot WAIT to get my hands on their first book! I preordered my copy weeks ago.

And now that I'm done gushing, I'll get back to my point. Sherry at YHL and Katie over at Bower Power (love her too!), have been putting together a little thing called the Pinterest Challenge for over a year now. It's always fun to scroll through all the different projects everyone links, and since I have my own little blog now, I'm going to join in the fun!

I'll be back on Tuesday with a simple tutorial. Stay tuned!

Hello . . .

. . . my name is Mlynda, and I'm addicted to DIY blogs. And shelter magazines. And home design. And entertaining. And holidays. And Pinterest. Don't forget Pinterest. It's an illness. Just ask my husband. "Project" is a four letter word in his book. DIY, home decor, and general homey goodness run through my head All. Day. Long. So I'm hoping I can self-medicate this addiction with a DIY/design blog all my own, in an attempt to get it outta my head and out there for the world to see. Or just my Mom. Yeah. Probably just my Mom. Hi Drexene!

I think while I'm here I need to explain the blog's name. I'm not a designer. I don't have a design company. But someday I hope to. I would love to help other people find their own style and a beautiful comfort in their homes. But for now it'll just be little ole me and my little ole house. (This blog totally could have been called Little Old House, because that's what I have!)  I guess right now I'm just reserving my future company's name. Yeah, I'm the nerd that thinks THAT far ahead. Anywho, the numbers One Two Five are significant to me. They represent my children's birthdays - the oldest born on the 1st, the youngest born on the 25th. Let's have a collective awwwww. All two of us.

Hopefully, this blog will also give me the kick in the pants I need to get my own DIY projects and home beautification going on. I'm mean, if I put it in print on the internet, I have to do it, right? 'Cause everybody knows you can't put anything on the internet that isn't true. ;)