Travertine Tile Coaster Tutorial

I've been working for the past few years at a place where frequent gift-giving is common.  You never know when you'll come into work and find a pack of 7Gypsies scrapbook paper or a lovely butterfly mug tucked into a cute bag along with a sweet card.  So to have a quick custom gift ready when appropriate for work or for a hostess or birthday gift, I made several sets of travertine coasters. They are easy and inexpensive to make and would be a great project for a group crafty night!

I'm linking this post to Open House Party.

                                                        

Items you need:

From Home Depot
    Travertine tiles -- about $4.00 for 9 tiles

From Michael's or JoAnn's
    StazOn ink pad in Timber Brown
    E-6000 glue
    Felt

From anywhere
    rubber stamps (I love Oxford Impressions.)

 

Wipe tiles with damp paper towel to remove dust

Notice that some tiles will be smoother than others.  

Press stamp pad on stamp until it is wet with ink.  Re-ink pad if necessary.  You must use a permanent, quick-drying ink like StazOn.  My ink pad is several years old, so I found it necessary to re-ink a few times while doing the project just to make sure the impression transferred well.

Stamp detailed images on smooth tiles.

Stamp images with fewer details (fewer lines and more solid areas) on the rougher tiles.

Continue stamping tiles until you have the number you want for your gift.

To finish, cut felt on paper cutter (or by hand) to be a slightly smaller square than the tile.  

Line the back side of the tile with E-6000 glue, about an eighth of an inch inside the edge.  

Put the felt square on the glue and press all over.  Let the glue dry for a few hours or overnight.  

Stack finished tiles and tie with bakers' twine and ribbon.

 Keep several stacks on hand for a quick and nice gift any time you need.

NOTE: No top coat is needed.  The travertine will absorb moisture from glasses and the ink won't wear off.