Book Page and Sheet Music Decoupaged Coasters
I just love how these decoupaged coasters turned out and I am excited to share them with you – including the steps to make these yourself andĀ a printable for the holiday words I used!
Although there’s nothing new about decoupaging coasters, it’s still a wonderful way to upcycle old, outdated coasters into either gifts or holiday-themed decorations.
And how easy is it to “decorate” for different holidays or seasons just by switching out a few coasters? Sheesh – everyone will think you are SO on top of it.
I started with this set of eight coasters I bought at a thrift store for $2.99. Eight just seemed like too many coasters to me – I only have three tables in our living room – so I decided to break them up and make four into a fall/Thanksgiving themed set and the other into a Christmas set.
And I’m not gonna say a thing about those birds.
Once I decided what I wanted to do, putting them together was fairly simple. I chose book pages for the Thanksgiving set and music pages for the Christmas set, just to mix it up a bit.
Steps to make decoupaged coasters:
1. For a more vintage-paper look tea-stain the paper you’re using: soak a tea bag in about 1/4 c. of water until dark and use a brush to paint it on the paper before setting aside to dry. The book I used wasn’t vintage, so they were too white without the stain and although the sheet music was vintage, it still looked older with a bit of staining. Plus I could make it darker at the edges by adding another layer of staining on the outside (after the first layer dried) which helps emphasize the words, I think.
2. Print out holiday words onto the sheet music and book pages in the size and font of your choice. I taped four book pages onto a piece of printer paper (just at the edges where I’d cut it off for the coasters) in order to get the words where I wanted them. The sheet music could go right in the printer after I trimmed the edges to fit. It took a couple of tries to position the Christmas words in between the rows where they could be read, so plan for positioning.
BONUS! If you’d like to use the words that I used, I created a set for you to download and print:
Click here for AOC’s Holiday Coaster Words3. Trace the tops of the coasters and cut out the sheet music and book pages to fit. I found it easiest to make a template from an old file folder so that I could make sure the word was positioned where I wanted and that the words and printing were covering the cut-out.
4. Brush a layer of Mod-Podge on the top of the coaster. Slightly dampen the paper with a second brush dipped in water (it will help to smooth out the wrinkles) and set it on the coaster. Apply a top coat of glue, brushing from the center outwards and smoothing the paper as you go. Let dry and apply one to two more coats of Mod-Podge.
5. Finish with a coat of clear spray sealer so that when they get wet, the Mod-Podge glue won’t get sticky.
That’s it – pretty easy, huh? I love the warm, homey feel of the fall/Thanksgiving set – it’s a perfect continuation of our fall mantel with it’s book-page banner and the script pumpkin I added.
And for those looking closely, no I did not deface an actual copy of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice – these pages were from one of those “continue the story” modern books. Goodness, I can’t believe how many of those are out there – hundreds, I think! I’ve read a few and some were good – it was fun to imagine what might have come next for Darcy and Elizabeth – but others, like this one I tore into (literally!) weren’t worthy of the Austen association.
The sheet music I used for the Christmas se was an actual vintage music page from a pack that I bought last year to make this awesome wreath and a few ornaments. I’m happy that the Christmas coasters will coordinate nicely with these decorations – I wonder what else I can cover with music sheets for the holiday?
Okay, fess up: how many coasters do you all have? {click to comment}
This is day 25 in our series (you can click on the button to see all the posts in the category). If youāre wondering whatās up, you can read theĀ introduction to 31 Days of Thrift Store Transformations here.
I’m sharing this at Inspiration for The Season.
I’ve made these coasters (they’ve been very popular at the craft shows I’ve attended) using music I printed from Pinterest. I print it on my laser printer on cardstock I get from WalMart, and then I use full-strength Mod Podge to adhere it. I also spray the completed coasters 3 times with a thick finish spray (that I also got at WM), just to make sure they will stand up. I bought cork circles from Home Depot to put on the back. I’ve seen it where people cut full sheets of cork to fit the back and glue them on.
Great tips – thanks Sue!
How do you keep the words from smearing. When I put Mod Pod on it it smears. I have a inkjet printer. I’ve let dry for days and it still smears
I didn’t really have that problem, Cheri. But you can use a spray sealant over the words first, letting it dry before adding the Mod Podge.
Beautifully done, congratulations! Love them
Thank you!
Love your coasters but can you tell me what is on the back of them? Did I miss it?
I was using thrifted coasters, Denise, so they original backing was on them – I think it was cork or felt. If yours don’t have backing, I’d glue felt on the backs.
So sorry for all the typos above! I can’t see what I’m typing or preview more than 2 words at a time on my phone. š that was Pinterest inspired š
I think a set of these would make lovely teacher gifts! One question….I fear getting the paper wet will let the design show through from the coaster. Was that an issue for you?
I picked up a book of sheet music a few years ago at goodwill and have been slowly using it for fun interest projects along the way.
I can’t remember where Ifound it, but I made paper ornaments out of a music book page by piecing scalloped pieces of paper together like a puzzle to make a ball. They are stunning and so easy! I used an old atlas to make a set of ornaments for our friends who we travel to a new state park with every fall. I bet you could make a map version of these coasters too!
What is a brand name of the sealer I should get so I know what to ask for at the craft store? Thanks so much!!!
Merry Christmas!
Yes, they would! I didn’t have an issue with the design coming through – maybe because the glue wasn’t watered down? When it dried, it was fine. Your ornaments sound lovely! I used a spray-on sealer that I got from the craft store, it’s really old and not a name-brand, but any clear spray on sealer should work!
Aha! Thanks for the tip. I’ve been making coasters from copies of my own art and have sprayed them with an acrylic spray before gluing to the coaster to help stop smearing. This was necessary because I was using photo paper. Also sprayed the (diluted) Mod Podge instead of brushing over the top so as not to smear. The Preval sprayer is a God-send and worth every penny. I saw where Plaid also had a similar one that may be easier to find.
These are really nice but how did you keep the printing from smearing? Do you use a laser printer?
I like the birds also! lol
I used the actual book pages and music sheets, Jan, and had no problems with smearing – they were not copies. It was pretty easy!
P.S.
I kinda like the birds….:o)
Um, I think I love you….Lol
Was about to pay about $20 for a sheet music coaster and although it WAS nice, it just wasn’t worth that much money for only one coaster and I thought “Hmmmm, wonder if there are instructions online to make these?”
And, wa lah!!! Maybe, I’ll hunt for a couple of large sets on clearance and do a pile of them at the same time because I don’t want to buy the craft ingredients for only one coaster, but yes, yes… What a great idea for Christmas gifts, or anytime gifts.
Thank you!
Cool, Judy! And wow- $20 for only one coaster?? So glad to help you NOT pay that. š
These look fabulous! I love them! And they’re perfect for the holidays!
This is a brilliant idea!! It looks very classy. It’s resourceful and creative! As always, thank you for sharing your great ideas!
Aw, shucks… š
I think this is my favorite one so far! Can’t wait to try this. (although I think I should decorate my mantel for fall first……)
Gee, that’s high praise – thanks, Jennifer!
Love the transformation. I really like the sheet music-very pretty. Thanks for the tutorial!
-Lynn