How To: These DIY Tropical Leaf Coasters Are Simple and Stunning

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My family and I just returned from a sunny, beach trip to Florida. My kids packed an abundance of shells to bring a piece of the beach home with us, but the tropical plants and trees I longed to bring home were too big and deeply rooted to pack in my suitcase. Plus, the dry, cooler climate of Colorado (combined with my lack of growing skills) would have doomed the plants upon their arrival.

So naturally I went to the next best thing for tropical vibes in my home – DIY tropical leaf coasters. Now, I can enjoy my cup of coffee in the morning, or a cocktail in the evening with a touch of the tropics on my table.

This project is so easy to do, and also makes for a wonderful hostess gift. Here’s how I did it.

Materials

• White 4×4 tiles, Home Depot
• White tissue paper
• Mod Podge and Mod Podge Sealer Spray
• Sponge brush
• Cardstock paper
• Scissors
• Washi tape or painter’s tape
• Felt pads, Home Depot

Step

Cut and tape one sheet of tissue paper to an 8×10 piece of cardstock paper.

Step

Find photos of tropical leaves online. I copy and pasted the leaves into Microsoft Word, and formatted the image to fit a 4×4 tile. Insert the paper with tissue into the printer tray, and print the leaves onto the side with the tissue.

Step

Remove the tissue from the paper, trace the outline of the tile over the leaves and cut it.

Step

Add a moderate amount of Mod Podge to the tile and evenly spread it out with the brush.

Step

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Place the tissue with the leaf on the tile and press it down gently. Press out all the wrinkles in the tissue with your fingers, but be careful not to rip the tissue.

Step

Let the coasters dry for about 10 minutes, and then spray them with the Mod Podge sealer. If you don’t have the sealer spray, you can seal the coasters with the sponge brush and a light coat of regular Mod Podge. It may show lines, so do your best to apply it evenly. 

Step

Once the coasters are sealed and dry, add the felt pads on the bottom of each coaster in all four corners.

Step

Repeat steps 1 through 7 for a complete set of tropical leaf coasters, and then put the coasters to good use. Imagine you’re sitting on a beach, sipping something strong with the warm breeze blowing through your hair.