Small Business Saturday

          Happy Thanksgiving weekend y'all! I hope all of you had a splendid holiday and kick-off to holiday shopping yesterday. I also hope that none of you got trampled on your way to pick up the biggest TV you could fit in the car! I had a surprisingly laid back shopping experience yesterday. My Dad and I went to Target around 8:00am and found the place quiet (the super-shoppers had come and gone and the normal shoppers hadn't woken up yet!). We got most of the items we wanted and a few more... for us. I can't lie, I'm a terrible holiday shopper... I end up buying just as much for myself. One for you, one for me... two for you, one for me. Honk if you can't resist a great deal!
          In the spirit of thanksgiving and giftgiving, I want to remind everyone of what great day it is; Small Business Saturday! Give those small businesses in your area a shot today and take advantage of some of their deals and personable service. It is incredibly hard to maintain a small business in this economy and they can use all the support we can give them. Not to mention, supporting small business puts money directly back into our communities - fueling local economy. So think small and SHOP SMALL today and throughout the holiday season!

If anybody would like to check out my Etsy Shop: CraftyBridge , I sell small handbags, clutches, and a various assortment of other gifts and accessories. I update new items frequently, so check back often!

Did you shop small today? Let us know how you supported your local economy!

Cheers, Bridget XOXO

Tile Coasters

          I have been in full blown gift mode for the past week and I’m almost giddy with all of the ideas swimming around my head. Not to mention that every blog I look at is also teaming with brilliant/sweet/pretty/trendy gift ideas. It’s a great time of year to be a crafter.

         One of my favorite gifts to make are these tile coasters – made from plain white ceramic 4x4” tiles and gorgeous scrapbook paper (which I have boxes of… from a long time, extremely slow moving scrapbooking period in my life). Talk about an inexpensive craft. The tiles cost me $.16 a piece. But these cuties come out looking amazing.

Tile Coasters

What You Will Need:

• 4x4” Ceramic Tiles
• Scrapbook Paper or Fabric cut into 4” x 4” squares
• Mod Podge
• Clear Acrylic Spray Paint
• paint brush or foam brush
• Optional: Felt Tiles or silicone caulking for bottoms

Step 1: Clean the tiles and cut your fabric or scrapbook paper. Here I used scrapbook paper.

Step 2: Apply a coat of Mod Podge to each clean tile. Place square of paper in center of each tile.

(I used a cereal box to protect my surface... good and thick so nothing will leak through)

Step 3: Let paper adhere to tile by waiting 15 minutes after applying. Then paint over paper with a coat of Mod Podge.

Step 4: Apply 2-3 more coats of Mod Podge, allowing 15 minutes between coats.

Step 5: Let Mod Podge dry completely.

Step 6: Take coasters outside and spray paint with clear acrylic paint. This will seal the coasters and make them waterproof. Let dry according to paint can instructions.

Step 7: Glue felt squares to backs of each coaster. Let dry.

Now… grab a drink! Enjoy your coasters!

Makes an awesome, personal gift :]

Cheers, 

Bridget XOXO