When I’m not traveling, I love me a bit of DIY therapy. My craft closet is full of possibilities. This past weekend, I decided to take some photos from past trips and turn them into DIY travel photo coasters. I love the reminders scattered around the house of so many destinations where I’ve left a piece of my heart.
Two years ago, my husband and I traveled from our home in Ohio to the coast of Oregon and back. It was our first major trip without any of our kids tagging along. I was a bit nervous as to what to expect. I’m not sure why. We’ve always (with just a few exceptions) traveled well together. I’m not sure why I thought that would change without kids.
I worried needlessly as we discovered that traveling without kids is a whole lot easier…..and quieter….than traveling with them. I know. Big surprise, right?
I pulled my photos out of a box and asked my husband to choose his favorites. Surprisingly, most of his favorites were mine as well. The view driving through the Badlands at sunset, an early morning glimpse of the bison grazing in Yellowstone National Park, views of the Pacific Ocean at sunset, and Lassen Volcanic National Park in California.
The coasters were so easy to make that I think I’ll make some as gifts for my kids and other family members.
List of Materials to Create DIY Travel Photo Coasters
4-6 Coasters- I used white but you can you another color if you prefer
Mod Podge
Foam Brush
Spray Adhesive, optional
4-6 travel photos
Felt Cushions
How to Create your Coasters, Step-by-Step
Cover your work space.
Trim your photos to fit on the coaster.
Either spray a bit of spray adhesive on the coaster to adhere the photo or attach the photo with a coat of Modge Podge (I used Matte, but you could also use glossy).
Center your photo on the coaster.
Apply a thin coat of Modge Podge. While I used a foam brush, you may wish to use a foam roller instead.
Allow your coaster to dry for several hours.
Apply two more coats of Modge Podge, allowing your coasters to dry fully between steps.
After the final coat is dry, flip the coaster over and adhere a felt cushion to protect surfaces.
The Final Project
And that’s it! Wasn’t that easy? You now have a beautiful set of coasters to remind you of the wonderful places you’re traveled to.
Have you ever made these easy DIY travel photo coasters?
© 2017, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
Erin Klema | The Epicurean Traveler says
I love this idea, Tonya. I want to turn my travel photos into coasters. They’d make great gifts, too.
melody pittman says
Oh i love those! I should make these for my daughter and son-in-law since they travel so much! Thanks for the easy to follow instructions.
Lorri says
Thanks so much! Looks like fun!
Carol Cassara says
I can’t believe I never thought of doing this before! It’s brilliant and it’s definitely something that I would love to make for the house or as gifts to friends.
H says
Love how these turned out! They would be a great way to wrap up a trip. Re-entry is sometimes the hardest part, so having a fun DIY is great.
Crystal says
What a fun gift! I have a trip planned with my parents to Yosemite soon. Making these would be such a fun way to commemorate our trip.
AnnMarie John says
These are fun ways to relive memories from your favorite trips! I think this is something that I can also make with the kids! Thanks for this lovely idea!
Kiwi says
I love the travel coaster. How fun to take your personal photos and make it your own coasters super creative.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
This is an AWESOME idea! I know just who would love these a gift too, now all I need to do is to print the photos as everything for me is digital now and then find the actual time to do it! 🙂
Tami says
Tonya, these coasters are so nice! I love using pictures and memorabilia from my travels to create reminders around my home — framed photos, note cards, ornaments, and even jigsaw puzzles. I guess that’s what happens when you cross a crafter and a traveler!
Lara Dunning says
Great idea! I’m not much of a crafty person tho. I don’t buy much on my travels to bring home, but I have bought coasters with photos on them. It’s a great way to remember your travels.
laurie moziejko says
What a great idea….we have ample australia pics and I think I may give this a go. If I do, I’ll let you know.
travel blogger says
This is such a great idea! I have a ton of photos from our travels that would be great on a set of coasters. What a fun DIY project! I will have to make my own set.
Theresa says
This is such a great idea! We are in need of new coasters and I can’t think of a better set than a personalized set with our own travel photos on them. I must make these soon!
Melissa Chapman says
Very cool DIY project. I need to get all my pictures together to make these. It is really is a fun way to keep the memories alive.
Dogvills says
Thank you for the easy to follow steps to make this cute craft. I will get the materials I need tomorrow. I can grab some photos of my nephews and nieces, make 6 coaster sets, and give them as gifts for my cousins. I know they’ll love it.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
What a beautiful and useful craft! I have a gazillion photos of our travels abroad and this would make a nice reminder of it. They’d make great conversation pieces too!
Marcie W, says
What a gorgeous yet thoughtful gift idea! My inlaws have taken a few fantastic camping trips this year and surprising them with a set of photo coasters would be fun.
Charles McCool says
Very nicely done. I love how I can drop a photo into an online program (like Vistaprint) and order biz cards. This craft looks fun and memorable.
Tam says
A very nice gift and reminder, indeed! Lovely idea!
Liz Mays says
Oh these are so pretty! What a cool way to preserve some travel memories. The photos you used were so pretty.
robin rue says
Those coasters are great. What a great way to make a souvenir from vacation memories.
Bill Sweeney says
That is fully awesome! We have a ton of photos that we haven’t decided what to do with, and I think this would be a great way to make use of them. Thanks!
Maureen says
What a creative way to give the gift of travel. Easy enough to do to, I will have to try this next time we travel. Love the idea of making our own souvenir versus buying them.
Tonya Prater says
Yes, I’m all for making a meaningful souvenir of your travels instead of buying something that may end up in the trash in a year or so.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This is such a cute idea! I love the idea of using photos for coasters. What a cool way to relive memories with every glass.