DIY Pixelated Super Mushroom Pot Coaster/Decor

This post should of went up a month ago but here it is finally! Mario, Super Mario and all the rest have been around for decades and it is still a party favorite. I made this pot coaster for my boyfriend but he was too afraid to spill things on it (he is a clumsy one) so he decided to use it as a room decor. 

This project is very versatile, I made a super mushroom but you can make any pixelated character or item (like Minecraft, Zelda, and much more). This was a very creative and fun project to do so I thought I would share it with you. Below are the steps and materials you will need to complete this project.

Materials

You will need small wooden blocks, the amount varies depending on the character or item you are making.

For the wooden blocks, I found mine at the dollar store (where I found inspiration for this project). Mine came in a pack of 42 blocks and I used about 3.5 bags.

Mod podge for sealing and protecting the wood from heat and moisture. There is a seal from the brand Mod Podge that you can use for the finishing touch to give extra protection. You will also need a sponge brush to apply the mod podge.

 Acrylic paint and paintbrushes. 

E6000 glue or any wood glue. I chose to use E6000 glue because I found it lying around my house. Wood glue is preferred as it will serve its purpose.

Steps
Before all the painting and gluing, we need to figure out how our design is going to look like. You can draw it out on a grid paper or find one on the internet. I made mine on excel looking at a picture of a super mushroom I found online. (Tip: Try to simplify the design by using the least amount of pixels/blocks as possible) Print your design so you can follow along when painting and gluing. Here is my design.

Let's get started!

Count the number of blocks you will need for each colour. Paint all the wooden blocks on all 6 sides using your paint brush and acrylic paint. You can glue the wooden blocks first then paint, but I find that painting then first then gluing gives it a cleaner look. 

Let the blocks dry after you finish painting. Acrylic paint dries fast, so I only waited 10 minutes.

Now we will glue the pieces together. I glued them starting from the bottom of my design to the top but it really doesn't matter. It is important to try to nicely line up the wooden blocks. To keep track of where I am on the design, I crossed out the block that I glued on my print out of the design.  

It is starting to come together.

This is what it should look like after you finish gluing. Follow the instructions on your glue label on how long you should wait for your glue to dry. I waited over night for mine. 

You can do some touch-ups on the paint to make sure it is the way you want it to look.

Use your sponge brush and mod podge to thinly coat the entire coaster. It is better to use a single direction. Make sure to coat the front, back and sides. 

I recommend to do at least 3 thin coats of mod podge. In between each coat, make sure you leave enough time for it to dry. To speed up the drying process, I used a hair dryer on the cold setting.

Optional Step: Spay it with the Mod Podge sealer spray for the finishing touch.

You are done! This project takes a bit more time than most but it is totally worth it. Now you have a new pot coaster of your favorite character/item.

Mmmm Kale Chips

Need a healthy alternative for potato chips? Try kale chips.

Potato chips are addictive and delicious, but they are just too unhealthy for you (especially the ones you buy from the store). Kale has a lot more nutritional benefits that potatoes simply don't have. Kale can be good for your eye sight as well as your heart. Kale chips are light, delicious and will definitely satisfy your junk food cravings.

Here is a recipe to make your own kale chips.

You can get creative with this recipe by adding your own flavours.

Time Needed: 30 minutes

     10 minutes preparation

     20 minutes baking

Ingredients

1 bunch kale, washed and dried

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt (I used Himalayan pink salt)

1/2 - 1 tsp black pepper, freshly grated
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Using a knife, remove the kale stem and discard. Cut the leaves into large size pieces as it will shrink once baked.

3. In a large bag, pour in the oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, (and other flavouring). Shake/mix well until ingredients are combined.
4. Place the kale into the bag, leaving the air and shake well. Make sure the kale are all fully coated.
   
5. Place the kale onto the baking sheets, trying not the overlap.
   
6. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
   

Welcome!

Good Morning, Honey!
I am so excited to share my thoughts, photographs and DIYs with you!  This is my first official blog, so if I seem like I am unfamiliar with blogging, it is probably true. I decided to start a blog to document my arts and crafts projects along with my thoughts and experiences. Over the years, I have been wanting to start a blog or even a YouTube channel showcasing DIY tutorials. I've finally found the time and motivation to start it, so here we go!

To start things off, I would love to tell you a little bit more about me. I am a university student in Ontario, Canada. I'm currently studying computer science and business administration, hoping to pursue a career in finance. I grew up doing arts and crafts and DIYs ever since I was at the age of 4. I've always had a great appreciate for the arts and the emotions it can bring people. You may say I am a person with great hopes and dreams! I have acquired many hobbies in the past years and I would love to share them with you. I am an open and friendly person who would love to get to know my audience. So feel free to ask me any questions or requests on tutorials you would like to see!

Always with love,
Louisa