Very few gifts beat a bouquet of fresh flowers. But a fresh arrangement only lasts a few days, or a week at best, and don’t even get me started on all of the possible combinations of blooms! Unless you’re a professional florist, arranging or even choosing a bouquet can be insanely intimidating. So instead of breaking the bank on a bouquet, opt for inexpensive and quick DIY gifting instead! These DIY pressed flower coasters are the perfect, modern spin on the traditional bouquet and make great hostess gifts. Lucky for you, we also made these Pressed Flower Coasters a kit! PSSST: Mothers Day is coming up — have you thought about what you’re getting her yet?
Keep your recipient’s favorite flowers in mind when looking for pressed flowers and these coasters are guaranteed to make your mom/boss/friend’s day!
(
available in our shop!):
— 4 x 4-inch glass tiles
— dried pressed flowers
— 1/4-inch copper tape
— E6000 glue
*Please note: our Pressed Flower Coasters kit features pretty pink flowers instead of these multi-colored ones.
Get your materials together (or purchase a kit!), and let’s get started!
Instructions:
1. Arrange the flowers on top of four of the glass coasters.
2. Secure the flowers down with a small dab of E6000 glue.
3. Sandwich the flowers with another glass tile.
4. Trim a 16.5 inch piece of copper tape and adhere it along the edges of the glass tiles. Try to center the copper tape as much as possible. This will help make the copper border look as clean and consistent as possible.
5. Press the excess copper tape down to create the copper border detail.
6. Run a smooth object along the copper tape to flatten any ridges that may have formed.
Each coaster will require two glass tiles. Make sure your glass tiles are as clean as possible by wiping them down with window cleaning solution.
Arrange the pressed flowers on the glass tiles. We liked how the touch of green adds a bit of contrast to the bright florals. Rack up some easy bonus points if you’re gifting these to someone by using their favorite variety of flowers ;)
When you’re happy with your arrangement, secure the flowers in place with a small dab of E6000 glue. Once you’ve finished gluing everything down, align the second glass coaster on top of the first to sandwich the flowers.
Cut a piece of copper tape to 16.5 inches. Carefully align the center of the tape along the edges of the two pieces of glass; this will help the copper border detail look as clean and consistent as possible. Applying the copper tape can be tricky, but luckily it is fairly forgiving. If you’re not happy with the positioning of the tap, just gently lift it off and try again.
Then fold the excess tape over to create the copper rim detail and to secure both tiles together. Run a smooth object along the copper tape to flatten any ridges that might have formed.
Repeat these steps for your remaining tiles, and you’re finished!
That’s all it takes to make the perfect gift for hostesses, girlfriends and moms alike! These coasters are so beautiful, there’s no excuse not to use one.
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
- They provide you with tips from experts on how you could build or optimize your credit score
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When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
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