DIY River Rock Welcome Mat

So, what do you think? I was in need of a new mat for my front door. We previously had one of those coir type ones...I hate them. At least I hate them after about 2 months when they start degrading and the colors all wash out and stuff, yuck! Solution: A super cute, personalized, new mat made from river rock from the dollar store and a basic rubber mat. Yay!

Now, I know you want to make one too...probably not with "James" on it but, lol!

I started with a basic, black, rubber mat from Dollar General. Now, with full disclosure, I purchased one with the little rubber nubs thinking that it would help keep the water away from the glue and it would last longer. NOT SO! I would instead recommend getting one with the felty fabric. It seems to adhere to the glue really well and holds up better. 

Now you need some river rock. I purchased 6 bags at Dollar Tree. Two of the black and four of the neutral browns. I then found a font I liked and printed out my word. I measured my mat and used the measurements to create my word and then just printed it onto multiple pages and taped them together. I used E-6000 to adhere the rocks and started with the black. I laid my letters on top of the mat and just used them as a guide. Lifting and gluing the letters individually. 

Once my name was completely glued on, I proceeded to just fill in the rest of the space with the brown rock.Since I had a variety of sizes I started with the big ones first. Then I got kind of tired of gluing them one by one and just started smearing glue down in sections and sticking the smaller rocks on. Overall, it took me a few hours but I just put it on the living room floor and watched TV. The kids helped me with filling the brown rocks. Some good bonding time over adhesive...win, lol!

I am really pleased with how it turned out. Hope you like it!!