I’ve been looking high and low for a coaster that’s big enough for my wide based coffee mug and for my wide based tumblers. All the coasters I found are too small and the edges of my cup hang over the side and I’m worried that one day I won’t be paying attention and will set the cup on the coaster wrong and my beverage will go everywhere. I just needed one, for my side table next to where I sit with my laptop. I’m tired of looking, so when in doubt, make your own darn coaster!
Supplies:
Craft foam, cork, X-acto knife, scissors or snips, white tacky glue, Contact paper or some type of stencil
Using my Silhouette, I cut out a design, 5×5 inches, onto Contact paper to make a stencil. You don’t have to use a cutting machine, you could find designs of the internet and make a stencil out of them.
Stick your stencil on to the foam and carefully cut out the design with the X-acto knife. Try to hold my X-acto knife at a perfect upright angle, otherwise you could see the angle it was cut at in the foam. Use the snips to cut off any little pieces of foam that hung off, especially at any corners.
Then use a brush or finger to spread the tacky glue on to the foam. Place it on to the cork and put the coaster under a couple of heavy books to keep it flat while the glue dries. If you can, get the cork that’s packaged flat, not in a roll, because it’s a pain to get it to lay flat.
Make it personal: create coasters with monograms or special designs for a party.
♦The craft foam appears to be colorfast, at least it did when I ran a colored piece of foam under the faucet. I wouldn’t set a super hot cup on it, for fear that it might melt the foam.
Great idea! I love this. You can do so much with those Silhouette machines!
Very clever and fun idea!
This is brilliant and the result look so luxury… Hmm… what about a place mat version…love PC
This is so cute and a wonderful idea.
Ruth
That is such a great idea, I love it!
What a simple idea that is quite chic and modern! Love these.
Cute idea. You could go so many ways with the design. I love it.
I was just wondering…. do you think you could cut the foam with the silhouette? I have one also but hardly use it. Oh don’t get me wrong… I LOVE my silhouette but we are in the middle of an addition/renovation project which has things in a bit of an upheaval. So right now I storing away ideas for this summer and fall. Thanks for the inspiration!!
so awesome! I love the coasters. great idea!
kathryn
http://www.thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com
oh wow, this is so easy and such a good idea! gotta take my silhouette out of its month long retirement!
hopped over from tip junkie 🙂
I understand! My silhouette takes long vacations too. I really should use it more!
Clever, clever!! Thanks for linking it up at my linky-party!!
http://ourhouseofjoyfulnoise.com/crafts/2011/05/09/doorknob-project-linky-party-4/
What a clever idea!
Thank you so much for sharing this @ {nifty thrifty sunday} last week!
Hope to see you again tomorrow! 🙂
xoxo from Germany,
Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}
Jessa – the coasters are fabulous! I just adore the pattern. Fantastic idea using the craft foam – love these! Thanks so much for linking to The Sunday Showcase Party – I greatly appreciate it. I have featured this Sunday. Have a wonderful week.
~ Stephanie Lynn
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhmazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I always think it’s better to make it yourself, gives more character, and puts more of yourself in your home. Looks fantastic.