How to create inexpensive Coasters

We've set the date for our housewarming party and invited 50 people! We never throw large parties so this will be a really fun endeavor. We've been stocking up on wine glasses and mixers, and I've been collecting a list of easy but elegant appetizers. I'm so excited!

I realized though, that our coaster collection (6 ugly ikea coasters) is highly inadequate. I want to make some new ones that look great and do the job. Aaron and I use coasters all the time so it'll be of use for a while to come.


I found this tutorial here that is copied below. It looks easy and inexpensive. I'll try my luck with them this weekend, and let you know how it goes...





How to create inexpensive coasters


Create simple and inexpensive coasters to compliment your decor. Alter the design to create photo coasters!

Things You'll Need:

1. Sharp scissors (fabric scissors are good, but you'll wreak havoc on them, so don't use spendy ones)
2. Several sheets of foam (99c from craft store. I buy the huge ones, and need 2)
3. Several pieces of pretty scrapping paper (I normally get 4 coordinating prints)
4. Double Sided Adhesive (the kind I bought came in like 5x7 sheets, so I could do 2 coasters - albeit one creatively, lol - per sheet.)
5. Laminating Paper (comes in a big roll, it's the peel and stick kind. be sure it's archival quality)
6. Pen or pencil
7. Something round that is the size you want your coasters to be (I got out a piece of tupper ware that was smaller, and used the top rim of it)

Steps

1. Take your bowl and put it on your foam. See how you are going to fit the circles onto that. With the big sheets, I did 2 rows of 3, so 6 per sheet. If that's the case, cut in half longwise, then measure out using your bowl into 3rds, cutting as you go. You should have 6 (per sheet) foam squares. Set aside.
2. Now you want to do the same with your scrapping paper. Cut squares that are a hair bigger than the bowl. You can use either your bowl as a template or your now-cut foam squares.Now we will cut the adhesive and laminate the same way.
3. To assemble a coaster you will need (from top to bottom) 1 piece of laminate, 1 piece of paper, 1 piece of adhesive, 1 piece of foam.check both sides of your foam for flaws. If there is a flawed side, place it flawed side up on the table. If not, doesn't matter which side goes up.Peel off one side of the adhesives backing paper. Stick to foam square.Place paper face up, stick laminate paper onto to of paper. Be sure to press evenly to avoid bubbles on BOTH steps.You should now have 2 pieces. foam/adhesive and paper/laminate.
4. Now stick your paper/laminate onto the foam adhesive after peeling off the 2nd backing. Be sure to press it down evenly to avoid bubbles.
5. Flip coaster face down, take bowl and place on foam side of coaster. Using pen or pencil, lightly trace your circle shape.
6. Using sharp scissors, cut out circle. Be sure to use long, smooth cut lines. Many short choppy lines will result in a messy looking circle.

ENJOY!