Cork Coasters - Easy Gift

We've been working hard to create some fun, creative, easy and economical hand-made Holiday gifts.  We know if you're making your gifts, its important to start early.  So, we're stocking the store with products and will be featuring ideas regularly on the blog.

Everyone loves fun coasters.  Create a set of four and give them as a hostess gift or to a neighbor or co-worker.

Use a stencil, or cut an image from masking paper using a die.  I used the Saying Hello Tranformables Die-namics die for the speech bubble coaster.  The other was a stencil from Crafter's Workshop.   I like using the masking paper and die technique.  The masking paper is sticky on one side, so the image sticks nicely to the coaster keeping the paint from seeping under.  It's easier to get a crisp image this way.

If you use a stencil, use painters tape to secure it so that it doesn't move.  Then, use a small amount of paint and work it into a stiff brush.  If you use too much paint, you won't get a crisp image.  The paint will seep under the stencil.  Use a "pouncing" motion vs. a brush motion to apply the paint.  Using a brush motion pushes the paint under the stencil and/or mask.