CasaSugar

Su Casa: Cool Coasters

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:15:56 -0800

Su Casa member Tweet Hotpants was inspired by the DIY: Map Coasters project I posted a few days ago, and headed down to her local Michael's to find materials to craft her own version of the project.

Here are the coasters she started out with:

To see how she transformed these cardinal coasters, and to see even more coasters she made, read more.

Tweet Hotpants writes,

I saw the DIY about the map coasters and I thought it was a great idea! I just got a set of coasters from my grandma that weren't really my style, so I went to Michael's to find some scrapbooking paper that looked like an old map . . . but I couldn't find any! So I got some that looked like old postcards instead. Then I bought some other paper that I just thought was pretty and decided that if the first batch of coasters came out well, I'd do a second batch.

What an improvement! I also love the atmospheric staging Tweet Hotpants did with this photo. Be sure to check out the gallery for the rest of her coaster crafting.

View 5 Photos ›

This Just In: John Derian Coming to Target

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:30:19 -0700

On Sept. 14, home accessories dynamo John Derian will introduce a collection for Target based on the découpage pieces that made him rise to shelter world fame. The collection will feature antique print imagery like the fruit, flower, and animal prints that Derian typically layers and pieces together under his glass accessories, but instead they will be printed on melamine. "All my designs tell a story. And the prices allow you to live happily ever after," says Derian. To give you an idea of the fairytale prices, a 12-by-12-inch tray will go for $16.99; a set of coasters, $12.99; and a 5.5-inch plate, $5.99. I always love it when Target gets designers involved, and I'm a big fan of Derian's work. But, knowing how easy and inexpensive it is to DIY your own découpage on glass, I think I'd prefer to create the real thing on my own.
Source and Source

DIY: Iron-On Vinyl Coasters

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 08:30:41 -0700

I spotted this DIY on How About Orange, and thought it was so cute and simple, so I decided I'd summarize it. The great thing about this project is that you can personalize it with any fabric, or by sewing or stitching an interesting pattern into the coaster. It's also a great housewarming gift that's inexpensive and can be customized to the color scheme of a friend's new home!

Supplies:

Heavy-weight fabric
Iron-on vinyl
Scissors
Fabric glue stick
Vanishing fabric marker
Sewing machine (or needle and thread in coordinating color)
Pinking shears

To hear the steps, read more.

Cut the fabric and the iron-on vinyl into two squares of equal size per coaster you'd like to make, each a bit larger than four inches.
Adhere one vinyl square to each square of fabric, following the manufacturer's instructions (basically stick on and iron briefly on both sides).
Then, stick the two laminated squares together, so the vinyl is facing outward. Use the fabric glue stick to keep them together.
Draw a square on one side of the coaster with the vanishing fabric marker, a little bit in from the edges of the square.
Sew along the lines of the square you drew. Feel free to stitch some sort of decoration.
Trim the edges of the coaster with the pinking shears to finish it off. Voilà!

Source

Love It or Hate It? Recycled Rubber Coasters

CasaSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 05:15:21 -0700

When I lived on the East Coast, I always felt like "West Coasters" were the people who felt obliged to let their coastal origins be known. But, I suppose that's not entirely true; these Recycled Rubber Coasters ($38) were made in Maine. I still don't support this East/West superiority complex that some people have. But you know I always love a good pun, so these coasters get by in my book. What do you think?

DIY: Scrabble Coasters

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:15:29 -0800

If the words "Triple Word Score" mean anything to you then this project is for you. You can put a retired Scrabble set to work by recycling it into coasters. If you don't want to part with your beloved Scrabble set, you can purchase batches of Scrabble tiles on eBay for little more than five bucks.

Supplies:

Scrabble tiles (64-100 for a set of four)
Cork board or cardboard and felt
Hot glue gun with glue sticks
Mod Podge or a stronger sealant (polyurethane)
Grosgrain ribbon (the width of a Scrabble tile's height)

To learn the steps, read more

Here's how:

Take out a pen and paper and brainstorm some four- or five-letter words related to drinks (wine, cafe, pinot, etc.) that you'd like to use on your coasters. Play with their configurations, and come up with a blueprint for your letter arrangements, either 4-x-4 tiles or 5-x-5.
Measure the dimensions of your square of tiles, and cut the corkboard or cardboard accordingly.
If you're using cardboard, cut a piece of felt to the same size and glue it to the cardboard base.
Glue your Scrabble-tile arrangement to your base. Let dry.
Seal the top of the tiles with Mod Podge. Let dry.
Glue the grosgrain ribbon around edge of the coaster. Let dry.
Uncork some vino and drink up!

You can also purchase new Scrabble tiles from Hasbro, but it's best to recycle! Try thrift stores, yard sales, and eBay for vintage ones.

Source

Love It or Hate It? Splat Stan Coaster

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:30:36 -0800

Superman Stan risked his life to protect your tabletop from coffee stains and red wine ring marks. And then, splat! Dead. The SUCK UK Splat Stan Coaster ($14.70) is made of silicone rubber and comes in an appropriate hazard-zone orange. What do you think? Might perk up your office desk, huh?

Love It or Hate It? Patina Bangle Coaster Set

CasaSugar — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 05:00:29 -0700

Perfect for bauble fans, this Patina Bangle Coaster Set ($19.95) adds a touch of glamor to your coffee table. Each coaster is woven from colored glass beads with gold highlights. Do you think it's glitzy or gaudy?

DIY: Map Coasters

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:30:45 -0800

I've shown you a map lamp, so now's the time to match up that luminary with something for your tabletop: coasters, to be exact.

What You'll Need

Coasters
Map or other decorative paper
File folder or cardboard for template
Scissors
Mod Podge
Foam brush

To find out how to make them, read more.

Here's how, from The San Francisco Chronicle:

Turn coaster upside down on file folder and trace. Cut out template.
Trace template onto decorative paper and cut out.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to coaster and back of paper. Adhere paper to coaster and press out bubbles, starting at the center and working outward.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to top of papered coaster. Let dry.
Serve your new coasters with your favorite drink!

Source

Etsy Find: Magnetic Blackboard Coasters

CasaSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:00:10 -0700

Talk about multitasking. When you're not resting your Long Island on one of these magnetic blackboard coasters ($15 for a set of four), you can keep them on your fridge, and even jot your grocery notes down on them. This is a great solution for keeping your coffee table tidy, and I think the black circles add a fun design element to your fridge as well. The coasters are covered with UV-coated vinyl that can be drawn on with regular chalk and then wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Do You Use Coasters?

CasaSugar — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 10:42:33 -0800

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