I love reader questions like this one because they make me feel less strange about some of the random things I keep. I just can’t help it! Over on our Facebook fan page, reader Shana asked:
Chipboard coasters — you know, the ones you get at a restaurant — what can I do with ’em??
I have a collection of these as well, since things that are colorful and free are hard for me to resist. I’ve been wanting to take some of them and bind them with paper to make miniature notebooks. I’ve also considered saving up a whole bunch of different designs and using them to create some large-scale specimen art to cover a whole wall.
So, dear readers, we put the question to you: What would you make with a collection of chipboard coasters?
[photo via Wikimedia Commons]
15 Comments
Theresa
Here is a cute idea I found on the internet months ago and am still planning on making. It’s on the ever-growing “to do” list of crafts I want to make.
Sticky Note Clipboard
http://fey-next2heaven.blogspot.com/2009/08/back-to-school-gift.html
Heidi aka Digital Misfit
Punch holes into the sides and bottom of 4 coasters. Punch holes around all 4 sides of 1 coaster. (make sure holes of sides line up, and holes on bottoms line up with 5th coaster). Lace up the holes with ribbon, and you have a nifty little pencilholder box. Of course you can alter it first with all kinds of fun papers, paint, and other creative bits.
Here are 2 other fun ideas I have had on my tute to-do list for a long time:
Post-It Note Holder
http://stamping101.blogspot.com/2007/01/chipboard-coaster-post-it-note-holder.html
Flip Calendar
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/424755
Jennifer
Hole punch around the design or around the edges, tie one end of a length of yarn or cord to one of the holes & make a sewing card for your little one.
Nicki
I’ve scanned my children’s artwork into the computer then printed it off the size of the coasters. Then I laminated the paper and used spray adhesive to attach it to the coasters. I wrapped up different sets with ribbon and gave them to grandparents as gifts.
Jolene
When I lived in France, my American friends and I used to send each other coasters like postcards. Not a lot of space on the back but it was fun to find in your mailbox. We still do this even though we’ve moved to different places. It’s neat to see coasters from Spain and Philadelphia too!
Shannon
I make thank you note mangnets out of them!
Decorate one side like a mini scrapbook page, add a picture too, then write the thank you note on the back and add a magnet.
I blogged it tonight, so thanks for the inspiration!
http://nouveausoccermom.blogspot.com/2011/04/chipboard-coaster-thank-you-note.html
Cate
I made a set of coasters for my best friend and mom for Christmas. I covered some coasters that I found at Target with paper and sealed them with modge podge.
http://randomcraftygagirl.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-gifts-i-made.html
mikeasaurus
How about soaking them in water so they’re pliable, then bending them into a shape with chicken wire while they dry?
Molly
Cut holes in the centre and use them as fun photo frames. Could use the circle/square piece you have cut out as a magnet.
Tee
For someone who has a bar area, you could string beer coasters into a mobile.
Michelle L.
OKay, I really need Mikeasaurus to make his idea and post it!!!
Marianne Firth
If you have a ton of them, cover them in cute paper or paint and make a banner. Just two holes on the end of each one and string with ribbon. We’re not sick of banners yet, are we? I’m sure not!
Gentle
I’d use them to make a purse like the one here.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004D1V3ZI/ref=asc_df_B004D1V3ZI1510110/
Brenda
I have literally hunderds of coasters. whenever people travel they bring us back a few for my hubby’s bar I was thinking of covering the roof area behind the actual bar itself or maybe making a large tack board with them. Such awesome artwork on most of them I don’t really wanna cover them us. maybe i will just mount them on a wall all willy nilly soon it will be like wallpaper.
Melissa
You could cover with scrapbook paper and punch a whole in one end. Put a ribbon or string through the whole and use as a tag for presents or mini albums.