Coaster Picture Frame Tutorials

As I was making my samples a couple of months ago for Papertrey's February release and creating with their patterned papers and some lightweight chipboard coasters - I discovered something neat (and new to me!) - my Spellbinders Nestabilities dies cut through the coasters!

The wheels began to turn and after some experimenting I ended up making picture frames out of the coasters - and of course what better way to decorate them than to use Papertrey's patterned papers?

I will show you step-by-step with pictures just how I made this frame and just how easy they are to make!

I started with 2 lightweight chipboard coasters and 3 pieces of patterned paper (from the 12x12 Everyday Blessings Paper Pack) that are cut to 4x4".

**Note - make sure you are using LIGHTWEIGHT coasters for this project - anything heavier will not cut with the Nestabilities dies**

Using a corner rounder punch I rounded the corners on 2 of the pieces of patterned paper.

I then adhered the paper to each side of one of the coasters.

**I use Mono Multi Liquid Glue to adhere pretty much everything I make. The paper doesn't need to be fully covered with adhesive either - I do a thin line around the edge and a little scribble of glue down the middle and it's good to go.

Another reason why I love using this glue is because it gives me a little "wiggle room" - after I apply the paper to the coaster I can  slide it around a bit to get it in place before the adhesive dries.**

After adhering the papers to the coaster set it aside to be used later.

I took the second coaster and 2 different Nestabilities dies - the largest Scalloped Square in the Classic Square Small set and a plain square die.

the "compatibility chart" (how to use different die cutting machines with the Nestabilities Dies) can be seen here.

I used small pieces of tape to hold the dies in place - you can use both dies at once on the coaster.

**Make sure to use SMALL pieces of tape - being that they're made of paper the coaster will tear if you use too much tape because the pressure of the die-cutting machine "super adheres" the tape to the coaster!**

**The little pen squiggle was made by me - I had marked the center of the coaster to better aid me in lining up the dies.**

After running the coaster through your machine and removing the dies you have this!

**NOTE - do NOT throw away the center piece when you remove the dies - set it aside as it comes in handy later on!**

I ran the 3rd piece of patterned paper through the machine with the same scalloped square die.

**I DID make an attempt at adhering the paper to the coaster BEFORE cutting it - but it made it too thick for the Nestabilities dies to cut through - so the coaster and the paper MUST be cut separately.**

Notice I didn't use the square die in the center of the paper - it is too difficult to line it up to the coaster - so I did something else that's quick and easy:

First I applied adhesive to the coaster around the scalloped edge and around the opening, then adhered the patterned paper to the coaster.

I flipped the covered coaster over and used a craft knife (make sure you have a cutting mat underneath!) to cut out the opening.

I don't use my craft knife very often (it's been MONTHS) but this was really quick and easy to do as it's 4 straight lines and you following the opening in the coaster.

**Again do NOT throw away the square of paper that is left from cutting out the "window" - you will need it soon!**

You can see in the inset picture the end result from cutting out the window - and keeping the coaster flipped over apply a line of adhesive to **3** sides of the coaster. Leave one side clean!

I adhered the scalloped coaster to the coaster I covered earlier.

You now have a picture frame! I slipped in a piece of white card stock to see better ----- that's why adhesive is only applied to 3 sides - the 4th is left clean to be able to USE the frame and slide in and out the pictures/stamped images etc!

My dilemma though was how could I make it more like a real picture frame - as in give it the ability to stand on it's own? Well that's where the "extra" piece of coaster and "extra" piece of patterned paper come in :o)

Adhere the square of patterned paper to the chipboard.

I used my paper cutter for this step - you could also use a ruler and a craft knife or scissors.

Lining up the square like this I cut both sides of the coaster **NOTE - the cutter will NOT cut all the way through**.

I then used my scissors to fully cut through the coaster so that I was left with a piece that looked like the one in the inset picture.

Flipping over the coaster piece I again placed it onto my paper cutter and made a cut on one end.

**Again it will NOT cut all the way through - and this is what you want. You do NOT want to cut the end off - just to make a slight cut into the coaster so that it will bend easier**

I applied adhesive to the "cut" end of the coaster piece - then adhered it to the back of the picture frame.

See?? Now the frame can stand up on it's own and I didn't use any extra supplies to make it - just pieces that normally would have been thrown away!!

And here is the finished frame again.

I decorated it with a few buttons from my stash (I used really thin strips of paper to "finish" the buttons), and added a stamped image and sentiment from Papertrey's new Father Knows Best set.

What I LOVE about these little frames is not only are they simple to make - they are cheap too! The coasters can be found at several different online stores (I got mine from ATS - 20 coasters for $2), and it only uses 1/3 of a sheet of 12x12 patterned paper - you can get 3 picture frames from one 12x12 sheet! So with one pack of Papertrey's 12x12 patterned paper you could make 36 coaster picture frames!!

And just to mix things up a bit I also did one a little different - instead of making it a stand-up frame - I punched 2 holes in the top (the Crop-a-Dile works like a charm for this - cuts through the layers of coaster and paper like butter) and strung the frame onto a length of Papertrey Spring Moss Twill Ribbon.

A few more buttons and another stamped sentiment from the Father Knows Best set and it's done!

I made a third frame with more papers from the Everyday Blessings 12x12 paper pack and decorated it with an bow made from Aqua Mist Twill (adhered to the frame with a mini glue dot).

Not only will these make great little gifts, but think of the possibilities!

-done in the wedding colors these could be great with the centerpieces at the wedding reception with pictures of the happy couple. And the guests could take them home with them after.

-teachers gifts - they're affordable and easy to mass produce if you have to make several.

-baby showers - make several frames with the baby's picture in them and on the back you can adhere a paper with all the important info (birth date, weight etc etc) typed on it.

-and I'm sure there are tons more you could do!

EDITED TO ADD: Lynda left a comment with a GREAT idea: I've made frames from coasters but never this adorable-  try putting magnet strips in the back for refrigerator magnets and sometime I adhere these to front of inexpensive canvas albums to make them more personal.

LOL I NEVER thought of magnets *smacks forehead* - how cute would that be? And these frames are so lightweight that a couple strips of magnet (you can get it at Michaels) on the back would hold them up no problem - and just think - that would be a GREAT way to give the wallet-size school pictures to other family members!!

I had a lot of fun creating these and I hope y'all enjoyed my instructions so that you can make them too!

.....................................................................................................................................

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Father Knows Best Stamp Set.

CS: Everyday Blessings 12x12 Patterned Paper.

INK: Spring Moss (PT), Versafine Onyx Black.

ACCESSORIES: 4x4" Lightweight Chipboard Coasters, Nestabilities Dies, Mono Multi Adhesive, Buttons, Ribbon. 

Comments

[Cyndi Bundy]

WOW! Love how easy you made this, I never thought to run them through with my Neastabilites!! And I have a kazillion coasters. Thanks for an awesome project idea Amy :)

[Deanna Woodland]

Oh the cuteness of these frames is too much! I have to make these!

[Lynn Mercurio]

Wonderful tutorial Amy. Fabulous project...I have so many of these coasters...these would make great little gifts.

[~amy~]

FABulous coaster projects! They all turned out beautiful!

[Kari]

Sooo cute!!! I love everything about them!!! The sayings are fantastic! Love the paper too!!!

[Joan Jeffery]

This is an awesome little project....thanks for the tutorial. Joan

[Debbie Olson]

GREAT job on this, Amy! I have cut cereal-box thicknesses before, but I hadn't tried the lightweight coasters--not even sure I have any! but I'll definitely get some now. You rock!

[Ink-Pattie]

These are beautiful. I like the way the coaster was embossed along the edges before you adhered the paper; they could potentially look really elegant without the paper, too! Very clever stand; I'll have to come back and look at all those pictures again when I try that!

[Carolina Buchting]

Wonderful tutorial and these look like so much fun! I'll have to give it a try this weekend...thanks so much for the inspiration!

[Betsy Z]

AMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Thank you, thank you THANK you, on behalf of all of us cowards the world over! LOL, I would never have had the courage to try and run mine through the die cutter, no way!

These are totally adorable, and when I find my desk, my nestabilities, AND my Cuttlebug all at the same time, I'm gonna try these! Thanks so much, your tutorials are always so well-illustrated and easy to follow!

Hugs,
MSBetsyZ

[diane mcvey]

These are 100% awesome, thank you so much for enabling us to use the lw coasters!!! Yippee! Your frames are great, and putting a sentiment in them, rather than a picture is TOO COOL! These would make great gifts for my stamping group at Christmas..I may just have to do these! The girls would be thrilled! :D

[Val]

You're a GENIUS! Love these!

[Mary C.]

Yikes! I am going to HAVE TO buy some nestabilities. What a fabulously creative project. Thanks for sharing your great ideas so openly!

[Charlene Austin (Willow01)]

Wowza! This is so wicked cool!! Thank you so much for sharing. I can't wait to give this a try!!

[Jennifer]

How beautiful and creative! I love these. Your blog is always so inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

[Michelle (CraftySpice), Knoxville TN]

These are beautiful and so clever! They would make great Christmas tree ornaments. I'm always looking for frame-style ornaments for our Christmas card photo of the kids (we take our own and usually print it out wallet-sized). With your coaster frames, I could put the year on the front under the photo, using numbers cut out of solid cardstock. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful tutorial with us.

[Viv (VivLyn)]

I love this idea! I would have never thought about embossing the lightweight coasters! TFS your project and tutorial!!!

[MaryBeth]

This is a wonderful idea!! Thank you so much for sharing. I have been putting off buying Nestabilities, now I am heading over to Papertrey to buy my 1st set. Definitely the square set. Thank you again, I love this project!

[LeAnne]

Absolutely fabulous! Thanks for such great directions, I can't wait to try this!
LeAnne

[Pamela]

WOWZA!!! That is soooooo creative and beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing your creativity!!

~Pam

[Charlene]

This is the best, Amy!!! Can't wait to try it. Awesome!!

[Ferah]

This is an excellent tutorial and a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing this. I will definitely be trying this one as soon as possible. Have a great weekend!

[Janet Smith]

Amy, this is just yoo clever. Such a great idea. I will be trying this just as soon as I get home from work. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[Bonnie Sharp]

These are a fabulous way to use up those coasters that are breeding in my scraproom!! AND to use up my Papertrey Ink paper so I can buy MORE!!! YAY!!

[Susanna]

This is an awesome project --- you made the list of stand out projects over at www.cardoftheweek.com -- check it out -- http://www.cardoftheweek.com/2008/04/best-of-the-b-2.html