When I was in Edmonton a few weekends ago I picked up a set of Bazzill Chipboard Coasters. They came in a pack of 4 and were 5 x 5". I wasn't totally sure *what* I was going to do w/ them, but I wanted to try doing *something* seeing as chipboard is all the rage lately and I haven't used it in a LONG time - and never the coasters - those are totally new to me!! (I had thought I'd never used chipboard at all but then I remembered I did this a few months ago - drat my rotten memory!! LOL)
I got an idea of what to do and got everything set out and then hesitated. I was worried about messing up and then where would I be?? I tend to "over think" the bigger projects (same w/ my scrapbook pages) and spend WAY more time than I think is necessary fiddling w/ projects. So I decided to just wing it and this is what happened:
I was SO happy w/ it when it was done!!
All the patterned paper is form Chatterbox - their "Garden" line - it's SO pretty eh??
I used SU's On Board Simon Lower chipboard letters and bracket pieces, some of the new Loves Me ribbon from the SU Winter Mini, May Arts ric rac (from StarLitStudio), Prima flowers and daisies,a bunch of rhinestones (some from Michaels and some I picked up in Edmonton that are from Bohemia by My Mind's Eye).
(All these pics you can click on to pop up and get a bigger view).
To start w/ I cut several 5" squares of patterned paper - 4 each of 2 different designs. I used my SU corner rounder punch on the corners as a "guide" and then rounded the corners even more w/ scissors so the paper would fit better on the chipboard coasters.
I then coated each coaster w/ a *thin* layer of Mod Podge and pressed the paper onto it (I had to be quick w/ that as the MP dries fast). Once I got one side done I would glue the other pattern on the back side of the coaster.
When I got them all done and dry I used my sanding block (also from SU) to sand all the edges.
I used Making Memories hinges to connect all the coasters (I picked those up at my local scrapbook store a long time ago - you can get all kinds of little sets in different metal finishes and colors - the ones I had were silver). I just lined up each hinge, then poked holes w/ my paper piercer and used SU silver brads to hold the hinges in place.
Once I got them connected I started altering the letters.
For the "a" I covered it w/ Regal Rose craft ink and embossed it w/ Iridescent Ice embossing powder (it looks SO cool and sparkly in real life!).
For the "m" and "y" I also covered them in craft ink (Chocolate Chip for the "m" and a combination of Certainly Celery, Old Olive and So Saffron for the "y" - I was trying to get it to the same shade as the paper) and let them dry. It REALLY helps to have a pair (or two or three) of rubber gloves for this and some sponges as it can get really messy - I had ink all over me! I was able to get them completely covered tho including all the sides and whatnot.
For the "l" I embossed it w/ Winter White embossing powder (SU) using a couple of coats and while the EP was still hot I poured Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (SU) on it.
For the "f", "i" and bracket pieces I traced each onto patterned paper, cut them out (staying well inside the lines) then adhered the paper to each piece using Mod Podge and sanding when dry. The far left bracket I also sponged w/ Chocolate Chip craft ink.
As I let the letters dry I added ribbons and rhinestones and whatnot to the coasters.
I tied a few ribbons to some of the letters and added a couple of rhinestones to them as well.
I used Mono Multi liquid glue (by Tombow - it's the green and white bottle) to adhere all the letters and brackets to the coasters.
it stands up really well on it's own - I have it on a ledge between our kitchen and living room with hopes that *someday* (wink, wink) it will go on our mantle (when we actually get a fireplace!! LOL). I also plan on putting pictures of all of us on the back sides of all the coasters.
All in all it took me over 4 hours to make this - I did it all in one evening and it was SO much fun!! I'm prolly gonna get more coasters - StarLitStudio has smaller ones (I think they're 4 x 4"??) and they're super cheap AND they're white chipboard which is so nice to have as it's easier to color then the standard gray.
