CoastersCoasters go with drinks! From colourful cocktails in exotic destinations to a catch up drink with friends at the local, the unassuming and humble coaster is usually there waiting to take our glass. People collect them as souvenirs from their travels, and coasters are a great item for our scrapbooking layouts. Types A coaster is really just a protective mat for glasses. They can be made from a thick piece of card, cut into a shape – usually a circle or square – sometimes with a decorative edge. Other types have been made from wood, cork, bamboo and plastic, just to name a few. Paper Paper or cardboard coasters, which are usually disposable, are the collectable ones, the ones which we quite often bring home as souvenirs from our travels, reminding us of a delicious meal at a restaurant, or a colourful cocktail at a sea side location. They can be elaborate in design, depending upon the establishment or company for which they were created. Some restaurants and bars print their name, logo and other marketing images onto these small pieces of cardboard; it becomes an extension of an establishment’s marketing scheme. The details included on make them the perfect inclusion on our travel layouts. Wood Craft wood coasters, available from craft stores, have traditionally been decorated by folk art and decoupage artists. These coasters can be made into photo frames. Drill a couple of holes in two coasters and they can also become the covers of a mini book, using hinged rings to hold them together. Decorate with paints or glue patterned papers with mod podge to them. Suppliers There are a few scrapbooking companies producing coaster type products. s.e.i. have monograms in four varieties, which coordinate with their product ranges. Li’l Davis Designs have themed coasters. Cloud 9 Designs created a range with over 20 themes to choose from. Make your own You too can create your own cardboard coasters. Choose a thick board, such as collage board which has the advantage of being acid free. Cut into your chosen shape, and embellish. With large letter stickers and large rub-on letters available, you can create your own coasters with a monogram, name or word across it. Look to other scrapbooking products which can be altered into a coaster-like embellishment. Coasters, another everyday item that scrapbookers have embraced; they make a fun and simple embellishment for your scrapbooking projects.
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