Crafty coasters

Protect your tabletops with personalized, family-friendly coasters

By Leslee Mason

Get your memories out of the proverbial closet! Put your favourite photographs to work by turning them into coasters. Here are two keepsake versions the whole family can make.

Memory makeover

The plane left late, the food was terrible and it rained nearly every day. Don’t wait for time to paint “misty water-coloured memories” on your family vacation. Use your photo-editing program instead.

Gather up all the materials you need to make coasters.

Materials you’ll need

glass photo coasters (with photo inserts)
vacation photos
photo-editing program such as Windows Live Photo Gallery
scissors or utility knife
printer
photo paper

Use a photo editing program to enhance your images.

Purchase glass photo coasters from an arts and crafts store.
Choose your favourite vacation photos.
Right-click the image and copy it.
Open a new Word document and paste the image. Repeat steps 3 to 5 with different images.
Print.
Cut out the photos using sharp scissors or a utility knife.
Insert the photo into the coaster.

Tip: Substitute the family pics for beautiful vintage paper or postcards.

Caricature creations

Give family and friends a giggle every time they lift their glasses.

Materials you’ll need

favourite family photos
photo-editing program such as Windows Live Photo Gallery
printer
clear adhesive shelf liner
scissors
grease pen or marker

Apply firm backing, such as cork or fun foam.

Pick out an uncluttered image of each family member (family pets included).
Copy and paste each into a Word document.
Play around with the images until you’re happy with the look of your photos. Crop to the desired size (just a little larger than the bottom of your widest drinking glass or mug).
To add a name to the image, Click WordArt, found under Insert on Word’s top navigation bar. Choose one of the graphic styles and then type in your family member’s name.
To change text colour, click on text in the Word doc and then choose the Fill Color or Line Color options (as indicated by the paint can or paintbrush icons).
To move the text onto the photo, left-click on Text Wrapping > In Front of Text in the WordArt editing box. You may have to play with the placement of the name.
Print.
Place two sheets of shelf liner on top of each other. Then, using the top of a large drinking glass, use a grease pen or permanent magic marker to trace out a circle. Cut out the two circles together.
Peel off the backing of one sheet and place one of your images in the centre of the circle. Peel off the backing of the second sheet and lay it on top. Trim with scissors, if necessary.