Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Decorate To Celebrate Design Challenge "For Dad"...coasters using kids artwork

 MY STORY


     As I was thinking of a project for the current assignment for the Decorate To Celebrate design team, "Father's Day", we were also going through some home remodeling.  As I was going through old files, I found stacks of my son's artwork.  Now, if you are like me, your child is a genius, a Picasso in fact, but there is only so much wall space and refrigerator surfaces that you can cover.  Although my son is a US Marine Corps Lance Corporal overseas, there was no way I was throwing out some of his "classics".

    In my local dollar store, I found photo coasters.  They even came in a wooden display box.  And that is when the idea struck me - photo coasters using kid's artwork.  So, here you are!

YOUR TURN

    Pick out some of your favorite pieces and color copy or scan them.  Unless you want to cut up your baby's originals, copies are the way to go.  Your other supplies:
All you need:  artwork, scissors, glue, photo coasters, washi tape









     Take out the template from the coaster and place around your artwork, finding the parts of the drawing, etc., that will fit the template.  For some pieces, you can get multiple pieces - lay out like a sewing pattern:



     When you have your pieces, glue lightly onto the template.  HINT:   You can use both sides of the template but don't use the same imagery (see above).  If you are creating a "theme" make sure you have different images on each side of the template.

     Optional but you can place some washi decorative tape on the wood holder to jazz it up even more.


   These coasters are great for their original use, but also make cute paperweights for your desk.  These are so easy you will get addicted.

My son's drawing of NYC, pre 9/11



     Changing up the images gives you a whole different vibe, and you can easily store the extras behind your main image.  And they look just as cute in their stand.




    I liked some of them so much, I ended up hanging as mini gallery frames....defeats the whole purpose of saving wall space, but a Mom has got to do what a Mom has to do!!!  Now, get all those little Picassos and Van Goghs working so you will have great Fathers Day gifts.

    Happy Father's Day to all the Dads, Grandads, Uncles and all the men who are involved in a child's life.








5 comments :

  1. This is a GREAT idea! I think I am going to have to steal...errr...borrow this idea. My kids are 32 & 34 but I still have their art work. I would love to make them coaster out of their own work! Thank you so much for the idea and the little tutorial.

    Your Design Team Pal,
    Chriss (Louie's Mom)

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  2. I love this idea and they turned out so adorable dad will surely love these cuties for many years to come. hugs

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  3. Okay, I absolutely LOVE these!! I am so going to look for those coasters!! What a great idea!! And your son did such an awesome job with the artwork!! These are fabulous!! Thanks for the inspiration and tutorial!! Have a great day :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  4. Thank you everyone for the encouragement. These photo coasters should be easy to find...I've seen them at dollar stores, at Target/Kohl and I think Amazon too. Have fun!

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  5. OMG! what awesome idea, love it! I will have to definitely make some of these Patti. Loved it.
    Hugs,
    Norma

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