Projects: Crafting with Coraline

You remember me, right? Coraline?


Sometimes, me and my peeps get bored.

Too bored to remove her hand, even.

If this has ever happened to you, YOU NEED THIS BLOG.

Presenting: Crafting with Coraline, COASTER EDITION!

Okay today we're going to make some coasters. These are what you put on your tables so you don't get those nasty condensation rings reasonable people don't like. Larry David and I are on the same page here, that's for darn sure.

Right. You're gonna need a few supplies before you get started.

• Simple ceramic tiles (Aunty Beccs picked some up for me at End of the Roll for super cheap, five for ten dollars or something, I don't actually use money so I'm not too clear on the details of the transaction)
• All-purpose glue that will stick to tile, paper, cork, etc.
• Cork
• Glaze
• Paintbrushes
• Wax paper or parchment baking paper
• Cookie sheets
• Pretty scrapbooking paper
• X-Acto knife or sharp scissors
• A ruler if you can't cut straight (AUNTY BECCS)
• A human helper comes in handy, but isn't necessary. I've enlisted my Aunty and my Mum to help me today.

So the first thing you do is cut the cork to fit the bottom of the tile. Sometimes you can only get cork that is already sticky on the back, and that's pretty good actually, but it won't be permanently sticky enough. Add extra glue, brushing it on evenly with a paintbrush, and attach your cut piece of cork to the bottom of the tile. (That's the rough side.)

Be careful not to use too much glue.

Go ahead and do the rest of your tiles. Set them cork-side-up on the cookie sheet to dry. To "protect your cookie sheet" (this is Mum-speak for to "avoid washing your cookie sheet") put a layer of wax paper down first. Now—

Wait! Aunty Beccs, don't be impatient!

I don't know what I'm going to do with her.


Be careful and ensure that your glue has dried enough to prevent your cork bottoms from sliding around before you flip them over to do the tops of your coasters. If the cork starts sliding around, you'll have two problems. One is that your cork has slid around. Two is that the sliding makes glue ooze out all over the place. And who's left cleaning that up?

That's right. It's me. And I don't have hands,
so I have to lick it up.

When it is safe to do so, cut your scrapbook paper to fit the top of the coasters, and glue it on the same way you did the cork. But try to use as little glue as you can get away with, or the paper will curl and slide around and just look stupid. Then you will have a hissy fit and might get into a fight with your Aunty.

This really was no one's fault.

The next part is the hardest of all. You have to set your pretty coasters aside and let them dry overnight.

I hate waiting!

But it's okay, because the next day, they will be nice and dry and ready for a coat of glaze. Using a fresh paintbrush, evenly brush glaze over the paper, sealing the edges, but avoiding the cork.

It is important that your brush is clean, has no loose bristles, and that there is nothing stuck in it.

Then put them aside again overnight and wait some more.


After a final inspection to ensure thorough dryness and an even glaze, your coasters are ready to use, or to give as a gift!

This one's good as long as no one flips it over
and sees that smudge.

You're welcome for curing your boredom.

CORALINE OUT