Comic coasters

I just realised I haven't shared all the presents I made for people recently.

Whilst sorting through some stash earlier in the year I came across some MDF blank coasters that I totally forgot I had!!

In order to keep costs down and de-stash I decided to make some for presents.

The four on the left are Judge Dredd ones (2000AD comic) for my brothers birthday (it was on Valentines day).  The two female ones top right were Christmas presents for my mate Julie and the bottom right two superhero ones were for my brother in law and my nephew (dad and son coasters).

I painted the back and edges of the coasters in a couple of coats of black paint and once the images had been stuck down and dried the laborious task of sealing them begins.

Now I am not going to lie, its a chore.  I apply a coat of yacht varnish and leave it 24 hrs to dry.  Then apply another coat and leave it another 24 hours (yes the house smells like a chemical factory whilst this goes on) and give it a light  sanding. 

Then I apply a coat on the base and this time leave it 48 hours to fully cure.  Finally I add one more coat to the top and leave it another 48hrs.

Now, this may seem over the top however I have a coaster at work that I have used almost every day for well over 10 years.  It has been abused, sloshed over, left to hold hot drinks that then go cold whilst I forget them and still it looks as good as the day I made it.  So, I know its a faff but it really does make them bomb proof!

Has anyone else used a different sort of varnish/sealer to good effect? I would be interested to know as the smell of this one really is quite strong!!

Happy crafting

Kyla

A cruddy time...

Boo-having a bit of a cruddy time at work, but hey, I still have a job when loads of people don't. The bigger cruddy news is on the health front, not life threatening, but I am on lots of tablets (so not liking the steroids, don't feel like I can fly much at the moment) and in pain and not sleeping-thank god for crafting!

And when I hit a crafting block, a quick scout around the web for some inspiration is always great (and clearing through my old magazine and creating an inspirations book with ideas and techniques-though I do wonder how I can spend quite as much on magazine!! Think of all the crafting stash I could buy!).

So, whilst clearing out my bits and pieces I came across a Fentimans beer mat that I have been keeping-classic!

I haven't taken a photo with my finger curled round (see the furtling picture) but you can guess what it looks like!! and Fentimens make the best ginger beer around-totally natural and very strong.

I have been trying to use up some of my stash as I am going to a craft show soon (need to make some space for more stash!!) so I made a coaster for my desk at work, from an MDF blank coaster, which I applied a layer of gesso, I stamped some of the ornate ironwork stamps from PaperArtsy around the edges, over stamping at the corners with a floral flourish, adding a touch of stickles glitter for a subtle bit of office bling I then edged the coaster with a variety of distressed inks, adding a vintage page and a bee stamp. I then gave it 2 coats of yatch varnish
to protect it from the hot mugs.

Now I have a lovely coaster at work to remind me of the creative of my life (I just hope the smell of yatch varnish disappears soon!!!)

Li'l Pidge x