Cork Coasters Tutorial

Here's a project that will help you 'coast' right into the holidays with ease.  They're quick, fun and easy and make great gifts!

I've come up with some tips that will make your project even easier and quicker.  First of all, I was having trouble peeling the backing off the adhesive when I cut it into 4 pieces, so I decided to try leaving it as a 12 X 12" piece and layering the 4 pieces of DSP on top of it.  It worked like a charm!  So, I hope all my trial and error attempts will leave you with a quick and successful project.

Cut DSP into 6" squares.  Lay them onto an adhesive sheet which has the sticky part exposed.

Attach another layer of adhesive sheet and attach a window sheet to it.

Expose the sticky side and lay the cork pieces onto the exposed sticky adhesive sheet. (Each cork sheet can be cut into 2 squares -- 6" each.)  Carefully cut between the 4 pieces.

Here's the front side.  So, this is what you've actually made (starting from the bottom up) --- a stack of pieces with cork, adhesive sheet, DSP, adhesive sheet, window sheet OR, if this sounds even easier ----- cork, DSP, window sheet with adhesive layers holding each part together.
Tip:
Be sure you lay the cork pieces onto the sticky adhesive.  DO NOT try to apply the adhesive sheet directly onto the cork.  It just doesn't work well.  There's a reason I know this:)  If you forget, just add some Liquid Tombow and it will stick.  Let it dry before sending it through the Big Shot.

Now, choose a die and run it through the Big Shot.  It cuts so easily.
Tip:  You MUST NOT have any exposed adhesive from the adhesive sheets because you DO NOT want to get this on your die or your Big Shot!!!
As far as the dies go, I used the scallop square (clear) Bigz Die and the large Scallop Circle Die.  You could also use a circle die.

I saved the frames left from cutting the coasters.  Now, I have to think of something to do with them:)

I've used the Holly Berry Bouquet DSP from our Holiday Mini for all the coasters.

 Close-up:

To give as a gift, I tied up the coasters (a stack of 6) with a torn strip of our coordinating fabric and added a gift tag (embellished with our Winter Wishes stitched felt).

Supplies:
120805  Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (12 sheets per package) @ 14.95
119819  Cork Sheets (6 sheets per package) @ 9.95
114323  Window Sheets (2 sheets per package) @ 4.95
DSP --- Assorted designs (12 sheets per package) @ 10.95  (pp.184-186)
Choose your Big Shot dies on pages 220-223 in the Idea Book and Catalog.

There, I think I've included everything you need to know to make some great coasters.  Let me know if you have questions and be sure to let me know if you try some of your own.