Baby X 3 = Triplets

I mentioned here last month that a member of my downline just became a Grandma to triplets! She has been off spending lots of time with her daughter and the new babies, so it was only last week that I got to see her and give her the tri-fold frame I created for her out of blank coasters. She liked it so much that she wants to make more of them for the godparents. Since I had to type up a basic "how to" for her, I figured I would share it here as well.

I started by using blank 4" coasters. First, I cut and stamped 4" square pieces of card stock with my background stamp - if you have craft ink, that would be the best choice. For this particular project I used craft for the Blush Blossom pieces, but for the Soft Sky I used the Classic dye ink since that is all that is available for that color. You could also use patterned paper instead, and this project would go even quicker.

Next, cover coaster with a thin coat of Royal Coat Decoupage (Modge Podge is fine too) and adhere the card stock squares...don't worry about trimming the rounded corners just yet. Cover one side of coaster, set aside while covering another coaster. Then go back and cover the backside with solid card stock. After it sets a bit (only a few minutes...you just don't want it wet enough to slide around) you can sand off the corners with a sanding block or file. This makes the rounded corners fit perfect and is much easier than cutting.

For this project I wanted to have pastel hardware to match my card stock so I created faux hardware. If you don't want to attempt this, you could also use the new jumbo eyelets & Hodge Podge hardware.

To create the oval frame, first punch out the smallest oval in your desired color of card stock as shown below.

Next, use the larger oval punch and center it over the hole left by the smaller oval punch.

Punch out your frame shape after centering it as shown above.

Ta Da! Now you have an oval shaped frame! To create a jumbo rivet/eyelet shape. Do the same as shown above, only using the 1/4" and 1/2" circle punches.

Next, you will want your pieces to be shiny like metal hardware. To do this, you'll need to heat emboss them with clear embossing powder. Take the pieces you punched out and smoosh them in your Versamark pad and cover with clear EP. Use tweezers and emboss with your heat tool. Repeat this step 2 more times. If you have the Glassy Glaze EP you can probably just do this step once or twice. When you are done you will have any color hardware you want!

To make the holes in my coasters I used the Crop-A-Dile...it cuts thru these coasters like butter! I used the largest 3/16" punch for this. Now it is time to assemble and embellish your project. the fun part! Use ribbon, chipboard, cut out stamped images, etc... For the stamped images I used here, I stamped them on watercolor paper, which is nice and thick, colored and cut out.

Stamps: Bundle of Joy, Flannel Plaid background, & So Many Sayings

Card stock: Blush Blossom, Soft Sky, Barely Banana & Water color paper

Ink: Blush Blossom Craft, Soft Sky, Brocade Blue marker & Black Stazon

Accessories: Soft Sky double stitched & pink gingham ribbon, stamp-a-ma-jig, Punches: large & small ovals, round tab, 1/4" and 1/2" circle

Have fun...the possibilities are endless! Click here to see another coaster frame I made for my niece: http://lwdesigns.blogspot.com/2007/07/i-finally-created-something-with-my.html