Kristl Pelz: June 2008 Archives

Well, it's awfully hot already down here in the Beautiful South. Outdoor activities like picnicking or outdoor concerts are done in the shade or while the sun sets. I will say the dinners I serve at dusk are the most fun. With mosquito repellent at hand, we brave the outdoors. The smoke from the BBQ helps a little, too.

I have an easy project for you that will spruce up your outdoor dining or your patio. I love our oil cloth. I'm always trying to think of things to do with it. Since it cuts cleanly and is water repellent, I have made some tropical

coasters I'd like to share with you.

Supplies:

One yard of floral oil cloth and ½ yard of solid oil cloth

Fabri-Tac

Sharp and pointed scissors

Sharpie marker

Wax paper

A heavy book or other weight

Choose the flowers you like on the floral oil cloth and carefully cut them out. You can decide whether you like the leaves on yours or not. The pointed scissors will help you get into the tight spots.

Lay out your solid oil cloth with the back of the oil cloth facing up. Lay your flower

with the front of the floral oil cloth facing up. In other words, wrong sides together. Carefully trace your flower on to the back of the solid oil cloth with a Sharpie. Don't worry if it looks like the backing will be a little bigger. You will do a final trim after the Fabri-Tac dries.

Cut out your solid piece that you just traced. Repeat for all the coasters you want to make.

Working on a piece of wax paper to protect your work surface, put a bead of

Fabric-Tac around the edges of the solid oil cloth cut out. Match your floral oil cloth cut out with the solid one and press the edges. Wipe away and excess Fabri-Tac as you adhere the two pieces together.

Take a couple of pieces of wax paper and sandwich your newly glued coaster between them. Lay a heavy book on top (I used the Joy of Cooking), and let them dry about 30 minutes.

Trim the coasters neatly, removing any of the backing that shows from the front.

Enjoy your new colorful coasters!