We made these beautiful Fall leaf coasters this afternoon, but first I wanted to tell you about this cute jumper I finished for Emily this morning.
I started this dress late last night, and was almost finished with it, but my machine started to act up, (or maybe I was just getting too tired, but I like to blame it on the machine) so I called it a night. This morning I asked Emily to pick out the button for the back closure from the collection of vintage buttons I had inherited from my grandmother. I love that she treasures these buttons almost as much as I do!
I think she made an excellent choice, don’t you?
Now, about the coasters, they are made from foam sheets, colored duct tape, pressed leaves, and some clear contact paper. First, I cut the foam sheets into 4 1/2 ” squares. Then, I invited Emily to arrange the pressed leaves how she would like them to appear on the coaster. We had collected so many pretty leaves to chose from!
Next, she covered the leaves and foam sheet with clear contact paper, and pressed out any air bubbles.
She trimmed any excess contact paper.
I helped line up the colored duct tape….
…and she wrapped it around the back.
We gave them a test run…
… perfect! These look so festive on our kitchen table, and I think they would make great hostess gifts too. Also, the winners of our fun fabric crayon wallet giveaway are Ivy from Into the Wind and Mom2Triplets04 from Creative Triplet Mom! Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered. There’s still time to get your entry in for the Arm & Hammer Stain Fighting Kit courtesy of www.GreatCleaners.com!
Dear Valerie,
Is this your way of asking for a new sewing machine?
Love,
Mark
I loved playing with my mom's button drawer when I was a kid. I only sew straight seams myself but I am still drawn to the button selection at fabric and craft stores.
A beautiful jumper. I love the fabric.
how adorable is that jumper!!!
Is this really your 400th poast? WOW! Congrats! I'm about to hit my 100th post this thursday.
THe leaves coasters are so cute. It's funny I was at walmart and saw the package of colored duck tape in the paint section and was thinking why the heck would they make colored ducked tape. Now I know. LOL
I though those coasters were just so pretty. I bet bigger ones could be used like fall placemats.
Char
Congratulations on your 400th post! That's fabulous. And we're all so glad you write this wonderful blog!
Have to say I love that dress and that I'm unbelievably impressed with how quickly you put it together.
The coasters are great and they make me think about the need for colored duct tape and clear contact paper. Where do you find it because I've looked and no place seems to have it.
Oh, and thanks for the crayon wallet, I can't wait!
Congrats on 400! Yay you! :>) Way cute jumper and way cute coasters. You rock! Goose love playing with the button jar at my MIL's quilt shop – fun stuff.
The jumper and the coasters are both beautiful. I love the fabric you used for the dress. Congratulations on your 400th post!
Love those coasters!
The dress is beautiful! Perfect for this chilly weather and so much cozier because you made it!
The coaster are a great idea. Perfect for mugs of hot cider or cocoa.
Wow I love these, the amount of creativity you have with foam sheets is amazing!
What a perfect dress for fall. Emily has exceptional taste, that button looks like it was always meant for that dress. A collection of buttons from your Grandmother is such a wonderful treausre.
I love your coasters. I would have never thought to use foam.
I really LOVE these coasters!
I have to do something like that with my little boy!
Thank you Valerie!
I think it is so very cool that you inherited a button collection! I love the button Emily chose too. The jumper is so perfect for fall. I want to make those coasters – love them!
Congrats on 400 posts!
My daughter and I have been collecting leaves thru out the year and I am thinking what I can do with them. We had made pictures and bookmarks and I am out of ideas. Thanks so much for this post. I now know what I can do.
Those are great coasters. I was at the Dollar Store looking fall decorations, but I didn't purchase any. I'm trying to minimize the amount of things we have around as I think my house is getting overwhelmed with… wait, maybe it's me who's getting overwhelmed! 🙂
I love the button she chose; it was absolutely perfect. The jumper looks great on her. Did you already have the orange shirt or did you purchase it especially for that?
Adorable jumper and great coasters, 🙂 Another one to bookmark for when I get my hands back, lol (newborn is 8 weeks and adjusting to 2 🙂 ).
I just wanted to say I love Emily's smiles in all of the pics you take of her. She seems like she is a truly happy child. What a good mommy you are 🙂
you did such a beautiful job on the dress. And I love t he coasters too. I enjoy visiting your blog. Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas with us.
I totally am stealing this for the next Artsy Mamas art date. I just love your blog more and more!
Both the jumper and the coasters are so cute! But the kid is even cuter!
These would make great Christmas gifts! Use stickers or magazine pictures or family photos in place of the leaves! Great idea!
Oh, the memories I have of running my fingers through my Mom's button drawer when I was little!!
Love those coasters. Such a do-able and pretty project!
Stunning idea!! We'll be doing this for sure… Thanks so much for sharing on Friday's Nature Table.
Blessings and magic.
What a wonderful project! Thanks so much for sharing this, I loved the demonstration. I'll be linking.
We LOVED making these coasters…so much so that we made them with snowflakes as well! Thanks for the inspiration!!! You can see our snowflake coasters here: http://mama-jenn.blogspot.com/2010/01/snowflake-coasters.html
FYI, we have now made leaf coasters, snowflake coasters, and now flower coasters! You can see our flower ones here: http://mama-jenn.blogspot.com/2010/08/flower-coasters.html
Thanks for the inspiration!!!
So cute! I would love to share this idea with my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group! I’ll be sure to give them a link to your website too! Thank you for your great ideas!