Happy Father's Day to the Vinyl Record Lovers!

Father's Day is right around the corner, which means I am putting my crafty thinking cap on. Last year I made a customized 6 pack of beer which was a big hit. Today I have project on Craft about how to make etched pint glasses for dad with pictures of his kids (four and two legged). All that was left in the equation was a set of coasters.


Coasters are a little fussy for our house, so I needed to make them a bit different to fit in. Remember the Musical Mustache Masks I made? I had tons of vinyl records left over. I made jewelry with some and a clock with others, but I still have several to spare. The only thing Chris loves more than a cold glass of beer is the warm crackle of a vinyl record - why not combine the two!


SUPPLIES
Vinyl Records
Hot Pad or Glove
Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer
Felt
Scissors
Oven
Liquid Fusion Glue
Sand Paper


HOT VINYL
Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees. Place your records in the oven and heat until they start to warp. Wearing a glove or using a hot pad take your records out of the oven one at a time and cut with scissors. There will be lines close to the label for you to follow. How much vinyl you leave showing is totally up to you. You may have to heat cut and heat and cut again to get all the way around the center. If your coasters are not flat heat one last time and then place between two books when you take them out of the oven.


ROUGH EDGES
For the most part your scissors will make pretty smooth cuts. If there are any rough edges use sandpaper to smooth it out.


WATERPROOF
Take your coasters outside and spray with Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer. Apply two coats allowing to dry completely in-between. This will help protect the label on your coaster from condensation.


SMOOTH BOTTOM
Sure the top looks great, but there is still that pesky hole for water to drip through and onto your table. Trace your circle onto a piece of craft felt and cut out. Glue on un-varnished side of coster.


POUR DAD A COLD ONE
Set your ice cold beer, Big Red or water on your coaster and don't think another thought about table rings. Lord knows dads never did anyway.

What are you making dear old dad this father's day?

Glass Etching is my New Jam

Glass etching may very well be the easiest craft of all time. That being the case no plain glass surface in my house is now safe. Drinking Glasses, picture frames and vases are not only abundant at the thrift store if you look hard enough you probably have tons around your house begging for a face lift. The hardest part is finding cute stencils to use. Luckily I Love to Create just came out with an all new line of stencils called Tulip Fashion Graffiti which made my life a lot easier.


SUPPLIES
Tulip Fashion Graffiti Stencils
Glass
Armour Etch
Paint Brush
Aleene's Tack-It Over and Over Glue


I decided to raid my own stash of picture frames and glasses, a little up-cycling never hurt anyone. Once you choose your stencil apply Aleene's Tack-It Over and Over to back side and attach the stencil to your glass surface. The glue will hold your stencil in place long enough to apply your Etching Medium. All you do is apply the medium to your surface, allow to sit for 5 minutes and rinse. Now that is what I call a quickie craft!


I used this fun car stencil on an old picture frame. I put two pieces of paper in the frame one black and one leopard print for a trim.


Some stencils come already sticky like this one with a guitar and lightening bolt which makes things that much easier. One word of warning is be sure to get a thick coat of the etching medium onto your surface.


Lotta Jansdotter has a fantastical new kit out called Lotta's Printing Studio Tools, Projects, and Inspiration for Five DIY Printing Techniques. The book comes with not only adorable stencils like this one I used on a mirror of two birds and an apple but also carving tools so you can make your own stamps.


You have seen me use Ed Roth's amazing stencils to make my own fabric, applique a skirt and even as a baby shower activity. This sassy lady from Stencil 101 begged to be etched onto a frame. I mounted a piece of hot pink felt behind her. Another tip, solid darker color backgrounds work better than light colors and prints.

I'm debating on etching some of the larger wall stencils from Ed Roth's Stencil 101 Decor: Customize Walls, Floors, and Furniture with Oversized Stencil Art onto my sliding glass doors. From time to time birds don't realize it's glass and run into the doors and maybe this would help them. Has anyone ever etched a large surface?