Turn a coaster into wall art with embroidery hoops :: DIY

A friend had a coaster that she liked and was saving to display.  She liked the colors, subject matter, and at the very least could put it on her frig with a magnet.  She emailed me and asked, "what would you do with it?"  So exciting.  This is my favorite kind of challenge.  Taking and every day something and making it spectacular.  I immediately had some ideas.

Of course, you could frame the coaster but that was kind of ho hum.  I  thought it would be cute to find retro fabric and use embroidery hoops as the frame.  They are so much cheaper than frames, too.  I buy mine from the local fabric mill for $.50.  Simply punch a few holes in the coaster and hand stitch it to the fabric in the hoop.




I decided to make it a threesome and added two more hoops with a cute contrasting fabric.  I created a small "home sweet home" image (I even made the silhouette match their house) on the computer, printed it, cut it out, and stitched it on the fabric as I did the coaster.  The three hoops together make more of an impact, don't you think?

You can do this with anything:  menu, vacation graphic, photo, postcard, etc.  If you have something you've been holding onto but don't know what to make of it, send me a picture.  I love a good challenge!

Pretty Doilies - by Crafted by Lindy - Fab Finds from Etsy

Add to edit:  Blogger went down for several hours and all posts from 5/12/11 were lost.  I've re-posted and added the comments I could find.  If you left a comment and it is not included here, please leave another.  Thanks!

 
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1. Coaster crochet handmade lace beige cream doily DANCING FLOWERS - antoniyakoleva

2. That Vintage Lace - Earrings - Tasmanian Myrtle - sophiehillartist

3. summer garden pillow cover no. 17, moss green 18"x18" - Tuuni

4. S is for SALE square doily coasters with natural woodgrain - uncommon

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5. Taupe hemp a line pinafore with doily feature 0-6 months - SirTomBaby

6. 5types of Paper Doilies Package (20 sheets) - romanticPINK

7. Teapot thinking of you card - seaglasspapercrafts

8. Time for Tea - vintage doilie embroidery hoop - spring green - louloudo

[Lindy lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, son and daughter. Besides blogging, she enjoys running her stationery business and creating new designs for her Etsy shop. You can read her own blog here]