How to Make a Maple Leaf Coaster Set

You can never have too many coasters. No matter how many drink coozies, cork coasters and glass circles you have, people will still set their glasses on your wood tables and leave rings on your mantle. Discourage this behavior--and the ensuing damage to your property--with a pleasant set of seasonal fall coasters.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Square cork coasters
• Large fake leaves in fall colors
• Green tempera paint
• Paint brush
• Contact paper
• Paper towel
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Hot glue gun

1. 
    
   This color green provides a good contrast for fall leaves.

   Paint the tops of the square cork coasters green. This will provide a striking background for your fall leaves. Paint the coaster with a relatively thick coat, but make sure that the surface of the paint is smooth and not lumpy or ridged.

2. Allow the paint to dry completely. It must not be sticky or smear in any way when the leaves or contact paper touch it. You should allow up to an hour to ensure that it is completely dry.

3. 
    
   Large, flat leaves work best.

   Glue a large leaf onto the center of the coaster. Any color other than green will pop against the bright background. Use a fair amount of glue to keep the leaf as flat as possible.

4. Cover the tops of the coasters with contact paper. You can either trace the shapes ahead of time and cut them out before applying the paper or cut out a larger square than you need just to cover the top and wrap it around the edges. This way, the entire coaster is covered.

5. Smooth out air bubbles using the paper towel. Start in the center of the coaster and gently press the paper towel against the leaves and the contact paper. Rub the towel outward until you reach the edge of the coaster. Repeat this motion until all air bubbles are gone.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also add things like glitter, other fall objects, or paper leaves to the coasters to make them "busier" or flashier. Young children paint on the designs and you can help with the contact paper covering.