You’d think I’m gearing up to host a dinner party around here.
I’m coming up with 5 inexpensive ideas to keep in mind when tablescaping.
And reminding you of the name card holders I made last year.
And even making new ones for this year.
And now, I’m making do it yourself coasters.
But I’m not. Gearing up to host a dinner party, that is.
I actually thought to make sisal chargers when I was putting together the tablescape. You know I love a simple, rustic element.
But let’s get real here. I don’t need no stinkin’ chargers!
But we definitely enjoy a drink or two, so sisal coasters equals brilliant idea for us!!
All you need: sisal, hot glue and scissors
How to: put a dab of hot glue on the end of the sisal and start rolling, hot glue every so often and keep rolling.
I’m not sure exactly what this next picture illustrates, but I took it so it’s only fair that you have to see it. ;)
Cut the end off at an angle and then trim the sisal stringy thingys.
And if you’re me, you will burn your fingers. Especially at that beginning step where you’re getting your coaster started around that first dab of hot glue. Ouch!
But, I did end up using a unsharpened pencil to scrape off any glue that squeezed its way up to the top (or bottom) of the coaster. I didn’t figure this out until I’d burned my fingertip trying to scrape off the hot glue with my fingernail about 56 times, though.
Please learn from my tendency toward idiocy.
I need hot glue finger tip protectors … and leg protectors … and feet protectors. I just might have dropped the hot glue gun on my foot twice once. 
The whole roll of sisal was about $5 and I used about half to make 4 coasters.
Wrapped in a beautiful ribbon these would make a great, inexpensive gift. Maybe for a neighbor, or a housewarming gift with a bottle of wine, or for a co-worker.
What do you think? Are you a homemade gift giver? Coaster user? Sisal lover?
Karah, I love these. I think I’m going to need to make these! Thanks for the inspiration! x
They are really so easy, and we love them. It’s just that beginning part that gets kind of dicey as you’re trying to get the roll started before the sisal unravels and not burn off your fingertips at the same time.
Definitely the perfect gift I’d love to receive (as long as that bottle of wine was attached)!
Kelly
They’re adorable! I always burn my fingers with hot glue. We should start a club.
Club meetings in Curacao.
Karah, these coasters are so awesome! So easy and so beachy chic! LOVE THEM
Yay … I like the sounds of beachy chic.
Awesome – adding another item to the DIY Christmas Gift List!
They are so quick and thrifty!!!
I also get myself with the hot glue, every stinkin time! Sometimes I think it’s better that way, then I can get those pretty fingertip calluses:) Pinning these, I love the idea of giving them as gifts!
What do you think? Are you a homemade gift giver? Coaster user? Sisal lover?
1. Love ‘me! 2. Sometimes if it doesn’t look too homemade. 3. Yes! 4. Really LOVE sisal!
That’s supposed to be Love ‘em…not me! Darn autospell.
YAY!! Someone actually answered my questions. And yes, I do love you.
hose are fabulous, karah! i love the natural look!
I think hose are fabulous, too!
I love these! These would make great Christmas gifts!
Those are fabulous Karah! Love this idea ..
Linda
Love the rustic look! I can relate with the burned fingers. This is definitely going on my to-do craft list.
I’m so glad you like them!
I love to give homemade gifts. Maybe too much. Only use stone coasters because any others I have tried just hold water on them and then drip off the glass when I pick it up to drink from it. I tried making some from wine corks like I had seen on a few blogs. Project FAIL. I love sisal but have never bought any for a project. Might be addicting… I’ve got scars on my legs from making projects with glue guns while sitting at my coffee table.
I’m glad I’m not the only one with hot glue scars. And the sisal is definitely an absorbing coaster.
Love them! This is probably a stupid question lol but what is sisal? Where can I get it?
Not a stupid question at all, here’s a link to a product similar to what I used (it is an affiliate link), http://www.amazon.com/Wellington-Cordage-Sisal-16212-Rope/dp/B00004Z1T6?&linkCode=wey&tag=thespacebe078-20 Sisal rope/twine comes in different thicknesses. Please just let me know if you have any other questions.
Karah! I love these! So great and inexpensive! I love a good rustic project too! xoxo
Thank you, April! How’s it going on your island these days?
This is DIY I can do! Pinning.
Thanks man!
You’re welcome man!
Karah…love these!…May I place an order!!!
….These are wonderful!
It’d be a good craft for down time at the blog conference!
I like your sisal coasters! And I looove the way the red wine looks sitting on them!
Take care of your poor little pinkies and toes. Yikes, that hot glue burns! Oh, you already knew that, right? 
hahaha, thanks for the warning!
LOVE! I love anything made with rope of any kind…
These are so cute!!
Great idea! love the look of these, especially for a rustic fall themed evening
Thank you so much, Ashley!
We always make Christmas presents for each other every year! This is such a fun idea! I love anything made from rope! I am thinking about making a wreath from rope
blessings,
karianne
Oh, I remember the acorn nativity scene!
Hey Karah, Do you remember my crocheted coasters? I like your sisal ones, too, maybe better than my really cheap (as in discontinued yarn cheap). But the glue gun doesn’t travel well, just can’t see me doing that in a waiting room, ya know?
I’m going to be taking crochet classes in January … I have to add coasters to my project list. I wonder if you could stitch the sisal together every few inches???
Oh yes, I am definitely as sisal lover and these are amazing…thanks for the DIY instructions!!
Sure thing!
What a great idea! And perfect in time for Christmas gifts!
Thank you, Catherine!
Such a fun and easy idea … especially with Christmas around the corner
Hugs,
Bj
I heart a homemade gift!
I LOVE these! They are definitely my kind of project, and the pictures are also really great! They would make a wonderful handmade gift!
Thank you so much, Rachel.
Awesome! I might actually get around to using coasters if I had these!
Awesome! Thank you so much!!
If you make your own, Katrina, I’d love to see them.
Holy Macaroni! I think I need to add a glass of wine to all my pictures from now on
These are great Karah, I know a few people that would love them!
Or just have a class of wine whenever you are shooting pics.
Oh I most definitely will!!
Lovely…I love this, have pinned it and will be making these for a perfect gift with a bottle of wine! Love that idea!
Debbie
Super great ! So nice in fact, that I’d like to invite you to come link it up with us…. http://www.finecraftguild.com/party-35/ (or choose the halloween link-up party…
Oh my mercy, are you participating in the 31 Days series at The Nester’s site??? Your blog is beeeeeeeautiful. You should be, if you’re not already!!
SOOOO pretty! I totally want to make these – would make great xmas gifts too.
Would love if you came and linked up today!
http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/the-humble-brag-link-party-2/
Thanks Jocie!! Heading to the party now.
Yay, Thanks so much for linking up. I totally love these!
Sure thing, Jocie!
Those are really cute; it’s a great DIY gift =)
These are so cute! My wheels are turning now….maybe matching hotpads are in order and placemats….oh….now I just need to get the supplies! Lovin’ this! : )
Hotpads and placemats and chargers, Oh MY!!
Great idea Karah!…I would just like to suggest to readers that you add a circle of felt on the bottom because your recipient may have a table that scratches like mine!
Oooooh, the idea of felt could be a fun addition. I’m happy to say we’ve been using the coasters on 3 different wooden surfaces for over a month now … not a scratch in sight. But we’ve got to protect those scratch prone surfaces.
These are so pretty! I just love them. So natural and elegant, yet rustic. They go perfect with the red wine glass
Thank you so much. I have to agree, red wine is the perfect accompaniment to any coaster.
This is so Great Karah!!
Genius! Love this idea!
What a cool idea, Karah–you can never have too many coasters, and these would make a fantastic gift! Hope all is going well with you–the rains have returned to the Pacific Northwest, so I am getting busy with indoor projects and letting the garden do its own thing.
I think the first few days of crisp weather would be nice … but the deep cold that is headed your way is not my cup of tea. Bundle up.
You had me a SISAL!! hee hee hee. Love these!
hahahaha … next up coasters made of sand
Awesome…I made some of these for the Canvas Corp booth this summer…i used twine, I think sisal looks a little nicer…:)
1/4 inch … I think it was a good thickness for this kind of project
Karah,
Love this idea – just pinned it.
~ Dana
Thanks Dana!! Hope you’ve been well.
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Karah…these are fabulous girl!!!!! Love how they turned out! thanks so much for sharing!!
Bonnie
Hey Karah, Thanks so much for linking up last week at the Humble Brag. Make sure to check tomorrow to see if you were featured and link up some more projects. We will be giving away ad space for the week to one lucky featured blogger. That means thousands of page views a day! Hope to see you there! http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/the-humble-brag-link-party-3
Fun … I love freebies.
Too cute! What a great idea and easy! Thx for sharing!
Leslie
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Love your coasters. I recently did some coiled jute, and I may have burnt my fingers a couple of times.
that’s practically a given for me anytime I use a glue gun.
Hi Karah,
Well the pain is certainly worth it because you have made one nice, beautiful, and unique coaster.
Thank you so much, Rebecca!
I love your coasters! It’s a great project.
Dee
http://alapinlife.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Dee!
This would be such a great hostess gift! A bottle of vino and a set of these coasters! Great if you are lucky to be invited to Thanksgiving Dinner next month!
its quick simple and yet it makes a big impact thanks for sharing
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Great idea!
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Karah, Thank you for joining Homa Style’s Simple Holiday Gift Idea Link Party. It’s hard to come up with new ideas for gifts and you helped with your simple coasters. Thanks! Mark you calendar for the No Red Holiday Decor Link Party on Nov. 28. Plus the 12 Days of Christmas link party December 1st ~ 12th. http://homastyle.com/
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Thank you very much for this awesome DIY! I featured this in my latest blog post (http://whitneygoller.blogspot.com/2012/12/baby-im-coming-home.html). Check it out and let me know what you think.
Thank you for posting quality work.
whitneygoller
Woo Hoo, thank you so much for the feature. Happy Holidays to you!!
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
thank you so much, Megan!!
Thimbles make great finger protectors at times…
that is a great idea!!
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Love your blog and this project with jute – so fun and summery! Just wanted to let you know I featured you in my roundup of jute craft projects here. Feel free to check it out if you want and hope you like it! : )
-Mel the Crafty Scientist