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Simple Upcycled Map Coasters Gift Idea

June 21, 2015 by boondocks 64 Comments

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Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and husbands of my readers!  We know we could not do it without you, taking care of the family and also all those projects that require heavy duty electrical power tool usage. 

Coaster Gift Idea from Upcycled Maps​

We do a lot of decoupage around here. From decoupage on plastic bottles, or refinishing a shelf with paper, we are big users of the sticky stuff!

Gift Coasters made from mousepad and maps, Father's Day Worldly Coasters www.theboondocksblog.com

So this year my daughters decided to give their dad a hand crafted gift for Father’s Day. They made these thoughtful coasters with maps superimposed on them. The maps are of locations that their dad has been to, so the gift has special meaning for him. 

To make the coasters, they simply used an old mouse pad, cut it up in circles, and using Mod Podge, glued the map onto the mouse pad. Then finished it off with a few more coats of Mod Podge.

Coasters made from mousepad and maps, Father's Day Worldly Coasters www.theboondocksblog.com

My husband liked his Happy Father’s Day Gift of Worldly Coasters so much he doesn’t want to use them.  He wants to preserve the memories!   What did your husbands or fathers get on this special day?

This gift also reminds me of this upcycled map keychain idea. Oh, and you have to see how I used a map to refinish the inside of a vintage suitcase!

If you like what you see, share it with your friends, or save it on Pinterest. If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures twice a week in your mailbox.

I love it when I get your comments and I will reply to them. ​Please do not add a hyperlink to your comment, otherwise we cannot publish it.

Filed Under: Decoupage, Gift, Re Purpose Tagged With: decoupage, gift idea, upcycled, upcycling

Previous Post: « Pieces of a Table - Κομμάτια του Τραπεζιού
Next Post: Colorful Summer Wreath - Πολύχρωμο Καλοκαιρινό Στεφάνι »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. At Rivercrest Cottage

    September 5, 2015 at 6:57 pm

    that’s a great idea for gifts. I think it is personalized to perfection.

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 6, 2015 at 7:12 am

      Thanks for your sweet comment. My husband loves them so much he hid them away!

      Reply
      • UpstateNYer

        June 15, 2017 at 10:33 am

        Don’t hide them away! Frame them and display them. πŸ™‚

        Reply
  2. Audra @ Renewed Projects

    September 5, 2015 at 10:47 pm

    Great idea on upcycling a mouse pad! Never would have thought of that. The coasters are a fun gift idea.

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 6, 2015 at 7:13 am

      Audra, and the best part is they are so personal for him only.

      Reply
  3. Miss Manitas

    September 6, 2015 at 10:35 am

    Supercute idea!!

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 6, 2015 at 1:05 pm

      Thank you for your sweet words and thanks for visiting.

      Reply
  4. Steph @ The Silly Pearl

    September 6, 2015 at 11:20 pm

    I would love to make a set of these to remember our summer vacation in Hawaii. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 7, 2015 at 4:57 am

      Steph you get me. This is exactly why my husband will not use them, he wants to preserve his memories. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. Paula

    September 8, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    Love these! Very creative idea!
    Paula
    http://www.redwineandpeonies.com

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 9, 2015 at 5:52 am

      Paula, thanks for your sweet words and for visiting!

      Reply
  6. adventuresofacavemom

    September 9, 2015 at 10:20 am

    What a thoughtful and creative gift! No wonder your husband loves them so much!

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 9, 2015 at 4:51 pm

      Thanks Cave Mom (love your blog name) for your sweet words.

      Reply
  7. DixeWestMissy

    September 9, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    These are adorable!

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 9, 2015 at 4:53 pm

      Melissa, Thanks for your sweet comment.

      Reply
  8. Brianna

    September 10, 2015 at 8:55 am

    Those look great! I kind of want to make some for myself.

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 10, 2015 at 12:23 pm

      Hey Brianna, they were so easy to make and he just loves them. Now I’ll have to make another set so we can actually use them.

      Reply
  9. Betty

    September 11, 2015 at 2:43 am

    What a great idea. I love to travel and this is a perfect gift for a traveler or a Dad…Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop.
    Joyously,
    Betty @ My Cozy Corner Co-Hostess at katherines Corner

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 11, 2015 at 6:56 pm

      Yes Betty my husband was very happy with them. Thank you.

      Reply
  10. Beth

    September 11, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    I really love this! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 11, 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Thank you Beth. So happy you stopped by.

      Reply
  11. Emily @ The Benson Street

    September 12, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    What a fun idea. I love it. Thanks for linking up at the Monday Funday Party.

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 13, 2015 at 1:00 pm

      Thank you Emily!

      Reply
  12. Sarah Eliza @ devastateboredom

    September 12, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    How cool that they show locations that are special to him! Awesome project. And the “heavy duty electrical power tool usage” line made me laugh. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 13, 2015 at 1:02 pm

      Sarah Eliza, I kid you not, those things are scary, with all that noise and bluster!

      Reply
  13. Sonja @SustMyCraft

    September 13, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    What a great way to capture those memories. I love old maps…they are a work of art in themselves. Thank you for sharing on #HomeMattersParty.

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 13, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      Sonja, thanks for dropping by, I’ve been really getting into them lately myself.

      Reply
  14. Nikki Frank-Hamilton

    September 13, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    I love maps. and to make something that really means something to dad? The best gift ever! Sure looks like your daughters have inherited their mother’s talent!!!

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 14, 2015 at 12:42 pm

      Nikki, they each have their own talents. And I chrish them for it. Thanks for your lovely words.

      Reply
  15. Mimi

    September 14, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    You are one clever lady Mary! I love this project to bits. Thanks for sharing at Five Star Frugal this week. Love, Mimi xxx

    Reply
    • Mary

      September 15, 2015 at 6:15 am

      Thanks Mimi, it’s always a pleasure to visit you and read all your fun and informative posts.

      Reply
  16. JaneEllen

    November 8, 2015 at 11:00 pm

    Really like those coasters with maps of where your hubs has gone. I’d have to do some hunting to find maps of all places my hubs has been, he was in Air Force Jolly Greens Rescue and Recovery. We were married 3 1/2 weeks when he was sent to Viet Nam. He had been few places before he met me. Our first date was 10/18/68 and we got married on 11/30/68 and he left for Viet Nam on 12/26/68. 47 yrs. later as of end of this month we’ll be celebrating our 47th. Anniversary. I had 3 very young kids when we married and we had one when he came home and we moved to Colorado Springs, Co after he got out of Air Force.
    Maybe I can find maps of places he’s been on Graphics Fairy. That would be first source I’d contact. Really nice coasters, hope I can make some for my hubs. Happy week

    Reply
    • Mary

      November 10, 2015 at 2:02 pm

      Thanks so much Jane Ellen. Congratulations on 47 happy years together. I still have a way to go before I reach 47, I’m on 27. I hope you can find some maps on Graphics Fairy, or even if you Google it. Good luck, I’m sure it will be a wonderful gift for him. Mine loves them so much he won’t let us use them.

      Reply
  17. Millie

    June 1, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    what an awesome idea! I love maps, not sure why I never get around to doing a map craft. This is more special since they used places he has been. Sweet!

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 10, 2016 at 4:55 pm

      He loves them so much he has hidden the coasters and won’t let us touch them.

      Reply
  18. Baba

    June 6, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    Love this idea. I’m going to make them but not for any special occasion. I showed them to the Mayor and he likes them. I think I’ll use them as props for my food blog. Great idea. Oh, you could even use cork or existing coasters that aren’t in such good shape. Thanks for the idea.

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 10, 2016 at 4:56 pm

      That’s a great idea Baba. And yes using old coasters is a great way to upcycle them.

      Reply
  19. Lynn Spencer

    June 7, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    Mary, this is such a great idea! I think Terry would love something like this showing all of our travels as well. I chose this post to be my favorite this week on From The Archives Friday. Appreciate you coming by and sharing your familiy’s creative projects.

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 10, 2016 at 4:57 pm

      Thank you so much Lynn. It’s always better to try and personalize the gifts so they have meaning for the reciever.

      Reply
  20. Sara

    June 13, 2016 at 2:52 pm

    Thanks for letting me include this project in my Father’s Day round up! You can check it out at http://www.biscuitsandburlap.com/2016/06/13/10-diy-fathers-day-gifts/

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 14, 2016 at 1:46 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that, I’ll be right over.

      Reply
  21. Baba

    June 20, 2016 at 6:30 am

    Hi Mary
    I was looking at this project again and a thought occurred to me. We have the grandchildren for a lot of the summer and this would be a fantastic project to do with them.
    Thanks

    Reply
  22. Amy

    June 12, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    These are perfect.

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 13, 2017 at 2:43 am

      And super simple! Thank you Amy!

      Reply
  23. Carlee

    June 13, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    What a lovely gift idea and perfect for Father’s Day!

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 14, 2017 at 3:20 am

      Thank you Carlee. He has them tucked away as a momento and won’t let anyone touch them Lol!!

      Reply
  24. Rhonda Gales

    June 15, 2017 at 11:04 am

    I love these coasters. They would make a great gift for the traveler as well as a Father’s Day gift.

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 15, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      Yes they would Rhonda. My husband is really happy with this gift. It spoke to his heart!

      Reply
  25. Julie

    June 16, 2017 at 6:05 am

    I love a good map project, these are lovely and timeless too.

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 16, 2017 at 11:53 am

      Yes they are those places are not going to move any time soon! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  26. Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing & Crafting

    June 16, 2017 at 10:39 am

    I love these coasters! I always love anything with maps, but the fact that they are also made from old mouse pads is just fantastic! Your daughters did a great job! πŸ™‚ Lisa

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 16, 2017 at 11:54 am

      Thanks Lisa, their dad was so excited he took them and hid them away so no one would ruin them. But I think it’s time to take them out and use them.

      Reply
  27. Leanna

    June 18, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    What a wonderful personalized gift Mary. Using a map of the locations your husband has been is such a memorable way to remember them. Travel is such a blessing I am sure he enjoys lots of memories when he uses these. Great idea lady.

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 19, 2017 at 2:50 am

      I had no idea he had traveled to so many islands in Greece till I saw this gift. Lol!

      Reply
  28. Charlotte Burkholder

    June 18, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    Special because his girls made them for him!

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 19, 2017 at 2:49 am

      Yes indeed. He was so touched by their thoughfulness.

      Reply
  29. LydiaF

    June 19, 2017 at 8:20 am

    I came across a store that sold cork in sheets and thought, that would be good for coasters. I like your idea to cut up an old mousepad so much better! Great result from this easy and thoughtful project. Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 19, 2017 at 6:20 pm

      Thanks Lydia, I’m always trying to use what I have around the house instead of buying more supplies.

      Reply
  30. Linda at Mixed Kreations

    June 19, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    Cute coasters! Your daughter did a wonderful job on them. Clever idea of using an old mouth pad. I don’t think that I would want to use them either.

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 19, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      Hah! I am going to take them to the new apartment. They will look great there with all the map decor.

      Reply
  31. Amber Harrop

    June 20, 2017 at 10:18 am

    Clever idea and could be good for someone who loves to travel too

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 20, 2017 at 11:35 am

      Exactly, Amber before my husband and I married he had travelled extensively all over Greece so this is a tribute to his travels.

      Reply
  32. Dara

    June 22, 2017 at 7:13 am

    This is a great idea! ibwould never have though to upcycle a mouse pad into such a personal gift!

    Reply
    • Mary

      June 23, 2017 at 5:14 am

      You just never know what can be repurposed.

      Reply

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