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Simple Upcycled Map Coasters Gift Idea

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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!

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  1. Rhonda Gales says:

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

    • Mary says:

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

  2. Carlee says:

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

    • Mary says:

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

  3. Amy says:

    These are perfect.

  4. Baba says:

    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

  5. Sara says:

    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/

  6. Lynn Spencer says:

    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.

    • Mary says:

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

  7. Baba says:

    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.

    • Mary says:

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

  8. Millie says:

    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!

  9. Julie says:

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

  10. Dara says:

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

  11. Amber Harrop says:

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

    • Mary says:

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

  12. 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.

    • Mary says:

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

  13. LydiaF says:

    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 🙂

    • Mary says:

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

  14. Special because his girls made them for him!

  15. Leanna says:

    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.

    • Mary says:

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

  16. 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! 🙂 Lisa

    • Mary says:

      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.

  17. JaneEllen says:

    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

    • Mary says:

      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.

  18. These are adorable!

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

  20. Paula says:

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

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

    • Mary says:

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

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

  23. Brianna says:

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

    • Mary says:

      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.

  24. Mimi says:

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

  25. 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!!!

  26. 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.

  27. 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. 🙂

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

  29. Beth says:

    I really love this! Thanks for sharing.

  30. Betty says:

    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

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

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