This is a fun project that children would enjoy. Everyone can make their own place mat or you can make a set of custom mats. This project is fairly easy.

First decide what you want the background of your place mat to be. If you want these to have some stability, poster board cut to size, will work really well. These can be made so many different ways, it’s really up to you. If you chose to use poster board, you can draw or stencil on it. You could also glue silk flowers or pictures to the poster board.

Once you have the poster board the way you want it to look, you can either apply clear shelf paper or have it laminated at your local copy store. If you want to avoid having these laminated, you can purchase a role of clear plastic shelf liner. Cut 2 pieces of liner per mat to fit your project, leaving about 1 inch on all sides. Start by laying the back piece sticky side up on your work surface. Make sure you have your project lined up properly, allowing 1 inch on all sides. Slowly lay the poster board on to the sticky sheet, starting with one side, slowly working to the next, trying to avoid air bubbles.

After you have everything in place, flip it over and carefully remove any air bubbles ( a spatula or credit card work great). If you have any bubbles that you can’t get rid of, take the tip of a sharp needle and lightly puncture the bubble. Drag your spatula across the bubble, allowing the air to escape. Once you have the back of the mat smooth, flip it over. Carefully lay the other piece of sticky paper on to the mat, working one side at a time, making sure everything lines up. Remove any bubbles, as you did for the back. Trim off any edges, leaving at least 1/2 an inch on all sides.

Another way of making these without poster board, is to lay a piece of the shelf paper sticky side up on your work surface and just place the items you like directly to it. Place another piece of the sticky paper directly on top ( sticky sides facing each other). Remove air bubbles and trim the edges. Now you have a personalized place mat.

*NOTE: I would avoid putting any plate that may be too warm on these place-mats.

Supplies Needed:

• Clear sticky back shelf paper (omit if having laminated)
• Pictures, silk flowers, any flat item you chose
• Poster board (optional)
• Scissors
• Paints (optional)
• Stencils (optional)

These are beautiful and make a wonderful gift. I purchased a dried floral arrangement from my local craft store.

The arrangement I chose, consisted of flowers in various colors, eucalyptus, babies breath, sprigs of wheat and other grasses. These can also be made from silk flowers and foliage.

Begin by separating all the different types of flowers/foliage into piles. Make sure to make two equivalent piles. You will want each side to mimic the other. I always start by laying the longest pieces down first and layering from long to short, by piling the shorter pieces on top.

If you decide to use dried flowers, I suggest you cover your work surface with newspaper, for easy clean up. Choose a large enough area to work ( a kitchen table is ideal). I always lay my pieces out and arrange them several times, till I get the look I want, before I hot glue or wire them together. Clip any pieces that may be too long.

When working with dried flowers, I prefer to start with the eucalyptus, they tend to be longer and fuller, making them the perfect backing. Start by laying the eucalyptus stem to stem (end pieces touching) overlapping in the center. The amount that will overlap will vary, depending on the length you want your finished piece.

Once you have all the back pieces where you want them, attach them by using your hot glue gun or craft wire. Continue the same way with all your other pieces, gluing or wiring them together as you go. Once you are happy with the way your swag looks, glue a few loose flowers to the center. A wire can be twisted to the back, for hanging. Finish it off with a ribbon. I like to use raffia as ribbon with these projects.

You can also make a floral arrangement, giving the appearance of a bouquet. Once you have the flowers in the desired position, tie the stems together with raffia or bow and simply hang it on the wall by twisting a piece of wire to the back.
For a nice added touch, dab a little bit of scented oil on your flowers, your favorite perfume or room deodorizer will work also.

If you have decided to use silk flowers and foliage, the technique will stay the same. Craft wire will work best but a hot glue gun can also be used.

Supplies Needed:

• Dried flowers or silk flowers/foliage
• News paper (for work surface)
• Hot Glue gun
• Glue sticks
• Craft wire
• Raffia or ribbon
• Scented oil, perfume or room deodorizer (optional)