Product Review: Glu6

I have been testing out this cool new glue in a couple of my projects this week and figured it was time to write up a more detailed review for all of you (this blog is by no means a product review blog, but when I find something I like I'm going to share it!). Maybe it's the Portlander in me, but I really like that this glue is made from recycled styrofoam (yes, that big blocky white stuff that packages all your electronics etc. That same stuff you thought couldn't be recycled into anything useful!). Right off the bat, this glue gets bonus points for trying to solve an eco problem and giving you a useful product.

I used the Glu6 Craft Paste to make the fish scale patterned placemat shown above. The majority of the paper circles used were punched out from glossy magazine paper, but I mixed in some solid color copy paper circles and a few from card stock as well (to better test out the glue and to add some texture to the final project). The craft paste seemed to work equally well on all 3 types of paper (and is recommended for porous surfaces). It has a pretty slow curing time and a fairly strong orange scent so you will want to follow the recommendations on the package and use this in a well ventilated area. I tried out a few different brush options, including a foam brush, old paint brush and the little wooden applicator provided with the glue itself. Since this glue is not water soluble, the foam brush was a no go--it just got all gooped up in the foam and didn't spread very well. If you are spreading onto a large area, the wooden applicator worked pretty well, but if you are trying to glue something tiny, I found I liked the old hard bristled paint brush. Keep in mind that to clean the brush you have to use something like Goof Off or Goo Gone as again, the glue is not water soluble. This does come in handy if you want to use the glue as a sealer, because once it cures it is waterproof!

I used the Glu6 Original to make these Instagram Coasters. Since this comes in a fine tipped bottle, the application process is much easier. I also found that it formed a tight bond with my paper and ceramic tile (even though my paper was a little porous and this glue is recommended for non porous surfaces). This glue was also pretty spiffy at sealing my coasters, but it does take awhile to cure (I left mine for 2 days before sealing and then another 2 days after that before use). It has the same orange scent as the craft paste, and again should be used in a well ventilated area.

Overall, I really liked both of these glues and will likely continue using them for various projects in the future, especially papercrafts/scrapbooking (I'm kind of a sucker for quirky products that are made in the USA).

All Craftinomicon readers can get 25% off their Glu6 order at Nine Lives Products by using coupon code Fall2013 at checkout until October 31st!

Thanks to Nine Lives Products for providing me with samples of these Glu6 Products for review. I have not been compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Instagram Tile Coasters

I've really been getting more into Instagram lately and have been taking more pictures on a pretty regular basis. I liked some of my instagrams so much I've been thinking of ways I can display them, but we don't have a lot of wall space (my husband paints so my walls are completely covered with very large paintings). So I thought these coasters would be a great way to use my photos in a way that they can be seen but also have an added use! I got ceramic tiles from the hardware store for about 40 cents a piece (yay for budget friendly crafts!) and printed out my instagrams on a laser printer.

I decided to try out this Glu6 original glue for this project as it is for non porous surfaces like tile, it's made from recycled styrofoam and I love a good green prodyuct. It can also be used as a top coat on the coasters because it dries clear and is waterproof after drying (be careful about getting it on your hands, it takes a lot of rubbing to get waterproof glue off those fingers!). I glued my photo directly to my cleaned tiles and let it dry overnight before applying a topcoat.

Once the whole thing was dry I cut a piece of felt to fix onto the bottom of the tile so it won't scratch my tables! You can do several 4 piece coaster sets for under $10! If you don't use instagram, you can easily use images from a magazine, or colorful scrapbook papers to make these coasters as well. They make great hostess gifts, so you may want to keep some on hand for the next get together you're invited to!

Have you made any cool projects with instagram photos?


The glue for this project, Glu6 Original, was provided by Nine Lives Products. Made in the USA (CA).


All Craftinomicon readers can get 25% off their Glu6 order at Nine Lives Products by using coupon code Fall2013 at checkout until October 31st!

Tutorial: Fabric Coasters

Here is the long awaited tutorial for the fabric coasters I have been making recently. I like it better than some other patterns I have done in the past because the final product doesn't need top stitching (though you could certainly add some if you wanted). These make a great hostess gift, so you may want to start stocking up now for all those Holiday functions coming up at year's end.

To begin, you will need to cut out 5 squares of fabric per coaster (as you can see I generally use 3 different fabrics in each coaster- a bottom fabric and then 2 squares each of top fabrics). I use 4" squares, you could certainly go a little larger, but I wouldn't recommend making them any smaller due to seam allowances (you do want to be able to use them, after all). I also cut out a 4" square of cotton quilters batting (you could substitute felt as well, I recommend the polyester kind as it is washable).

Once you have your piece cut out, you will want to iron each of your 4 top squares in half. Now you will have 4 strips that are 4" x 2", as well as your bottom and filling.

Next, you will layer your strips to make your top coaster piece. If you are making a set and want to make sure your top layers look as similar as possible, I would recommend layering all of your coasters at the same time, this way you will know that you layered the yellow on top of the red (in this example) the same way each time. To layer, make sure your folds are all to the middle of your coaster and the raw edges are on the outside edge. Try to get your fabric strips as snugly together in the middle as you can, if you leave large gaps you will be able to see your batting on the final project.

Once you have your top pieced together, you will layer your coasters to be sewn. Each coaster should have the batting or felt on the bottom, followed by your square of bottom fabric (wrong side touching the batting), and finally your woven strips (as pictured above).

Pin each coaster together to prevent any movement while sewing. Again, make sure to keep your top strips as close together in the center as you can. Sew around the entire outer edge. You will be using the center of your coaster to turn out your final project, so no gaps need to be left for turning (and hence no top stitching will be needed!).

Once you have sewn all the way around your outer edge, remove pins and clip off excess batting and fabric. As you can see, I cut off a little extra at the corners to make them less bulky in the final product.

Finally, turn out your finished coasters and press them flat with an iron. I use a crochet hook to push the corners out more evenly. Voila! Quick and easy coasters with no top stitching needed!


I generally use fat quarters and make matching sets, but you could make patchwork coasters out of any 4" x 4" scraps you have lying around. Squares not your thing? You could follow this tutorial with the same steps by cutting out circles instead (I might make my circles slightly larger, 5" or so) and make sure to clip around the edges before turning to get an smooth edge.

I'd love to see any of the projects you make off the site! Feel free to join Craftinomicon on flickr!

Shop updates!

Hey everyone! I just got some more of my Rainy Day fabric from Spoonflower in the mail today, and I wanted to let you all know that my April Showers Bring May Flowers coasters have been added to my shop. So, if you didn't win the May Giveaway Day contest, and just have to have some of these for your very own, they may now be obtained! I am also working on some new Patchy Derm the Pachyderm stuffed toys that should be up by next week.


I hope you are all having a great weekend, the sun has finally come out this weekend in Portland and we are scheduled to have our very first 80+ degree day today! I'm sure I will fit some crafting into the sunshine and relaxing. :D


I am way behind on some projects I started months ago (for shame!, I know) but I am hoping to get lots done this next week so stay tuned for some exciting new projects.

May Giveaway Day! Coasters

Happy Monday, everyone! More importantly, Happy Giveaway Day! As part of Sew Mama Sew's May Giveaway Day, I am going to be sending these "April Showers Bring May Flowers" coasters! As you can see if you have been in this neck of the woods before, the back of the coasters uses my own Rainy Day fabric design from Spoonflower.com.

Now, on to the giveaway!

If you would like to enter to win these handmade coasters just post a comment at the bottom of this blog entry and tell me: What are you most looking forward to this summer?

A family vacation? Barbecues with friends? Picnics on the beach?

Entries will be accepted through May 25th at 9pm PST. A winner will be drawn at random and announced on the blog the 26th.

Prize will be shipped internationally, though if you live outside the U.S. and Canada please allow extra time due to customs.

Thank you for entering and good luck!

To enter more May Giveaway Day giveaway's go to Sew Mama Sew!

Crafty Super Bowl!

It is Super Bowl Sunday, so what better day to do a Packers themed craft? I myself was born in Green Bay, so we are going to ignore any other team that may be playing in this year's game. I decided to whip up these coasters as a Super Bowl party hostess gift (Who does that? Super Bowl hostess gift? I can't help myself). The top stitching around the "G" was a little harder than anticipated, and I was in a hurry so they look a bit less than stellar, but I am overall pleased with the outcome on a 30 minute project start to finish. You could, of course, make little football fields for coasters as well and just stitch in the yard lines to keep it simple.