The absorbant coaster shown below shows off just one of the great looks you can create using the texture-making tools and materials we explore in this article. It’s play time!
This article is about following your muse - wherever it may lead you. Often, the materials you are working with will have so much versatility that they suggest a variety of other possibilities. If you have the time, it’s a great idea to follow along - you are bound to have fun and learn things at the same time.

We started this project with the idea of making absorbant coasters again. Our last article on coasters was so popular that we wanted to explore a different look. We didn't really have a specific result in mind - we just knew that the materials would lead us to one sooner or later. Let your imagination be your guide on this journey.
Beginnings:
We used some of our own products (described here) because we wanted to run them through their paces for future show demos, but you can substitute any similar materials you might have (see the materials list below). The Texture Pack contains nineteen pieces of textured or embossed papers for making heat-embossed foam stamps or for impressing polymer clay, and one piece of styro packing foam that is great to use as a texture stamp by itself . The Texture Tools package includes the styro packing foam and two pieces of heat impressionable foam (like Penscore only thin enough to cut into shapes) - one with a smooth surface and one with a mezzotint texture which doesn’t go away when the foam is heated.
Materials:
These materials and paint colors will get you results very similar to ours. Obviously, results will vary if you substitute materials.

Unglazed bisque tiles, 4 inch (actually 3.75") (Cre8it or tile or hardware stores)

Color:
Plaid Glaze Vernis (craft stores in the wall stencilling/stamping area) - Antique Bronze

Acrylic Craft Paint - we used Delta Ceramcoat in Santa Fe Rose and Golden Brown

Inkredibles Pigment Ink (Royal Burgundy) or any permanent, waterproof ink. Inkredibles have to be heat set to be waterproof.

A Penscore Block (Now called Magic Stamp, we think - from ClearSnap). They are blue “bricks” of heat impressionable foam available in most stamp stores. We chose this brand for the size (2.75"x3.75"). Magic Mold blocks (Artseeds) can also be used, but the size of your printed area on the tile will be different. You can also cut a piece of fun foam to size and mount it on an acrylic block. Fun foam does not hold an image in quite as much detail as the other foams, so we do not prefer it.

A thin sheet of heat-impressible foam. We used our own brand, but you can substitute the Magic Stamp sheet (ClearSnap).

The sheet of textured styro packing foam (included in both the Texture Pack and Texture Tools packages from Cre8it) or something waterproof with a fine pebbled texture - at least 4" square.

A small acrylic block (and a large one of you are using fun foam) and Scotch Removable Poster Tape (double stick) for holding your “stamps” to the block. We are using a clear mount because placement is pretty critical.

The Leaf Pattern sheet from the Cre8it Texture Pack (or some similar texture source - you could even try laying out your own arrangement of real leaves from your garden, but make sure they are leaves with deep texture.)

Adhesive-backed Felt Sheet (craft store). If you can’t find it, try running a thin sheet of craft felt through your Xyron machine.

Tools:
Heat Gun, sharp scissors, styrofoam disposable plates, make-up sponge, flat ended clay tool or old credit card.
Now, roll up your sleeves and get ready to have fun. We’re going to make our own images, stamps, and even stamp pads - so that we can create *whatever* comes to mind. . .
Turn Page