DIY Tropical Placemat and Coaster Set

By: Creatively Beth
June 9, 2021

Living in Florida there is color and inspiration everywhere, but especially in our foliage and
flowers. The vibrant palette of a Hibiscus bloom and the bold patterns of a Monstera leaf are the
inspiration behind this Tropical Placemat and Coaster Set. DecoArt® SoSoft® Fabric Acrylics now
available at Shop.DecoArt.com make this project quick and easy to complete just in time for all
those Summer meals on the patio!

DecoArt's SoSoft acrylics will not crack, peel, or harden even after repeated use and washings. I love how reliable they are, especially for projects like these that I want to get a lot of use out of. And with over 72 vibrant colors to chose from, there's so much you can create using these paints!

Items needed:

• SoSoft Fabric Acrylics 1oz - Christmas Green
• SoSoft Fabric Acrylics 1oz - Bright Avocado
• SoSoft Fabric Acrylics 1oz - Bright Yellow
• SoSoft Fabric Acrylics 1oz - Dark Rose
• SoSoft Fabric Acrylics 1oz - Bright Coral
• DecoArt® Traditions Paintbrush, size 1” Flat and #6 Round
• Canvas Drop Cloth – Heavy Duty
• Scissors
• Black Marker
• Paper Plate or Palette Paper
• Paper Towels
• Container with Water – to wash paintbrushes
• Downloadable PDF Patterns
• downloadable PDF pattern

Instructions:

To begin the tropical placemat and coaster set, remove the canvas drop cloth from its packaging and smooth any deep wrinkles with an iron. Download, print, and cut out the tropical placemat and coaster set patterns. Trace pattern outlines onto the canvas drop cloth with a marker. Cut out with scissors.

Trace the details of the monstera leaf and hibiscus flower onto the basic canvas shapes with a marker.

Start painting the monstera leaf with DecoArt® SoSoft® in Christmas Green with a flat paintbrush. As each section of the leaf is completed, add highlights and accent strokes of Bright Avocado. The SoSoft® acrylics stay wet longer which allows for easy blending of colors. I love to use small paper plates from the dollar store as palettes.

Continue to add layers of Christmas Green and Bright Avocado until you are pleased with the composition of the monstera leaf. I love how the pattern of the canvas adds additional texture. Apply a second coat of SoSoft® in any areas where the marker may be showing through.

Fill in the outer edges of the hibiscus flower petals with Dark Rose. Blend in Bright Coral from the center of the hibiscus flower petals toward the edges into the Dark Rose.

Add veins to the monstera leaf with Bright Yellow using the edge of the flat paintbrush. For a natural effect, make the veining thicker and heavier in some areas, then thinner and lighter in other areas.

Paint the center stamen of the hibiscus flower using Bright Yellow with a round paintbrush. Apply a second coat of SoSoft® in any areas where the marker may be showing through.

I love how quick and easy this Tropical Placemat and Coaster Set was to complete! Once dry, the fabric is still extremely soft and flexible to the touch and I love the frayed edges of the canvas. I have a huge section of drop cloth left, and I cannot wait to experiment with other summer patterns and images. What is YOUR favorite summer party theme?

Be sure to visit Creatively Beth  for more projects and to learn more about Beth.