I have to admit, I never throw anything out before giving the item some deep thought on what I could use it for. I have a terrific husband who always asks me if I can use an item before throwing it away!This is my story on what I did with leftover linoleum.
After laying linoleum down in our laundry room, I found that we had a good size piece left. Hmmm, I found my mind wandering - I just knew I could use it for something. Then the light bulb came on over my head. I had been wanting a floor cloth for an area in one of my rooms, but after much hunting I found they were very hard to come by and also very expensive.
Linoleum is very easy to cut using a good pair of scissors. Any shape and size can be made. I cut mine to a 4 x 6 foot piece. I flipped it over to the white back side and primed it. Once dried, I painted it. Then I did 3 coats of clear varnish, letting each coat dry thoroughly. I was so pleased with the end result!
I have since made many, many more of all sizes and shapes for myself, family, and friends. I made a town with roads for my grandson and included match box cars. He loved it! I even got ambitious and made a 12 x 12 foot one for my screened in porch. I painted comical insects and dragonflies on that one.
Even if one feels they can't paint, after priming, you can trace with pencil, pictures from coloring books, or other sources. I have even made place mats. I now purchase remnant rolls from home stores. This is a fun project for kids also. Just pre-prime the linoleum for them and let them paint their own pictures. They last for years and make a great keepsake.
By Mary from Palm Coast, FL
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I want to say thanks for all the wonderful comments and I hope you all will give this a try. Don't sell yourself short on your talents and you can always paint one with just designs or trace a picture and paint it.
Laura, I am so excited that you are going to try this. It is addictive and you will find yourself coming up with another idea while you're still working on one! The possibilities are endless. I have included a picture of a 4"x4" one that my granddaughter painted.This one was for us and it's of our truck. She said they are coasters and made 10 of them for family members, each with a different picture she painted. She had a great time doing it and 3 years later, we still have ours. It's a keepsake and it tickles her that we still have it.
Please send picture when (notice I didn't say "IF") you make one. I would love to see it. Go get it girl!
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