“Ciao,” the friendly word for both “hello” and “goodbye” in Italian, makes it the perfect word to greet guests as they come and go from your home. Constructed of heavy duty, indoor/outdoor grade materials (including the adhesive!) this rope mat can be made in an afternoon and adds a hint of quirky international flair to any abode.
Materials:
- 24″ of clear plastic hard surface runner (27″ wide). Sold by the lineal foot at the hardware store
- 1/4″ Thick white heavy duty rope
- 1/4″ Thick black heavy duty rope
- 3/8″ Thick black heavy duty rope
- 5/8″ Thick black heavy duty rope
- Heavy duty double-sided carpet seam tape (Indoor/Outdoor)
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Lighter to cure frayed rope ends
- Printer
- 8.5″ x 11″ copy paper
- Clear tape
Step 1. Format the word “ciao” in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint or other word processor. I used 300 pt Bodoni font, all lower caps. Print out the document.
Step 2. Trim the plastic runner down to a 16″ tall x 27″ wide rectangle.
Step 3. Place the plastic mat face down on your work surface, and tape the “ciao” print out face down onto the center of the mat. Flip the plastic mat right side up and you should be able to clearly see the printed letters through the clear mat.
Step 4. Cut a piece of double-sided carpet tape just long enough to cover the printed letters and adhere to mat. The double-sided tape is VERY sticky, so you’ll want to place the tape down as you go, working from the center outward.
Step 5. Place the white rope down on the adhesive tape using the print out letters as your guide. If rope begins to fray, trim the frayed edges and use a lighter to cure the ends slightly.
Step 6. Once letters are spelled out with white rope, use 3/8″ black rope to outline letters, and 1/4″ black rope for tight spaces in between letters. Try your best to use as much continuous rope as possible (fewer pieces).
Step 7. Once the letters are completely outlined with black rope, lay down additional carpet tape adhesive working your way from the center outward. Switch over to the 5/8″ thick rope and coil around the letters until you reach the outer edges of the plastic mat. (You can also create the entire rug out of 3/8″ rope if you prefer.)
Step 8. If needed, piece in rope on either side of the mat in order to form an overall oval shape.Once you reach one inch from the top and bottom of the clear mat, wrap one continuous rope piece around the entire oval edge of the mat.
Step 9. Trim off the excess plastic mat on the left and right sides. Place at your front door for a stylish way to greet guests whether they’re coming or going!
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