Coastermatic coasters are a great way to seal existing memories in stone, but why not set out to create the kinds of coasters you'd like in your home - or as unique, personalized gifts?

Here are a few questions that'll help you plan the perfect coasters:

*Who are they for?

*What role would you like the coasters to play (conversation starter /  memory sparker / homeware)?

*What space are they likely to sit in?

A great set includes coasters that complement each other in some way, whether that be through color, theme or subject (etc.) For technical tips on taking great photos via Instagram, check out this post by our buds at Photojojo.

For inspiration from fellow Coastermatic users, check out these great sets by Phillip Hess, Chris Cannon and Taylor Allen.

Good to go? Why not start a set!

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As you might've picked up from our Q&As, we love hearing the stories behind the photos on your coasters. Some of our favorite sets have been the ones that capture moments from special events or holidays, like this great collection by Sam Christie, and this one by Phillip Hess.

July 4 is right around the corner, which we think is a prime opportunity for capturing fun times with friends and family. Keep Coastermatic in mind while you're snapping your pics - you never know what great moments you'll be able to set in stone.

Just be sure to snap a pic of the finished set and tag us on your social media of choice!

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New Yorker Phillip Hess planned a special trip to Maine with his grandparents, then made his grandma a set of coasters using images from the trip. The photos below were taken by his grandfather, Robert Sumner, who taught Phillip photography.

CM: How did you find out about Coastermatic?

PH: My friend had some out on his coffee table and so I asked about them.

CM: What's the story behind the images on your coasters?

PH: One morning I decided it would be really great to take a trip with just my grandparents. So I called them and suggested Bar Harbor, ME. Maine, specifically Mount Desert Island, is one of my grandparents' favorite places to visit and I had never really been (since the last time I was there with them was when I was about one). It seemed perfect for me to experience some place so beautiful for the first time with two people who knew it well, loved it greatly and had many stories to share from the places we'd visit.

We had an unforgettable trip and I wanted to give Grandma something that she could remember the trip by but that was also unique to our visit. Coastermatic seemed like a perfect choice. I picked four images (of the 1,700 I took) that I felt represented the trip best and ordered the coasters for her birthday. You can tell the one of Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is her favorite by the stains from heavy use!

Been looking for a unique gift for someone you love? Personalise your own set of coasters here.

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Indulge in a little armchair travel - and plot your next escape - with these amazing travel blogs. We love them for their great photography, which of course we can't help but imagine on a set of coasters…

Classe Touriste is the blog of journalist Debbie Pappyn and photographer David De Vleeschauwer. Debbie also recently launched the One Day One Photo blog, which sees her post one photo every day she travels. Both Debbie and David are excellent photographers and boy do they get to some great places!

Lost in Cheeseland is the blog of Philadelphia to Paris transplant Lindsey Tramuta. As well as being one of the best-named blogs ever, Cheeseland is a fun collection of stories and images from Lindsey's travels and life in France.

Making a strong case for the joys of slow travel and living simply, the Harteau family document their life on the road at Ouropenroad.com. With their daughter Colette, Emily and Adam left California a year and a half ago in their VW Westfalia (pictured above) and haven't looked back.

Now you've teased your itchy feet, why not scratch them a little by turning some of your favorite travel Instagrams into tangible mementos: coasters. Go on, start a set!

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This set of coasters by Sam Christie captures some great memories. He tells the tales here!

CM: Any stories to recount behind the images you used?

SC: I was in a band from grade school to high school and parts of college called Counterfeit Pennies. We played a festival called Bamboozle in 2007 and put out a few EPs. This was the first t-shirt we ever made, with the original spelling of Counterfit. If you want to relive our glory days check out Counterfeitpennies.bandcamp.com.

The sandcastle picture is one I had built to propose to my fiancée. It's figures of Belle and Adam (the beast) from Beauty and the Beast. We were living in San Diego at the time and this was at a hiking spot called Torrey Pines. I had the castle built so you could see it at one of the hiking lookouts over the beach, it was about 6ft tall and "Marry Me Jess?" was written really huge in the sand near the castle so she could see it.

I bought a small guitar from Toys"R"Us, told her I was giving her guitar lessons at the lookout, then played the song from The Wedding Singer for her ('I Wanna Grow Old With You'). Then I took her to the spot where she could see it in the sand and proposed. We filmed the whole thing as well, it was pretty epic.

CM: How have friends responded to your coasters?

SC: They love them! It's a very unique (and affordable) way to share memories in a creative way.

Coastermatic coasters are a great way to capture memories. Choose your favorite Instagrams and create your own set!

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