(Click on the image to get a larger, more detailed image.)
To make this piece, I layered two pieces I had previously made. The backgound was made with a garden picture I love. The top layer is the gold piece with jagged edges. Both were made using a similar method that is very simple. I've described the steps below and included links to the tools I mention. The links are safe to use. They should only take you to images. I have no connection with the companies who sell these products.
1. Cut the image into pieces. The bottom layer I went for straight lines, so I used a Fiskars Paper Trimmer. Using the ruler on the trimmer, I could make "tiles" that were all about the same size. The top layer I cut in all sorts of shapes just to see how it would look.
2. For the bottom layer, took a piece of cardstock (paper would do, too) and ran it through a Xyron machine. This handy gadget can do several things, but, in this case, I had it put a layer of adhesive on the cardstock. You don't have to have a Xyron machine to do this. You could use a spray adhesive. You need something that isn't goopy, though, so the paper tiles don't curl.
3. I set the paper "tiles" on to the paper so that there were gaps between each pieces. This left adhesive in the areas between each "tile."
4. I poured embossing powder over the design so that all of the areas with adhesive were covered with powder. I dusted off and saved the embossing powder that didn't stick, then used a heat gun to melt the embossing powder. In the larger picture, you'll be able to see brown "grout." This is the embossing powder.
5. For the top layer, the one with the gold background, I didn't worry about "grout." I just used a glue stick to glue the "tiles" to gold cardstock and let the cardstock look like the "grout." I cut around the finished piece to leave a border the same width as the "grout."
6. I glued the two pieces together. To finish it off, I had a package of sayings on vellum. I chose one I thought was appropriate and glued it as the final layer.
I've never attempted to describe how I create the art I create. This is my first. I hope you find it helpful in creating your own art. While this piece sounds tedious, it was certainly worth it. I loved creating it, and it sure beats cutting ceramic tiles and mixing up real grout!
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Comments: 6
3M puts out a spray adhesive that I think is pretty good. You'll just want to take it outside to do the spraying or you'll have stickiness everywhere.
The finished product is as thick as you want it to be. You can mount it on cardboard, matte board or foam core board. You can keep layering image upon image....and add a few stickers or wooden or metal charms for fun.
You could certainly frame and hang your finished piece. If you don't want to pay for a custom frame (I've learned by experience that this is expensive!), go shopping for frames first. You can find some inexpensive ones at Target and sometimes at a dollar store. I've purchased a few in the dollar section of Target that are really nice. Don't worry about the color of the frame, you can always paint it to match whatever you make.
I've made some cards using this technique. They were so fun to do! You can even re-use images from the Christmas cards you received last year! I'll see if I can find some of my pictures and upload them to the Collage group.