I really love mosaics. However, I have never gotten "into" them due to space, time and a fear of becoming so obsessed I break all my dishes to use on projects. (I am only half kidding).

I also love decoupage. I've been thinking about 2 ways to create a mosaic look without the cutters, tiles and grout. This is the first one and it requires only a few tools and it's very easy. (The second version will be added soon.).

This version is a great diet aid because instead of munching in front on the TV at night, you can work on this.



The pot on the right is one I found at a Ross store in the clearance section because a stone was missing on the other side. It's not created all that well but I liked the happy look. I lean towards primary colors but you can create your faux mosaic in neutrals, pastels etc. if that is your style.

Ready? Let's begin!

TOOLS
Old magazines or books with images
Scissors
Tweezers
Mod Podge Gloss (I'll call it MP from here out)
Paint Brush
Acrylic paint (for faux grout)



PAINTING "GROUT"
Next, find your object your want to "mosaic". I used a small cardboard birdhouse from a craft store for my first experiment. Next time I will make my grout lighter perhaps and work on a much larger piece.

I used a dark gray craft acrylic but you can use whatever color you like. This is the only project I've completed so I am learning with you.



** You can decoupage on wood, some plastics, glass, china, ceramics...a lot of surfaces! Modge Podge is my favorite decoupage glue.

CUTTING "TILES"
Grab all the old magazines you have, a pair of scissors and a container for organizing your "tiles". I used an egg carton but will switch to see through plastic containers I think.

**I set up a TV tray and sort of listened to a cooking show while I cut my "tiles". Normally I eat during cooking shows.

**Find patterns you like. You'll be so surprised when you begin. The patterns are throughout magazines and the solids are on many pages as backgrounds. I used images of dishes, wallpaper backgrounds, clothing, towels and sheets. I plan to make an all flower one soon.

**I cut the pieces of paper in smaller pieces but I think what I may do from now on is cut them into larger sizes and cut the shapes as I need them ... realizing that each project will require different sizes of "tiles".

** I may also try to cut less perfect shapes next time but not sure how I'll do that. In "real life" the little birdhouse really looks like it's mosaic but in the photo it doesn't when enlarged.



DECOUPAGING THE TILES
Now the fun begins. Lay out all of the same pattern of "tiles" in front of your project.



For a uniform and still haphazard look, you'll want either a little consistency or none at all. Don't make this too perfect. I almost did. I had to remove some wet "tiles" with the tweezers. I had the gray area between the "tiles" much to uniform.

Pour a little MP into a small container. (I use the tops of spice jars.) MP drys quickly so just use a little at a time. Using your small brush, paint MP in a small area on your project and pick up with the same brush, a piece of your already cut "tile".
( Sorry about the blurriness of a few photos...I was also trying to take pictures for this tutorial as I worked.)




Lay all the "tiles" of one pattern all over your project in a random fashion.



I found a small strip of stripes for some tiles and cut them up to add to my pile to use for this project.

Continue adding various "tile" patterns onto your project. About half way through, I felt it needed something funky so added the black and white cow pattern and then I decided it needed a light plain color...the yellow background of a magazine ad was a perfect balance. Tweezers work great for laying down your "tile" too.



One last coat of MP to your project and you're all finished! It works as a sealer too!

**After all of this work, I hate to put it in the sun because the colors might fade. I'll put mine under the cover of my balcony roof instead. But I'm making a test piece to add to the balcony ledge to see what happens in rain and sunshine.

**I may add some flat stones here and there when I open up my bead box.



Happy "Mosaicing". Be sure to show any pieces you make in this method.

Wow Becky, that is soooo cute! And thanks for the great tutorial!

Woo hoo! I was patiently waiting until you finished, this looks REAL! Fantastic idea!!!

I've only used Mod Podge once and unfortunately it wasn't 100% successful. I'm wondering though, do you think pieces of fabric would work instead of magazine or book images?

Debbie,
Fabric might work but it isn't stiff...it might bunch up...but, shoot, try it!

Okay, you've got my mind racing...what if you used to spray glue to attach the fabric pieces first?

I know when I picked up my first jar of Mod Podge I was so confused! Who knew there were so many formulas? I just checked, there's one for fabric!!! I'll be checking my fabric scraps soon!

I got some triple thick acrylic spray that I may try this on.... This is great Becky. wow!!!!

Great tutorial Becky! It's exactly what I did to my flowery bowling ball only I cut the magazine photo's into large pieces and didn't leave any space between because the bowling ball color was ugly ... if I had painted it first I could have done it exactly as you did that cute bird house! I LOVE Modpodge!

Thanks everyone~

Lin, your bowling ball sits outside ...did the colors fade?

Yes Boo ... faded really fast in Florida's intense sun, every bit of color is almost totally gone. It's dirty and peeling. I hope to re-do it in the future when I have time and put a few coats of sealer on it and keep it in a shady location.

This is what the sad thing looks like right now:

It is sad but kind of pretty. Do you paint? You could paint flowers over the flowers....

Paint? Me? ... LOL, I can't even draw a straight line much paint a picture ... I'm even bad with a spray can of paint! I might peel off the paper on this one and do mosaics. I have another bare naked bowling ball in the shed that I thought about covering with pennies a couple of years ago, but it still sits, as a bare naked bowling ball!

If you lived closer I would see this as a challenge and teach you!!!

Now, that would be fun! Love that gazing ball!

That's your ball, Lin....I copied it and painted it in the paint program on the computer.!

Ok, you really got me ... I should remember to always click on the image to see the larger version! But, it's still pretty with your "painted" blooms!

I just found some old picture frames to do this faux mosaic tile in! Need more time!

Plantlady!

I would never have thought to doing mosaic and decoupage in one project. Love the idea and of course it is going to be one of my projects too. Many years ago we did decoupage, still have a couple of my mom's pieces. I'm really excited about doing this now. I even thought about using decoupage on a BB.

Debbie, you asked about using fabric. My mom used to use Elmer's glue on her material which stiffens it then you can cut the pieces out. It surely would work on decoupage. Just brush the glue all over your fabric, let it dry and then cut out to your heart's content.

So many cool additions to this. My frames are looking awesome.

I've got a question for you Becky. Since my first Mod Podge attempt this past winter wasn't a real success I'm a little paranoid about my next attempt! I've been working on a photo frame for my grandson's room. I mosaic'd a crocodile on one side, actually looks more like a lizard but that's not my real problem. The crocodile/lizard looks kind of lonely so I thought I would add clear glass gems with Mod Podged initials under them. Printed out the initials and tested them under the glass but because the gems are curved the letters were all distorted. So....figured I'd try printing a 'banner' with the pretty background I designed for the letters and Mod Podge it? Question is...do I, or should I, Mod Podge the whole frame or is it possible to just apply it to the banner? Do you think it would look too messy if I did just the banner versus the whole frame? After all the time I spent on the crocodile I don't want to wreck the whole thing with another disastrous Mod Podge attempt.