Teacher Appreciation Gifts: Mixed Media Subway Tile

This next gift is a bit messy to make but very fun. I wanted to create a unique piece for the special education teacher at my childrens' school. Over the years she has advocated for my children so many times. It almost makes me a bit remiss to be losing the amazing team member as my kids head of to high school and special autism programming.

Mixed Media Subway tile:

1.  The base of this project is a white subway tile from Lowe's. I picked up a case of these some years back and have never regretted the purchase. They were on sale for 19 cents each. Seriously. What can you buy for 19 cents these days. 
2. Apply a very thin coat of gesso to the tile. Be sure to keep from going over the same area multiple times as it will actually just take the gesso back off the tile. Let the first coat dry and add a second thin coat of gesso. Dry thoroughly.
3. Using your spray inks (I used my Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists) put a few splashes of colour on the tile. Be sure to make it random. Try using a couple of coordinating colours.
4. Once dry glue a ripped piece of corrugated cardboard down. Be sure to expose the cool wavy pattern. Carefully gesso over the piece. Allow to dry.
5. Glue your favourite metal embellishments to the tile. I used some pretty pieces made by fabscraps. Coat these pieces with gesso and allow to dry.
6. Spray the piece gently with your glimmer mists. Once this layer dried I used Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam to create some intense colour splatters. You can use alcohol inks, paints, glue...whatever you like to add interest to the background.
7. Using the same colours of Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam I painted the chipboard cut out "Heart and Soul" (Fabscraps). When it is dry go ahead and glue it on top of the tile. 

Tada. Great job!

A special thank you to the Amazing Ms. Hannah. Without your persistence and encouragement my children would not have been afforded the opportunities that they were. I will be forever grateful for the role you played in the lives of my children. God Bless. -Tracy

It's That Time Of Year Again : Teacher Appreciation Gifts

I know, it's May....but really now is the time to decide on what you would like to give the teachers,EAs, bus drivers, and team coaches in your child's life. I have a huge list of people that support my children during the school year and that makes it really important to start early so that I have time to finish all the projects and don't end up running out last minute and buying gifts that are less meaningful and definately more expensive.

During the next couple of weeks I will be posting projects that I have been working on. I hope you find some inspiration to get your end of school year planning in gear.

My first project uses a plain canvas tote, a burlap flower, a lace table runner, a bit of bling and Tattered Angels glimmer mists.

You can watch the tutorial here: