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

Mixed Media Basics Lesson #1: Gesso

This is the first in a series of mixed media tutorial that I will be doing to help creatives that want to jump in to creating mixed media masterpieces but are not sure where to start.

I think it is important to use the materials that you have on hand when you are first beginning as you may find that it is not for you, and there is nothing worse than spending your craft budget on materials that you won't use again.

A quick search on Pinterest or Youtube will yield a swathe of recipes for Gesso, texture paste, mod podge, paint sprays and more. Though sometimes it is actually cheaper to buy the product ready made rather than buying jugs of the ingredients, if you have everything on hand it makes sense to make your own pastes and sprays.

So let's begin on our mixed media exploration. Lesson 1: Gesso

When you are feeling comfortable be sure to create this project along with me.

You can get the free image from Gecko Galz here

June's Incredible Free Digital Image from Gecko Galz

My Grandma's Teacups Mixed Media Basics Lesson #1

This is the first in a series of videos introducing the basics of creating mixed media projects. Be sure to subscribe to the Youtube channel to be notified as soon as the next episode is posted.