"Tiled" Mirror Frame

Materials:

Magenta's 1" x 1" and 2" x 2" cardboard tiles
Sakura's 3D clear Crystal Lacker
Magenta's tiled frame or mirror
ColorBox's pigment inks: moss green, hunter green, cyan, cerulean, midnight, amber, orange, Chianti, heliotrope, violet, eggplant
Magenta stamps: small foliage, bold rose, bold flower, branch, speckles, crackle
Magenta's Orange Canyon Mulberry paper
white glue
white gesso
paint brush

1. Chart the squares on a piece of paper and color them in to create your pattern (figure A).

2. Place the cardboard squares on the frame in a design that is appealing to the eyes (figure B). In the sample, 3-inch pieces are created with five 1-inch squares and one 2-inch square.

3. Apply a light coat of gesso to each square with a paintbrush. Remember to also gesso the edges that will be showing. Apply gesso lightly; its only purpose is to whiten the cardboard for more lively colors. Let dry.

4. Following the chart, rub pigment inks on the squares, starting with the lightest colors first (figure C).

5. Pat the second colors on the edges of the squares. Let dry.

6. Stamp small detailed designs each square using the darkest colors (figure D). Let dry.

7. Apply a thick coat of crystal lacquer (figure E). cds1444_3f Let dry for at least 12 hours (figure F).

8. Prepare the frame by either painting or covering it with Mulberry paper.

9. Position the dried squares on the frame. Once they are all placed, start gluing them down one by one (figure G).

Tips:

When applying the Crystal Lacquer, choose a room without too much dust, animal hair, etc. They tend to land on the lacquer and sink in.

The stamps you choose can be bigger than the cardboard squares; it gives them a nice look when the design goes over the edge.