I have gotten *A LOT* (that's an understatement) of requests on how to do these. First of all, let me say thank you all for your kind words - and your patience until I got home from work to post these instructions...
Gallery Link if you're curious
PHOTO TILE DIRECTIONS:
Materials Needed:
*Tumbled tiles (I used 4"x4")
*Tissue Paper (just the kind for wrapping gifts)
*Favorite Pictures & photo editing program
*Modgepodge
*Acrylic Sealer (I used Patricia Nimocks Clear Acrylic Sealer)
*Top Coat (I used Rust-oleum Clear Top Coat)
*Sponge brush
*Small Circular Clear Page Pebbles (I used Making Memories)
Step-by-step:
1. Wipe tiles with damp cloth to get the powder residue off of them.
2. Cut a piece of tissue paper to a couple 8.5"x11" (or smaller) sheets of paper.
3. Iron your cut sheets of tissue paper to make them completely smooth.
4. In your photo editing program, make your pictures 3.5"x3.5" and turn them to greyscale.
5. Import your edited photos into a word processing program. You'll be able to place them better on an 8.5"x11" format. Leave space between each photo. I was easily able to get 6 of my photos onto a single sheet of paper.
6. Tape (or use your mono) your tissue paper onto a sheet of printer paper.
7. Print out your pictures onto the tissue covered sheet of paper. (I found that putting the preferences on the highest quality setting worked best and provided the best image on the tissue).
8. Remove tissue carefully from the copy paper.
9. Tear around your pictures (I found that using the Tearing Edge made the process go faster & easier to get a straighter tear).
10. Apply a very light coat of modgepodge to your tile.
11. Being extremely careful, center and press your tissue onto the tile. Remove bubbles carefully to avoid tearing the tissue.
12. Let dry.
13. Spray 3 coats of the Acrylic Sealer. (let dry between coats)
14. Spray on 3 additional coats of the Top Coat. (I found that the top coat put a thicker seal - and removed any roughness from the tissue that may be there) (let dry between coats, and at least one hour after final coat)
15. Put page pebbles on the bottom of the tile to protect surfaces that the tile may be on. (I found this more efficient and pretty looking than using adhesive on felt. The pebbles come with adhesive on the back and look really professional).
Tada!
Also... I found a square paper box at Walmart (for $0.97) that has a scalloped lid and can be decorated as well. I wrapped the tiles in tissue and placed them in the decorated boxes... tied with a ribbon and Voila!
Have fun!
How I did the Photo Coasters in my gallery
This is just perfect!
