How to use leftover tiles as an art project

What can you do with all those leftover tiles when you are finished with that bathroom remodel? Here is an easy art project to do with your children. The finished product will be something you will treasure forever.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tiles- any size or color will work
• scraps of paper
• mod podge
• glue
• paintbrushes
• paint
• various embellishments
• newspaper

1. Prepare your workspace. Cover the table with newspaper. Gather all your supplies. Give each child a tile.

2. If using a handprint, brush each child's hand with washable paint. Turn hand over and firmly press onto blank paper. Make sure their fingers are spread out. This will make a more defined handprint on the tile. Once the paint dries, cut out the hand print. Glue on colored paper if desired.

3. 
   Glue desired paper and handprints to tile.

   Choose paper, stickers, and other flat embellishments to use for the background on the tile. Cut the paper into various shapes. Tear the paper and overlap several colors. Glue the paper to the tile. Glue the handprint on top of the paper.

4. 
   Pour mod podge on disposable plate to make this step easier.

   Using a wide sponge paint brush, coat the entire top surface of the tile with mod podge. Repeat this step several times, allowing each layer to dry before reapplying.

5. Once dry, display the tile on an easel or hang from the wall. Ours are decorating the window ledge in our school room at home.

Tips & Warnings

• Use non-bleed paper when mounting your handprints. Otherwise the handprints may disappear.
• The mod podge remains sitcky for awhile even after it appears dry. Use caution when setting the tiles against other objects. I almost ruined a family portrait when the tiles leaning on the portrait stuck to it!

[amazedanew]

on 3/18/2009 What a cute idea.

[sneedc]

on 12/2/2008 This is an awesome idea, maybe to hand out tiles and paints at the birthday party!!!!! lol thanks !

[sstock1211]

on 10/8/2008 Mod Podge is a glue and sealer in one. It works wonderful for those decoupage type projects. It is found in the craft stores near the wooden shapes.

[changeling]

on 10/8/2008 Excellent creative article - I never would have thought of that. What in the world is modge podge?!

[pmdteapots]

on 10/3/2008 Another good article, Kelly. I need to sign up to do something too. Surely I know how to do something I can share.