To start my New Year’s resolution, I checked out a book from the library called Perfect Paper Mosaics by Susan Seymour. She’s awesome, by the way! And being afraid to bite off too much, I wanted to try a small simple inexpensive project and thank goodness for that because I put this project right up there with paying bills! I bought a cardboard box from Michael’s for a couple of bucks (spray painted it black) and a poster board for .49, so I really don’t have anything invested (thank goodness) because this flopped! As you can tell I couldn’t even muster up enough enthusiasm to finish. It just looks bad…..so very bad…
At the start, I used spray adhesive on the front side of a black poster and the back side of my shiny decorative paper, put them together and used a brayer to get out the air bubbles. After that dried, I marked off 1/4 x 1/2 in. cutting grid on the back side off the poster. I cut the tiles by hand using a metal ruler and a wallpaper knife. It look good as I was cutting, but as I was gluing the pieces to the box it became the beginning of the end. The pieces weren’t even by tile or row. So, I had to stop.
If I really want to complete a paper mosaic, I will have to invest in a rotary system that has a cutting mat as well as a slotted cutting grid that is made for sewing and quilting. If I wasn’t planning on making curtains for the house or a desire to refashion clothes. I wouldn’t even bother. The system could get pretty pricey, but I’m seriously considering it. So, there still maybe be a project in me yet. I guess we’ll have to wait and see, but for now I’m moving on.
Carol Ottaway 
I can’t really even see it to comment, a bit too small my dear. But, I know I struggled with a similar project although it wasn’t mosaic. The glue was the problem and I am racking my brains to think how I accomplished it in the end. I used a bog basic free box, if you go hunting on my blog, I converted it into a mystic box for my son for photos. I am pretty sure the spray glue was a flop and I used the tacky white stuff in the end which was much more successful. Not my best project either …..but, I wouldn’t mind having another go….I think you need too as well 🙂 Mind “mosaic”, how to make things difficult, LOL
It was too sparkly for a good close-up and you know I can’t take a good pix even under the best of circumstances,lol…I will definitely have a look see on your blog. The spray glue worked great, but it was very messy and sticky! I didn’t like the the prep time at all. I will give it another try after I have healed from all of the paper cuts. I agree, I’m going to turn the library book back in and just make it up as I go, lol
Methinks it would take you a long time to find, I forget how long I have been blogging!
http://chrissymaries.blogspot.com/2008/07/mystical-box.html
Don’t be fooled by the image, the spray glue side was naff. It got better in the places where I used the white tacky stuff….but it might inspire you to have another go, you could use one of your zentangles for the top 🙂
Thank You! The box is so beautiful and I’m sure he loves it! I have some white glue and I’m going to try that. Yes, You’ve inspired me to give it another try:)
Some projects are just for learning and all evidence should be destroyed. I have those types of projects too!