Mosaic Photo Frame for a Baby Boy

If you are a new mother like me, you would definitely know how precious time is. Since welcoming the arrival of my baby boy, my time has been largely centered around the feeding/pooping/sleeping schedule of Jared. So a lot of projects and me-time have been put on hold the last few months. But now that he's a little older and can amuse himself with his playthings at longer intervals, I find that I can now squeeze in some crafting time (with breaks every now and then when the baby calls).

So I would like to share a project that I've been meaning to do for awhile now - a mosaic frame for my baby. We took this picture of him sleeping when he was just a few weeks old. It's amazing to see how much changes have taken place in such a short time! Do enjoy this little tutorial!

Step 1

Gather the items and tools you will need:

A photoframe

A photograph to fit in the frame

Choose your mosaic tile colours. Blue seems to be the default colour for baby boys :)

These are the tools you will need: tile nipper (optional), square grid,
double-sided tape and some wooden stickers to add to the design.

I find that using a tweezer makes it easier to grab and stick on the tiles. Especially
when the tiles are as small as 5mm x 5mm!

Step 2:

Paste double-side tape on all sides of the frame.

Step 3:

Decide on your mosaic design. Think of these questions:

a) Do I want a conventional (uniform pattern and colours, even spaces) or fun design (no particular pattern, different tile sizes, etc.)? 

b) Am I going to use grout? If yes, you have to leave ample space in between.

c) Does my design match my photo?

I decided on the unconventional, no particular pattern method. I already chose my colours so the next step is to decide how to put the tiles together. Because it's a picture of a baby sleeping, I didn't want it to be too funky so I kept it to muted blues and a neat, but not uniform, pattern. I also decided not to use grout as I liked how the black frame came out with the tile colours. 

Step 4:

Start sticking the tiles onto the frame.

I started off by putting my tiles on the square grid. Then, turn it over onto your frame.

The square grid was also used for this and this projects.

Note: Remember the colours come out the mirror image of what you
first see on the square grid (because you have to turn it over).

Instead, I decided to take the easier route and used 2 tile sizes (10mm and 5mm ones) to create a design. This is my favourite method to mosaic. And this is how a finished section looks like:

It is okay to not have them perfectly straight - it adds to the personality of the design.

Step 5:

Keep on sticking and sticking! This is how the end result looked like:

Step 6:

Glue on some wooden stickers to add to the frame:

All done! My empty white wall now has a beautiful picture of my baby. Do one for yourself today!

Square Art's Year-End Sale!

We are having a sale from now till 31 Dec 2012. Don't miss out on this once-a-year opportunity. Get started on some new mosaic projects or get a gift for a loved one today!

Supplies Surprise!

It's been such a long time since our last post. We've got so much to update you guys! For starters, in July we participated in our first Supplies Surprise Bazaar organized by The Handmade Movement held in Bandar Sunway. It was a great experience as it was our first time joining an event where there were mainly craft suppliers. There were also a handful of handmade sellers as well so it was a great feast for the eyes to see what was on offer.

Here are some pictures to remember by!

Caryn, at our booth. We had DIY kits, tiles, ready-made frames,
wooden stickers and more on sale that day.

One of our first few customers browsing. 

There was also a husband/children corner for the
wives/mothers who were vendors! Here is a photo of
my husband and my then, 3-month-old son.

Sleeping soundly in his little carrier :)

One for the album. Vendors and organizers group picture!
I am the one holding a little baby :)

Interested to join the next one? Details as follows:

Supplies Surprise! Seven
Date : 8 September 2012 (Saturday)
Time : 12pm - 7pm
Venue : Bfree. 12A-3, Jalan PJS 8/11, Dataran Mentari, Bandar Sunway, 46150, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
(for the map please go to this link : http://thehandmademovement.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-get-to-bfree.html)

Introducing our new Combo Kits!

In conjunction with Valentine's Day today, we are going to spread some love around with our new combo kits. 

These kits come with 3 different selections of single-coloured tiles at 15gm per section and 5 wooden stickers suitable for any projects you have in mind. We have started off with the "Love & Hearts Series" for this romantic month and the colours have been specially chosen to reflect that.

Combo 1 - Opaque

Combo 2 - Glossy

Combo 3 - Sparkles

Customize one yourself!

And guess what, you will be saving money with our combo kits! All of them are nearly or more than 20% off the normal price you would pay for 3 different selections of single colours and 5 wooden stickers. Here is the breakdown:

	Normal price	Combo Price	Savings
Combo 1 - Opaque	RM18.50	RM15.00	19%
Combo 2 - Glossy	RM20.75	RM16.00	23%
Combo 3 - Sparkles	RM23.00	RM17.00	26%
Custom	-	RM18.00	-

Combo 1 - Opaque @ RM15.00 each set Dusty Rose (212) Burgundy (304) Soft Pink (220) 5 wooden stickers

Combo 2 - Glossy @ RM16.00 each set Soft Pink (220) Sachet Pink (216) Dusty Lavender (656) 5 wooden stickers

Combo 1 - Sparkles @ RM17.00 each set Sachet Pink (216) Dewberry (661) Carmine Rose (219) 5 wooden stickers To order, just drop us an email at squareart.my[at]gmail.com. There is more combo kits to come so do check back here often or follow us on our Facebook Page! Happy Valentine's Day to all lovers and romantics out there!

Angry Birds Series

(click on image to view it larger)

From L-R - Mini Bag, Coaster/Frame, Notebook - RM16.00 each

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Tealight Candle Holders

(click on image to view it larger)

Tealight Candle Holder (1) - RM25.00

Tealight Candle Holder  (2) - RM25.00

Tealight Candle Holder (3) - RM20.00

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Teapot Flower Vase

(click on image to view it larger)

Teapot Flower Vase - RM40.00

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Mirrors

(click on image to view it larger)

Waves in time (un-grouted) - RM45.00

Love in a Mirror - RM50.00

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Ready-made frames

(click on image to view it larger) Buttons Mania - RM30.00	Island Delight - RM30.00
Coffee & Cupcakes - RM30.00
Flower Shoppe - RM25.00	Mini Photoframe Kit (pink) - RM18.00
Hugs & Kisses - RM25.00	Birthday Wishes - RM25.00
Large Photo Frame (Blue) - RM30.00	Large Photo Frame (Marble) - RM30.00

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Ready-made handmade items for sale

Here are links to our current collection of ready-made frames/items for sale. If you are interested in purchasing one of these, please send us an email to squareart.my@gmail.com. Each of these are handmade and OOAK (one-of-a-kind). Prices do not include postage.

Ready-made photoframes

Mirrors

Teapot Flower Vase

Tealight Candle Holders

Angry Birds Series

LATE POST: Our last stint in 2011 at the Markets.

This post has been long in waiting! Below are the pictures of the last Crafty that we attended in Jaya One on 17th of December. It was a great outing and we had a little elf helper to join us too. As Christmas was around the corner, we showcased a lot of our ready-made frames for sale as gifts and also some Christmas-themed kits.  Thank you to all who came by our booth that day!

Here is Qien, helping us with the booth that day.
Thanks for the great help!

 

Our ready-made frames and displays for sale. Please check out our Facebook page
if you are interested in purchasing one!

Our neighbour, Beadscraftz, checking out her booth.
She sells beautiful handmade accessories.

This was another one of our neighbours, My DIY Little World and Dodo Handmade.
Also selling handmade accessories and beautiful DIY items. 

It was still early but yet look at the crowd! 

We are going to take a little break from craft fairs this year, but if we do join any, we'll let you know! Meanwhile, you can still order from us online through email (squareart.my@gmail.com) or complete our Order Form. Till then, happy crafting~! :)