How Do I?

Simple Steps

How do you create a photo mosaic using your own photos? Watch our video for simple tips to success.

Can I buy the Quick Glance Cutting Guide?

In Designing Photo Mosaics and More (page 93) there is a permission to copy the Mosaic Moments Quick Glance Cutting Guide onto a transparency for personal use. For those of you who do not have easy access to a copier The QGCG is now availble to purchase in the tools section at SNAPNCROP.com.

How do I clean my Mosaic Moments Mat?

It is easiest to clean the "goo" off of your mat immediately after use. The longer the adhesive residue is left the more aggressive the adhesive becomes.

What to use:

• Goo Gone cleaner (Where to find Goo Gone)
• paper towels

I squirt a little Goo Gone on my mat and let it sit for a few seconds before rubbing in a circular motion until all adhesive has been dissolved. Then, I use a second paper towel to dry the mat.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not use solvents or abrasive products on your mat. They may damage the printed surface.

Why should I use a Mat and Knife to cut my photos?

Our Mosaic Moments cutting mat and a craft knife is actually faster & friendlier, for cutting photos into one inch squares, then using a square punch.

In my step by step instructions, (book page 14) step one is to apply Herma Dotto removable adhesive - I recommend four lines of the adhesive because you want to get a little glue on every inch of your photo. The adhesive will keep your photo in place on your mat and allow you to (step two) quickly cut the photo.

Faster: Instead of thinking of cutting each individual square - think about cutting strips.

After applying adhesive, place your photo on the Mosaic Moments self healing mat (lining it up with the grid lines.) Cut one inch strips in one direction, turn your mat, and cut one inch strips in the other. Using this method cutting is quick and easy.

Friendlier: When you finish cutting, your photo will be sectioned into one inch squares that are temporarily stuck to the mat - each piece remains in its proper order - ready to be transferred to the grid paper.

Before cutting, you are able to see where cuts will be made and make adjustments to avoid cutting through faces. (See our Mosaic Moments Quick Glance Grid Guide - page 93)

After cutting the photos, I slide a Lil chizler between my photo and the mat to lift pieces and then (step three) mount them on the paper. (The adhesive is all ready on the back of the photo - just check to make sure you have enough coverage on each piece and stick it down.)

Using Your Mat and Organizing Pages

Mosaic Moments Grid Paper is the ultimate scrapbook page organizer.

The key is the simple grid system printed on every sheet of Mosaic Moments paper. Once you master the system you unlock the key to making fast and fabulous page layouts every time!

How do you unlock the system? Use your Mosaic Moments Cutting Mat to COUNT & CUT - it's that simple!

To explain, first lets look at a finished page detail. Note that each photo square is sized to one inch. Between each square there is an eighth inch gap.

The Mosaic Moments Cutting Mat is printed with a coordinating system. Thick lines are printed at one inch marks. Thinner lines are printed every eighth inch.

Now, when you want to cut photos to cover more then one square the rule is you will always have one less gap then you will squares.

cover 1 square width = 1 inch

cover 2 square width = 2 1/8 inches (count 2 thick lines and 1 thin line.)

cover 3 square width = 3 2/8 inches (count 3 thick lines and 2 thin lines.)

ETC.
 

The following images are a few ideas for how you might choose to fit a few photos together using a 12x12 format. I made the pink squares transparent so that you can see the number of squares and gaps covered. 

Once they are cut to size, arrange elements on your page lining them up with the grid lines (so that the lines do not show.)

After you have placed your largest photos use the remaining space to add titles, journaling, and embellishments.

The great thing about organizational systems is that they have been figured out for you. They offer success when you follow a few simple guidelines.  Using the Mosaic Moments page layout system guarantees success.

Happy Scrappin!

Print journaling on a paper tile

We all love the Page Kits.  They are quick and easy right out the box and allow for your own personal style should you choose.  How do you get your computer to print the journaling or a title on a Paper Tile?  Here is how I do it - it is quick and easy and requires very little computer know how.

First, in MicroSoft Word create a Text Box the size of your paper Tile.  Here is a handy Tile Sizing Guide for your Text Box Size.  Now you can quickly size your Text Box to the exact size of your Paper Tile.

2 1/8 = 2.125  (2 Squares)

3 2/8 = 3.250 (3 Squares)

4 3/8 = 4.375  (4 Squares)

5 4/8 = 5.50  (5 Squares)

6 5/8 = 6.625  (6 Squares)

7 6/8 = 7.750  (7 Squares)

8 7/8 = 8.875  (8 Squares)

My Paper Tile is 2 squares by 3 squares.  I created a Text Box in Word and sized it 2.125 x 3.250.  I typed in my journaling and printed it off on regular printer paper.

 

I use a repositionable adhesive to adhere my Paper Tile directly over the printing.  Make sure the top edge of your Paper Tile is securely adhered so it will not get caught or damaged in your printer.  Place the printer paper back into your printer and print again. (Make sure you set your Text Box for no lines around the outside edge of your Text Box)

Now line up the Paper Tile on your grid paper and you have custom printing on your Tile!

 

Wild about White

Is it possible that WHITE could be your favorite grid paper color? 

Now, it is not only possible but very likely!  Thanks to our newest discovery, Walnut Tintz and Ink by Fiber Scraps, you can quickly create a handmade, custom grid paper that suits your photos and your mood.

Here are a few tips to make it easy:

• place your grid paper on a large sheet of scrap paper to protect your surface
• tap the applicator tip on scrap paper to get it fully loaded

• "paint" stripes across the page running off the side of the paper onto your scrap paper.
• "splats" are created by tapping the applicator onto the paper until the desired size is achieved

• let the paper dry upside down to minimize curling - I like to weight the corners with the tintz bottles (it dries very quickly!)
• if needed, you can roll the paper in the opposite direction to flatten paper (it will curl slightly)
• make sure you do not tint the paper so heavily that you can no longer see the grid lines
• use the tintz to ink the edges of your paper tiles, tags and Cornerstone backgrounds.
• experiment and have fun!

 We would love to see what creative uses you discover.  Tell us or send photos to contactsnc@msn.com.

Happy creating!

Adhere Cornerstones

Cornerstones are laser cut paper embellishments that add color, interest and texture to your layout or paper crafting project.

Cornerstones can have small areas to apply adhesive so what is the best way? We vote for Hermafix Dotto Repositionable Dots.  The dots roll on to even the smallest areas without leaving excess globs, strings or glop. 

If you do not have dots in your crop bag, please put them on your shopping list.  They are also an essential part of the mosaic process.  If you have found a different brand that you love, that's fine too.  Just remember - Dots Rule!

Share your latest Mosaic Moment

We LOVE seeing what you are doing. It truly makes our day. So, if you are even thinking about sharing with us, please do. 

How?

We encourage you to post your pages on our Mosaic Moments facebook page.

Just click on the facebook button and go to "photos" to add your Mosaic Moments Designs.

If you don't have a facebook account it is easy & FREE to start one.

Looking forward to hearing from you!