Today is "Inspire Your Heart with Art" Day

According to the Days of the Year Website, January 31 is "Inspire Your Heart with Art" Day. I have always loved these pictures of my nieces and nephews playing with the Chihuly exhibit at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis, IN.

Chihuly's glass artwork seems to lend itself very nicely to mosaics, don't you think?  Here are a couple of samples made by Tami Potter, too!

What kind of art inspires you?  Try to incorporate it into your mosaics and be sure to share with me on my FB page:  Minerva Mosaics with Tami Potter's Mosaic Moments

January 29th is Puzzle Day

In celebration of Puzzle Day today, I'm  thinking about mosaics (of course I am!!).  I have always thought that Mosaics reminded me of puzzles - in the sense that you're putting together all the little pieces to make a bigger image.

In particular, Tami Potter has designed a set of FREE DOWNLOADS that contain Crossword style letters that you can print out to fit in your one-inch grid squares.  Here are some samples of finished products using the Crossword Puzzle concept:

The one above came from Tami Potter's website and I found the other two on Pinterest.  This might be one of those rare occasions where it makes the most sense to use the 1" square punch as opposed to the traditional count and cut technique.

The alphabet downloads are scaled to fit on the one-inch squares and they are FREE with a purchase from the Snap-n-Crop Link to the right of this post on my blog.  

Have you already made a puzzle mosaic?  If yes, I would be honored if you would share it with me on my FB page:  Minerva Mosaics with Tami Potter's Mosaic Moments

Lego Day

This is an older post that I am sharing again today in honor of Lego Day!

The top layout here is one that I am working on for a class / workshop. The bottom layout is one designed by my friend, Erika, and featuring a Lego version of the Titanic.

We've all talked about how learning the mosaic technique, and making mosaics, changes the way we take photographs.  Well, it also changes the way we shop.  Obviously, Erika and I both saw this Lego paper and though "Mosaic!"  (heck, the potential is BRIGHT as day!)  Yet, we took two totally different approaches to design/layout.

I tried to use a lot of colors and arrange them to make the patterned paper pop!  This is something I do for class layouts at scrapbook stores - I cover all the squares with patterned paper so that pictures can be added in using the paper as a mat only, or the spaces can be left exposed with just the patterned paper showing.  However, upon closer reflection, I think before I take this one "on the road" for a class, I would take out more of the patterned paper and use more lego photos.

Erika used red lego paper and she painstakingly cut the 1/8" segments from between the little 1" squares so that the paper would line up directly with the long horizontal strips across the bottom.  By using only the red paper, she puts a lot more emphasis on the photographs and the title.

Just more proof that while they may seem somehow "formulaic" - mosaics give you so much FREEDOM in design.  How can 10 x 10 1" squares do that?  I don't know, but I love it!


Here's another one she shared with me after the original post!

Have You Scrapbooked Your Christmas Pictures Yet?

Back before Christmas, I shared several Christmas layouts that I've made in the past.  I know that there are scrapbookers who are "caught up." I'm not one of those scrapbookers - I am not caught up and I hope I NEVER am so I will always have a variety of photos waiting for me to scrap!

I'm wondering if YOU are all caught up?  Have you already scrapped your holiday pictures?  You might consider using some Mosaic Moments Page Kits for variety or to speed up the process.  With page kits, all of the pieces are already laser cut when they arrive.  You just punch them out, adhere them on the grid paper, add your pictures and VOILA, you're done!

Mosaic Moments has offered a large variety of page kits over the years - here are some samples of current and past page kits to inspire your creativity.

I apologize that the images are a little blurry - but they are still useful for layout ideas, color schemes and inspiration.  Tami Potter frequently introduces new page kits - the ones that are still/currently available for purchase can be found by clicking on the snap-n-crop link to the right on this blog.  

Squirrel Appreciation Day

Seriously?  There is such a thing as Squirrel Appreciation Day?  I'm so excited!  I have a pet squirrel that I throw my scraps out to at my office.  I call him "Munchie."

I made this cute little layout on a 5 square by 5 square RTC (Ready to Cut) grid paper.  These RTC papers make great cards and accents for your scrapbook pages, but they can also be easily slipped into the We R Memory Keepers pocket pages alongside your other photographs, memorabilia and inserts for pocket page scrapbooking (similar to Project Life).  Using the snap-n-crop link to the right-hand side on this blog will allow you to purchase RTC papers in a variety of sizes and colors, as well as an assortment of We R Memory Keepers pocket pages.

I, myself, am new to the pocket page scrapbooking trend.  I would love to see any pages where you have created mosaic elements on your pocket page layouts.  Please share with me on my FB Page at Minerva Mosaics Scrapbooking with Tami Potter's Mosaic Moments.

Today is Popcorn Day!

In celebration of Monday, January 19th, 2015 being Popcorn Day, I am sharing this fun movie layout I made featuring stamped images of Riley the Moose and Hot off the Press Popcorn printed paper:

January 15th is "Hat Day"

According to the Days of the Year Website, January 15th is Hat Day!

Do you or someone you love wear hats?  Mosaics are a great way to show off the textures of a hat collection - whether they be made of yarn, straw, felt,  etc.  I encourage you to create a page featuring your favorite hats and share it it on my FB page: Minerva Mosaics with Tami Potter's Mosaic Moments.

NEW DIE PRE-SALE!!!

Mosaic Moments has introduced some fun new dies to add to your mosaic die collection.  They are on Pre-Sale now through this Sunday, January 11th for delivery in early March.  Please contact me via FB if you are interested in purchasing.  Everyone who purchases through me will receive FREE GRID PAPER!  You can also purchase through the snap-n-crop link to the right of this post!

The strip die will normally be sold for $29.99, but during this 25% off sale, you can pre-order it for just $22.49.

This die will cut your 4x6 photos into 1" x 3 2/8" strips for use in making panoramic style layouts like you see below: