Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Make a Mosaic Cross for Easter


In honor of Easter, I've made a mosaic cross with a vintage image of Jesus on it. I bought a cheap wooden cross at Michael's for $1.99. and a small bag of grout in a nutmeg color at Home Depot for about $2.99. I already had a broken tea cup with a fruit pattern on it. I had a clear flat marble from Michael's and I found a vintage image of Jesus online at Yahoo images. I painted the cross with Burnt Umber and then crackled it with Italian Sage from folkArt. I placed the pieces of the tea cup in a ziplock bag and carefully broke them into smaller pieces using a hammer. I cut the picture of Jesus to the size of the marble and smeared glue "Crafter's Pick" from Michael's, right on the front of the picture and adhered it to the flat back of the marble. This glue will dry clear making the picture visable through the marble. I used the same glue to adhere the marble and the pieces of china to the cross. I let it dry overnight before grouting. The next day I mixed a small amount of grout (1 cup) with some water until it was a "frosting" consistency. Wearing rubber gloves, I "glopped" on the grout pressing it in between all of the little pieces of china and the marble. Then I wiped the excess grout off with a damp sponge (not too wet). I let this dry for about 30 minutes and then wiped it off again. The next day I wipe the cross with a soft cloth to buff it and remove any grout residue. It was now ready to hang on the wall! I love it! I made a few others to give as gifts. If you're going to make a mess you mind as well make more than one right? They're so inexpensive and beautiful. I think they look like they came from a church in Florence, Italy or maybe they were found in an old Mission.

1 comment:

Kimmy Gal said...

I wanted you to know that this was exactly what I was looking for to use at a ministry for young girls who have been deeply hurt in life. I plan to have them write their hurts on paper, attach them to broken tile/glass and adhere it to the cross. To demonstrate He takes their hurts and makes a beautiful mosaic of their lives if they accept Him. Thanks so much