I came across this unique idea on a great blog called Make It A Wonderful Life. It was simply too cool not to try out, and the great directions ensured everything worked out well. The end result reminds me of the old tin ceiling tiles which were popular in the late 1800′s and early 1900′s, during the Victorian era. While there aren’t so many vintage ones left, there are plenty of modern versions you can view on the internet.
Materials
- cardboard
- pencil
- Aleen’s Tacky Glue
- glue stick
- aluminium foil
- cotton swab
- black shoe polish
- old rag or paper towels
Instructions
1. Select a piece of cardboard to use as your base. I used foam core and mat board because I happened to have scrap pieces lying around, but any cardboard will do. Avoid using corrugated cardboard, as mentioned on the blog where I found this project, because the lines may show through. Although for some designs, this may add an interesting texture. To be explored…
2. Any subject will work for this project eg. animals, faces, words, abstract designs, etc. Have children make a few sketches to explore their ideas, making sure they keep it simple. Details will be added later on. Using a pencil, make the drawing on the cardboard.
3. Glue can now be added on top of the pencil lines. The purpose of the glue is to create raised sections which will show through the foil when added on top. Aleene’s Tacky Glue was recommended because it doesn’t spread out as much a regular white glue. Again, keep any details to a minimum or it will be difficult to work the foil around them. Allow to dry completely.
4. Once the tacky glue has dried, cut a piece of foil a few inches larger than the cardboard, so you have enough to fold towards the back. Take the glue stick and apply it either to the side of the foil you will be covering the drawing with, or directly on top of the drawing. Press the foil on top and fold all four sides to the back. Using your finger, gently press the foil down so it adheres to the cardboard. It’s very important to do this gently so you don’t break through the foil…like I did!
5. Now use a cotton swab to gently press the foil around the glue lines so the shapes become more visible.
6. Once finished, use a dull pencil (too sharp and it will break through the foil) to add any extra details by pressing gently onto the cardboard. A variety of shapes such as lines, swirls and circles will add wonderful texture to the piece.
7. Finally, cover the entire surface with black shoe polish, and wipe off any excess using an old rag or paper towels. It will settle in the grooves and highlight any details you have added. It will also darken the colour of the foil. I added a link in the materials section to show the type I used because it worked very well. The sponge applicator made it easy to apply.
We were truly impressed with the results and look forward to making more. Thank you to makeitawonderfullife for sharing such a great idea.
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Hi! I’m so happy to see you enjoyed our foil art project! (Thank you too, for crediting my blog post!)
You’re welcome Stephanie. Couldn’t have done it without you!
Awesome: thanks for sharing this on facebook
Thanks Domestic Goddesque!
This is superb! I like it..
Thanks Creative Mind!
I am intrigued and now my brain is working overtime coming up with ways to use this technique! I’ve used hot glue to create texture on glass vases then covered it with decoupaged tissue, so it is similar. Love the contrast and texture on your projects!
Thank you for your comment! I love your idea of using hot glue on glass. Definitely sounds similar because it creates raised areas which are covered with another material. Can’t wait to try this out!
Found you on Get Outta My Head, Show It Off Link Party 10.
So doing this craft. Following your blog.
http://nashvegasgalsgaragesale.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NashVegasGal
Thanks for visiting Teressa. On my way to visit your blog!
This is such a fun idea, so many possibilities! Thanks for linking up at So Very Creative, I featured this today.
http://soverycreative.blogspot.com/2012/02/foil-drawing.html
Wow, thanks so much for featuring me Heather! You made my day
That’s so cool! I really want to try this!
You’ll love the results. I think it’s one of those no fail projects that looks good no matter what you do.
this is so cool! I would love you to add this and any other posts you want to show off to my What We Wore and Made party over at http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/search/label/WWWMW
Glad you like it Marissa, and thanks for the invitation!
This turned out so beautiful. My buddies are too young but I want to make one for ME!
Thank you Suzanne. I hope you do end up making one for yourself!
Pinned this! These turned out really beautiful, I can’t wait to try.
That’s so nice of you to pin this, Rachel. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy trying it out yourself.
This is so cool!! And I have all the supplies on hand. Pinned! I’d love for you to share this at my very first link party.
http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/2012/02/terrific-tuesdays-link-party.html
Thanks Rachel. I’m sure what you make will look great, and I look forward to your first link party. Thanks for the invitation!
What a neat idea. This would look cool as ceiling tiles too. Great job!
Thanks Jen. I agree, it is a neat idea and I’m glad I came across it.
This is the best idea I have seen in a long time! Maybe because I love art…and feel like I am running out of fun new ideas! Thanks!
Thanks Sherri. I felt the same way when I saw this idea, and just had to try it out.
Wow! I wanna do this now! (To bad office work doesn’t allow it.)
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Donata! If only we could have little professional development moments at work where we could explore whatever we wanted
What a neat idea! It is beautiful! Thank you for sharing it at Sharing Saturday! Have a wonderful week!
Thanks Carrie, and for hosting your parties!
ultra fascinating! i feel like doing this NOW!!!!!!! : )
So glad you liked it Andrea!
this is awesome! I’ll have to go look at the original bloggers as well… I want to do this but I think my daughter would enjoy doing this with me as well. Looks great!
Thanks Jennifer! Your daughter will love making this. Mine certainly did.
Featuring you tonight over on my blog. You were one of the top viewed links at last week’s party. Congrats!!!
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/02/wow-me-wednesday-38-50-pick-your-plum.html
That’s exciting! Thanks so much Ginger
Oh now that is beautiful! I’d love it if you would share this with my readers for Fun Stuff Fridays. Would you please link up? http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/02/14-days-of-valentines-fun-stuff-fridays_10.html
I’d be happy to. Thanks Lindsi!
This is awesome!!! It was the most viewed link last week at Whatever Goes Wednesday at Somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. I am featuring it today! Grab my “featured” button.
Thanks so much for featuring this Michelle!
Thank you so much for linking up to Mommy Solutions last week! Your post was the #1 most clicked item linked up! Congrats and thank you so much for sharing with me and my blog readers.
Stop over and share something else. This was a great project!
Crystal http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2012/02/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-31/
Thanks so much Crystal! You’ve got a great blog and I’m happy to be part of your link party.
I forgot to tell you that I also gave you a pin on Pinterest and I”m following you, too!
Cool! On my way to visit your boards…
This is AMAZING!!! It was my favorite link up of last week for sure!! (and I can’t wait to make this ourselves!!) I featured this at TGIF this week – http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/2012/02/tgif-linky-party-17.html – Come stop on by & grab an I was featured button & link up whatever you’ve been working on this week!! Thanks again for linking up & sharing your creativity with all of us!!!
Beth =-)
Thanks so much Beth for featuring this project! I really hope you enjoy making it
Fabulous idea. Stopping by from Sun Scholars.
Thanks for dropping by!
Wow! Those are super cool.Thank you for sharing!
So glad you dropped by Dionne. Thanks!
Thanks for linking up to Serenity Saturday
Hope to can join us again tomorrow
Natasha
http://www.serenityyou.blogspot.com
What a great idea! I hope you don’t mind my pinning this for future reference.
I also love the idea and was thrilled to come across it on another blog. Thanks for pinning the project!
Wow is that cool. I would love to feature your project on my “best of” kid’s activities for the week. May I have your permission to use one of the photos? Of course I will credit and link back to your posts!
If you are interested I’d also be happy to add you to a group Pinterest board I organize: http://pinterest.com/zina/growing-creative-kids/
Would you email me and let me know your thoughts?
Thanks for your consideration.
Thanks so much Zina!Yes, you have my permission to use any photos you like, and thanks for asking.
Wonderful! I am so excited to share tomorrow. I am smitten with the project: http://letslassothemoon.com/2012/02/23/the-weekly-kids-co-op-playdate/
Hey lady!
I need to update some Pinterest stuff, but would still like you aboard. Would you email me when you have a sec so we can chat? z
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I did not read through all the comments so I apologize if someone already suggested it but if you want to do this without waiting for glue to dry, you can use modeling clay. I’ve done a lesson like this with 6th graders. You model clay into the designs/shapes, lay them on the cardboard, and then cover it with foil. I like the shoe polish; we used ink when we did this. I’ve also had the kids color with permanent marker. Your examples are beautiful.
Thanks so much Joanne! In certain situations, it’s not always practical to wait for the glue to dry, so clay sounds like a wonderful idea. Thanks for your suggestions
Wonderful art idea. Will make for sure!
Thank you Carmelle!
Cute idea. I am seriously wondering if I can do this with a glue gun on my ceiling & spraying the finished work with spray varnish!? Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Karla. If you manage to pull that off, it would be amazing! You might be wearing a neck brace by the end of it though.
SoooooOoo PRETTY!!!! Possibilities are endless!!
I sure hope you’ll share this on The DIY Dreamer:
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/02/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-5.html
I’d love to Christine. Thanks!
What a cool idea! I love how simple it is but how professional it looks! Thanks for sharing! I’m featuring these on my site today! I hope you’ll stop by to look!
Jen
Thanks so much Jen. I’ll definitely drop by!
AMAZING! Can’t wait to try it with the kids this weekend!
Should be lots of fun. Good luck!
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Jen, just wanted to let you know I tried to leave a message on your blog, but was unable to. Hopefully you’ll see this one. Just wanted to thank you for featuring me, and that I enjoyed your blog!
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This is really cool! When I saw the pictures I thought they were tin ceiling tiles! Definitely have to try this out soon. I wonder if hot glue would be easier to use than Tacky glue? I have trouble with it drying out in the bottle and then it’s so hard to squeeze.
Thanks Stacy. Hot glue sounds like a great idea. You wouldn’t have to bother waiting overnight for glue to dry. Must try that out!
Hi! I stopped by again! About Stacy’s idea of using hot glue- I’ve done it that way, but the raised line was thicker, which led to kids tearing the foil more frequently. So glue gunners, keep that in mind!
That’s great to know. Thanks so much for the tip Stephanie. We’ll just have to patiently wait for the glue to dry
I love this idea and have been looking for an idea for a headboard to mount on the wall. I feel this would be a great idea to try.
I cannot find how to sign up for your blog. Please email me and let me know. I love your idea. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Nancy, and I hope everything works out with your headboard. To follow my blog, simply scroll down to the bottom of the page you are viewing, and there should be a follow button on the right hand side. Just click on that and you’ll receive emails whenever there is a new post
Nancy, I just made it easier to follow my blog. At the top of the side bar, there is a place where you can add your email address to receive notifications when there is a new post. Thanks for signing up!
What’s old is new again! Did this art project 35 yrs ago. Nice to see it get new life.
Thanks Pam. I had no idea it had been around for so long! I guess it’s become one of those classics.
Oh, lovely!
I made simular but I first crumpled (dont know if it is the right word) and then flatered it out whith a rolling pin. And used black acrylicpaint. I think shoepolish make it more beautiful. Must try soon. And I used hotglue for the raised parts. I am too eager to wait for the glue to get dried.
Thanks Marianne. Sounds like crumpling the foil would add a really interesting texture. Great idea.
Thanks to your inspiration I made two pictures this morning.your way. One whith shoepolish and one whith oilpaint. I think they came out rather good.
Marianne
That’s wonderful! Will you be posting them on your blog? I’d love to see them.I’m also curious about how the oil paint turned out.
I’m wondering if typing/ printing a wise saying with the computer and then gluing over it, may make a new twist on this. Also, kids who have a hard time coming up with their own plan could just glue lines on top of a coloring sheet. Soon they would get the courage to draw on their own. (I have had kids cry when asked to draw.)
It’s true that some children feel intimidated by the thought of having to create something. The suggestions you made can at least give them the confidence to try out the technique, which is a lot of fun. Like you said, maybe next time they’ll be adventurous enough to come up with their own design. Thanks for dropping by.
Love fun and cheap ideas to do with kids
I agree. It doesn’t take much to provide creative opportunities.
I love this idea! I think we will try it this week!
Thank you. I hope everything works out well and that you’re pleased with the results
I loved this idea.I Pinned.
Love from Türkiye.
<:))
Thanks so much for pinning it. I’ve visited your beautiful country and totally fell in love with it! Hope to go back one day
Thanks artclub. Why not, you are welcome to my contry.
Kiss
<:))
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can’t wait to try this, I bought a 60 yr.old home and have wanted to use tin tiles,but finances prevented me. This should work perfectly,will let you know how it turns out!
I would love to know how it works out. Sounds like a pretty big project, but how amazing if you manage to do it yourself!
Love it. Looking forward to trying it with my kids
Hope the kids have fun doing it
Love your blog! Will definitely follow you
Thank you!