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Our Top Tips To Have A Mess-Free Mosaic Party

2/15/2024

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Mosaics are so much fun to make, but they aren't the tidiest DIY project you can work on, especially for kids. That being said, there are many ways to make cleaning up for mosaic projects easy! This post covers three tips for having a mess-free mosaic party so you can focus on all of the fun mosaics have to offer. Let's get into it!

1.

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Aprons aren't just a life-saver for baking or painting; they're great for mosaic making, too! With glue and grout in the mix, things can get really messy, so keeping your clothes clean will be necessary!

Stay tidy in style with a personalized apron for all of your participants! Etsy has loads of cute, customizable options to choose from. You could also take matters into your own hands and get some cloth aprons and fabric pastels from Blick Art Materials to write your guests' names and make some doodles on the aprons just for them! These are so easy to use because you draw out your design then iron the drawings to seal and protect them!

2.

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Grouting a mosaic can get quite messy, so having something to cover your work surface is a must to make clean-up seamless. If you're not too keen on buying something specifically as a table cover, you can easily use things like cardboard or parchment paper.

Suppose you're like me and love adding special touches to your party while staying practical. In that case, this flashy holographic tablecloth from Amazon comes in many colors and is a fun addition to any party! If you're in the market for something a little simpler but just as good, try this waterproof tablecloth that also comes in a variety of colors!

3.

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​When it comes to mosaics, paper towels and napkins can be very helpful for clean-up, but baby wipes are the holy grail for mosaic-specific use! 

Not only do they easily clean grout off of hands and your table surface, but they're also just right for cleaning grout off the mosaic tiles themselves during the grouting process, even when the grout is dry! Any baby wipes will do, but I do like to go with hypoallergenic ones to stay safe if I'm not sure about any skin sensitivities of my guests!

NOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO KEEP THINGS TIDY...

Are you ready for more? If you want to be extra prepared for your mosaic party then you'll love Our Guide To An Absolutely Stunning Mosaic. In the guide we cover the supplies you'll need, instructions, and some extra tips to give you all of the confidence you need to succeed!
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DON'T FORGET THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!

You and your guests will be so at ease while using our Mosaic Kits! You'll have everything you need to create something just right for you, from beautiful glass and ceramic tiles to grout, instructions, and much more. You'll be able to kick back and enjoy your creation!

Four Set of 4" Coasters Mosaic Kit

$30.00 - $35.00
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RECHARGE WITH A SELF-CARE DAY TO BOOST YOUR CREATIVITY USING THESE TIPS

2/5/2024

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There's been a lot of talk about love with Valentine's Day being this month, but have you checked in on yourself lately? ​Finding the energy, motivation, or courage to make time for yourself and tap into your creativity can be challenging. I want you to look back at the past few weeks, months, or even years, when was the last time you really took a whole day to yourself? When was the last time you truly fed your creativity? It's starving!

​I understand that it can be extremely hard to set aside time for yourself with work, school, commuting, errands, and so much more, but it's necessary for your mental well-being to take the time to take care of yourself! One of the best things you can do for yourself is create; it's so fulfilling to make something with your hands and say, "I did that!" 

TAP INTO CALM WITH A PAINTING KIT

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Our kits make tapping into your creative side so much easier; you don't have to go out of your way to find the right brushes, draw out a design on your canvas, or choose the right paint colors; we handle all of that for you so you can focus on the fun parts and relax to the max!​
get creative!
​This post isn't necessarily supposed to contain information you've never heard before, but all of the things we included are great reminders that we try to use as a way to show some self-love and care, too!

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​Sometimes, the most rejuvenating thing you can do is have quality time with your friends or family, with no distractions, just you and the people you love spending time together.

Break out a board game, have a picnic, put together a puzzle, bake a cake, or do anything else you're in the mood for; find a way to actually engage with your people!  
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If you're really introverted and people don't quite have an inspiring, energizing effect on you, you can also connect with your pets by taking them for a walk, playing, or even just snuggling up to watch a movie!

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Honestly, sometimes we all need to get up and wake up our bodies and minds. When I'm having trouble getting into the swing of things with a new painting, I love to get up and go for a short walk, but you can also do a nice, quick yoga routine, drink some coffee or tea, or turn on your favorite upbeat playlist and jam out!

If you're having trouble getting your energy levels up, though, you might not be meeting all of your body's needs. Try to take the time to eat nutritious food, drink water, or take a nap. Listening to your body in these cases is so important!

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​Focusing is much easier said than done, especially nowadays. When you're ready to sit down and paint, try putting your phone on silent and avoiding checking every notification that pops up. 

If you're like me and that still doesn't work, try doing some meditation, specifically breathing exercises. There are so many great apps with guided meditation, like Calm and my favorite, Balance! It can also help to sharpen your focus by getting outside with your phone on silent or turned off and noticing things going on around you. Pay attention to the sounds and sights for even just a few minutes.

GAIN CONFIDENCE IN YOUR ART AND HAVE FUN WHILE DOING IT

​Take the stress out of painting and have fun with it! Our guide here will give you valuable tips and techniques to paint things from clouds to skin tones with acrylic paint!
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​I hope you've gotten a lot of value from this guide, and you can use these tips to dig into your creativity!

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the art of a fairytale at-home painting date!

2/5/2024

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​I know it can be challenging to come up with new date ideas, especially when you and your honey are busy with work, chores, kids(or fur kids!), and everything else. While dinner and a movie can be a fun date, if you want a relaxing, unique date with your love from the comfort of your home, a painting date is for you!

The best part about putting this together is that even though we've included a bunch of ideas on making everything as cute and decorated as possible, you can literally sit at your dining table in your pjs with some pizza, and it'll still feel just as special.

THE PERFECT ACTIVITY

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​With our Couple's Cherry Blossom Painting Kit, it'll be even easier to put together the perfect painting date for you and your love! We include all the essentials: paint, brushes, two pre-sketched canvases, and a full-length video tutorial! You'll fall in love with how simple it is to create your masterpiece.
GET THE ROMANCE GOING

MUSHY MUSIC

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​I know you already have your favorite love songs that resonate with you and your partner, but there's no reason you can't try out something new! Everyone on our team suggested songs for this love song playlist on our Spotify. This playlist will make you dance, laugh, and maybe cry, but it'll mostly make you feel all romantic.
GET ALL LOVEY DOVEY

DARLING DECORATIONS

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Bring a special touch to your date with some DIY decorations, like this paper heart wreath and these absolutely adorable felt heart garlands, which I can't wait to make for my own Valentine's date with my husband!

​If you're looking to put together something a little more simple, arrange a bouquet (bonus points if you put fairy lights in the flowers; it's gorgeous!), get some cute heart balloons, some candles (we got these batter-powered ones), and silk rose petals. You'll also want to get a tablecloth to protect the surface of your table from paint; the one I got is from Target!

FABULOUS FOODS​

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​Hearts have my heart whenever I get to make food for my partner; that is why I will definitely be making one of these recipes for my love for Valentine's Day. ​My favorite thing about these three ideas is that cleanup is so easy with all of them! You only need a baking sheet and a cutting board if you add extra toppings on the personal pizzas. For the charcuterie board, you only need to clean the board when you're finished. And for the Barilla heart-shaped pasta, all you really need is one pot and a cutting board.  It is so simple, and all of these ideas are so versatile, so you can cater them to your and your partner's favorites!

DAZZLING DESSERTS

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​I am all for simple recipes, but these Valentine's cream puffs are too good not to try, and while they are a little more involved, they are so worth the effort! However, check out this Cupid Crunch trail mix if you want something quick and simple. If you want something simple to have a personal touch, these marbled sugar cookies are for you! I got a box mix, made up the dough, and separated the dough into two balls to make two shades of pink with food coloring. Once I mixed up my colors, I ripped each ball into small pieces. I scattered them on my counter to roll them out, cut them out with my favorite heart-shaped cookie cutters, and drizzled icing and sprinkles after baking!

DECADENT DRINKS

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We opted for some simple chardonnay from the grocery store for ​this post, but that doesn't mean you can't get fancy!

This chocolate-covered strawberry cocktail from Lulus looks absolutely stunning, tastes excellent, and is actually pretty simple to make! If you want something a little more zingy and fresh, try out this Pomegranate Ginger Paloma. And if you want to try out something straightforward and classic, try this gorgeous Dirty Shirley! Not everyone wants alcohol to have a great time, and for those who feel that way, we also have some mocktail ideas on our at-home date Pinterest board!

GET PREPARED FOR THE PAINTING PORTION OF YOUR DATE

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FIND KITS FOR FUTURE DATES

Rose Canvas Painting Kit

$15.00 - $243.00
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Pouring Wine Canvas Painting Kit

$15.00 - $243.00
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​Thanks for reading! If you use any of our ideas, we'd love to see them; you can tag us on Instagram at @thesketchingpad for a chance to be featured on our page!
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    hey there!

    The Sketching Pad has been helping people just like you have fun and stress-free painting experiences for over a decade. Whether we're helping people create masterpieces in person in our studio, or we're guiding people who are painting at home through our painting kits and video tutorials, we are passionate about helping people see that everyone can be an artist with the right tools and guidance!

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    This FREE Acrylic Painting Guide includes:
    • How to prepare for painting.
    • Things to keep in mind as you paint.
    • How to confidently mix colors.
    • Stippling
    • Blending
    • Splattering
    • And so much more!
    sign up for free!

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    You'll learn...
    • How to prepare your home
    • How much time to allow for painting
    • A printable supply checklist
    • A detailed explanation of the art supplies you'll be using
    • A printable painting guide to give your guests
    • Easy, big-batch drink recipes
    • Ideas for decorations
    • And more!​
    sign up for free!

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    This FREE course includes...
    • ​What to determine before you even think about your background
    • How to pick a gorgeous color palette that is backed by science
    • Why choosing a background color isn't enough, and one last decision you should make
    Sign up for free!

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    You'll learn...
    • What tiles to buy
    • What grout to use
    • Exactly what supplies you'll need
    • How to prepare for your project
    • How to complete every step of the project
    • How to grout to perfection
    • How to tint grout
    • How to seal your project for the weather
    • ​And more!
    Sign up for free!

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  • Art Programs
    • Drop In Hours
    • Private Parties
    • Weekly Classes >
      • Adult Classes
      • Kids' Classes
      • One-on-one Lessons
    • Clay Dates
    • Special Events
    • Field Trips >
      • Field Trips at The Sketching Pad
      • In-House Field Trip Kits
      • In-House Art Field Trips with Our Instructors!
    • Spirit Night >
      • Spirit Nights at The Sketching Pad
      • Spirit Nights at Your School!
    • Camps
  • Art Kits
    • Canvas Painting Kits >
      • Animals
      • Nature
      • Characters
      • Kid Favorites
      • Girls Night
      • Guys' Favorites
      • Valentine's Day
      • Mother's Day
      • Easter
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Holiday
      • Sorority-Themed
    • Mosaic Kits
    • Pottery Painting Kits
    • Art Lessons at Home
    • Video Painting Tutorials
  • Hire an Artist!
    • Seasonal Window Painting >
      • Seasonal Window Painting >
        • Christmas Window Painting
      • Seasonal Window Stickers
    • Murals
    • Drawings & Paintings