I found an old oak shelf in a thrift store for $4. I really liked the trim but the backing of the shelves was made of some cheesy paneling. I decided to make a mosaic of matboard tiles embossed with my Sizzix Textured Impression folders to back it with.
- Gather matboard scraps in coordinating colors.
- Cut a stack of of 2 1/2″squares.
- Emboss each square by running through Big Shot die cut machine using Sizzix Textured Impression folders (I used folders that I designed :-)). Distress each square using a blending tool and brown ink, shading the edges darker and leaving the middle light.
- Cut matboard backing boards to fit each of the three shelves. Distress them with brown ink.
- Line up squares in alternating rows, staggering the positioning. Cut where needed to continue pattern from shelf to shelf.
- Use an ATG gun to adhere squares to backing board. Start with the middle row and work out to the sides. I added some thin matboard strips to each side to fill in extra space on the sides.
- Adhere mosaic panels to the back of the shelf using ATG gun.