Mosaic Pumpkins Project Guide

Description

Makes 1 Pumpkin

Materials Needed for Project:
1 Artificial Carvable Pumpkin
16oz Tile of your choice
Glue
Wheeled Glass Nippers
Xacto Knife
1lb of Sanded or premixed Grout
Colorant color of your choice
Stirring Stick
SpongeBucket for mixing
Paper Towels
Water
Newspaper
Measuring Cup
Latex Free Gloves
Safety Goggles
Dust Mask
Paint color of your choice
LED Candle

Mosaic Tips:
- Outdoor temperature as well as water temperature can affect grout setting time; chilly conditions will make for a slower set time, where hot conditions will make the project set faster.
- Create your pumpkin in an area where it can stay put for at least 24 hours.
- Use glass whole or nip and shape with a wheeled or tile nipper.
- If your water has a heavy mineral or salt content, use distilled or bottled water to mix the grout.

Be Safe!
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling grout.
- Adult Supervision is required.
- Glass may be sharp – please use caution while handling.
- Wear your safety goggles when handling glass
- Wear latex gloves and dust mask when handling grout.

Step 1 – Getting Ready
1. Cover a work surface with newspaper.
2. Free hand a design on your artifical pumpkin or use a template (You can also leave your pumpkin as is with no design).
3. Cut out design using an xacto knife. Adult supervision required.
4. With a wheeled glass nipper, started nipping pieces of glass (this step does not apply to you if you are using precut tile).

Step 2 – Lets start Designing
1. Start gluing down your tile pieces. You can make a pattern design or place randomly fitting the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle. Leave a bit of space (1/8”) between the pieces of glass
2. Let the glue dry for approximately 1 hour.


Step 3 – Mix your Grout
Instructions for Sanded Grout Mixing (grout quantity depends on your size pumpkin)
1. Make sure you are wearing protective eye wear, gloves and dust mask.
2.Use a measuring cup to place 1 cup of grout in bucket. Slowly add small amounts of water and mix.
3. If cement appears dry, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture becomes smooth and pourable like pancake batter.
4. If you feel you do not have enough grout to cover entire pumpkin, add a little bit more sanded grout and water until you have reached your ideal amount.
5. You may add the grout colorant of your choice (this only works on white grout). Simply add a spoonful at a time and mix. Repeat until desired look.

Instructions for Pre-Mixed Grout Mixing (optional)
1. Premixed Grout is ready to use straight out of the tube.
2. You can add colorant of your choice to change color of grout (only works on white premixed grout). Simply add a spoonful at a time and mix. Repeat until desired look.


Step 4 – Finishing it off
1. Make sure you are wearing protective eye wear, gloves, and dust mask.
2. Start applying grout onto pumpkin. Make sure to get grout in between the tile.
3.Once pumpkin is covered in grout, let it dry for approximately 15-20min. Then with a damp sponge or paper towel, wipe down excess grout layer. Does not need to be perfect, you will repeat this process when pumpkin is completely dry.
4. Allow pumpkin to set overnight. Clean off any excess grout covering the glass. You may clean the cement with a paper towel, sponge or the edge of a penny to scrape away stubborn grout.


What a work of art!
Now you have a beautiful decorative piece you can show off year after year.