The best thing about making a collage is that there are no rules! All you need is some craft glue, paper and photos and you're good to go. You can add glitter, fabric scraps, ticket stubs, illustrations, magazine cut-outs, old atlas paper or just about anything you want - make it as simple or as elaborate as you feel like. Looking at photos online is great but making a cool collage that you can decorate your wall with is not only a fun thing to do, it's a great way to collect all of your favorite memories and photos in one place and an easy way to use your creative skills.
Get inspiration for your own collages from magazinesCourtesy of Flickr
Collage Time!
The word 'collage' comes from the French word "coller" which means "to glue". You can pretty much use anything you want to glue onto a base - we recommend getting some stiff card paper so it's easy to hang up on your wall. Get creative use photographs, magazine pictures, your own illustrations, cool pieces of patterned wallpaper, metallic paint pens, old vintage buttons or anything else that catches your eye. We think it's fun and much more eye-catching if you mix mediums - use both real photographs and magazine pictures, add tin foil and fabric or mix and match black and white photos with color ones - it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be.
Why not give each collage a theme? This lips collage is so much fun!Courtesy of Flickr
Basic Steps to Collage-Making
What you'll need:
- Stiff card paper, poster board, cardboard, canvas, or any empty picture frame as a base
- Craft glue: f you're planning on using a mix of items like buttons and fabric, make sure you get the right kind of glue or it just won't stick.
- A box of miscellaneous craft supplies - don't be afraid to get creative!
Tips and Tricks
Why not use an old picture frame to make your collage? The bonus is that it's ready to hang! Simply cut down some heavy poster board so it fits the picture frame perfectly. Once you make your collage you can paint the frame and start decorating your room with your new creation! Add unexpected items to your collage like an old scrabble piece, cool printed fabric, scraps of wallpaper (if you go to a home depot or sewing type shop they will probably give you old scraps to use!). Add things like an old stamp, cute confetti and of course glitter pens! You don't have to use actual photographs - make a collage based on a theme and print out cool photos and images, stick them out and glue them on! Remember, don't glue anything onto your board until after you've positioned your items the way you want them to be! Or make a collage scrapbook - each page can have a different theme. You'll love flipping through it when it's complete! Before you know it, you will have created your own masterpiece. DIY collages make great gifts for friends and family as well - who wouldn't love a creative memento handcrafted by you?
Collages are fun because you can mix anything you want!Courtesy of Flickr
Have your say
What are some of your favorite DIY crafts projects? Share your creativity below!
