Ballard Inspired Mosaic

I REALLY love this picture from Ballard Designs:

SOOOOOO, I was thrilled when I found another blogger who was inspired from the same print and made her own version. http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/2010/07/paint-chip-mosaic-tutorial-tuesday.html
As a matter-of-fact, my crafty friends and I are getting together and making one ourselves. However, my friend Lisa and I agreed we like the variation the original has a bit more and I was determined to get closer to the 'original' look. So, I began making a mini version to test some ideas out.
I followed the guidelines that Hope Studios gave. I laid out my paint chips then numbered them on the back so I knew which order to put them in. I used Elmer's spray glue to adhere them to my almost 12 x 12 scrap wood piece I found.
Hope Studios mentioned they had a problem with the edges of the paint chips curling up. I didn't. So, I don't know if it is the spray glue I used or the pine wood board. Once the glue chips were in place, I scratched up the chips using an X-Acto Knife and sand paper.
I applied my decoupage glue and let it dry. Once that was done, I painted on the Plaid Antiquing Gel that I have mentioned in the Metal Frame project on March 27th. I still didn't have the effect I wanted. So, after the gel was dry, I got out the sand paper again. OH YEAH! It was perfect. Once sanded and roughed up a bit, I then decoupaged again. I LOVE this soooo much, I am going to make another, 24" x 24".