what type of grout was it? premixed? sanded or unsanded?

Hi ANDREA and welcome! I have a sister named Andrea, who also lives in Missouri (near Branson). I'll leave the grout question to others, just wanted to welcome you! And I FINALLY got Smiley Central to work so am looking for excuses to use it...

Roni

Hi! Fellow Garden Junker!!! Are you using the top of the tile for your base or the underside? Is it shiny, may be slippery. Got Pics???

Nicethyme, it was sanded grout that I mixed myself. I let it set up a bit before I tried to clean up the edges. Maybe I should have done it right away?

Hi, Roni. I'm glad I could be of service!

hi andrea,

i just made a bunch of coasters as xmas presents and had the same trouble with the first couple i made. what i ended up doing was just grouting the top of the tile and the edges at the same time. i used a rubber spatula to slide the grout over the top and then take the excess and kinda 'scoop' it off the spatula onto the sides... like people do with leftover butter on the knife when they slip it back onto the edge of the butter dish (which drives me crazy, by the way!! >:( ). once i was sure i had all of the excess grout off the top of the tile, i just lightly took the spatula to all the edges to even them up.

i know this description isn't the greatest but it worked. my tiles were white and i grouted with black and none of the white shows through on the sides.

my dad suggested cutting very thin pieces of glass to glue to the sides as another way of taking care of the problem of them being uneven due to the grout. my running pliers, however, are shot so i've just learned to be very careful with the grouting part.

When I'm doing a piece, I make sure to leave about 1/8" from the edge with my tesserae. That way I can pull my grout up to have a more finished edge. (gee, did that make ANY sense?) I also "tap" my grout smooth on the edge with a slightly damp sponge.

doesn't sound like it could be due to the product. so it's down to finding a method that works for ya. On edges I like to wait to do them until after I have cleaned the surface. So before I start the surface, I put some grout aside in a baggy in the fridge. when the surface is done and cleaned and polished up, then I get the saved grout out and applied it to the edges in the method described by Bama and joy, since I use my fingers it's just scraping it off my finger or thumb like cleaning off the butter knife (good analogy, Joy)

Thanks for the input. Yes, it does make sense. I was 'buttering' the sides, but I think I tried to do it too soon. I did it right after applying grout to the top, so the top wasn't cleaned up at all. When I cleaned up the top I ran into problems. Plus, I tried to shape after it had sat for a bit, so I think that when I tried to smooth it later is wasn't so forgiving. I also think that not being tired would help!

Calamity, we must have posted at the same time. I put my new glass on top of the old tile. I do have pictures but I don't have an online album yet. That's the only way to insert pictures, right? I didn't think I could insert them as an object. Taunt, taunt, tease!

Andrea, Welcome! The only other thing I can offer on your question would be to consider the consistency of your grout. Most of us prefer a consistency of peanut butter or toothpaste, so that if you scooped up a spoon full and turned it upside down it would stay on the spoon. That might help you build your edges on your tiles.

Yes, you need an online photo album to share your photos. Photobucket.com is good, some use Flickr. If you do a search for "Lyndalu", she posted instructions recently on how to post your photos.

Hi Andrea---Welcome to the fast lane on the super highway!
I'm glad you asked this question and got some good advice as I was wondering about this last week.
Can't wait to see pics!

yep, that's why I wait on edges, because I knock them out while cleaning the surface! so agravating

Hi and welcome...I live not far from St. Louis...well, an hour and half away when I put the peddle to the metal!

We just started an album all together, just email Bama for the passowrd and instructions...

Stjohnsgypsy - which direction? I have family in Cape Girardeau and surrounding areas. I try to get there every few months or so. If you are nearby I would love to meet up with you!

Hello, Andrea, welcome! Technique on grouting edges improves with time and practice. I try a delicate touch with the sponge, including tapping and patting. I also use the little makeup brushes by Estee Lauder (got them at a garage sale). I dip one in water, sling the excess water out, and then very delicately brush and shape the edge, making only one or two strokes, then re-dipping in water again.