Every season, Barbara says Bob gets out the sponges and creates fake ceramic tiles out of old file folders decorated with sponged paint. Bob uses the tiles to border his fireplace. The same effect can also be used to make your own wrapping paper.

You'll need scissors, sponges, a 1-1/2 inch foam brush, large sheets of paper (for wrapping paper), old file folders (for tiles), and three colors of complimentary paint. Newspaper can be used to protect surfaces.

Cut simple shapes out of sponges. Hearts, diamonds, tulips, stars, squares, and other simple designs are most practical.

If making faux tiles, you'll need to first paint the file folder with a background color. Wait for paint to dry.

Prewet sponge so it's damp. Open a can of premixed paint. Dip the sponge halfway in. Press sponge to paper.

Repeat in a pattern. Repeat until area is covered. Wait for paint to dry.

Open a second can of premixed paint and use a sponge to create another pattern on top of the first.

Using the foam brush, dip the brush into a third can of premixed paint. Bob recommends using a metallic.

Lightly touch the foam brush to the paper and twist it while painting a diagonal line. This effect looks a lot like marble veins. A feather can be used, but is less available.

If making tiles, cut squares out of the folders.