Friday, April 30, 2010

From Start to Finish

Here's a little pictorial of an Easter Egg Mosaic

After I sealed my form, I drew my design

All the materials I'll be using...I may be missing a brush to apply the glue to the tiles. 
And yes! My goggles.

 After the mosaics have been glued. Looks pretty already!
Ready for grouting! I have my gloves
  It's been grouted. Now I wait to wipe the excess grout.

 The final product!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Flowers From my Backyard

Just Peeking Through

 
Getting ready for the show

Gorgeous Rhododendron
  
Aphids anyone?
 
Wandering around

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I'm Happy to Report

About New Year's Resolutions that we all seem to make. You may be familiar. They go something like this:
1. Join a gym. Learn a new language. Go on a diet. Eat healthy food. etc.
2. Actually join a gym. Look into registering for a class. Diet. Eat only non-fat food.
3. I'm too tired to go to they gym today. Do I really need a new language? It's only one bag of fries. Fries have fat in them?

Here are mine for this year. Or at least the ones that I meant. Be able to do ONE pull-up. I'm not there yet. But I'm practicing. Sometimes. And now...drum roll please...wear more skirts and dresses. I know, it sounds stupid. But I'm a woman you see. And I see other women wearing dresses and skirts and they look so 'girly'. So I'm happy to report that yes, I've worn a skirt or dress at least twice a week since the beginning of the year. Yay for my resolutions. I'll let you know about my pull-up. (Hopefully before December)
 Skirt by MyLittleAura                        Scarf by Lasidi            

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Painting Porcelain Tiles

This is a great way to recycle broken dishes. Just paint them and turn them into works of art. 
I use this method to make filler mosaic tiles for my projects. In other words no specific design.

The paint is permanent and food and dishwasher safe. -Always follow manufacturer's directions-


Tools and Materials

Assortment of Porcelain pieces
Porcelain paints and markers
Soft Bristle Brushes
One thing to consider is the color shade of the pieces. 
Darker shades of porcelain may have a different result.
Here are some different shapes, sizes, and colors.

After one coat of paint
Note: Allow 24 hours between coats of paint.

 After adding details and some 'bling'.
-Wait another 24 hours before baking-


Bake in a 300ºF (150ºC) oven for 35 minutes.
Now you have a unique tile for your mosaic project. 



Thursday, April 1, 2010

April's Gemstone is the Diamond

Most of us are familiar with this beautiful gem.
Here are a few more facts:

-The hardest gemstone and most valued.

-It comes in different shades including yellow, green, and blue but the clear diamonds are the most popular in   jewerly.

- Most diamonds come from South Africa but are also mined in India, Brazil, and Australia.

- It is the 10th, 50th, and 75th wedding anniversary gemstone.

- Other gemstones attributed to the month of April are the Opal, Garnet, and Sapphire


Icy Charm Necklace
Crystal Quartz and Fine Silver

Fine Silver Handcrafted Ring