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Category Archives: Mosaic and other crafts

Welcome to my neighborhood!

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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“Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.” ― Walt Whitman

My town, New Rochelle,  turned 325 years last year and this year as a final celebration 15 sculptures in the shape of a fleur-de-lis were installed around downtown.

The sculptures are all 5 feet tall and made of fiberglass.  The artists chosen to decorate each sculpture are all locals. The fleur-de-lis shape was chosen to represent our French roots.  New Rochelle was founded by the Huguenots in 1688. Our sister city is La Rochelle in the west of France.

I thought the sculptures were fun and wanted to post about them. Since I live right in the middle of downtown New Rochelle all I needed to do was walk around my neighborhood to get some pictures. I love walking around my neighborhood, it is so incredibly diverse.

The artists chose to celebrate different aspects of living and working in New Rochelle.  They celebrated the diversity, the music, the welcoming feel, the artistic and cultural vibe, the indigenous roots, the Huguenots coming to America, and one even celebrated Walter Lantz.  Walter Lantz was the creator of Woody Woodpecker and he was born in New Rochelle.

When I got home I realized I had good pictures of only 12 sculptures.  You can see the other 3, and also get more details on each sculpture by clicking on each picture on this site:  http://www.newrochelledowntown.com/events/?event=1224

Fleur-de-lis sculptures

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I love the town I live in!  Get out and find new reasons to love your town too!

“love the life you live. live the life you love.” ― Bob Marley

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Who knew I could be creative?

22 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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“The chief enemy of creativity is good sense.” ― Pablo Picasso

I still continue to try my hand at mosaics.  Below are my last two works.

This one I call Nativity.  It is my idea of a Nativity scene and I love it.   I made it out pieces of a broken cookie jar and a broken mug.  It is 11.5 x 8 inches.

Nativity as I see it!

Nativity as I see it!

“Creativity takes courage. ”  ― Henri Matisse

This one I named Butterflies and Flowers.   It is 24 x 20 inches.   I made it using different glass stones that I got at the 99 cent store.  I had originally named it Butterflies, but when I was done a friend came over and when he saw it he asked: Are those butterflies or flowers?

Flowers and Butterflies

Flowers and Butterflies

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
― Albert Einstein

Who is the new Mosaic Artisan in town? me! me! me!

09 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by in Daily Life, Finding Me, Mosaic and other crafts

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“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”  ― Aristotle

I continue to experiment with mosaics.  It has been a very rewarding experience.  I am beginning to think that there is perhaps some creativity within me.   I am also trying to learn discipline and patience.  “Trying” being the key word, as I still struggle with being in the present moment and enjoying the process instead of just wanting to get the job done.

I have been using a variety of materials I find around the house, at the dollar store and at the craft store.  I think that is one of the beauties of mosaic, you can use anything and make it work.

“‎Determination, effort, and practice are rewarded with success.”            ― Mary Lydon Simonsen

I decided to make frames for my family member’s to surprise them with on my next trip to Brazil.  Well it is not much of a surprise because I have already told them what I was up to.  🙂

And here they are for your viewing pleasure.  Please keep in mind that I still have to clean some of the grout from around and on top of some tiles.  I am giving my sore fingers a break from this detailed job for now.

This one I made for my Mom.  I made it from stones and buttons.   She collects owls and if you look closely you will see tiny owls on the side and at the top.

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This one I made for my dad.  He adores animals, specially dogs.  There are 14 different types of dogs on it.  Also made with buttons.

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This one I made for my brother.  He is a spots fan so I was happy to have found those buttons in the shape of different balls.  It is made from tessarae (ceramic tiles).

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This last one, but not least,  I made for my sister.  It is made with glass tiles and other buttons and silver plaques.  She is a teacher so I have some school related decorations (pencils, ruler, etc).  On the 6 silver little plaques at the top are the following words: Faith, Believe, Love, Hope, Destiny and Play.

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This last one, but not least,  I made for my sister.  It is made with glass tiles and other buttons and silver plaques.  She is a teacher so I have some school related decorations (pencils, ruler, etc).  On the 6 silver little plaques at the top are the following words: Faith, Believe, Love, Hope, Destiny and Play.

They look much better in person,  but they still look like a child’s school project,  but I am so proud of getting them done.  I look forward to making more and improving, improving, improving.

“Practice makes the master.” 
― Patrick Rothfuss

A quick update on previous posts

31 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by in Daily Life, Dating, EX Files, Finding Me, Mosaic and other crafts

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Life happens and then all of a sudden I realize that I have not posted anything in one week.  I don’t want you guys to forget about me and find another blog to read, plus I miss all the terrific comments.  I have learned and grown so much from my post and the responses to it! 🙂

What has been happening is work has gotten really busy and after I goofed on a couple of things I am making sure that I am dedicating my time at work to work (what a crazy idea! lol).  I also have stepped up my hip exercises, and have been working more on my mosaics.  But all of that is no excuse not to make time to something I love: blogging!

So here are updates relating to previous posts:

“Magic trick: to make people disappear, ask them to fulfill their promises.“
Mason Cooley 

 
On The disappearing Act  https://blessedwithastarontheforehead.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/the-disappearing-act/

Since I could not let bygones be bygones I went straight to the point and asked Mr. Disappearing what happened.  He said that he is having medical and care issues with his mother, and he also added and I quote: “I felt you are still not over your last boyfriend. Dragging things and hopping maybe is going to turn better is not something i want to experience at this time..”

Fair enough!  Perhaps I should have not spend hours talking about Ex on that last date lol  oh well, I kinda knew the reason why he disappeared, but it is good to have a confirmation and not wonder anymore.

on the hip pain https://blessedwithastarontheforehead.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/my-hips-dont-lie-neither-does-my-back/

I continue to do physical therapy,  now once a week instead of twice.  It has gotten a lot better, but I am still not 100%.  What plagues my mind is the question: Will I ever be 100%?  I try to be positive and I know the reality that the answer to that question depends solely on me.  So I am doing my part!  I am following my exercises and stretches to a T.  I have also started using my elliptical machine again.  My aim is 30 minutes, but for now it is until my hip starts hurting which is after 15/20 minutes.  After the exercises and stretches, I am making sure I use a foam roller and I apply ice.

Slow and steady! Slow and steady!

Volunteering – https://blessedwithastarontheforehead.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/first-step-in-volunteering-and-going-back-to-dance/

Finally I am all set to start volunteering.  After, what I felt, it was a lot of red tape, I will start volunteering at a the Dementia/Alzheimer Unit in a nursing home starting this coming Monday.  I will do one evening a week and see how it goes.  On Friday I went for an orientation, then and now I am am experiencing a multitude of feelings, anxiety, excitement and nervousness about it.  I guess it is only normal to feel apprehensive about something new.  We shall see how it will go!

Milton https://blessedwithastarontheforehead.wordpress.com//?s=milton&search=Go

I continue to stop and chat with Milton.   This past weekend he said he took the subway to the Bronx and played cards with friends.  He won $27 dollars.  He said I brought him luck.  I am glad to see that he has friends he associates with.  Last week he wanted to get me a pink watch similar to the one he has.  I declined and said I have enough watches, which is true.  I am not sure what he meant by get.

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The next 2 post will be update on Ex and Mosaics.  Ex’s absence in my life has played a huge role on where I am today.  I am getting more and more into my mosaics.  They still look like a child’s school project but I am so proud of them. Stay tuned…

Making mosaic and impatiently learning patience.

11 Thursday Jul 2013

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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“The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.” 
― Leo Tolstoy

After throwing myself that very much needed pity party, I am now in the full “loving to be alive and single” mode.

I have a renewed motivation to get back to learning those things that I always wanted to.  Mosaic is one of those.  Until I win the lottery and I am able to go and apprentice with some famous foreign mosaic maker I am going about it on my own.

These are the last 3 I have made. I actually made 4 recently, but forgot to take a picture of one before I mailed it away. I sent it to Ex’s mother for her birthday. She said she loved it. (yeah we still keep in contact; I decided that I don’t have to stop loving her and talking to her because he is no longer in the picture)

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I made this one for my friend AL that just returned from a vacation in Ireland.  I thought it would be nice for him to put his favorite picture of him and his little girl on his Irish vacation.

I gave it to him as part of his birthday present, along with some books.   I love giving people books that mean something to me.  The lucky guy also got this Brazilian soccer jersey:

I bought it in Brazil on my last trip and hadn’t had a chance to give it to him yet. I decided on blue instead of the traditional yellow because I figure the yellow is for the hardcore fans like myself, plus I think blue is better for his skin tone. 🙂

We went to dinner last night at our local favorite Mexican  restaurant and it was fun.  It had been a couple of months since we had managed to get together.  I gave him his gifts and he was very happy.  It was a fun night catching up.

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These next two mosaic pieces are of two of my favorite words in the English dictionary:

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The above is better seen from a distance, but if you look at the white only you can clearly (hopefully) see the word hope.

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Working with mosaics has not been easy for me, well anything that requires patience it is not easy for me.  I am the type of person that likes instant gratification.  I love the feeling of accomplishment, of starting something and finishing it.  I like seeing results and soon.  Mosaic requires patience and attention to detail, two things that I think I lack.

I am very happy with my work.  Of course now that they are finished I can see all the ares where I hurried through to just get it done with.  I know that they look very childish and amateurish right now, but I know that with persistence, practice and patience I will be able to make beautiful and professional looking work. And I know that the patience learned here will help in other areas of my life too.

“Our patience will achieve more than our force.” 
― Edmund Burke

I am working on enjoying the process and not only the result.

Be forewarned, if your birthday is coming soon you may end up getting a mosaic frame as a gift. 🙂 I already have some frames planned for every member of my family.

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” 
― Aristotle

Overdose of Cheese Bread, Soap Operas and Casino, a bit of Broadway and a couple of paintings

14 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in Daily Life, Food, Mosaic and other crafts, Reviews

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My Mom’s stay in the US came to an end last week.  One month went by so fast.

When Mom is here I get the Brazilian Channel so she can watch her soap operas.  Soap operas in Brazil are huge! They are always on prime time TV and almost everyone watches and talks about them, that includes men and children also. Unlike in the US where a soap opera lasts forever until canceled, in Brazil a soap opera lasts around 6 months.  They tend to be a bit melodramatic and overacted.

The best part for me is the scenery.  Getting to see my Brazil is always a plus.  They are always filmed on location, never on studios. In some cases they introduce Brazilians to new cultures.  In the current soap opera, “Salve Jorge”, all things Turkey are introduced, as it is filmed in some turkish cities.  It is also filmed in Rio de Janeiro, which because of  the landscape makes it one of the most beautiful and recognizable cities in the world in my opinion.  The name of the soap opera is a reference to Saint George.  I am not sure the complete connection but I know that the main character is devout of Saint George.

All of a sudden Brazilians are doing the Turkish veil dance, drinking raki and wearing turkey inspired fashion.  I am sure Brazilians will be choosing Turkey as a travel destination more now.  The same thing happened a couple of years ago with the soap opera “Caminho das Indias” when everything Indian became all the rage in Brazil, and with others before that.

Truth is I think Brazilians watch too much TV, and TV has such an incredible power to influence Brazilians. I would say that TV influences every day life in Brazil more then any other country in the world.  At least some authors are using this powerful medium to instruct as well as entertain.  In Salve Jorge, human trafficking and black market adoptions (specifically stolen babies) are the major theme, so kudos to Gloria Perez, the author,  for exposing such atrocities and forcing Brazil to face it instead of sweeping it under the rug.

Normally as soon as Mom leaves I call the cable company and turn it off, but this time I will still have it on until Friday.  Friday is the last day of this soap opera, so I may as well finish it. 🙂

Casinos

Another place Mom and I go are the casinos.  I used to have a lot luck gambling, but not lately. Perhaps that is why I don’t enjoy them as much, but I still go many times when mom is here since she enjoys them so much.  We now have one 20 minutes from home, so we don’t have to go all the way to Connecticut or New Jersey.

Broadway

We always try to make to one Broadway musical and this time we went to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. I will not go into a full review here, and will just say that it did not disappoint, we both enjoyed it.  The costumes were beautiful and the Prince was charming in a goofy way.  The best part for me was Cinderella’s dress changing in front of our eyes and I still cannot explained how they did it.  Mom says it is magic, I say it is Broadway.

Cinderella always have a way to make me both sad and happy. Sad because I realize that I have no Prince Charming next to me and happy because it makes anything seem possible.

Cheese Bread

My freezer is stocked up with soups, rices, meats, cakes, in sum, an assortment of cooked meals and desserts to last a couple of months.  Mom enjoys feeling she is taking care of her little baby.  Pão de Queijo, cheese bread, well it is more like a cheese puff, is one of those treats.  It is made with tapioca flour.  Growing up I didn’t care for them, now they taste like Brazil to me.

Paintings

Mom turned 78 while she was here and she likes to say that not knowing how long she has left she needs to hurry up and leave her kids with memories of her.  That to her means leaving us with some of her crafts.  Mom is amazingly talented with her hands. Some of her crafts are hand stitched dish towels, macrame bath towels, crochet vests and tablecloths, knit scarves, paintings, etc.

This time she left me with 2 oil paintings:

A fun renditions of a Brazilian Favela located in Rio de Janeiro, as you can tell by the Christ the Redeemer atop the Corcovado Mountain.

Favela

A young shy couple from the Brazilian northeastern region, as you can tell by the foot and hat wear and by the cacti.

Shy Couple

I am blessed with the energetic, talented, full of life mother that I have.  May I be able to be less critical and open to fully learn all she has to teach.

Mosaic Workshop

11 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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That is how I spent my Sunday, at a mosaic workshop in Stamford, CT.

I learned some great techniques and got the name of some materials to use.  I am definitely glad I went, but

one of the hardest parts for me was to be concentrating on one task for many hours straight.  I am the type of person that gravitates from task to task.  I also like to see results quickly, so it was such an exercise in focus and patience!

I didn’t even stop for lunch because I wanted to just get the project finished.  Quitting was not an option, so finishing it as fast as I could was.  Perhaps that means that mosaics are not the craft for me, but I like to believe that it just means that I need to learn how to slow down and how to be more focused. I also think that focus and talent are 2 different things.

and here is the final product:

Mosaic Project

My mom collects owls so I will be surprising her with this masterpiece (for some reason I can’t correct the orientation of the picture)

Of course right now I can think of many things that I could have done better, but still I am very proud of my owls!

Miss Mosaic Maker Wannabe!

07 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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I love mosaics! They make me happy! they make me smile!

The most wonderful case scenario would be to spend some time in Italy and learn the craft with an artisan. Until that happens I have been looking for mosaic classes.  As I have mentioned before I came up empty on my search.  NY has everything except Mosaic classes (at least I wasn’t able to find any,  and I am good at finding anything).

So I figure I will learn as I go along.  My first project was the house number at ex’s house.  It was done 2 years ago and it came out great.

So after more than 2 years I decided to try again.  So here I present to you my second attempt at mosaic work.

Mosaic frame

Let’s just say that the cracks on the grout were done by design and to give an aged appearance.

Mosaic frame landscape

As you can see I have a lot to learn, but it feels great to finish something I started.  I have a tendency to start a lot things at the same time and not see them to the end (the 4 books on my nightstand attest to that).

Do I think the frame came out great? no, not really, but I am very proud of it!  We have to start somewhere, and it will be nice to track my progress in my blog as I learn more.

My next project will be made of sea shells that I collected years ago in Florida.  So stay tuned! 🙂

Day 6: The table has arrived!

27 Saturday Oct 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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Another Blessed Day!

I woke up with the furniture store calling me to let me know that my table could be delivered within the hour, did I want it?  Do I want it? I have been waiting for this table for 1 month!

So here it is:

So today breakfast was had at the new table instead of the kitchen counter or couch.

Above the table you can see one of the many paintings that my mother has painted for me.  My mother started painting at 70 years old and she is very talented!  I have all kinds of paintings, from landscapes to abstracts.

And on the table you can see some of my favorite flowers: daisies! Another favorite is sunflowers.

I am still itching, but I love my table, my apartment, my life!!!