Heading out to Arizona!

I'm flying to Arizona this Saturday! Hope my arms don't get tired, hee hee! I will be visiting my parents and my sister and her family. I will also be teaching a couple of collage workshops while I'm there. I'm so excited because there are lots of cool, I mean "hot" places to visit for arts and crafts, etc... The temps are suppose to be in the 90's while I'm there! Yikes, I better pack some shorts and summer clothes. Where is that "faux" tanning lotion when I need it? I guess I really will have to shave my legs now. I'll take lots of pictures and keep you all posted on the happenings of my trip. I'll be back April 23rd. Then I'll start getting my NEW STUDIO ready to move into!!!

I'm So Excited!!!

I am excited beyond comprehension! I will soon (May 1st) have my own little art studio in downtown Morgan Hill, CA. This is unbelievable considering my situation (can you say "starving artist"), yet it is going to happen! God truly knows the desires of our hearts. It has been a desire of mine for many years to have a place, a little art studio to create in and hold workshops for others who want to create. This is a dream come true for me. Thank you dear Lord! I'll keep you all posted with pictures and updates! Yipee!!!!

Make a Mosaic Cross for Easter

In honor of Easter, I've made a mosaic cross with a vintage image of Jesus on it. I bought a cheap wooden cross at Michael's for $1.99. and a small bag of grout in a nutmeg color at Home Depot for about $2.99. I already had a broken tea cup with a fruit pattern on it. I had a clear flat marble from Michael's and I found a vintage image of Jesus online at Yahoo images. I painted the cross with Burnt Umber and then crackled it with Italian Sage from folkArt. I placed the pieces of the tea cup in a ziplock bag and carefully broke them into smaller pieces using a hammer. I cut the picture of Jesus to the size of the marble and smeared glue "Crafter's Pick" from Michael's, right on the front of the picture and adhered it to the flat back of the marble. This glue will dry clear making the picture visable through the marble. I used the same glue to adhere the marble and the pieces of china to the cross. I let it dry overnight before grouting. The next day I mixed a small amount of grout (1 cup) with some water until it was a "frosting" consistency. Wearing rubber gloves, I "glopped" on the grout pressing it in between all of the little pieces of china and the marble. Then I wiped the excess grout off with a damp sponge (not too wet). I let this dry for about 30 minutes and then wiped it off again. The next day I wipe the cross with a soft cloth to buff it and remove any grout residue. It was now ready to hang on the wall! I love it! I made a few others to give as gifts. If you're going to make a mess you mind as well make more than one right? They're so inexpensive and beautiful. I think they look like they came from a church in Florence, Italy or maybe they were found in an old Mission.