I returned to the final mosaic class with the understanding that we would be grouting both projects.
Thomas had cut the board, he uses tile board, the kind you buy at Home Depot and use when building a shower. Problem for me moving forward, I need to find a different surface, this is very heavy and large. But that is a minor issue. As you can see he istalled the hangers before we transferred the mosaic, so as not to have any problems later. So far so good.
Then the trouble really started, remember how I didn’t have plastic over the whole board? Yeah, big problem, the silly little cheap school glue stuck like cement to the board. It wouldn’t come off. By then I was pretty upset, no I didn’t throw a fit, I remained calm while Thomas came up with suggestions. What he ended up doing was to cut out the center and transfer that.
This section on the mesh was transferable.
This is what remained on the side, so now, I needed to soak this, remove these pieces and reinstall on the new board. I had to work quickly because I had laid down thinset cement and there was still the issue of grout.
It’s a good thing I work fast and was able to salvage all those pieces, since I hadn’t brought any more glass with me. Thank God, it looks great. 
I still had my hand to grout. Using a strong glass glue we glued these pieces onto glass and set them for an hour to dry. Well, two of us used too much glue. (we were following instructions). So It was too wet and messy, no grouting till I got home. I took this picture 4 days later, the glue is supposed to dry clear. It really hasn’t dried. Now it will take forever since I’ve grouted it.
At least this one was pretty straight forward. It is now hanging in my powder room.
But back to the big mosaic.
I took a lot of the powdered grout home. It was a beautiful spring day, so I worked outside.
…and worked….
Grouting is the hard part. I can’t work with gloves, I need to feel what I’m doing. So my hands are now dry like a reptiles’. The silica just drains out the moisture from everything. Cleaning off the grout is labor intensive. I do love this stage because the final finished piece emerges. The grout really ties everything together.
This isn’t a one time appliquation, I kept adding more and more grout till I achieved a relatively flat surface. Here you can see a polished corner next to an area that needs a lot of work.
Half way through, another big problem arose. Remember those hangers? They are supposed to be on the top of the piece. Well, they weren’t. When Thomas laid out the mosaic, he forgot to check. You might say, so did I, but when I pay for a class, I sort of expect that to be something the instructor pays attention to. I have learned so much from books and online classes – where I know – it’s all up to me. When I pay for a live instructor, I don’t want a newbie. He just learned how to do mosaics himself 1.5 years ago, and immediately set out to teach. Now I understand, every teacher learns from their students, but he wasn’t teaching us, he was working on his own projects along side us.
Finished and I am very pleased. One more thing to do. I carefully removed the screws from the back. 
Then I laid the project on two towels on the grass. I feared that working on a hard surface would harm the mosaic. Very carefully I installed the hangers on the correct side. With the holes left over to indicate where they were before.
Signed it on the back and soon this will go and live with my boys. I know they will cherish and love it. A piece of the wedding, the glasses they broke are forever imbedded in a handmade mosaic.
As for me, I think I’ll be sticking with online classes for a while…
Leah
I had created these simple block letters, first thing was to cover them with clear plastic on a board.
Little by little, I filled in with the broken wedding glass. Some of the dark blue is from a broken bottle. Thomas, the teacher was all about using found objects, he was also all about cutting corners where ever possible. The plastic covered the paper, but my intentions were to continue to the edges of the board. No mention was made about covering the whole board with plastic. Even if I had wanted to, he ‘forgot’ to bring enough plastic.
I worked quickly, not something I like doing, but when in class, one works quickly. I wanted to be able to grout this in class, see if he had any special tips about grouting.
Hills and sky, either the Judean Hills in Israel, or the local mountains here in LA, both are usually a brown color. Not right now, after our super rainy winter they are all bright green! Once I was done, Thomas came over and mentioned that some of the spaces between the tesserae are too big. ‘Maybe I should have said something earlier’ – yeah, maybe you should have instead of working on your own project. Now I was somewhat aware of this, I was also working quickly, normally I’d take my time with a project this size. Since he was going to bring a special board to transfer this onto, I needed it done by the final class.
I created the sky with a bright white, blue, green and pale violet. This is what will give the sky depth. I also played with shapes, hoping that that would give some depth as well. We decided on 18″ x 18″, so I took the project home to finish. Green border, Yoch loves green. It wasn’t easy finding a green glass to break, so they used blue.
Before the border.
After the border. The boys saw it at this point and are very very impressed with my work. Yoch said the little green plants remind him of cactus – a plant he loves!
This look fine you say, why is this one the worst. This is the 
I appologize for the photography, I was rushed and I didn’t get the settings right. So this is a little too bright. Ignore how baggy the shirt is in the back, that is part of the problem, but for me, the issue is the low wide collar, not my favorite.
I matched the print quite well in the front, the problem is that the peplum is wonky. Here’s the deal with Colette patterns, they write a whole booklet, which should be great, I really tried following along exactly and yet, I had some problems. Things didn’t quite work out. Now maybe I should blame the fabric, I used some of it on another failed project. I’ll get back to what I think is happening at Colette soon.
The next one is a Vogue pattern with cotton jersey, quilters will recognize Libby House Pearl bracelet fabric. I bought the fabric at Sew Modern at their going out of business sale. I wanted something with more oomph. Vogue does oomph patterns well. The crease on my chest shouldn’t be there, I’m too lazy to take more photos, sorry. The pattern is a little too busy for the dress details. 
I’m getting a little goofy here, overall, I’m pleased with the result, I may attempt it again, with solids.
I installed the zipper in the back, with this fabric, there is no need for a zipper. One of the fabrics the pattern suggested was Ponte, although a knit it has less give, I might try it in Ponte, and then yes, it will definitely will need a zipper.
Success! My favorite of the three! Anther knit. Are you noticing that the knits are doing better than the woven fabric? So here are the details, the fabric is a rayon blend from JoAnn’s. I’m not in love with the print but I am in love with Rayon knits. The pattern is another one from Colette, the famous 
Even from the back, all is well. 
So now to give you my thoughts about the patterns. Colette has been around for a while, initially they offered some more complicated patterns. I think the idea was, educate the new sewer. Which is fine, but, I honestly think the big Four do complicated patterns better.
Rope baskets have been around for a while. The first ones I saw were completely wrapped in fabric. Nice, but…. I think they looked too scrappy to me. And then someone shared a much simpler version. Now I was ready to give this a try.
I love YouTube, there were many good tutorials. So off I went and bought a clothesline at the market, pulled out some basic thread and scraps.
I used some cheap thread from Common Threads, I don’t know who recommended it, I don’t like it. Since a basket like this uses a lot of thread, I figure why not, use it up quickly. Well I still have plenty left, I guess that means more baskets.
Years ago I took some basic design classes, sparse is often better than busy. I feel like I spaced the blue sections in a pleasing manner.
It is prettiest when viewed from the top and when empty. 
Remembered to include my label.
As pretty as it is empty, it is also fun filled with stuff. Now off to try other shapes.
I have mentioned before that I don’t feel the need to name every quilt. I’m ok with my name and the year it was made. I love hand embroidery and probably don’t do enough of it. So for many of my quilt labels, I pull out the embroidery. This is a handkerchief and designs from 
Why the squirrel? No reason other than I have the pattern, I like the squirrel. It has nothing to do with the quilt top.
If I have a squirrel, might as well add an acorn.
Squirrel finished.
Here is the label. Either the quilt will stay in the family and they will know who I am, or it won’t. Then the only thing the person will know is my name, the year this was made and that I must have liked squirrels.
Label attached. Most of my embroidery ends up on the back of quilts where it really doesn’t get seen. I should consider doing some more visible embroidery, but right now, I’m just happy embroidering and sending it out into the world on my quilts.
Spring is very short but colorful here in So Cal. Our dull iceplant becomes a carpet of bright magenta.
Trees burst into glorious blooms.
Our state flower, the California poppy makes an appearance. This year, in certain locations, hillsides are carpeted with orange. It is time to go out and enjoy nature.
We drove 30 miles from home up into the Angeles National forest. A lot more green this year. 
The haze is hanging over the basin. You have to strain to see the tall buildings of downtown Los Angeles with the Palo Verdes peninsula beyond. 
Wildflowers are beginning to bloom. The yellow out in the mountains is very different from the city trees. The redno California poppies here. I may yet have to drive up to Lancaster to see the reserve. My friend went to Lake Elsinore and took incredible pictures.
The red is visible, yet small.
Remnants of the Station Fire from a few years ago. It started right near here.
And yet, some trees appear to be completely burnt and they have found a way to produce green leaves again. Fire is fickle. Many trees didn’t fair this well, and they are gone.
Enter 
Here is one such fellow. It is supposed to rain later this week and they may come back with a water truck once or twice this summer in order to give these saplings a fighting chance to survive until next winter.
As well as plenty of planes leaving contrails in the sky.
Man and nature, side by side. It is wonderful to get out and enjoy both.
Our tradition after a hike is to find a local Taco joint and eat without any guilt. This is at 
Walking on Hollywood Blvd offers the opportunity for pictures. There are still some interesting Art Deco buildings. Film industry related, on the balcony you can see the camera and the director.
Sages looking down on the passers-by.
A simpler design, fewer figures, but oh the roof line!
And then, onto streamline. Speaking of motels, the 50’s did it so much better.
I glanced through the gate, there were plenty of people enjoying the pool.
This is what is happening all over the city, building like crazy. I wonder what happened here. Someone wasn’t willing to sell the old building, so they are constucting new apartments around it. It is empty, for lease signs all over. Maybe once the new building is complete someone will want to relocate their business here.
This is a snapshot of the Blvd. Filming, cars, billboards, cranes everywhere and even the old fashioned Street lights.
Soon it will be very hard to see the iconic Capitol Records building. This was one of the last to be built under the height limitation of 150′, but it is up on a hill, so it used to dominate the skyline. Not for much longer.
Even now, it’s glimpses through iron fences.
This wonderful sign and clock look Art Deco, but it can’t be. As I mentioned, the Capitol Record Building is only from 1959. Sign of the times, a CCTV camera looking out on the street.
Old and new have always existed side by side, I hope they continue to do so. I think the roof eaves on this Beaux Arts building is newly painted, the 1960 building next door just highlights the beauty of the old.
Details on the Beaux Arts are wonderful. An old bank building with eagles.
The knight.
The putti.
Gargoyle. I only noticed the mirror image with the palm tree when I looked at my photo. 
Then it was back to Noho. I didn’t hear any Bach, but at the local famer’s market a band was playing. So there was that conselation.
The Gals at 
I’m becoming a ruler junkie, I had to combine their pattern with a Diamond Rect that I made using Deb Tuckers ruler. And then I came up with the idea of edging this with tiny pompoms, just to give it some more oomph!
On the left, the smallest pompom ribbon I could find at JoAnn’s. On the right, something I found on Amazon that came all the way from China and probably cost less.
For over a month this sat unfinished on the table. I went to Israel, I got involved in another project.
Finally it was time to quilt. I had a bear of a time with this. On my large quilt I had used 
A project this size quilts up quickly.
As you can see, I didn’t use that pompom ribbon. The yellow was just too bright and it felt like overkill. 
I found this quilting pattern on Pinterest, but can anyone actually see it?
Or the details in the ornaments? Who knows, I got good practice and quilted looks better than not.
Artistic shot.
On the table.
And with a birthday gift I just received. Perfect match isn’t it?
innovative materials. Instead of working directly onto the final object (like a wall, I have done that, worked directly on the wall – ugh!)
We each traced our hand, put this wonderful mesh over it and started cutting the glass. Yes, there were very good tips on how to use the tools. Although, I did get a blister on my thumb.
Using this kind of glass gives much more depth than the little squares one can buy. Yes, I have quite a collection of those squares as well.
Work in progress.
Hand on hand.
Next lesson, we grout. The teacher was blown away, he was working alongside us, and he was just laying out rows of glass. I want the glass to flow, I’ve worked hard on creating that effect. I’ve read many books and watched You-Tube videos. With my art background, I understand shading as well.
This is what I made for my oldest son eleven years ago. The inside of the letters is the broken glass.
I am sharing only a few images of the full garments, I’m finding that it’s the details I love. Sure on a big screen this is what pops out at you.
But this is what pops out at me, the details. The materials used, the subtlety, the effect that light has.
The amazingness of silk. Just using different silks, slight changes in the shades of color. A little fabric manipultion, and we are ready to go!
The fantasy films are where the mens’ costumes thrive. Really what can you do with a business suit? But create a fantasy warrior and go to town on the textures! Yes, that is a red cape, which highlights all of the wonderful braid, fabric and leather.
Leather, coarsely woven fabric, andmetallicc embroidery! As well as some fur. Who says men can’t have fun?
A closer look, metal work and some bright purple silk. I’m sorry the focus isn’t great. I can’t use my flash. But I think you get the idea.
The robe is made of those ball chains. For some reason I adore those chains. So to see a full length garment made out of them! Swoon! Really I need to see the movie to see how it moves, but I forgot which on it is.
I don’t know if this is Alice, what I do know is the colors and the Chinese influences are wonderful.
I love when a designer references the source but does her own thing. In this case it is 
Love the shoes!!! The eel is too high for me, but oh my, these are gorgeous.
Alongside the movie costumes there is always a smaller exhibit. In this case costumes and clothes from the 1920s. This dress was used in the Orient Express. I would wear it today! A knit dress with embroidery and insets. 
The detail! The color! I want this dress!