A Few Mosaics and Mound City, Kansas

Well, after recovering from a cough and cold, my creative juices are finally flowing again! I've knocked out some custom work and have been building my Etsy shop little by little. Does anyone else out in blogland get frustrated by bad photos? I am having a really hard time with the digital camera we have and I'm getting ready to hang it up and have a professional take my photos. In the meantime, I'll have to settle for these.

This mirror says "home for the holidays" and has some great vintage holiday bulbs that my Etsy friend Becky brought me when she traveled all the way from Wisconsin to KC to visit her brother and to take a mosaic class from mosaic celebrity Dee Dee Walters. Thanks, Becky!!

If you look closely, you can also see a few vintage plastic swizzle sticks that say "seasons greetings". Very fun!!

And I collaged the back and added a self-leveling hanger. This mirror is currently in my Esty shop which can be found on the left side of my blog.

This magnet features another great bulb from Becky and despite the horrible pic, this magnet is a bright, vibrant orange. Also in my Etsy shop and hopefully, a better pic will be coming soon. Uggghhhh!

Another magnet, this one red and black with a hint of silver. Also in my Etsy shop.

I love orange and red color combinations. I enjoy using a focal point for each piece, but this one has several elements that pop out, including the large red bead, the chunk of English china across the top, and the whimsical button. More mosaics coming soon. I'm finishing up a fun custom switch plate for my friend Barbara in D.C. that includes some vintage 1950's farm animals and I want to do a few more frames in the coming days with some more great things I got from Becky last weekend!

I took a trip to my cousin Janet's in Mound City, Kansas last weekend and I had to take a picture of her dog, Spud. This weenie dog isn't just striking a quick pose here, he actually sits up on his hind legs with his back straight for as long as you're eating! It is so funny and strange to see him just sit there! Snickers, her other weenie dog, is in the background (he's cute, but he does not sit up like a little baby and beg)!

Brendan and Janet's son, Ryan, had a great time playing their guitars. Ryan has a drum set, too and Janet has relegated that to the nearby barn, as would I!!!

Mound City is an historic and cute little town about an hour and fifteen minutes from Overland Park. This is Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the beautiful limestone gives it a very cottage-like feel. The inside of the church is just as amazing as the outside. My favorite aunt, Kitty, passed away in September and her service was here. Kitty was awesome with an unbeatable zest for life and I miss her horribly.

Another pic of this fabulous little church.

A closer pic of the east side of the church. Look at those leaded windows.

This is a building on Main Street and a good example of some of the architectural detailing in these old buildings.

Another pic of Main Street.

The courthouse is also on Main Street. Lots of great, old trees.

And this is a sign for the very vacant Midway Motel as you approach Pleasanton on 69 Highway. If I had a loft or someplace else to display it, I'd inquire about buying this old sign for its interesting shape and chipped, beat up appeal. And not a bad pic with that same camera that is giving me fits with pics of my work. I will have to ask my friend Dawn for some help; she takes wonderful pictures!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawnsanders/