Wednesday, July 05, 2006

the fruit of my lacerations

I'm typing this with wounded fingers. I have finished my mosaic table and, as with my one previous mosaic experience, my fingers aren't pretty. I thought things were going pretty well, I got through the glass-cutting with but a few tiny glass splinters in my fingertips. I had sort of forgotten that it is the grouting process that is murder on fingers. Ouch. Because I used glass, very pointy, sharp glass, instead of mosaic craft tiles, it is very hard to smooth the grout on, and to wipe the surface clean as it dries, without lacerating one's fingers. But anyway, it's done! Here are some more pictures:


I used scrapbook letters to spell out the words, and sealed them down with matte medium, and then mosaiced with clear glass where I wanted them to show. Ditto with the polka dots on the top. So it's a combo collage/mosaic. Now, I will let my fingers heal for a few days before I go back to fix the grout, which in my haste, I wiped away too much of.

I hope my fellow Americans out there had a lovely 4th of July. We did. We don't ever go out on the 4th, which other dog owners will understand: my poor old Shiloh probably drooled half her body weight with her freakish panicked panting last night. Dogs do not love fireworks, and as Jim said last night, the first thing they will do when they take over the world, is abolish holidays that involve explosions. We had some friends over for BBQ and build-your-own banana splits:

(That's Camille showing me how she can put her toe in her mouth. I think I can probably do it, too, but I won't try.) And there is Maggie and Chary with the banana split fixins, and Jim with his masterpiece, shortly before devouring it.

We also took my niece Izzy hiking to Punchbowl Falls in the Columbia Gorge on Sunday:

I LOVE it there. The perfect place on a hot day. The falls go through a small ravine that widens out to a bank of sun-warmed rocks, and then to another waterfall, and there are places to wade in the deliciously cool shade, and then just a few steps away you can stretch out like a lizard in the sun if you want. You can jump off cliffs if you're insane, or swim out to the falls, but it's icy, so wading usually cures my desire to swim. Izzy did go swimming in her clothes though.

And lastly, after writing my last post, I DID call Lori in Amsterdam and we had a lovely chat, and Jim and I are scheming to maybe visit Holland in the fall, and try to time it to my old babysitter/soccer coach's wedding in Genoa, Italy, and do both. Hm. Might just be a fantasy. But often, things that start as fantasies become reality. Fingers crossed!

21 comments:

Darlene said...

First...that table is to die for!

Second...your poor hands! Soak them in soapy warm water with some antibacterial cream disolved in it, then use "Gold Bond" medicated lotion. It cures all project wounds...I relate

Third...now I want a banana split!

Forth...what a swimming paradise...take me!

Lastly...You are a rare talent, my love

xxxd

Kristy said...

I love the table. Surely it has a place in your future writing room? I have to hope, though, that the grouting process will be enough to smooth out the sharp edges of the glass. Because a piece of furniture that hurts? It just can't be inspirational! Or, is it?

Lyrically speaking said...

Your mosaic art work are fascinating, bravo!!

liz elayne lamoreux said...

laini that table is incredible. i hope your hands heal quickly. typing with lacerated fingers is not fun.
your room is coming together more each day!
and it looks like you had a wonderful time on the 4th...jon and i agree about letting go of holidays with explosions. yes, let's arrange for that when you are in charge of the world!

Aithbhreac said...

Great idea to use the cutout words and mosaic over them in clear. However did you get the glass cut so straight and perfect with such tiny pieces?!

Madeleine said...

Laini, that table is AMAZING. It's so pretty, I now want to make one. I made a mosaic table for my garden once which got broken in a move :( But it wasn't as delicious as the one you made.)
Worth the pain I'd say.

Deb R said...

Oh wow, that turned out great!!!

Sorry it mangled your fingers doing it though. I hope they heal fast.

andrea said...

The table is fabulous! Thanks for sharing. I remember doing a mosaic table top in high school. It followed me to various apartments over the years but I must've gotten sick of its frothy seagulls and clouds because I no longer have it. *This* one is a keeper, though.

Alex S said...

Hows my little mosaic stool doing? Heres something funny for anyone else to read who reads your comments! After I finished my mosaic plant stool while you worked on your (GEORGEOUS) table, I went upstairs and without realizing how gross it sounded, I said to Jim, "You have to come downstairs and see my stool!" (I'm so incredibly immature that I still find that very funny 4 days later!)
Your rable is simply divine and I stand in awe. I hope your fingers heal very quickly- dunk them in tomato meatball sauce for one hour and they should be just fine.

M said...

Wow, what beautiful tables! I hope your hands will be ok. It sounds like you had a great weekend as well, I love the make your own banana split bar- what a brilliant idea!! Jim's looks very yummy, I'm sure it didn't last long!

Kim G. said...

Ouch! I cringed as I read about your fingers - not so good for an artist. :( Sorry about your puppy and his rough night - it's so funny, our dog was dying to be outside to watch the fireworks. She is such a people person that she just wants to be with us no matter what the circumstances!

Deirdre said...

Holy smokes, Laini. Is there anything you can't do beautifully? Your talent floors me. Glad you had a good 4th - the banana splits look yummy.

Annie Jeffries said...

Tables, tasty toes, telephone calls and trips to plan. What a delightful day.

Amber said...

Your table is beautiful! I love taking one thing, and giving it new life as something else. Wonderful job.

And your trip sounds like a lovely idea to me. I hope you do it.

:)

Holly Loves Art said...

Lovely work as always... I hope your hands will be feeling better in no time. Our hands are so strong, yet so fragile. Like they say, the agony and the ecstasy!

Claudia said...

Love that mosaic work!
When you dream about your european holiday, don´t forget who is right between Holland and Italy - ME!!!

Left-handed Trees... said...

I LOVE the table...appreciated hearing about your process in making it. Is there any way to dodge all the bloodshed? Or, am I willing to bleed for creativity like you are? Ouch. I don't know, but the end result is fabulous. Does this make it hurt any less?

paris parfait said...

Stunning mosaic, Laini! Hope your fingers heal soon. Glad you had such a lovely holiday - great photos!

jojo said...

hi laini ~ i just adore your table. what a beautiful piece. i hope your wounds are healing up. your hard work shows itself well.

the dip at Punchbowl Falls looks delightful... Oregon is never short of beautiful green sites like this. Also, I long to visit the Netherlands too. sounds like a great fantasy. you will surely make that happen. because for certain you NOW have a reason too! Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Holland and Italy in one swell foop - What a grand excursion that would be! I wish stowing away hadn't gotten such a bad reputation; I'd be hiding in your travelling trunk.
Tell Camille not to get too comfortable with that pose, or she'll end up like me - I often find myself with BOTH feet in my mouth at once!
Sending powerful healing rays through my keyboard, out into cyberspace, and back up through your keyboard, so don't be alarmed by that tickling feeling in your fingertips ;-)

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I haven't been to Punchbowl in YEARS! :)