Catching up!

Wow! In just a few hours it will be the first of November! The last 3 months have been huge and I have neglected to keep up with my Blog. So here I am with a quick catch up, August saw me spend 2 weeks volunteering in Cambodia. I fell in love with the people and the country and spend my day dream moments trying to work out how I'm going to get back there with my kids.
A people that have seen such terror and devastation but are full of hope for their future. Little did this little girl from a slum village in Phomn Phen know she changed my life with a smile and I hope I did the same for her.

Back in Australia with my family it took a while to settle back in, and I hope I never truly do, we took a road trip to falls creek and spent a week in the snow, what a contrast to where I'd been but such a delight to have that time with my children.

In September I joined Creative Memories as a consultant and I'm excited to be helping people tell and share their stories with their photos. I love that everyone has an individual and unique story to tell.

October came and I pulled out the mosaic supplies, finally, to work on my entry for The Piecemakers Bi-monthly challenge - A Dark and Stormy Night was the theme and my entry is the mask below so be sure to check out the other entries at http://www.piecemakersmosaics.blogspot.com/ but Vote for ME! So my mosaicing continues in preparation for the next Brisbane Indie Designer Markets, BIDM, on the Saturday the 5th of December at St Augustines Church on Racecourse Rd in Hamilton, so stay tuned for more details I'd love to see you there where you'll be able to check out my creations in person.

Until then check out my etsy store or feel free to leave a comment if you'd like me to contact you.

Marilyn

Brisstyle Indie Designer Markets

It was great to catch up with my local Esty designers today at the Brisstyle Indie Designers Markets, a big thank you to the Brisstyle team for organising a fantastic market day.
Thank you to my wonderful customers who purchased one of my one of a kind mosaic artworks.
Benita it was great to meet you today, you know how much I love your bloomers from www.betsykingston.etsy.com.
There was so many talented stall holders I would have loved to buy something from you all, maybe next time. Here are the goodies I had to have this time;

Love this benie and scarf from www.denimdays.etsy.com

Had to have this funky bag from www.seamstressdaughter.etsy.com Love it!

Couldn't pass this cute Bloomin Buttonhead Brooch from www.jettasnest.etsy.com and

this sweet little reversible dress is going to look adorable on my baby girl.

back-oneside

front-otherside

Thanks again brisstyle team - You Rock!!!

The Beach, summer challenge.

Please visit www.piecemakersmosaics.blogspot.com to vote in our april challenge the theme is Summer and this is my entry. The challenge is a bit of fun and the other entries are outstanding.
Enjoy!

mebon girl

mebon girl, originally uploaded by photoristic.

In August I will travel to Cambodia to volunteer in orphanages and work with slum and street kids. I am collecting bits and pieces to take with me if you are able to contribute any of the following items please contact me at www.mjmosaics@hotmail.com to arrange details. I would greatly appreciate any help most of these kids have nothing.
hair ties - can't have too many of these.
hygiene items - anything and lots of it
colouring in books
texters
craft items
simple story books - pictures with few words
If you have any other ideas please share them with me.
thanks

Chester Mosaics, England 2006

When Visiting my mum in England in 2006 we took a day trip to Chester an Ancient wall city that was originally a Roman fortress. Filled with tutor buildings and points of interest around every corner, I was so excited when I stumbled across 4 wall mosaics in the Chester Cathedral. In the picture below its hard to see the detail but the second photo you can get an idea of how big this mosaic is by the chairs in front of it. The second picture is just one of four of the murals.

Chedworth Roman Villa

When I was planning to visit England I spent a lot of time researching and planning the places I wanted to visit and this was definitely one of the highlights. On our travels through the Cotswold's towards Bath we took a very long narrow lane way deep into the English countryside to find the 4th Century ruins of a Roman Villa. Its hard to understand how the romans originally found this natural spring. The first view is an impression of how the site would have looked in its day. The house comprised of over 50 rooms.
The villa was discovered in 1864 by two local men out rabbiting, they had to dig for their ferret which went underground, and came across a section of pavement. Up to 50 men where put to work clearing the ruins. This was a fascinating visit and raised many questions for me.

St Pauls Cathedral Nov. 06

As you walk into St Pauls Cathedral it is hard not to be capture by the magnificent beauty of its architecture and art. Its hard to see in the picture but each of the domes depicts the beasts the fish and the birds of creation. Made from 1896-1904. I only had 3 days in London and could only spend 1/2 a day here but easily could have stayed longer and enjoyed the beauty of this creation. The cathedral is filled with mosaics lucky I wasn't allowed to take photos because there would be hundreds. I highly recomend if you have the opportunity to go to London go and visit St Pauls Cathedral and get the tour it highlights so many points of interest you would miss otherwise.

Artist of the week :)

Its a privellege to be picked as this weeks AOW. See the interview at www.piecemakers.blogspot.com

Great site

This is a beautiful site created by Carrie each day she features an item and shop from etsy.
check it out!
http://TheDandelion.wordpress.com

New products

Hello, it's been a busy week of mosaicing, I added 4 products to my shop and made my first sale on Esty, thanks Kim I hope you'll be happy with your daffodil piece.
I have made some wonderful, encouraging and sometimes crazy friends online. Thanks for your support. Have a beautiful day.

Currumbin Swell Festival

Hi, this one's for my friends at Piecemakers mosaic and mixed media forum. This is currumbin beach, just around the corner from me. Every september they host an outdoor sculpture exhibiton called swell you can see more at www.swellsculpture.com.au
I love it its a great day out walking along the beach front looking at the amazing art work.

16th century gold frame

Beyond the Schema Within by Brian Sanstrom

Minneta by Carlos Sanchez

Lucas with the soldier crabs by Monte Lupo

Steel Stilettos by Gregory Roy Cope

My Throne by Leisa Russell

Mosaic Chair featuring 687 handmade ceramic tiles
the year before there was a VW beatle completely mosaiced

welcome

Hi, welcome to my very first blog. Here you will find a selection of my mosaic creations if you would like to purchase visit my shop at mjmosaics.etsy.com Check in regularly for new products I have designed, up to date specials, and goings on.