Mosaics and a Pin Wall

After almost 3 years of thinking about it, I've finally started working on mosaics. Here is my new work space in the basement:

(Sig never passes up a chance to be in a photo.)

Here is a picture frame:

And the coasters that are just about finished, as soon as I figure out why they're shedding sand. I was experimenting with different colors of grout: white, beige, and black:

A hot plate, pre-grout:

Also in progress are 2 clocks, a mail/envelope holder, and (still only in the idea stage) my first picture mosaic which will (hopefully) be a gift. Sometime this week I want to check out the tile store at the bottom of the hill by my house...I hope they have a discounted remnants bin or the tile equivalent. :)

Last weekend or so my mom visited me in Peoria for the first time. Frank and I took her to the one museum in town--the Lakeview Museum. They have a little of everything there: an observatory, some art, and a children's section! We looked at the art, watched a movie on black holes, and then played in the pill wall. This is us in a wall of many many pins...