About Me

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Houston, Texas, United States
Welcome to my Blog Site :) I am so happy you stopped in. I am a part time worker, wife, mom and artist/crafter. I became a grandmother for the first time about a year ago. My passions are Stained Glass and Mixed Media Art. I am a Texas girl living in a house that my father and grandfather built in 1945. I have a loving husband and two teenage boys. My boys are talented musicians who make my life complete. I hope you enjoy reading my posts about music, my boys and grandson and just about life in general. So grab your favorite choice of drink, sit back, relax and happy blogging.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Cast Iron Crosses

2 X 2 3/4 Cast Iron Crosses
While shopping at a religious store I found these cast iron crosses with a nail in the back for 85 cents each. I thought they were a good price so I bought ten.  I thought I could do something crafty with them and sell at a craft show.  The problem is I don't know what to do with them. What would you do with them?  Any suggestions?

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

God Is Awesome

Everywhere we look there are signs to remind us of God's presence.  Today, I saw one in back of a flatbed truck.  My son took this picture for me, as I was busy driving. 

Monday, August 22, 2011

FAMILY/FRIENDS

Friend/Me/Cousin
This past weekend my family got together to celebrate my aunts 80th birthday party.  Turning 80 is a big deal in itself, but what I really enjoyed was seeing alot of my cousins that I grew up with and their spouses, children and even grandchildren.  At this joyious occasion there were a few tears as we remembered cousins who have passed away and tears of joy as we saw old friends we had not seen in awhile.  I met my nephew's new wife and found out that her family lived a few blocks from where I live and her parents knew my parents.  I caught up with a friend whom I had not seen in awhile.  I also saw the three sisters that babysat me and my sister when we were oh so young little girls. When the DJ started it was hard to talk and hear so we traded numbers and vowed to get together again at a much more quieter place.  That night before going to bed, Hubby and I talked about the party.  We talked about how blessed we are to have such good friends and a close knit family.  We talked about how close our friends are that sometimes they are our family.  As I reflect on this past celebration, I am happy my hubby and two boys were with me to celebrate my aunts birthday, but most of all I am happy to have been able to see my cousins and their family and so many old friends.  I can't wait for the next birthday celebration which should be in September for my two youngest brothers and a nephew.  I wish you all the best week ever and may God bless you and your family and friends.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Tia Luisa


Irene & Tia Luisa

I had the pleasure of celebrating my Tia Luisa's 80th Birthday Lua Party. It was fun to see my family get together for such a wonderful event.  My Tia Luisa is the only surviving aunt on my mothers side of the family.  We do keep in touch with each other by phone about once a month as she is a very busy lady.  (Her daughters had to get her a cell phone because they had trouble finding her at home.) Besides going to the senior center every weekday, she is always going out of town with family and friends and on weekends there's always a party of some sort or special event.  For a lady who has never learned to drive, she sure gets around. Doesn't she look great for 80.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Crash Glass

Crash Glass Added

Layout without Crash Glass
This Saturday I took a Crash Glass Class at Harmony Stained Glass www.harmonystainedglass.com/  
The  first time I saw an example of crash glass I knew I had to learn how to do this.  I happened to be at Harmony Stained Glass Shop looking for a certain piece of glass  when I saw the sign-up sheet.  I knew it was a popular class and fills up quickly, so before I left the store I signed up. 
The class was taught by Lisa Morales who was a great teacher with lots of patience and understanding.  She had knowledge of the glass, layout and color.  You can see some of her work in her etsy shop at www.apinchofwonderful.estsy.com  I have not added the grout as Lisa is ordering a certain grout color that she suggested would look good with my project.  Meanwhile I need to paint the back and sides of the board and add something to hang it with.  After it is grouted, I have some trinkets to add to the top of my piece.  Once my project is completed, I will post the final picture.

Glass Paint Workshop

I went to Texas Art Supply Store(www.texasart.com/)  to find a paint for glass.  This store is a dream for any artist or crafter.  They have all sorts of supplies for school, art or craft/hobby projects. I never leave that store without buying something.  While checking out, I saw a flyer advertising a free pebeo (www.pebeo.com) Glass Paint Workshop.  Yes, that's right "Free", -- so I signed up for the class.

Texas Art Supply called me the day before to remind me of the class.  I asked what should I bring with me and was told "Everything will be provided."  I thought this must be a demonstration and not a workshop. 

As I walked into class, I was told to grab a glass from one of the tables.  There were flower vases, wine glasses, champagne glasses and jars all made out of glass.  I chose a wine glass. 

The class was conducted by Kat Kurganand, who works for the pebeo  Company based in France.  She first introduced the three different types of pebeo paints that were being demonstrated.
Vitrea 160 - heat set
Vitrail - air dry
Porcelaine 150 - heat set
Kat had several pieces that had been painted and fired to show us the difference in paints. 

After several questions answered we were given paint brushes and free to choose which color paints and other supplies to start painting our glass.   I first chose the Vitrail which has a transparent color.  I did not like the outcome, so I cleaned my wine glass and then used the Porcelaine 150 which has an opaque look.  I painted grapes with a vine of leaves swirled all around my wine glass.  The paint dryed fast, enough to get it home.  I waited the twenty-four hours before heat setting it in the oven.  As I set it on a cookie sheet to put in the oven, the wine glass tipped over and broke into pieces. I was upset at first, but then realized I could use this as a learning experience and after all, it did not cost me any money.
  
Many thanks toTexas Art Supply and pebeo for this fun free workshop and for providing the refreshments.  By the way, I was also added to Texas Art Supply e-mail list for upcoming workshops. 

Monday, August 1, 2011

Bling

About a month ago I bought these Flip Flops to wear around the house.  The only female in a house with three males, I asked them for their opinion. (That was a mistake I will not make again.)  I boxed them back up and stored them under the bed.  A recent visit from my teenage niece reminded me of these flip flops.  My niece is very trendy and loves bling.  She is not ashamed  to express herself.  She knows what she likes and is not afraid to wear it.   She was wearing stretch blue jeans with bling in the front and back pockets.  Her t-shirt had bling and her tennis shoes were also blinged out.  So out came the flip flops and am happy to say I wore them to work for the first time.  Thanks to my niece who taught me not to be afraid of expressing myself and if it makes you feel good, why not wear it? 

July Contest Winners

Okay here are the winners to my July Contest.  The following winners guessed what I made with four pieces of glass.  A  SNOWMAN!. 
Fanny Young
Ellen Aguirre
Annonymous (Name did not show up in your comments)
Winners, please email me your physical address at: iomaldo@aol.com, so that I can mail you a snowman.


These cute little guys will add lots of holiday cheer to your home this holiday season and can be used as a sun catcher or as a Christmas tree ornament. 
Thanks for playing and I hope you return to my blog on a regular basis to read my blog and post comments.

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