Mosaic Fancy Laundry - Megan Cain Mosaics

"I am a mosaic artist located in Madison, WI. I took a mosaic class 8 years ago while living in Memphis, TN and created my first pieces. Soon after, several years of life changes and adventures interrupted my mosaic work.

Five years ago I moved to Madison, where I became involved in a community art project through the non-profit where I worked, Troy Gardens. I assisted a neighborhood artist (and now close friend) in teaching over 35 kids and adults how to make stepping stones and we installed them in the kids' garden on the land.

It was so much fun that we decided to try it again the next year and created a mosaic fence for the kids' garden with over 100 kids, senior citizens and adults. These community art projects reminded me how much I love mosaics and I decided to pursue more of my personal mosaic art." Megan Cain - Wild Plum Mosaics

Mosaic Lots of Laundry - Megan Cain Mosaics

Mosaic Laundry Spring Breeze - Megan Cain Mosaics

Mosaic Crazy Laundry Day - Megan Cain Mosaics

Summer Laundry Mosaic Mirror - Megan Cain

The pattern uses yarn and thread held together. This one was made with black yarn held together with some shiny black and gold thread. Overall, I thought this pattern was easy to understand and fairly accurate. I suggest that anyone making this snood NOT follow the length listed in the pattern. Instead, you should hold the snood up to your own head occasionally to sort of try it on and see if it'll fit. The pattern length headband was incredibly long and I don't know anyone with a head big enough for a snood that size to fit. I had to frog some and redo it so that it would work out. Also, the little bun holding portion could be made smaller if you have less hair - just do the increases up to 7 or 8 instead of to 9 and decrease as the pattern says.

These pictures are of me wearing the snood. I look kind of weird in them, but the snood looks pretty good. It's REALLY cute in person!

The pattern can be found here.

just wanna share a few of my favs lately :

• Plastic bag rug tutorial
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• Party theme ideas
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[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350" caption="collaged spiral bound journal by wickedpen"][/caption]

Pattern: Honey, from the book Nectar by Kim Hargreaves

Yarn: Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Melange, 11 balls

Needles: US 3 and 4

Notes: This was one of the patterns that caused me to buy Nectar (although I'm sure I would have anyway, because I adore Kim Hargreaves' whole aesthetic.)  I wasn't sure, though, how the jacket style would look on me.  I kept waiting for FOs on Ravelry, but that didn't materialize (as of right now, there are only two projects for this pattern, and one of them is mine.)

I made no modifications to this pattern.  As written it is shorter than I usually make my sweaters, but if it were any longer it would no longer button where my waist is.  This pattern is sort of similar to the Nantucket jacket, but unlike that pattern, this sweater is actually flattering.  I like the way the cables provide shaping, and the way she includes decreases in the front to shape the buttonbands even though they are knit with the fronts.

This yarn was just lovely.  I used one more ball than the pattern called for, although I can't say whether it's because I was using frogged yarn.  At any rate, it definitely would take the full 10 balls in the smallest size, so I would have an extra handy.  Those cables really eat up yarn, as does the textured stitch pattern.  The stitch definition is excellent.  I would use this yarn again in a heartbeat, as it is not too heavy, and it's a great sub for those allergic to wool.

One thing which was not apparent from the pattern photos was that this pattern has puffy sleeves.  I'm not complaining - I think it really adds to the overall retro look of the jacket.  I suspect the jacket in the book was too big for the model.  I have not blocked this sweater yet  - I'm a little afraid of it growing, so it only got a blast of steam.  My swatch didn't really grow, but who knows?

If you can't tell, I love this sweater!  Everything about it - the color, the style, the puffy sleeves, are exactly perfect for my wardrobe.  I would really recommend this one, as the pattern was clear and error free, and even had a nice chart, unlike some rowan patterns.

http://www.thegreatbritishcrafttour.co.uk/crafters/pennydog-jewellery-kerry-wilkinson/

http://www.theartsupplytoolboxforartists.com

Last night, I worked on some papel picado. These are paper-cuttings done on tissue paper. You'll often see them at Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) celebrations!

Awwww! Kissing skeletons!

They're destined to be part of a garland.

The other morning while I was folding some paper to make a quick little box for an item, my hubby-to-be began talking about origami and the art of paper folding.  So what exactly is "Moneygami"?  It is the art of folding money to create something new.  The really ingenious part of this is the way the artist uses the designs on the bills as part of the object he is folding.  These are really creative!

I found these wonderful images at this website.  if you are interested in seeing more of the moneygami, please take a look.

The Arts Council of Barton County gallery is located at 206 W 10th St., on the historic Lamar, Missouri square. Our next gallery showing will feature the spectacular photography of Linda Teeter. Watch this space for more information. You can preview Linda's work right now by visiting her website, Photoscapes LLC.

The mission of the Arts Council of Barton County is to celebrate the artist in everyone, and especially right here in Barton County Missouri! We honor all types of artistic creativity - painting, photography, sculpture, crafting, music, dance, drama, writing, - whatever your medium of expression, we invite you to join our creative community!

To be added to the ACoBC mailing list, just send us an email at ArtsCouncilofBartonCounty@Yahoo.com. We'll keep you posted on upcoming events, the work of local artists (which could be YOU!), updates to this website, ACoBC projects, contests, classes and more! Don't miss out!