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This board has been my home away from home for many years and I am sad to see it so slow ..... so, what are you working on?
I have done a large, round wall hanging, a space motif, (again) ! but it has yet to be grouted. I am procrastinating because I dislike using black grout - it's so messy - yet I love the look of it, so that's what I will be using. I have also made a charming little Italian birdhouse that is at the grouting stage also. But I am side-tracked because I am making a brooch bridal bouquet for a friend and that's what I've been working on tonight. It's going to be gorgeous! If you haven't heard of them yet, Google it or go to Etsy and search "brooch bridal bouquet." She requested jewel tones and gold metal tones so that's what we're working with. It is so much fun. School will start back up soon and I will have more free time to dedicate to mosaic work. So tell me, what are you working on? |
Follow-Up Postings:
Your projects sound awesome! I'd love to see pictures! I've been going crazy making concrete flowers and mushrooms. I'm trying to make enough where I can start an Etsy store. Problem is, I don't want to sell any of them, LOL! So I make more hoping when I get enough, I'll have a dozen I'm willing to part with. |
Wow, looks like you're well on your way to selling on Etsy! I know what you mean; most of the stuff I do, I either want to keep it myself, or my husband or daughter wants it. Hard to separate ourself from our art; it's like a part of us. |
Yes, I've started an Etsy store to sell some of these, but haven't opened it yet. I think I need a good 8-10 items (per a recommendation from a friend), and then I need to really look them over and ask myself if I want to part with them all. LOL You're right that it's hard to separate ourselves from things we've made. I wasn't expecting that when I first came up with the bright idea to make some money off my craft. Incidentally, those brooch bouquets you're referring to look adorable. And what I like about them is they could be saved for future generations. Would love to see some pics when you get it done! |
- Posted by wackyweeder (My Page) on Thu, Aug 16, 12 at 20:18
Loribee I love your flowers! My life is robbing me of mosaic time. |
- Posted by nanatricia (My Page) on Thu, Aug 16, 12 at 20:20
I know it is kinda sad here but I have had GB all summer.I have been making flowers out of beer cans.We are on water ration and I have pull a lot of my flowers out of pots so I have made Fl .I hate artificial flowers but the are cute.I am getting tired of them and ready to make something .I have done some stepping stones need to mosaic one. |
Thanks, Wacky! Nana, those beer can flowers are adorable! |
Lori I love the mushrooms and flowers. Nana, the flowers are so cute, so fringy! Wacky, tell Life to move over a little; you need to make time for Mosaics! I will post pictures soon; I'm getting together with the bride-to-be and her mom on Saturday and the brooch bridal bouquet will be finished next week! Woo-hoo, I am ready to dive back in and spread some black grout around. |
- Posted by toomuchglass (My Page) on Fri, Aug 17, 12 at 12:19
I've been working on and off on my Harley mosaic. The recent heat just zapped my energy . Even though I have A/C - it's just depressing being stuck in the house all day . "Cabin Fever" in summer ! |
I'm in the same boat, toomuch. The heat just saps my energy plus I don't enjoy feeling trapped inside. Besides that, I like to do certain mosiac activities outside. I nip outside and grout outside without worrying about the shards on the floor or the grout mess. When I have to do it inside it's so much trouble. Looking forward to Fall! |
We've been in the same boat here in California. Even with a fan in my workshop and a shady area outside, when it gets over 100 I just can't do my projects. But this weekend's forecast is a beautiful mid 80's. Can't wait!! TooMuch: Looking forward to seeing some pics of your project! |
Lori, I met with the bride today and she got tears in her eyes looking at the brooch bridal bouquet -- and it isn't even done! It was so rewarding. She and her mom both are so pleased and said it looked better than any they've seen on the internet. Whew, I am so relieved. They brought me about 15 more brooches to be included so I will be done with it soon. I will post pictures! And I will probably write a how-to article. It was so much fun! |
Oh, Silvamae, that's awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing it. How rewarding to know you've created what will surely be an heirloom for someone. |
- Posted by christi508 (My Page) on Sun, Aug 19, 12 at 17:21
Those flowers are the cutest! |
Go here to see the finished bridal bouquet. Yay, I'm done! |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's blog
Silvamae, that turned out beautifully! Wow, one could sit and look at it forever (well, someone like me who loves shiny pretty things, heh). That is one very lucky bride! |
Thanks, Loribee! It was fun to do. It's made of jewelry that has meaning for them; brooches from grandmothers and aunts and donations from friends. It was quite a new experience for me and I'm ready to make another one. It's addictive! |
Wow, what an heirloom. I'm jealous they had so many beautiful things to choose from! |
This is my first picture post -it is a pebble stepping stone. Had a hard time getting the black grout off the white stones. |
- Posted by nanatricia (My Page) on Sun, Sep 2, 12 at 19:56
I love the stepping stone. |
Thanks so much! I've had such a time with learning everything, it gives me a headache. All I really wanted to do was make some pebble stepping stones, but one thing led to another, and here is my WIP...I've been working on it since July. |
LOL it always starts with "just a couple stepping stones". Welcome to the addiction. Your stone is absolutely gorgeous. What is your plan for the bird? |
Love the pebble stone and the bird. |
Thank you so much! I knew you'd get a kick out of starting with stepping stones, loribee. It's true though - you start looking into other materials and methods, and mysteriously a stash of glass, broken pottery, bags of grout and thinset, hoards of possible substrates, and much much more start taking over your home. The plan for the raven is based on a Native American story. Raven steals the sun, water, and moon from Eagle. This is supposed to represent raven hanging the moon. I will finish up with a sunset and water, and of course a moon. My cutting of glass into square shapes leaves something to be desired, but at least I'm consistent with my irregularities. I do my work at a Seattle mosaic shop, and they are going to help me with the double indirect method in a wood frame. It helps to have knowledgeable people around to bounce ideas off. I have noticed a certain glazing over in the eyes of people who aren't into mosaic when I talk about it. Silva, I've read your blog and am so impressed with your work. Susan |
- Posted by concretenprimroses (My Page) on Tue, Sep 18, 12 at 18:44
Wow! So many wonderful projects! I adore those little concreteflowers, and the space mosaic and everything. I am tediously putting the background on my plant stand that I started months ago. I foolishly decided that it would be good practice to have the back ground be rows of uncut square glass tiles (except cut around the flowers and moth etc.) Whatapaininmyyouknowwhere! Its been a torture experience! I am very slowly making progress, but I don't like to work on it too much. I have a little project planned as a reward, but maybe i need to do the reward now! and have another reward when I'm done. Kathy |
Pictures, Kathy, pictures! What reward do you have planned? I have been working on a metal watering can and that has been torture also! because the pieces slide out of position; and I just don't want to be bothered to sit there and hold each one in place til the glue sets up. I have decided in the future to always have two mosaic projects going at the same time. That way I can leave one alone while the glue hardens and work on the other one. And I am going to try using GE Silicone II on metal - no more MAC glue on metal! All I have to do on the watering can is the spout - and that will be a pain for sure! |
- Posted by ItsmeChickadee (My Page) on Tue, Sep 25, 12 at 12:37
Silvamae, I think the idea of having two projects going at a time is a good one! I'm (very stupidly!) working on a strange project right now that involves mosaicing the inside of a round fish bowl. I'm crazy I tell ya! I've had all kind of sliding glass issues. I'm finding patience I didn't know I possess. Mosaic on! Becky |
Haha, I'm often in a situation like that. Carry on -- you can do it! |
Please check out my blog - - I just finished a second bridal bouquet today. I love doing these!! |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's blog - latest bridal bouquet
Okay, y'all, I got brave and listed this bouquet on Etsy (seller mosaicroad). I need money to be able to buy more vintage brooches, I'm on a tangent, I love making these! Not giving up mosaics, just branching out. If anyone has old flower-type brooches they want to trade me, I have tons of stained glass, glass tile, and nipped plates! |
Forgot to add, in addition to having tons of stained glass, glass tile, and nipped plates, I have a bazillion flat-backed marbles (glass gems, glass globs). |
- Posted by shades_of_idaho (My Page) on Wed, Oct 10, 12 at 12:40
Silvamae your brooch bouquets are so pretty.I have also seen them done in crystals or large crystals added as filler. I did a couple French Beaded flower bouquets. If you can pick up that skill the little flowers are also a nice fill. I think I used up all my jewlery doing a lighted Christmas tree in picture frames project years ago. Always love branching out from mosaics once in awhile. I think it keeps the creativity going. My project right now is finally finishing the top of the master bath mirror surround I started a couple of years ago. I stalled out because I just did not know where to go with it. And then a vision hit and all is good and I imagine I will have this done some time this winter. My husband turned the light fixture over since I took the picture and it all looks so much better. I am already working on the next section but my job got in the way. Also working on a mannequin. At this point I only have her taped in the silver foil tape. Plan on doing her bustier in grape clusters leaves and vines. If I can. This is an experiment. |
Wow, that is amazing! and thanks for the suggestion about the crystal fillers. That would really add to it. Can't wait to see pics of your mirror surround finished. |
- Posted by toomuchglass (My Page) on Wed, Oct 10, 12 at 16:49
There's so much talent here !!! It's overwhelming !! I finished and shipped the Harley Mosaic , now I started on another ........... horse ! I have a collection going LOL I can't get enough of them :) |
I just remembered that we can now upload pictures directly from our computer, so here's a picture of my latest. |
- Posted by shades_of_idaho (My Page) on Thu, Oct 11, 12 at 10:45
silvamae, This is a picture of the French Beaded flowers. A very simple one for hair comb. The added top loops would also be nice incorporated into your bouquets. I know it is the broaches that make the look. But some times added options can lower your costs and over all costs to customers and add to the uniqueness. I have lots of patterns for the FB flowers if you want to try them but beware they are as addicting as mosaics. Really hoping to get to play with glass today. Finally a day with out having to work and trips to town. I think. I have not asked yet. |
That's beautiful. I appreciate the suggestion and I plan to incorporate it into the next one. Crystals would add so much to the look and as you say, help keep the cost down. |
- Posted by nanatricia (My Page) on Sun, Oct 14, 12 at 21:35
All are so beautiful I do a lot of branching out but still love mosaics the best. Sivamae are you using old earrings also. |
- Posted by shades_of_idaho (My Page) on Sun, Oct 14, 12 at 21:55
I am starting a second project while continuing to work on the mirror surround in the master bath. I am starting a mannequin torso. I nipped and tumbled some glass this afternoon.Trying to reduce sharp edges on curved substrait. My goal is to cover her in grape vines and grape clusters. No idea why I want to do her this way other then she will blend in with our kitchen back splash. Since she will be sitting in the dinning room we do not eat in I felt she should blend in. There is nothing to take a picture of yet. I have her taped in silver tape and some lines drawn in as guides in dry erase marker. Scrolling back. I forgot to mention how much I liked the pebble stepping stone. |
Wow, the brooches and mirror surround are amazing. What a lovely idea to have your bridal bouquet as a keep sake. And I would love to be able to look at that lovely surround every day. Susan |
Hi, Nanatricia! Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I use earrings also; whatever pieces of jewelry that can be made to work, I use. Shades, I can't wait to see pictures of your mannequin. I've always wanted to do one; maybe I will someday. drtdgr, thanks for your comments. I think the bridal bouquets are brilliant; if I was a bride, I would want one for sure. I am on the trail looking for more jewelry since I've used my stash up; I'm ready to make a third one. |
Silvamae, that is beautiful (I can see it well if I click on the picture). What is your plan to do with it? Love the glass gems in with the stained glass. Makes such a nice texture. |
Thanks, Loribee2. It's a wall hanging. |
- Posted by shades_of_idaho (My Page) on Sat, Oct 20, 12 at 12:55
Slivamae that is really pretty. Today is my day to play with glass so getting to it. Might have WIP pictures later if I can get enough done today. |
- Posted by toomuchglass (My Page) on Sun, Oct 21, 12 at 20:30
I love your thin grout lines - everything fits so perfect ! You must cut out each piece as you go . I'm going to try that soon , all I've been doing is snipping random pieces and fitting them the best I can. The grout lines are really irregular. Next project is a crow.( I love crows !) PS -- |
- Posted by shades_of_idaho (My Page) on Sun, Oct 21, 12 at 21:24
Toomuchglass, I have Eve laying on the kitchen counter. I have started working on her back and have her propped with pillows. Never even considered getting her off balance with the glass weight all on one side. Will certainly keep that in mind. Thanks for that tip. |
Looking at all these lovely projects is inspirational. I've been learning to cut glass from a tutorial this weekend, i.e., key stoning, going around curves, and cutting straight lines instead of curved ones. It has been tedious. I still have several exercises to go through. It's been a three band-aid weekend. I just repeat to myself - it's going to worth it, art is hard. |
- Posted by shades_of_idaho (My Page) on Wed, Oct 24, 12 at 12:02
drtdgr, The thing about cutting glass and mosaics is relax. If you make a mistake just put it aside and cut it up for smaller pieces later. LOL My theory. I am really not very good at cutting glass. I do have a triangle shape ruler edge with a small lip at the bottom that hooks on the flat edge of glass to help with cutting straight pieces. |
Oh, I appreciate the encouragement. I know intellectually that that the glass shapes aren't meant to be perfect, but it still drives me crazy. I want a glass grinder so bad, but it's just not in the budget. There's something I haven't grasped yet, to look at projects with a new viewpoint, to remember that glass as a medium isn't like a drawing. It's how the eye reads the whole... anyway, I'll try to relax and make something beautiful. |
- Posted by toomuchglass (My Page) on Thu, Oct 25, 12 at 14:06
If you have a Hobby Lobby near you , they carry grinders . With a 40% off couppon , the price is really reasonable. ( Compared to what you'd pay at a glass store ) I have to agree - you have to change your perception on what you're making. It used to just kill me because I couldn't get glass pieces as intricate as my drawings were. |
Grouting marathon this morning! I grouted a watering can, large flower pot, dragonfly panel, two picture frames, and the roof of a bird house. Whew! Picture on my blog. After the huge gi-normous pictures I somehow managed to insert here a few posts up, I hesitate to try it again. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's blog - Grouting Marathon
Toomuch, we posted at exactly the same moment! |
drtdgr, I have a story for you. The moral is, keep your eyes and ears open and unexpected good things may happen in the world of mosaics. Here's the story. Last year my husband and I drove into Westlake Hills on the outskirts of Austin to a hardware company called Breed and Company. They carry a kitchen sharpener, a carborundum stone with a wooden handle, that I use to smooth the sharp edges of tess. So I couldn't find them right off and I asked an employee and he was trying to envision what it was and where they might be. He said "What do you use it for?" and I replied, "Mosaics." A young woman who also worked there walked by and touched my arm and said, "When you're through shopping, come and find me; I would like to talk to you." Well, I couldn't imagine what she wanted, but after I made my purchase, I went and found her. She was getting out of mosaics and into metal working and she wanted to know if she could GIVE me some glass and tools because she was running out of room. Well, we made arrangements to go to her house on her next day off. Then she said, I hope you have a pickup or a large car. I said I had a van. I could not believe what she gave me. A ton of beautiful stained glass, all kinds of tools, storage units, Diamondcrete, grout, I couldn't begin to name it all, and ... a brand new Glastar grinder, never used, still in box with manual. I was stunned. She would not let me pay her one penny. The van almost dragged the ground on the way home. I called my friend in town who also does mosaics and gave her a load of glass and I gave the storage unit away to someone who took a class from me, but I kept the grinder and lots of tools. So you never know . . . I hope you get your grinder. I never thought I would ever get one. |
- Posted by shades_of_idaho (My Page) on Thu, Oct 25, 12 at 15:59
drtdgr and there you go. I have an extra grinder just sitting here. You want to help pay shipping I will send it to you. It came with glass things from a stained glass artist I bought out last year. It is well used but seems to run fine.Nothing fancy about it.It is taking up valuable space in my little studio room. The bits for them are some thing like 10 dollars a piece if you get them on a two for. And right now I forget where you get them for that. LOL |
Oh my goodness that is a wonderful story Silva. And thanks so much for the offer Shades! I would be more than happy to pay for postage. I live in Tacoma, so that isn't too far. My email is firstname.lastname@example.com if you want to discuss the details that way. Yay! |
- Posted by shades_of_idaho (My Page) on Fri, Oct 26, 12 at 11:12
Silvamae, Finally got a chance to go look at your grouting project. That really is a lot to grout in one sitting. I do the same here creating a grout-a-thon. Doing it outside really would be good. I will give that a try on good weather days. I always have a fear I will get too much grout spread and not be able to get it off in time. So far that has not happened so I am not sure why I have this fear going on. Your pieces look great. Love the long dragon fly panel. |
I totally identify with the fear of too much grout spread and not enough time. What I have to do is break it up into sections. I grouted the panel, the two small frames, and the handle of the watering can in one session. Then I cleaned up and threw away the grout dish, disposable gloves, etc. Washed out the sponges and completely cleaned and polished the pieces. Then I started all over, mixed new grout, and grouted the rest of the watering can and the bird house roof. The only time I ever had a huge problem was one night when I was grouting a bunch of stuff and I forgot about a bird house until the next day. I was so upset because no matter what I used, I could not get that bird house clean. Grouting outside is definitely the thing to do. Unfortunately here in Texas we get about 3 days a year of good outside grouting weather. |
- Posted by shades_of_idaho (My Page) on Fri, Oct 26, 12 at 12:00
I have gotten away from sponges when cleaning grout. I am a bit wasteful in using paper towels for the first wipe off or two or three then I move onto dry rags, cut op towels work best for me for polishing. For me the sponges just kept smearing the haze around. The dry method cleans up so much faster. I do put a coffee can in the sink to rinse gloved fingers off in. When I grouted the kitchen back splash. I did several sections (9- 8 by 13 inch pieces at once and I was so freaked) flat on the counter. Then installed them and did the seams. Kind of seemed like a double grout job but once a piece is grouted and cleaned it cleans up fast the second time if extra grout gets on it again. I am working the master bath wall that way too. Need to get back to that but Eve jumped in front of me and demanded to get some glass on her. LOL Back to work here people coming over house is trashed. Eve is still on my kitchen counter.LOL |
I've been working double-time this past week; another lady and myself are having an open house Friday to hopefully sell a few things. It's at her house in north Austin, about 35 miles away. So I am gathering up some items and forcing myself to price everything before I pack it up --- ugh, pricing is the hardest part. It's hard to have a formula for mosaic work; you may pay 99 cents for the material and put 40 hours of work in it . . . so formulas such as material times 3 or whatever don't work. Oh well, wish me luck. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's blog - Open House flyer
Good luck on the open house! Yes, pricing is hard. I find I want more for something immediately after I've finished it. Then after it's been sitting in my yard for a couple months, I don't mind selling it cheaper, LOL |
This morning I took most of my items over to the lady's house for the Open House on Friday. So far I have 24 items displayed, and will probably have about 10 more to take Friday morning. They range from vases and pictures frames to bird houses and my large round space mosaic. Wish me luck! I will report back as to how I did. |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Thu, Nov 1, 12 at 9:09
There's some wonderful works on this thread. It'll take me awhile to catch up here. Been bad. |
We did well with the Open House so we are doing another one, this time on a Saturday instead of Friday. I sold the dragonfly panel and since then I've made another one which I will post a picture of after it's grouted. I have started another Plexiglass panel, this time of triggerfish. It's all blues and greens and I made sure each piece was translucent. There is some white pattern on the lower half of the fish and the white that I'm using just looks white but when the light shines through it, there's an orange glow. I'm excited about this. |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Thu, Nov 8, 12 at 16:20
Ooooooo - congratulations on your opportunities and sales. You're on a roll for sure. |
Yes, it's getting busy because of Christmas. This lady just called and ordered three more picture frames similar to one I had at the Open House. But I want to work on my fishies -- |
I just posted a picture of some work-in-progress: two square mirrors, called Hip to be Square. They are so challenging -- fitting all different sizes of squares, tiles, earrings, etc. together on a curved slick wooden frame. I'm loving them. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's latest WIP
Silva, that is going to be sweet. Will you grout it? |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Thu, Nov 29, 12 at 14:43
VERY nice looking frame w/interesting tess. |
Thank you, Lori and Slow. Yes, I will grout it, probably with black grout. If you go back and look again, I added another picture; just finished gluing the first one, almost done with the second one. |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Thu, Nov 29, 12 at 17:41
I LOVE it. Tricky business to make all those different sized squares come out right. It's a GORGEOUS frame that should please ANYONE. Good luck on your Christmas sales. You must have a good market down there. I sooooo miss the Austin area. |
- Posted by calamity_j (My Page) on Thu, Nov 29, 12 at 23:56
Looking good!!! Just LOVE the dragon fly one too!!! |
Finished the two mirrors today - changed my mind on the grout and used a sand color. I am happy with them - it's HIP to be SQUARE! |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's latest (two mirrors)
ooh those are really great, I like the sand grout too and I wouldn't have guessed that but it works on these |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Wed, Dec 5, 12 at 6:18
Beautiful mosaicing - lovely mirrors. The grout is PERFECT. I bought some yesterday for the little house I'm making. First time I won't be using charcoal or black for years. |
Just finished this, a 3-part wall hanging. Checking to see if my Flickr link works. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's Flickr Mosaics
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Fri, Dec 7, 12 at 16:45
What a nice hanging - so beautifully made. Doncha just love Dichroic glass. That stuff is out of sight expensive. |
I know. I love it but I have to use it sparingly. |
I did a weird looking piece of bark on a Wedi board and called it "Asteroid" and I love it but my husband thinks it's peculiar. I was asking his opinion of pricing before I took my stuff to the Open House yesterday and when I held up "Asteroid" he wrinkled his nose and said "I don't know -- $39?" I counted the dichroic cabs I had in the background and said "I've got $48 in these alone!" I enjoyed the Open House tremendously, the lady whose house it was is the nicest person and so are all her friends and neighbors. Only the small stuff sold; the highest pieces that sold were for $40.00. To see something else I recently made (not mosaic) go to Conversations. |
Click link to see my Transportation birdhouse . . . |
Here is a link that might be useful: Transportation birdhouse
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Thu, Jan 24, 13 at 7:22
It's darlin', SILVA. Love all the tess you put in it. |
- Posted by nanatricia (My Page) on Thu, Jan 24, 13 at 20:54
Yes it is so cute!! |
Remember the "Out of this world" space mosaics I did last year? I took them to Michaels to be custom framed and they quoted $480 for the large one and that includes a 40% off coupon. I then took them to Aaron Bros. and am getting them framed there (same frame); $130 for the large one. I will post photos when I get them back. Later today or tomorrow I will post a photo of the round one that I framed myself, and you won't believe what I used to frame it with . . . |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's Flickr Mosaics
wow that's a huge difference in costs. I can never bring myself to pay for framing, if i can't figure something out I just leave it frameless |
This will be the first time I have paid for custom framing a mosaic . . . I usually buy framed prints at Goodwill or garage sales and use them to frame my stuff. This was just too large and it's going to look good with all three framed alike. This is probably the only time I'll ever do this. |
I put the photos of the round Space Mosaic on my blog today with a description of what I used to frame it. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's blog - Round Space Mosaic framed
it looks great!!! love your solution |
I got the three "Out of This World" mosaics back from Aaron Brothers custom framing shop and I am so pleased with their work. I'm going to try posting a picture on here directly, and I hope it's not Gigantic like they have been in the past. Here goes. To see all three, click on the link below. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's blog
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Tue, Mar 19, 13 at 9:23
They look great, SILVA. You must have a huuuuuuuuuuge house to have a place for these side-by-side. I bought a painting in PV - the artist, who's workshop followed ours - gave me a 4-hr. demo on his technique, and I felt it was mine, so bought it. He's shipping it Thursday. I have to take down several pieces in my l.r. to make space for it - huuuuuge. I posted what I've been doing after returning from PV on the conversation side. Seems noone goes to that side often. |
I don't go to Conversation often, but I did check it yesterday and I saw your post -- I commented on your Photobucket. Cool stuff - inspirational. Everything you do gives me an idea . . . |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Thu, Mar 21, 13 at 8:58
I saw your comment and responded. I NEVER see/comment on Photobucket. Don't know why I don't get notices from them like we do on Flickr. |
I want to work only on large things; guess I need to go into Outdoor Mode. I'm planning a mosaic stepping stones/natural stones combination walkway in the backyard next. |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Fri, Mar 22, 13 at 8:47
WOW - that is big ideas for a big project - makes my back hurt just thinking of it. Way to go, SILVA. Can't wait for WIP pics on that one. |
Go to the Conversation side to see the project I just finished. |
I got sidetracked from my next project - stepping stones for the backyard - and I'm working on a "female Mongol warrior mosaic." It's a torso; so far I have a deer antler, a woven metal gold-tone belt from Greece for a bandolier, and a broken Japanese teapot for her breast plates and a broken bowl for epaulettes. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Silva's latest WIP
- Posted by nanatricia (My Page) on Wed, May 1, 13 at 21:31
That is going to be cool!! I have one like that I need to do but it has not spoke to me yet. |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Thu, May 2, 13 at 8:00
REALLY gonna be a unique torso. Why doncha put it in it's own thread on this side, girlie? The website is slow to come up. Very interesting tess. |
Ready to grout -- thinking pale brown for top half and black for bottom half -- what do y'all think? |
- Posted by crafty_lady (My Page) on Wed, May 22, 13 at 13:17
No advice from me since I am grout challenged but I can't wait to see her all grouted up! Hope someone else chimes in with advice! |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Fri, May 24, 13 at 9:39
Why not brown for the whole thing to save yourself some trouble. Brown is a very nice grout color, and since you have so much brown in the piece, it could be great.. |
Thank you, slowmedown! That's exactly what I'll do. Why deal with the black? I am now looking forward to grouting it -- probably tomorrow since I'll be in town most of the day today. |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Sat, Jun 1, 13 at 0:35
SILVA: You l'il heiffer. You may have just inspired me to get back into mosaicing. Congratulations on the completion of this nice project. This is just darlin', and so unique. I like the shoulders tess and the, oh rats, can't remember what you call the strap across her breast. Great job, girlie. I have several torsos, and I need to DO SOMETHING w/them. I've been trying my hand at paper crafting, and have become very frustrated. Have spend hundreds of $s on art supplies, and still, I sit and stare and produce NOTHING. Think I need to grab a torso and plant the first tile on it. THEN, perhaps, I can find my way around this wall. Thank you for the inspiration. Just got home from a John Conlee concert, and I'm wired - fabulous entertainer. Hope I can settle down and get some sleep tonight so I can get myself up fresh and get to the garage tomorrow morning to fetch a torso and get back to work. This block has gone on far too long. |
I hear you! That's what I always have to do; glue a tile on something and go from there. This torso was a challenge. It is that heavy-duty white slick plastic that is so tough you can hardly put a hole through it. The ammunition belt thingie and the antler are anchored on with nails and screws, and I used several bits of Apoxie Sculpt to hold the antler in place. Then the base is covered with a thin piece of plywood that we cut to fit and stained. So she's got a lot of behind-the-scenes work on her. Like you, I sometimes veer off onto paper and I start out with these ambitions to do something cool but I never get far with it and always come back to mosaics. I'm ready to do a full-size mannikin now! |
- Posted by crafty_lady (My Page) on Sat, Jun 1, 13 at 23:06
WOW Silva, she looks amazing!!!! I'll bet you are quite pleased with the way she came out and now you are ready to get busy making stuff for your open house! A torso by you Slow? Do it please! I know you will come up with something exciting!!!!! |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Sun, Jun 2, 13 at 9:21
Nice job, SILVA. CRAFTY: I managed to pull one out and get it washed and ready. Also nipped up some red tiles - still have four plates and four cups to nip. As I sat there nipping away, I was trying to get an idea of how to begin. I also cut out, sanded, sealed and put hangers on four wooden hearts for a one-day workshop w/two ladies I met in PV who w/be here during CALAMITY's upcoming visit. W/continue nipping red tiles today while I THINK THINK THINK on a design. |
- Posted by crafty_lady (My Page) on Sun, Jun 2, 13 at 17:28
I have a feeling that as soon as you start gluing stuff down, the design will begin to flow beneath your creative hands! |
Hi All.... I'm a spring to fall mosaic'er as I work outside in a mosaic hut that my hub made me last year. I stumbled across some of Slo's work on Pinterest and have been hooked on her stuff since. Thank goodness you post photo's on Photobucket Slo, I love seeing the beautiful things you make! I thought I'd jump in and say hi and say that I just started my first project for this year. I'm covering an old mailbox to use for my garden tools. Also while cleaning up the yard I was OVERCOME with a thought to mosaic the wall in the front yard. I'll take a pic tomorrow (it's pouring rain here today) to show you my blank canvas. I can't get the wall out of my mind! I'm sketching and trying to decide how to proceed with the theme etc.... I'm going to use the push and squish method so no grouting. I hope to use all sorts of tessera for this project. Gosh knows I've been collecting junk for a LONG time and have some cool stuff. The house is very old, from the 1800's and I'd like to incorporate something historic too. mfbpa in PA |
- Posted by crafty_lady (My Page) on Fri, Jun 7, 13 at 23:44
Wow that sounds like a cool project to do! You should start a new thread for it though so we can follow your progress from start to finish. Can't wait to see your mailbox too! How nice to have tour own place to go to and create! |
Here's an end view of my mailbox. I will call her Millie as I have to have a name for everything! LOL I'm also going to do as you suggested and start a new thread for my wall. I did load some pics on Photobucket too. |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Sun, Jun 9, 13 at 10:50
Soooooooo glad you're back. Have wondered what you've been doing. Thanks for the compliments. LOVE your mailbox, and the wall idea is a knockout. Your home is so beautiful, and I know you'll do a fabulous job on the wall. |
- Posted by crafty_lady (My Page) on Sun, Jun 9, 13 at 15:50
Millie is very cute! |
- Posted by calamity_j (My Page) on Fri, Jun 14, 13 at 13:25
Great projects ladies!!! |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Sat, Jun 15, 13 at 7:51
Very nice, SILVA. Have y'all seen Chris Emmert's stones on Flickr today? Her work is awesome. She must use miles and miles of ball chain. That stuff is sooooooo expensive. I've only bought one spool, and haven't used it yet. Gave a yard to DD in Dallas, and she LOVES it. She used it on a wooden mini-album she made. |
I need to get some. That will be the next thing on my list to order. Black ball chain (large) would be great for butterfly bodies, and smaller size to outline wings. I have seen her stuff and it is beautiful. |
- Posted by slowmedown (My Page) on Mon, Jun 17, 13 at 8:17
Sweet. I envy you w/all those stones available. |
- Posted by crafty_lady (My Page) on Mon, Jun 17, 13 at 10:19
Love these garden stones and I think you should have no problem selling them at the open house! |
Thanks, y'all. I love making them. |
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Research and DEVILopment
School is almost back in session as summer vacation draws to a close. This is no different for the National Hockey League.
Starting up is the return of the Research, Development and Orientation camp which will be used to test potential changes to the game. Changes that will be tested will include very subtle, almost unnoticed, changes, to the more, "Oh my gosh, did the barber use a weed-whacker on your hair?" changes.
If you ever wanted to know how today's game would be played if they didn't have the Brodeur Rule (that little trapezoid behind the net), this is exactly what they will be testing at the camp.
The NHL will have the two past Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year) winners– Pittsburgh's Dan Bylsma and Phoenix's Dave Tippett — serving as mentors for the young prospects. Not only will the camp serve as a testing ground for potential rule changes, but the camp will also allow teams to take a look at possible 2012 prospects. In total, 36 prospects eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft will be participating in the camp.
Now, I know you're thinking to yourself, "What kind of rule changes could they possibly be testing?" Let me ease your mind.
1) Trapezoid Rule – The rule was introduced post-lockout as a way to increase scoring. The rule limits goaltenders from leaving the crease to go play a puck in the corners. As a Devils fan, I absolutely detest the rule. Martin Brodeur is noted as one of the greatest puck-handling goalies of all-time. He would always come out of the crease, play the puck in the corner, and lunge it down ice to a streaking player. However, with the trapezoid rule, Brodeur is restricted into staying in his little blue zone in front of the net. Many teams favor this rule because they have very, poor puck-handling goaltenders. The trapezoid limits player movement on the ice, which is not what the game is about. Players should be able to skate and play the puck wherever they want. I won't even get into the fact that goalies can't skate over the red-line.
2) No Icing While Shorthanded – While it seems like a good idea to allow shorthanded teams to just heave a puck down the ice since they're down one or two players, it's really not. Hockey is supposed to be a game of skill and action. Shooting a puck down ice to clear time off the penalty kill is BORING. What's being tested at the RDO camp is that the team actually has to play defense. If teams want to be able to dump it into the opposing zone, they must take it past the red-line and dump, just like a regular shift. This will showcase a team's strong/weak defense since they will actually have to gain possession of the puck and carry it out. Many are mixed on this rule as the NHL gave powerplay teams a sizeable advantage a couple of years ago, when they stated that at the start of a powerplay, the faceoff will be in the offensive zone.
3) Overtime Variations – Every day, I hear people complaining about the shooutout at the end of overtime, and how you would never see a baseball game end in a home run derby, or basketball end in a slam dunk contest. People complain that the shootout takes away that special edge from penalty shots. Hey, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. I, personally, enjoy shootouts. Always have, always will. But let's try this on for size, shall we. What if there's a tie after regulation and teams play FOUR minutes of 4-on-4 hockey. No one scores, still tied. Instead of going to a shootout right away, it would be a THREE minute period of 3-on-3 hockey. I would LOVE to see 3-on-3 hockey. There wouldn't be clusters of players on the ice, wide-open range to skate and set up plays. The league wants to see fast-paced action and high scoring, 3-on-3 is an awesome addition to OT. If no one scores after the 3-on-3, it would go to a shootout. Also, the league is testing out the possibility of switching ends at the end of regulation. For example, third period a team is shooting left to right, that team would shoot right to left in OT. The league is partial to increasing the time of overtime, that way there might be less shootouts to end the game.
Those are a few of the major changes that the league will be looking into. There are a couple minor things, such as: referees wearing wireless headsets to relay information to each other during a game, and the "bear hug rule." The bear hug rule, introduced by Brian Burke, would allow players to wrap their arms around an opposing player to take him into the boards as opposed to violently throwing him into the boards, thus reducing injury.
Which rule changes would you like to see implemented into the game? Leave a comment with your favorite rule change, or add a suggestion of your own!
Follow Kevin on Twitter at @kevinlankey
Posted on August 11, 2011, in New Jersey Devils, NHL, NHL Draft, NHL Draft Prospects and tagged Brodeur Rule, Changes, Jack Adams Award, New Jersey Devils, NHL, Rules, Trapezoid Rule. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
2-on-2 half ice no goalies!
I like shootouts too. Nothing better than that kind of excitement. Anything beats a tie… leaving the arena completely disheartened that you wasted hours of your life. No shootouts is like baseball ending after the 10th inning, with each team getting half a win – not the home run derby idea. Extra innings (each team has a chance to score) is more like a shootout than a HR derby is. I do like the idea of 3 on 3 hockey though. Great post.

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Luz Brilhante Da Bahia- Pinhole Photographs of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
These cross-processed, 35mm pinhole images relay a vivid and intimate impression of this sultry city on the northeastern coast of Brazil.
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Page address: http://www.mnsu.edu/partnerships/enews/The Division of Strategic Business, Education and Regional Partnerships publishes an Electronic Newsletter.
Strategic Business, Education and Regional Partnerships
Bob Hoffman
Vice President
Strategic Business, Education and Regional Partnerships
Welcome to the Spring 2014 edition of our newsletter.
As our division works to equip students with the critical knowledge and skills employers need now and in the future, we recognize the importance of continuing to forge strong partnerships with the business community.
How are we building relationships that are mutually beneficial to business, our students, and the University? In this issue, members of the division highlight our approach, and we introduce a couple of our partners and programs. But first we share lessons in finding meaning and purpose at any stage of life or career from author and executive coach Richard Leider, who spoke at one of our recent Executive Business Breakfasts. It was an event intended for networking and partnership among business and university leaders.
Also, this will be my last newsletter at the helm of the Division. I am retiring June 30th, and yes, it will be my second retirement. (I intend to make it work this time!) My successor is yet to be named but will be on board soon and fortunate to join a strong, dynamic and effective team. This is indeed an exciting time to be promoting higher education at the speed of business.
In parting, I want to express a special "thank you" for your consideration, your collaboration and especially, your friendship.
Best regards,
Richard Leider
The New Life Phase: Reimagining Your Life
An interview with Richard Leider
Ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the Top 5 most respected executive coaches in the nation, Richard Leider recently provided the keynote at the Minnesota State Mankato Executive Business Breakfast. In his remarks, Leider highlighted principles and lessons about how to successfully navigate life's transitions from his newest book Life Reimagined: Discovering Your New Life Possibilities, co-published by AARP and Berrett-Koehler. Lessons in the book are application for the one in three people who are in transition, according to Leider. But they are especially appropriate for Baby Boomers as they move toward a new phase of life.
"Every eight seconds, someone turns 50," Leider began. "Today, it is an existential necessity to have a mid-life crisis."
According to Leider, there is a new life phase (roughly ages 50 to 80) that is changing not only mid-life, but every life stage. This change is caused first by longevity -- we're living longer lives; second by a new productivity - by 2020, 40 to 50 percent of the workforce will be freelancers; and finally by an increasing emphasis on finding meaning.
"We want our most precious resource to count," Leider said. "And our most precious resource is time."
Meaning and the search for it were at the heart of Leider's presentation. "In an age of technology and increasing connectivity, the human moment of personal contact is often missed," he said. As a result, people remain starved for meaning.
Leider shared a story about his 15 years of working with and interviewing the Hadza, a hunter-gatherer tribe in Africa often referred to as the "original people." In the tribe, the two most important days in a person's life are the day of birth and the day when the question, "Why was I born and what is my purpose?" is answered.
"That is the day," Leider said, "that they give their people names."
Choice, curiosity, and courage are central to living with meaning, according to Leider. He noted that Viktor Frankl, the noted Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, whom Leider met early in his career, has called choice the "last of the human freedoms." Curiosity is what allows lives and relationships to thrive and flourish, Leider added, noting that a lack of curiosity is contributing to the high national divorce rate. Courage is the oil that allows the other two C's to work, he said.
Find an interview with Leider that Star Tribune business columnist Neal St. Anthony conducted shortly after the breakfast meeting: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/goodlife/236776691.html
Additional interviews with Leider can be found here: http://lifereimagined.aarp.org/discover-your-new-life-possibilities
Helping Small Businesses Thrive
The Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) had a productive and rewarding year: Staff and consultants served 456 clients, delivered 5,764 consulting hours, helped start 30 new businesses and worked to help our clients access nearly $7 million in capital.
In addition to being named the 2013 Center of Excellence and Innovation for the Upper Midwest Region by the U.S. Small Business Administration, our proudest achievements came in helping small businesses, like the one started by Jeff Evenson.
Jeff is a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran who founded Natural Pathways with his wife Laura in North Mankato, Minn., a holistic wellness center with services that include nutritional therapy, acupuncture, massage, Reiki, yoga and Zumba. We have done considerable work with Jeff, from start-up to expansion, and from financing to marketing.
The SBDC is proud to have participated in veterans' reintegration events in our region and provided scholarships to veterans, enabling them to attend a financial literacy course: "Profit Mastery: Creating Value and Building Wealth." We continue to work with veterans to help them start businesses and assist those whose businesses were affected by their military deployment.
Jeff Evenson, MA
Holistic Practitioner
Natural Pathways
A Small Business Success Story as told by Jeff Evenson
We literally started out with no idea of how to set up a business. Our banker, Matt Chmielewski, suggested we work closely with the SBDC. I was working full-time as an information security manager at Midwest Wireless, Alltel and Verizon in Mankato. Through each job transition, I realized that I wanted to be responsible for my own business. I'm a retired Navy Chief with 20 years of service and, if you know anything about a Navy Chief, we kind of like to do things our own way.
We were put into contact with Wendy Anderson of the SBDC. Her assistance was instrumental in navigating through the business planning and concept stages, determining financial needs, finding a location and pulling in the right construction company for renovations. She also helped us obtain local grants and city improvements funding—things we did not know existed.
Natural Pathways Holistic Wellness Center is the first business of its kind in lower North Mankato. We created it to bring together alternative health practitioners in a professional, collaborative, community setting. We offer a wide variety of alternative care practices for women, men and children. Our focus is ensuring each patient or client is heard.
In the end, our mission is simple: Help people feel better, improve their quality of life, teach and educate. This can all be done in a natural, holistic way that is very successful for our patients.
Natural Pathways is located at 229 Belgrade Ave., North Mankato, Minnesota.
Investing in Educational Leadership to Aid At-Risk Schools
The Center for Engaged Leadership has an exciting, ongoing partnership with the Minneapolis Public Schools' Aspiring Principal Development Program. The program prepares future principals to transform underperforming urban schools.
Recent Wallace Foundation research indicates that, of a school's total impact, principals make a significant imprint on a student, and that no underperforming school has ever turned around without effective leadership. Our highly selective, rigorous program aims to prepare high-impact principals. It's demanding, full time, and collaborative – and we are proud of our students and faculty.
Certainly our "graduates" are needed. Minneapolis has designated 13 schools as "priority" and 23 as "focus" schools, an indication that thousands of Minneapolis students are not getting the education they need to be ready for college and for life.
We're also partnering with 11 metro school districts providing professional development for their current principals through the Institute for Courageous Principal Leadership. The goal of the Institute is to advance student achievement through the continuous development of courageous and results-driven principal leaders so that all children might learn and excel.
Another exciting development: the redesign of portions of our online Master's of Educational Leadership. When complete, the curriculum will be available for classroom instruction and as online continuing education units in leadership development.
Jan Bauer, Director
of Continuing Education &
Professional Development
Continuing Education Explodes
28 New Online Certificate Programs, 100+ Courses
Continuing Education & Professional Development (CEPD) is working hard to provide excellent continuing education programs to meet business and workforce needs. We work with regional companies to evaluate in-house training programs, certify curriculum and provide transcripts of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to their clients and employees.
Last January, 28 new online certificate programs were added, with over 100 individual courses in the fields of business, healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, and more. A number of other programs are under development, including Project Management, Leading with Emotional Intelligence and an Assessment Center to coach and strengthen skills for new and aspiring leaders. As our staff grows, CEPD will continue to work hard to meet and anticipate the future needs of business and individuals looking to advance their careers.
Recently CEPD was awarded two Minnesota Job Skills Partnerships grants, which support business growth through employee training aimed at retaining and growing jobs. Kato Roofing and Berry Pallets were grant recipients; three more companies are in the application process. Kato Roofing President and CEO Vicki Hagen said, "We are just in the beginning stages of our training process; Jan and Ann Goebel have already helped us identify great opportunities to improve our internal processes, which will enable us to better serve our customers."
"The Velvet Hammer" Strikes Deals to Find and Fund Big Ideas
I have been with the Strategic Business, Education and Regional Partnerships division since 2009, after serving for nine years on the engineering technology faculty. My job is to connect businesses with Minnesota State Mankato, its students and faculty for the mutual benefit of all. I've learned over these five years that success in building productive relationships requires tenacity. And that could be why some people refer to me as the "velvet hammer," a title in which I take pride.
This past year, Dr. Charlie Boyer, Vice President, Research, Process and Product Development, for Viracon, a commercial glass fabricator based in Owatonna, Minn., alerted me to a need: Viracon wanted to develop an innovative test methodology. He asked if it would be possible to quickly partner with Minnesota State Mankato faculty and students to explore working together on the methodology.
By connecting Dr. Boyer with Dr. Patrick Tebbe, Chair, Mechanical Engineering/Civil Engineering, I was able to place Viracon's real-world need with a team of mechanical engineering students who were seeking a senior design project with Professor Sungwon Kim, Mechanical Engineering as Advisor. The project was a success for Viracon and the students, whose prototype testing methodology was presented at the end of spring semester.
We are a small division with a mission to find big ideas and bring them to reality. If the resource or answer can't be found internally to develop an opportunity, then we strive to identify innovative external solutions, including funding. For example, we work regularly with CEOs and others in the business community daily to secure grant awards. And we've seen exciting results: grants ranging from $142,000 to $1 million. Attracting, retaining and growing jobs in Minnesota – and helping develop the talent that is needed to fill them – are results of which we are proud. We are excited to continue building lasting educational partnerships that benefit students, the University and Minnesota businesses.
Knowing that I make a difference to our business stakeholders, students and the University truly motivates me.
MSU Mankato Dept. of
Mechanical and Civil Engineering.
Bottom row from L to R:
Cody Meschke, Mark Dickey,
Nick St. Aubin, and
Subham K.C. (not pictured),
advised by Dr. Sungwon S. Kim.
Center for Engaged Leadership
Senior Design Team Innovates
Alongside Local Business Viracon as told by Dr. Sungwon S. Kim
During the past two semesters, my students and I worked with Viracon, manufacturer of glass panels for large buildings, on a senior design project in our Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering.
Large glass panels can warp during the necessary heating and strengthening treatment process. Our students were charged with looking at the current methods of warp testing and then coming up with an improved test procedure. The students invented a technique to measure warp that can be automated, an advantage over current procedures that are done by hand. They did a great job putting together a proof-of-concept design, and I am hopeful Viracon will be able to implement it on their production line.
When local businesses create opportunities for students to experience real-world problems, it can be rewarding for all. It is very special to have senior students involved in a year-long, industry-sponsored, hands-on project that allows students to apply their years of learning.
I am very happy that local businesses are interested in partnering with us on senior design projects and that they are satisfied with the results. Viracon has been great in providing input at appropriate times and funding for the parts and supplies students need, and we're grateful for their support.
I am confident that Viracon and other local businesses, such as MTU, Toro, McNeilus, Akkerman, Emerson, Kato, Johnson Outdoor, Condux, and others are satisfied with their involvement with our mechanical engineering program students. I am very proud of the work our students have done and hope they can continue their success with employment in a local business after they graduate.
L to R: Ann Goebel,
Strategic Partnerships,
and Electrical Engineering
graduate students Navya Mereddy,
Sindhuja Teegulla, and
Industry Relations Coordinator,
Raechelle Drakeford at the 2013
Robotics Alley National Conference
in St. Paul, Minnesota
A Winning Program and Team
In November, Strategic Partnerships supported a team of Mankato and Twin Cities-based staff and students from the engineering and engineering technology programs as they attended Robotics Alley's Annual National Conference in St. Paul. Robotics Alley is an initiative to spur public-private partnership in the business, research, and development of robotics and automation systems.
Raechelle Drakeford, Industry Relations Coordinator for Minnesota State Mankato's Twin Cities Engineering (TCE) program, is responsible for finding real-world projects for students. Serving students from two-year pre-engineering and four-year programs, the TCE program allows them to complete their degrees – and to do so through self-discovery projects rather than traditional lecture classes. It is modeled after the successful Iron Range Engineering program that Minnesota State Mankato initiated in 2008.
"I joined the TCE team in November after more than 12 years as an engineer," said Drakeford. "I've always had a heart for students and, as program coordinator, I have the privilege of combining my passion for students with my love of engineering. TCE is a new, groundbreaking engineering program that will revolutionize the way we educate and learn. I am honored to serve on a team with pioneering students, faculty and staff."


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New Books in PsycBooks
Six new titles have been added to PsycBooks. In addition, PsycBooks added 30 classic texts. A complete list is available here
Here are the six recent titles:
Billing and Collecting for Your Mental Health Practice: Effective Strategies and Ethical Practice 2010 By Jeffrey E. Barnett, PsyD, ABPP and Steven Walfish, PhD
While mental health professionals receive extensive clinical training, they typically receive minimal, if any, training in the business aspects of private practice. As a result, billing and collecting can be overwhelming. The process is further complicated because our attempts to maximize profits must occur in the context of a therapeutic relationship. Ethically balancing the business and clinical aspects of practice is an essential matter for all clinicians. This book presents specific, practical guidance on the technical aspects of billing and related ethical and legal considerations.
Conviction of the Innocent: Lessons From Psychological Research 2012 Edited by Brian L. Cutler, PhD
This book presents a state-of-the-field review of current psychological research on conviction of the innocent. Chapter authors investigate how the roles played by suspects, investigators, eyewitnesses, and trial witnesses and how pervasive systemic issues contribute to conspire to increase the risk of conviction of the innocent.
Heart and Mind: The Practice of Cardiac Psychology, Second Edition 2011 Edited by Robert Allan, PhD and Jeffrey Fisher, MD
This second edition provides chapters by the world's foremost authorities on the major psychosocial risk factors linked with heart disease, including depression, social isolation, and anger, as well as several emerging factors, such as "Type D" (distressed) personality, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and vital exhaustion. Clinical interventions involving stress reduction, exercise, and Transcendental Meditation are also explored.
Pathways to Individuality: Evolution and Development of Personality Traits 2011 By Arnold H. Buss, PhD
Drawing from his own published research over a half-century of teaching and writing on personality, Buss masterfully summarizes key theories and recent advances in the study of temperament (aggression, dominance, etc.), the self (self-conscious shyness, self-esteem, identity), and abnormal behavior and style as crucial dimensions in understanding personality and individual differences.
Reinforcement-Based Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Behavioral Approach 2012 By L. Michelle Tuten, MSW, LCSW-C; Hendree E. Jones, PhD; Cindy M. Schaeffer, PhD; and Maxine L. Stitzer, PhD
This book is a clinician-friendly manual for implementing Reinforcement-Based Treatment (RBT), an intensive, evidence-based model for treating substance use disorders in community settings.
Stepfamily Therapy: A 10-Step Clinical Approach 2012 By Scott Browning, PhD and Elise Artelt, LMFT
Recent research has confirmed that, given their unique dynamics, stepfamilies are vulnerable in a way that is distinct from typical "first-families," leaving them often resistant to traditional family therapy techniques. In this book, Scott Browning and Elise Artelt integrate clinically validated interventions within an original theoretical framework for stepfamily therapy. They envision the stepfamily as comprised of subsystems, a series of overlapping relationships between individuals. This key insight enables clinicians to divide the stepfamily into more manageable units and plan treatment accordingly.


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The Onsite Programmer
Jun 7, 2011 11:34 AM, By Patrick Barron
Defining the role of the newest AV team member.
A programmer may not be able to crimp a Cat-5 cable as quickly as a seasoned installer, and they might not be able to terminate BNC connectors with the same speed and efficiency, but they should still have a basic knowledge about installing a system. When a programmer is onsite, one of the most important tasks he or she has to accomplish is checking the functionality of a system after the software has been loaded. If there are problems and something doesn't work right, typically the cause is one of two issues: It could be a software problem or it might be hardware or wiring issues. Of course the installer is always going to want to point the finger at software issues, but the programmer has to be able to look at the hardware and identify if the problem really is software or if there is a hardware issue. Without a solid understanding of all aspects of installation, the programmer and installer would end up at the jobsite just looking at each other and waiting for the other one to fix their problem. Having this knowledge will enable the programmer to work with the installer to identify all potential problems and complete the system.
A programmer needs to understand the role of a salesperson and should be able to act as a salesperson. The programmer should work with the salesperson in determining the cost involved for the system programming. Understanding the process the salesperson goes through will make interacting with this team member easier. When working with sales for the first time, it would be prudent to take the extra time to talk with the salesperson in depth to understand the process their company uses. Knowing the processes and policies of a company is necessary to quote a system accurately. Some jobs will require the lowest bid possible up front, but change orders can be created as necessary. Other jobs, particularly government projects, will require a fixed contract so all potential costs have to be allocated up front because in some cases no change orders are allowed. However a particular job is handled, the programmer should know the expectations of the sales side of the job in order to bid properly.
Emerging Trends
One of the biggest areas where a programmer is more involved now than in the past is dealing with audio systems. With the advances in digital audio processing, the line that divides control programming and audio system design has grown thin. Many integrators think of programming as anything that has to be configured or set up with a computer. There are programmers that know almost nothing about how an audio system works, yet they are given the task of designing and setting up the configuration of an open-architecture digital audio processor. To be a well-rounded and versatile programmer, knowledge of audio systems, and digital audio in particular, is more important now than ever before. Emerging trends in digital audio and video will take this convergence of control, audio, and video even further in the future. A programmer now can be found wearing the hat of an audio system engineer and designer almost as often as they can be found acting as a control system programmer.
As much as audio systems and control systems are converging, this type of convergence is never more evident than the conflux of technology between control systems and computer networks. The IT specialist used to be the only one that knew how to set up and configure equipment that would reside on a network. Control methods today use the network to communicate just as often as RS-232, infrared, or any other traditional communication method. Knowledge of network configuration and setup is vital to any successful programmer. Not only is basic IP and network knowledge used in the normal course of writing a program, the network infrastructure and how pieces of equipment interact with each other on the network is a key component of a successful system. The programmer is relied on to provide this information to the rest of the project team. The programmer is also the key member in communicating with the client's IT specialist to coordinate all issues relating to the network. It is important that the programmer have the necessary knowledge to communicate effectively with the client in order to avoid any problems that might arise with sharing the same network.
There are many ways to get training in the areas outside of traditional programming. InfoComm International offers a vast number of training courses in all aspects of the project integration process. The InfoComm CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) program awards a certification for well-rounded knowledge of all aspects of the audio video and project process. Many manufacturers offer courses that not only explain how their particular products work, but they also teach about general principles in the field associated with the product. A programmer should get as much training as possible in these fields to have the best chance to be successful. By understanding the role of other team members, a programmer will be able to perform their own task to a higher degree of success.
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Federal inspectors found "poor sanitary practices" and three types of salmonella on cantaloupes and packing equipment at Chamberlain Farms two days before the farm began recalling its fruit, which was eventually linked to outbreaks that have killed at least three.
Testing was done Aug. 14 and not made public until Oct. 3 by the Food and Drug Administration. The report is on file in the FDA's Freedom of Information Act electronic reading room.
Officials with FDA did not immediately respond to requests for comments Oct. 3. As of its last update on Sept. 13, FDA reported the salmonella outbreak had reached 26 states sickening 270 people and killing three in Kentucky.
Tim Chamberlain, owner of the Owensville, Ind., farm said in August he began recalling his fruit Aug. 16, but officials characterized it as a "voluntary market withdrawl" and the FDA did not name Chamberlain Farms as the supplier until six days later.
A list of wholesalers and retailers who received the fruit has still not been released. Chamberlain said the fruit did not have lot numbers for traceability.
Inspector Meisha Waters recorded numerous problems in her Aug. 14 report. It is not clear when inspectors initiated their food safety review at Chamberlain Farms. The inspection was conducted while the packing shed was still operating.
"On 08/14/2012, while cantaloupes were being processed, I observed, standing water in the packing shed on the floor directly below the first (word blacked out in report) conveyer belts of the packing line and on the drip table, which is below the bristle conveyer belt where cantaloupes are being washed and rinsed. This water appeared to have algae growing in it," Waters wrote in the inspection report.
Waters reported she "observed indications of poor sanitary practices demonstrating contamination in the firm's cantaloupe packing shed through environmental swabs and product samples which tested positive for Salmonella."
Salmonella Newport, Typhimurium and Anatum were found, but only the first two types have been linked to outbreaks. The pathogen was on cantaloupes collected from the fields and a cardboard bin in the packing shed.
Waters reported multiple instances of standing water where pathogens could breed as well as buildups of debris and green, brown and black material on packing equipment. Rust and other dirt was found on multiple pieces of packing equipment.


text: By Kevin Kovac -World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director(Attica, OH) Doug Drown has a pretty good idea how he would feel if he were able to pull off an upset victory this Friday night (July 30) in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Attica Raceway Park."I would probably be speechless," said the 28-year-old driver from Wooster, Ohio. "Winning a World of Outlaws race would put us in a different group of regional racers. It would be unreal."Drown, of course, also happens to have a pretty good idea of how difficult it is to reach the finish line first in a WoO LMS A-Main. A driver has absolutely no room for error – a fact he learned first-hand when the national tour visited the one-third-mile Attica oval last year.The talented young Buckeye State racer had an impressive night going during the 2009 program, qualifying second-fastest in time trials and finishing second in his heat to earn a berth in the feature redraw. But a critical mistake cost him dearly: he reported late to the A-Main lineup, forcing officials to demote him from the eighth starting spot to the rear of the field. His promising evening ended with a 23rd-place finish after he retired on lap 10 of the 50-lapper."That was real disappointing," recalled Drown. "I was in the car and ready to go in the pits, but my guys had the car jacked up to change all four tires at the last minute and we ended up being late (to staging). In the end, it was the wrong decision too – we were too hard (with tire compound) and were absolutely horrible, and I just pulled off."If we had just left on (the tires) we were originally going to run, I think we could've at least run top-five. What we had on originally was what most of the top guys had on."


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SRAM X.9 Trigger Shifters w/ X.9 Rear Derailleur COMBO 2012
X.9 Shifters
Impulse 1:1® Actuation Ratio Technology for precise indexing and control. Integrated clamp design. Alloy body with composite lower cover, Stainless steel hardware. 9-Speed.
X.9 Derailleur
The new SRAM X.9 rear derailleur is stiffer, stronger and lighter. Features ESP 1:1 actuation ratio, front-facing adjustment screws, hollow mounting bolt, and more. It offers a built in curved cable router provides a smoother and more precise shifting.
Once I went SRAM, I've never been back to Shimano. X9 is the sweet spot for any new build of bike that I do. They are easy to install and set up, they shift solid, and take a beating.
I installed this on my wife's commuter bike - replaced road components to give her a flat bar and a wider range cassette. Shifting is great with a shimano 11-34 cassette. She has been using it for commuting and recreation for several years with no problems. Good, solid components.
these shifters are smooth - derailleur was easy to set up - and is easy to clean - i have sucked up sticks and everything still going
sram makes some good shifter's and deralers x-9 is great for the price, only at price point. THANKS


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Common English Bible (CEB) | New International Version (NIV) |
21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, | 21 Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. |
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible (Common English Bible) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


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Pair of girls teams bring home hardware from CdA
Created on Thursday, 24 May 2012 16:22
Bill Eisenwinter Hot Shot Tournament 2013 | ||
May 10-12 * Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | ||
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A pair of girls teams made a big splash at the Hot Shot Tournament, each either playing up an age group or playing in a format they are unfamiliar with. |
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Girls U12 Idaho Rush-Blue | U12 Girls 11v11 Division | CHAMPIONS |
While the U12-Grey team was winning in Twin Falls, the U12-Blue team was matching them stride-for-stride in Coeur d'Alene, winning the U12 girls 11v11 division. The Blue team normally plays 9v9 in the IYSA District 3 League. Blue started with a 3-0 shutout of Sandpoint Strikers, but dropped the afternoon match to homeside Coeur d'Alene Sting. A quirk in the scheduling gave Rush a shot at redemption Sunday morning when they faced Sting again in the semifinals. The result was different this time, though, as Rush came out on top 3-1. The two matches with Sting turned out to be the toughest matches of the weekend as Rush rolled through the final 5-1 over Moscow United. | ||
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Girls U13 Idaho Rush-Nike | U14 Girls Silver-Yellow Division | CHAMPIONS |
The U13s played up into the U14 age group and still came out on top, going unbeaten and unscored upon in three pool games. The girls started bright with a 6-0 win over Magic City-Silver and a 5-0 thrashing of Moscow United. The high-powered attack continued Sunday morning with a 3-0 win over Flathead Force-Green that put them into the final. The competition was stiffer in the final as the girls ran into a Kelowna United team that put 12 goals on the board in their final pool game against Helena Arsenal. But Rush's defense was up to the task as the girls outlasted Kelowna 2-1 to bring home the trophy. | ||
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You are free to steal these decorating ideas for your home …
1. The GIANT, hanging wreaths in England
2. Golden and formal in Italy
Dear Readers,
Are you doing some last-minute shopping? I know that I am. It's often tough to find that perfect gift and it's even harder when you're trying to find a gift for the top gift-giver in the entire world. This week my cousins set about the unenviable task of trying to find the perfect gift for Santa. Will they suceed in finding just the right present to present to Santa? I guess you'll just have to watch and find out for yourself.
Happy Shopping,
Yesterday I gave you some tips on how to make the most of your visit to Christmas Town in preparation of the park being open daily through the end of the year. Today, I want to show you another webisode from our Real Elves of Christmas Town and show you how they're getting prepared to for daily visits from our smiling fans.
I'm postponing today's How Tuesday to bring you something new, a brand new set of "Webisodes" starring my fellow Christmas Town elves, including the other Holly and Jolly. Normally, these webisodes will come out every Wednesday, but seeing as today is #givingtuesday, I just couldn't resist releasing this video a little early. I think you're really going to like it.
It's the eve of Christmas Town. Tomorrow is the big day. Tomorrow Santa and thousands of guests will arrive to see the efforts of our hard work. Even though this isn't my first Christmas Town, I still get a little nervous. Are we prepared? Did we forget anything? Will people enjoy it? There's a lot of nervous excitement in the air!
@BuschGardensVA: Please welcome @McD_HRVA to Twitter! Every BGW coupon from McDonalds that's redeemd at the park, $2 is donated to the Ronald McDonald House?
@BuschGardensVA: Please welcome @McD_HRVA to Twitter! DYK ... every McDonalds coupon that's redeemd at the park, $2 is donated to the Ronald McDonald House?