Archive for January, 2008

You may have noticed that the first words to appear on this site are Low -Carb when it would appear by looking at the images that mosaic, particularly a how-to approach to practical mosaic, is the focus. The simple truth is that I found myself gaining a lot of weight and I started to hide behind my craft as an excuse to stay home and be more comfortable in my triple X hobby sweats. You would be amazed at the excuses I could come up with to stay in my cave. I still don't know if spandex is a blessing or a curse but even elastic has it's limits! At a paltry 5', 8" and carrying around almost 400 pounds I was putting unnecessary strain on my heart, I had become borderline diabetic and was totally ashamed of myself. I am a former- Marine for crying out loud! I am fairly certain I know the cause of my weight gain because I discovered that crafting causes knoshing, not that I am Jewish but it's such a perfect word, snacking doesn't carry the same weight, excuse the pun.

You may be house-bound for one reason or another and took up a craft to keep you occupied or you may just be someone like me who likes to keep busy and try new things but has a metabolic problem. My metabolic challenge is that I can't process refined sugar or flour. You know those lucky ones who can eat anything and never gain an ounce? (I hate them!) They are no different than you or I but they do have a metabolic advantage over us. I would be willing to bet that if we ate the same foods in the same quantities, at the same time of day, after a year I will have gained a ton and they will look the same. It just doesn't seem fair but that's life.

After reading about the Low Carb focus of my site you may want to hit the escape button and head to the refrigerator but before you do please allow me to tell my story. It's about how I lost 115 lbs and how I hope to lose even more. You will be glad you stuck around because I am going to show you how you can make these beautiful mosaics and lose weight at the same time!

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Since my craft of choice is mosaic you are going to see a lot of things on this blog that have to do with that medium and which were made to be enjoyed, sometimes admired (I hope) and, more importantly, used around the house. The things that you can make with the complete mosaic instruction that I offer will not sit forgotten on a shelf, I can guarantee you.

If you are a crafter and have even the remotest flair for the dramatic and love color, if you think you possess what it takes to brave the territory beyond the bun, if you want to get started on a craft that will give back more than you give – just step inside. It's fun, very gratifying and totally doable for not a lot of money or time – what more could you want in a craft?

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Inspired by a desire to find something productive to do with my spare time, I took a class in mosaic design. The class was a bit on the expensive side and I had to drive a ways to get there but it did serve to awaken an interest in mosaic crafting that had laid dormant in me for a long time. I had run the craft gauntlet from macramé to wasting perfectly good canvas with what resembled kindergarten finger painting! But whenever I saw a mosaic piece I was envious and would wonder; how do they do that?

I was admiring beautiful tile and glass crafted pieces that had the appearance of having taken years to complete. I don't know about you but I don't have that kind of patience, nor do I feel particularly blessed with creativity, so I had to wonder, could I do that? Never one to shy away from a challenge I decided to experiment with things I found just laying around the house, plain things that could use a good make-over and that I could use once I was finished. Something I could put a plant or candle in that would look great on the patio table. I had no other expectations (I don't work well under pressure), just a desire to see what I could do. 

I was not about to invest a bunch of my hard earned money on a craft requiring special tools and expensive materials, especially since I already had a fair amount of cash invested in the mosaic class I took. So I decided to go my own way and try to develop a simpler style of crafting. Then, if later on, I wanted to get fancy I would have the confidence to take on more complicated craft projects. You have to learn how to walk before you can run. (A tired cliche but so true!) After much experimentation (over a five-year period) I developed a foolproof and easy way to master the basics of mosaic crafting. I refer to this method for beginners as Practical Mosaic and invite you to enter our virtual mosaic studio and pick up a few ideas. Find out for yourself how rewarding this craft can be.

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"Go not where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" – Ralph Waldo Emerson

We all know someone creative, a friend or a relative who is a crafter that has the ability to not only create something but have the ability to clearly see the process, visualizing each stage of a craft project from beginning to end. They seem to know instinctively how to use color, texture and space to their utmost advantage. The revolting thing about it is it seems to come naturally!

Why sit on the sidelines while your creative sister takes center stage? It doesn't have to be that way and that's what this blog is all about. My preferred method of crafting is of my own design; Practical Mosaic. I can show you where to find the raw materials that are gathering dust in your basement or are practically being given away, things that you can transform almost overnight into a wonderful accent for your home. You could be on your way to discovering a craft for life – I did!

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I keep washed and fresh celery in foil in the fridge to use as dipping scoops for this recipe or I use those terrific parmesan cheese wafers which satisfy the crunchy urge that seems to come over me frequently. This is a filling salad that can be inserted in a scooped-out tomato, set atop a bed of lettuce or eaten by itself.

Two large cans of Chicken of the Sea Albacore Tuna in water - drained

One can of Maria's quartered artichoke hearts – chopped

Five stalks of fresh celery – chopped or sliced to suit

Enough Mayo to suit your desired texture – remember Mayo is just about carb free and if you want to cut the fat use half no-fat mayonaise. You won't be able to taste the difference.

Salt & Pepper to taste

Dash of curry – less than quarter teaspoon

Teaspoon of Dill weed

Three hard boiled eggs – chopped

Finely shredded mozzarella cheese – about 1 cup

1/2 cup Macadamia nut pieces if desired

Mix all ingredients in a serving bowl that has a tight lid or a tupperware container so that you can munch on this later. If kept cold it will keep for 3-4 days without getting soggy or stale. If it has been sitting for a while stir with a fork to mix. Serving size is an ice cream scoop full containing less than 4 net carbs.

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