Friday, February 18, 2011

Broken China Mosaic Birdhouses and Design Inspiration

Hellooooooo bloggers and bloggerettes! Lovely to see you! So sweet of you to stop by for a visit! I hope that all is well (and warmer) in your world! It's been raining so much here in the SF peninsula, might need to build a boat! ha!

There is always a lot of talk about inspiration here in the blogosphere. We also have lots of before and after post.

For this post, I thought it would be fun to show you the inspiration behind the broken china mosaics I created.

I was looking for some inspiration for my mama's 75th birthday present (she will turn 85 this year). Since we are Russians, I thought it would be fun to create a design in the spirit of Russia.

Here, the inspirations...


The Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia

and


Russian dachas

the birdhouses resulting from the inspirations....



Mama's Winter Palace Birdhouse






and Mama's Dacha






They sit on the pass-through from the dining room to the kitchen.

broken china mosaic


The perfect spot because we can enjoy the front and the back of the design.

It's hard for me to be impartial, I know the flaws and what I'd like to do differently. Even still, they are very pretty to look at. Just like their respective inspirations.

I have posted some tutorials at my How To blog for creating vintage china mosaics here.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time leave me your sweet thoughts!

Have a lovely, safe, warm (and dry) weekend!

Cheers!




I'm linking this post up with the following fabulous hosts:





Being Creative @ Gorgeous and Fun Things

109th Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on The Porch

43 comments:

Honey at 2805 said...

As soon as I saw the Winter Palace, I had to see what you were posting! So sweet of you to use these as inspiration for your Mother's Birthday!

ginger@bearbits said...

These birdhouses are absolutely gorgeous! The inspiration for them makes them all that much more special and I especially love the colors. Great results for a nice gift - just beautiful.

~ginger

middle child said...

Flaws? Are you kidding me? I am not into crafts but this? This is a masterpiece! My question is,...how long did it take to make just one of these.

Self Sagacity said...

Amazing bird house! If I was a bird, I would feel like a QUEEN! Wow, I would squeeze in there if I could. Happy PS>

Light and Voices said...

Lovely, just lovely bird house and the inspiration is unique. Proudly they stand. Happy Pink Saturday.
Joyce M

Anne Fannie said...

These are beautiful! I love the soft blue china plates and the beads!
Happy Pink Saturday!
Ann

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for your sweet comments!

Middle Child, for both, it took about a month from start to finish, with no time off in between.

Cheers!
Tina

Anonymous said...

Always love when you post you new creations Tina! These birdhouses are fabulous!! Love the bead trim detailing-

Thanks for the wonderful Russian pictures- they were fun seeing!

Gail said...

Tina, your work is fab. Love your composition, I know your mom just loves her houses.
Happy PS
Gail

Sue@Uniquely Chic said...

Ohhh so pretty. I love the blues and the beading really makes it. You are so creative! Did you add the platforms that the houses sit on or did they come like that? Have a great weekend~Sue

Susan said...

Hello Tina...Your birdhouse palaces are unbelievable. Oh, how magnificent it would be to live in such a place. You have immense talent and I am in awe of your intense, masterful creativity. Thank you so much for sharing such enchanting pieces. Susan

stefanie said...

oh, they are gorgeous!!! you are sooo talented!

Jil~Say It With Roses said...

Enchanting! No other word will do for you beautiful birdhouses! I love the blues, so restful and pretty with all the pinks we use, too!
HPS!
Jil

The Sewing and Knitting Loft said...

Lot's of thought and planning there...the birdhouses are beautiful.

Barb

Char said...

Tina, I am just speechless. Those are so beautiful and I think you found the perfect inspiration. I know your mother is so proud. What a treasure created from the heart!! Char

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Oh, Tina, that Winter Palace is fabulous! What a gorgeous building! And I am absolutely swooning over your mosaic birdhouses! They are stunningly beautiful! My parents have done some mosaic work and so I learned from them but my dear, it's hard to get good material here where I live! I've been wanting to do a birdhouse myself but haven't gotten around to look for the china. Anyway, love yours! Gorgeous work! Thanks for your visit and Happy Pinks.

Blessings,
Sandi

Regina said...

Happy Pink Saturday Tina dear.
Wow truly fabulous! Thank you for sharing.
Have a great weekend.

Regina

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

These are so unbelievably beautiful! Just so lovely!

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

What amazing pieces of artwork...I love them and they so capture the inspiration perfectly...OH and the color theme is just my cup of tea ;)

One day I hope to have a birdhouse this pretty for the cottage garden of my dreams.

Blessings Kelsie

Marina Capano said...

Hi!

Your work is terrific, congrats!

Happy pink saturday!

xoxo

Donnie said...

That is so lovely and the colors are perfect.

Tania said...

Oh Tina these bird houses are just amazing, I just love them, You are so clever.

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Tina,

I love the inspiration for your birdhouses. And your mosaic work is beautiful. I do agree though...those of us that create are our own worst critic. I think that's why it's so important for us to support and encourage one another. ♥

Thanks so much for coming over for a visit.

Happy Pink! And I hope it quits raining soon. I'm just so happy it's quit snowing.

Hugs,
Stephanie ♥

Amisha said...

I absolutely love your creations!

I would like to invite you join my blog party "Being Creative" starting today. I hope you join in!

Mari said...

HELLO TINA AND HAPPY PINK SATURDAY :) OH MY WHAT FLAWS!!! I SEE ONLY BEAUTY :) I LOVE IT ALL :) THERE MAGNIFICENT :)

XO~MARI

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Gorgeous! The colors in the buildings can take your breath away. The birdhouses are amazing!

Jillian
Bella Rosa Antiques

strawberrygirl said...

Gorgeous and very creative you have given me lots of insperation to do something with my birdy house ,cheers Tracy

Unknown said...

Wow, those are fantastic!! I can't believe the work you put into it and I love the china plate mosiac style. I would love it if you link up to my party, A Marvelous Mess. I will be picking one project to feature on the sidebar of my blog for a week!! Here is the link:
http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/2011/02/marvelous-mess_20.html

Dandelion and Daisy said...

So beautiful! Your choice of plates makes the houses look so soft and sweet. I've tried that type of mosaic....it truly is not as easy as it looks. You may see the flaws but to others it looks perfect!

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

This is my first visit to your blog. I came via BNOTP. I just love the bird houses and your mosaics are incredible. They make me want to attempt one.

Bohemian said...

Your birdhouse is amazing and that first picture of the Russian dachas took my breath away and I immediately saved it to my favorites! Such fabulous detailing... and I'm all about the details! *swooning*

Dawn... The Bohemian

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Beautiful job Tina! I love them.... so soft and pretty...

Huggies,
Spencer

Carolyn said...

I love the birdhouse- so beautiful!

Carolyn

Amanda@RelovedRubbish said...

Tina, your birdhouses are magnificent! I love the pale blue and white with the crystal trim.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and leaving me a sweet comment.

Amanda
xoxo

Tatum @ Tatum's Take said...

Wow, I am impressed! You must be a patient woman lol. Such a great job, and the inspiration images are also beautiful.

Karen said...

Oh my gosh!! You should start a business selling these!

Candy said...

Ms. Birdie can be heard singing, "In all the world my nest is best." Artistic wonders to rival anything in Russia. You are a master with the porcelain.
Thanks for stepping over to see my shoe post.
Tuesday evening Blessings to ya ;-)

Ana said...

Oh Tina,
Beauitful as always...Thank you for sharing your tutorials with us...One of this days I'll have enough courage to tackle a mosaic project. I just love the look of it. Your winter bird palaces are precious.

Hugs and Kisses,
♥Ana

Debra Howard said...

Just beautiful! Oh how I love those mosaic birdhouses. I have lots all over my garden. I buy them anytime I come across them. Yours are really gorgeous. Too pretty for outside even. I am having a giveaway over at my Gloryfeathers blog this week if you are interested.
Debbie

EFT Tapping said...

That birdhouse is pretty! Such a wonderful idea!

Carol said...

I am in awe. The birdhouse is fabulous and the photo of the winter palace is one of the best I've seen.

Anne said...

What charming images! Its nice that somewhere out there in the world, there is public whimsy. Glad I found your blog, you might like mine, its all about bird inspired decor!

Annie Jeffries said...

Oh my gosh, Tina. The birdhouse just knocks my socks off. Happy birthday to your mother. You are so blessed to still have her.



Related Posts with Thumbnails