What a weird couple of years it has been for everyone, everywhere, living with the Covid pandemic.   I want to be hopeful that the shutdowns have provided humanity with an opportunity to forge a new way to live and thrive. If we all got on the same team and used our creativity, intelligence, and fighting spirit, we could do what we need to do to combat climate change, systemic racism, etc.

With all these problems in the background, it seems a bit frivolous to share our arts and craft at ViVerde. But like you, we had to make the best of the pandemic, masked and isolated as we were. Among other projects, we have been creating more mosaics. With a large stash of colored tiles, a good wet saw, and enough mesh to tack our shapes to, there is always a good spot for another mosaic.

An ambitious first mosaic project for her, Amelie took the lead in creating this Granada street scene. Brett did the park with its horse carriage and fruit vendor and I did a few of the churches.  This is the kitchen backsplash for one of our guesthouses.  Watch a time-lapse video “Putting up the Pieces” at the end of this post.

These flower bouquets on a “window sill” make me smile every time I walk by, many times each day.

We enjoy this playful blue heron from our shop. The fish in the bowl don’t ever need to be fed.

Making leaf shapes from the leftover tiles edges is super easy with a good wet saw.  Puts the waste to good use!

Two cramped showers became one spacious one with tile-topped stools and a jungle mosaic on the floor.

Brett created this pelican backsplash a few years ago. It now has its own special mosaic-lined sink.

I made this table top to honor our Evie, one of Dulci’s puppies, who died way too young.

It has been a long time since our last post. We have kept busy at ViVerde finishing and improving living spaces.  Fruit trees we planted are now bearing and our gardens are overflowing.  Both daughters spent the pandemic here last winter.  Brett worked with Gerard to frame the “Birdhouse,” our cabin on stilts.  This was no easy task as nothing in the structure is straight and all lumber is made from trees fallen or felled on the property. She and Mark will spend a few weeks in December siding the cabin. Amelie is getting skilled on the lathe and turned some beautiful pieces for us. There is no end to what you can do with time and good tools!

Here we are “Putting up the pieces:  A Granada Streetscape” – Enjoy the process!