149/365 An upcoming DIY project

I have a long list of projects I want to try, and one of them is a mosaic tile piece.

During my trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado last summer, I fell in love with a big, decorative mirror that had beautiful mosaic work around the frame.

I would have bought it if it wouldn't have set me back a whopping $750.

After that, I resolved I'd give mosaic tiling a try myself. A friend in college made the piece in this photo for me, and it was her first try, so I'm sure I can do it.

There's a funny story behind the creation of this gift. At the time, we lived together in our sorority house, but just down the hall from each other. I accidentally walked into her room as she was just starting to work on it. (Her roommate was supposed to be the lookout, but failed miserably.)

She handled the surprise marvelously, though, by quickly telling me she was making it for a different friend. I chatted with her for at least an hour while she worked, then actually rode with her to Michael's to get more tiles when she ran out.

My jaw dropped and we had a good laugh a week later when I unwrapped the piece I'd watched her create!

Having seen the supplies, the time required, and the process itself, I'm on a mission to find a mirror secondhand that I can tile and decorate. For less than $750, of course.

Camera: Canon 40D with 60mm macro lens, 1/60s, f/2.8 at ISO 1600 in natural light by a window at about 8:15 p.m.