Repurposing at its best

My New Washstand

In another lifetime this was a sewing desk or student desk.

When I purchased it for five bucks, it did not have a top and there are no drawers.

However, there was a compartment inside that I removed.

I took a photo of the graffiti while I was painting it.

One day I discovered a large old cabinet door I purchased at the Resale store in Waco would work for a table top. 

I was very excited because I knew from the beginning that I would make a mosaic top for my washstand and was wondering how I would handle the edge of the mosaic.

The trim of molding near the edge was perfect. 

Ready to grout.

Grouted. Note the plate is grouted in place.

I remember that my Grannie had a washstand at her back door. 

It seems like it was a plain wooden box.

She also had a dipper hanging on a nail above a bucket of well water for drinking.

Can you imagine?

washstand at the backdoor

My original plan was to cut a hole in the top so this granite bowl would sit down in it. 

When the time came, I couldn't decide if I really really wanted to cut a hole.

What if I made a mess of it? 

I tried to think of something simpler.

And discovered that I had two big bowls in my kitchen that would also work on my new washstand.

Each would have required a different size hole. 

It would have been real simple to just mosaic the whole top.

But you know I do tend to make things complicated for myself. 

So I used a cracked plate from my everday dishes and grouted it into the mosaic. 

Now, I have three options for the wash bowl. 

So, do you agree? 

Giving new life to an old desk that nobody but me wanted and an old cabinet door is repurposing at its best.

♥

Infusion of Color in Mosaic

 An infusion of color and inspiration that will speak for itself.

Project Birdbath Complete

I did it....with the help of this furry creature.

 I made a mold and cast cement.

Then, early morning yesterday, I started my birthday off with the mosaic to finish it off.  

I love it.

I will let you know if the birds love it too. 

♥

PS....yes...that is poison ivy, virginia creeper, wild grapevine, english ivy, briar, pepper vine, and tie vine under that tree. 

Quiet pleased with myself

...because I finished the birdbath base

and

I really really like it. 

Next, I have to make a water saucer to go on top.

Have you ever created a mosaic with broken tiles?

♥

Guess where my new studio is

 It's in the garden of course. 

In the Klimt garden.

 I'm laughing at myself.

It didn't take me long to move outside and set up a new studio.

This is what I do while on gardening breaks.

After all, this is one of those "when I retire" projects.

I'm headed out now....to the Klimt Garden and Studio.

♥

Grinding Fingers

I'm getting started this early Sunday morning on the second half of the mosaic. While I wait for the house to wake up (mosaic making is not a quiet art), I thought I would share the whys and hows of my project.

The issue that I had was the fact that the park is a public space and there is no way I could create the mosaic on site because I would have to leave it unattended for days on in. 

So, with blind faith that this will work, I have devised a method to create here in my studio and then transport the mosaic to the park for installation and grouting. 

The sandwich layers as you see it here from bottom up are: 

• heavy piece of cardboard  
• design on white paper
• covered with clear contact paper
• topped off with a piece of aluminum window screen

As you can see, the sandwich is held together with tape and clips. Each little piece of tile is glued in place with Weldbond which holds most anything. 

When I get ready to slide this off and into place, the tile and screen will release from the contact paper and WaLa! (hoping with all my might)

OK, the house is awake now. I'm off to smash tile and grind little fingers. By the way, all the hands in the design are from a few of the children who will be playing at this park. 

All KidS...play

this is 1/2 of the mosaic
the diameter is approximately 51 inches

A Little Bit of the Story

In late of 2000, Alpha Kappa Sigma headed up a committee of area citizens and was the driving organization for a City of Marlin park improvement project.

Our mission was to build a safe playground and to create an environment where young and old could gather to build sound bodies and enjoy fresh air and sunshine.

EXIGENCY

Our most urgent need was money. We dreamed of building an incredible play structure with safety surface, adding tables, benches and trash receptacles to the park, and building a walking path with exercise stations.

We branded our committee All KidS...play.

I was co-chairperson for this project and on November 10, 2001, after planning and intense fundraising, 200 volunteers from our community came together for one day and built the dream play structure.

In the spring of 2002, we completed Phase Two which included  swings, tables, benches, and trash receptacles.

We are now in Phase Three with a build day of May 11th.

The exercise equipment was purchased in 2001; however, we were short on funds for the walking path. 

Once again, Alpha Kappa Sigma members will make it happen with a team of community volunteers.

We are installing the walking path, exercise stations, recognition signage, and a flag and hand garden. 

Surrounding the flag pole will be this mosaic, as well as, all of the hand imprints on concrete paving stones that we collected during our fund raising efforts. 

☻☻☻

I'm afraid until I finish this mosaic, there will be no painting in my studio. 

Painting with tiles

Please allow me to share painting with tiles.

I have a huge project.

Huge-er than I imagined that I will be working on until the May 11, installation date.  

I will be sharing more with you about the whole project.

But for today,
I gotta go break some more tiles. 
♥