More questions! First to Kirk. Thanks again! I have done a couple dozen birdhouses this year. I just couldn't stop myself. LOL Guess what every body got for Christmas! *grin* I have not done other mosaics, or much of any other crafts before, as I was working my tail off for thirty years. I'm just now learning how to play! Hurrah! What a great group here to do THAT with! I am telling people to consider these birdhouses decorative, but I'm sure they'll be ok probably in a covered area outside from spring til fall. I did not seal them, but am reading on the mosaic forum about doing that, as I already knew the wood forms could warp if exposed to moisture. (I think you'd have to dip them in something to seal the inside too.) I found what looks like a painted greenware house at GW the other day and I'm going to try finishing that house in a similar way (to the ones here) and putting it out in the garden. For me! Luna, I'm not as clever as many of you who are repurposing things, but I'm learning from all of you how to loosen up and see things differently than their original intent. This stand, however, was another miracle find like the dishes themselves. As soon as my friends asked me to do the Asian theme, I walked into the local hospice thrift and there sat the stand. The perfect size! I thought I'd never find another and wanted to do another one of these, and walked into the SAME store and found another stand just like this one last week! YES! Thanks again, everyone. Daisyme

Netty I know this is old, but our slabs have some lines running through them and I feel confident that they won't break, but they are not discernible "cracks" as much as sentiment within the stone I think. We've been using our quartzite for a month and I LOVE it. I put hot pans directly on it, have cut on it (with our bad knives) and have spilled all variety of things on it and it still looks perfect. Our largest piece is the island (when the kitchen was much less done): And some of the other counters with the backsplash in: I am *extremely* happy with the way they turned out. www.greenwoodframed.com

Thanks for responding. Desk--I think if I switch the drawer stack to the left side it will look less "wonky". I think that combo drawer/door on the right doesn't look very good. I have it all counter height--I don't personally care for the look of the lowered desk area in a kitchen. I do agree on the glass doors. What about a 30" open shelf like this picture below, flanked by standard 42" doors. corner upper: I've looked at lots of angled versus easy reach, and I think I like the easy reach better. It opens up the corner more. Glass doors: I would still really like to do a few glass doors. If I get rid of the angled glass door, where could I do a couple of glass doors that would look nice? I'm not sure where the best placement would be. corner by range: I don't think I will miss that space either. I can do one more drawer stack, other than the one to the left of the stove, so I was thinking of putting a 30" stack to the right of the stove. I can only do one more--so it's either 30" by the stove or 24" on the end of the peninsula. Thoughts? Fridge: It is only 12" right now. Would it look okay to pull the top cabinets out to 24" without doing a fridge panel? I am not against a fridge panel but the cost to add is $400 I think, so I am not sure if we can afford to add it. The wall is only 28" out, so the fridge doors should be able to open fully on both sides. Microwave: we do have a vent to the outside, so a range hood would work. When you say, in the corner, do you mean on the counter top? We do have counter top space, but wouldn't having the microwave on the counter be more of a "no no" than above the range? We do use our microwave daily, so I don't want to stick it in a pantry or anything like that. I take it back on the outlet in the cabinet by the fridge--it is in the future cabinet on the far left above the desk. I was planning to charge iPads and such out of sight in that cabinet. I kind of feel like since I can't afford a really pretty range hood, then I might as well just leave the microwave OTR since its never bothered me before, and use our limited funds for other pretty things I will enjoy/use every day, such as a few glass cabinets and drawers.

cyn427--I considered painting the background cream, but actually didn't paint it at all. I didn't want the background too stark since we really don't have any other white out there, so just left it with the sort of beige viney floral design it had, then taped off what I wanted to remain unpainted. That way it also was easier for me since I just sprayed exterior black on the whole thing (used a few coats of rustoleum ultra 2x coverage) then just peeled off the tape. Surprisingly, it doesn't even feel any stiffer than the fabric already felt. I'll try to post a close up. From a distance, it just looks like the background color is light linen. If it looks purple instead of black that may just be my poor phone camera picture. Purple would have been cute, but I'm not that creative! clblakey--The seat is actually a typical outdoor fabric that you see on many patio sets. I think it's nylon, and it doesn't seem plastic. We have it on a couple chairs we've had for several years, and the fabric seems to hold up quite well so far. BTW, I loved your permanent marker coloring the wire on your crystals in the post a pic thread! my3dogs--you know how much I've loved seeing your projects! Your comments mean a lot, and I'll try to post if I ever finish something else. teacats--I'll try to give an update at the end of the summer on how it held up. I'm wondering that myself! trailrunner--If you were close to me, I'd love to help you paint chevrons on your glider! And to ALL the rest of you --I've seen your homes you've shared and admired your tricky organzational ideas (mustangs), your helpful suggestions (teacats)....well, all of you--thanks for your kind encouragement. I love seeing what you all do to make your worlds interesting.