tufaenough --- the ferrous oxide I use comes in large, cheap bags as a nutritional supplement for crops & critters. You can get it through any agricultural supplier. As you have no doubt discovered by now, predicting colors in and on concrete is the hard part as there are so many "unknowns" involved that affect the final tone and density. However, I've found the ferrous oxide to be pretty consistent and predictable in that the color is always..."Rust"...shades of yellow-gold to almost red. Variables seem limited to concentration of the solution you apply (how much you mix in a given volume of water)...how long you leave it on...and the density of the concrete or cement you apply it to. The higher the concentration and the longer you leave it...the darker and more concentrated the color...but these two factors take a backseat to the density of the concrete/cement mix. "Standard" concrete formulations will take this type of stain very well, however, if you "densify" the mix with admixtures, fortifiers and such...or use a very "lean" mixture such as neat Portland...the color effect can be minimal. For more info on various oxides take a look at the Bayer link below...they produce a wide range of oxide colorants as well as the aspirins that they are better known for. Just don't get them confused if you have a hangover. Here is a link that might be useful: Of Oxides & Aspirins...

Mayme, Its so easy! The hardest part for me is finding cheap, or better yet free bowling balls. First I scrub the ball with Dawn dish soap to remove oils from use and alleys. I then let it dry and give it a good scrubbing with a Scotchbrite pad to give it better "grip".Lastly I wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. I leave the thumb hole open so I can mount it on a rod, if I want. I fill the finger holes flush with fast set cement. You can use wood filler or grout to do this also. Then the fun part- I go through my mountains of old flower catalogs and cut out pictures. I try to keep them under two inches, to minimize wrinkles. If i just have to have a larger piece, I snip relief cuts inward from the corners to help it lie flat. (You will have a few wrinkles, no matter how careful you are...just make sure you press edges down so you dont get "humps".) I take Elmer's glue and water it down just a bit. I paint the section of the ball I am going to work on and also the back side of the piece. I just put it on, overlapping attached pieces, and lightly brush glue over top. I use my fingers a lot- for sliding the new piece into position, and lightly rubbing excess glue out from under. If you are rubbing out wrinkles, and it feels "gummy" brush a bit of glue on top again so you dont accidentally rub the image off. I start at the top, opposite of the thumb hole and just work my way around and down. Stop and let the glue dry when you get to the point of having to set it on a finished area. I also set my balls on a soft cloth so I can turn them, and not scrape off any finished area. (Yep, done that,grrr) I have yet to seal any yet, but I have an outdoor poly gloss made by Krylon that I will be using when it warms up so it wont take days to dry.

Thank you so much ladies!! I'm so pooped I took today off...I think I would have gone cross eyed if I had to do one more. Most all my jewelry is done, it's the other gift items that will be the death of me I think. Gift Baskets, Candy Bouquets and such. I thank God my hubby is a good delivery guy he always takes Valentine's day off to help me and my sister well she seems to be my biggest sales person..but she picks up,delivers and collects too. God bless them both! thanks again you guys are way too kind!! ginger

I was going to come on last night and do some moaning - I was working on finishing the last 8 blocks, and, I RAN OUT of the fabric! I was piecing ever piece together that I could, and it just wasn't enough. I was so down - it was a fabric I picked up at an estate sale this summer so it was older and I was sure it would not even be carried by stores now. I was sooo grumpy though, that I sent myself to bed to get a better perspective. Well, had to go with DD#2 this afternoon for fabric for her halloween outfit (Lafonda - it's probably the last one I'll do for awhile, will kind of miss doing the dress-up costumes) and guess what, guess what! I found the EXACT fabric that I ran out of last night! There was just a little over a yard so I took the end of the bolt. It is a silly thing, but I was so thankful. Cindy - what is the OSU wallhanging (college team?)You make me tired just thinking of 200 pcs of applique! Do you and your mom work on alot of quilts together - I mean, do you complement each other with what each prefers to do, like one does piecing and the other applique? magothyrivergirl - You sound like me with giving yourself a tight schedule on taking on a painting project - I need to tackle a couple of those, but it will probably take a big event to move me into action. My house really needs a deep cleaning - I usually do it in the fall for when my parents come to visit, but this fall we went to see them so I am really behind. Jennifer - it's Wednesday night. I'm thinking of you as you work on those 3 bindings! Oh my! I hope your night is not too late! (I hate having to do things 2x also) toolgranny - I know what you mean about needing to wait for the bug to bite. I can slog through some things when I don't really feel like it, but it goes so much better when I'm in the zone. Sandra - I think you are very smart to keep it simple till after Christmas - I'm such a procrastinator and it is tiring. petalpatsy - What does it mean that you're still working on the same projects? It means they are some of your masterpieces! Well, I still can't find my missing fabric, but I'm so thankful to have the fabric I need to finish the blocks - off to the cutting table! Karlene (I'm tired too! It seems to be a theme for most of us - do you think it's the time of the year??)