So you don't think I'm a slug . . .

16 years ago

I actually HAVE been spending time on mosaics - just not as much as I'd like.

The reason? I'm in the middle of a "forced" bathroom remodel. My tub surround of 4 inch ceramic tile on DRYWALL (from 30 years ago) was wet and crumbling. Took a putty knife to it a few weeks ago to see how bad it was . . . . and gutted the surround to the studs. We only have one bathroom so we had to get the shower back in and working asap.

Well once you have everything torn up you may as well go all out and do it all - it's only ONE bathroom, after all. So right now this is my view from the toilet:

I have 4 inch tiles all the way around the bathroom up 48" on the walls . . . .that's a LOT Of tile to remove. We've already taken 600 pounds of it to the dump.

The upshot of this is that the day before I took the putty knife to my crumbling walls, I finished gluing on the last glass for a GOG window meant for the bathroom. I have patriotic accents in the bathroom and this will hang in the top of the only window in the bathroom. I will grout it with black. I've named it "Blood of Heroes."

I've also been working on a little ceramic sandal as well as the swap balls, so I'm shufflin' right along.

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Comments (14)

nicethyme
16 years ago
I believe you've just coined my new favorite phrase...

"swap balls"

your GOG is wonderful I'm certain it will be even more beautiful when grouted. Good luck with your bathroom! Are you going with hardibacker?
shrty411
16 years ago
What a HUGH job, It will be worth it though. Love that GOG.

Swap balls- LOL

Maria
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stjohnsgypsy
16 years ago
This too will pass................Love the "Blood of Heroes" window............very meaningful and spiritual in my humble opinion..........and last opinion for awhile......you will be so proud of this when you are finally finished.............well worth the wait! Good luck with the final process................j
crackpotannie
16 years ago
Love the GOG and the title is so fitting.
cacbeary
16 years ago
Have fun with the remodel. I'm sure it will be beautiful when it is finish. The GOG is great too.
cindiloo
16 years ago
Your GOG is so beautiful and meaningful! Have fun finishing up your bathroom....then you can come do mine, lol!
flagtruck
16 years ago
I really love your GOG window. It is very meaningful. Are you doing the tile in your bathroom in one of the colors? I think that would be drop dead gorgeous. I know you have a mess now, but it will be so nice when you are through.
Keep up the good work.
siriusmosaics
16 years ago
Don't you just love how they did things in old homes? My house is around 80 years old and we dread taking anything original off - scared what is underneath.

Sometimes life does get in the way of our mosiacs... But think of the bathroom as another mosaic project. Your GOG looks nice. Is that clear glass in the stars or mirror?
texaswild
16 years ago
Beautiful window and I love the title. Hey, are you gonna do any mosaicing on countertops or around the tub??? Now's your chance.
mosaicwench1
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, we used hardibacker behind the tub surround (two layers of it to bring it to the depth of the connecting walls). We went with an acrylic tub surround rather than tile. It just would have taken too long to tile again and with only one bathroom, time was a critical factor.

We're replacing the vanity and backsplash and removing the ugly old tile on the walls. Instead of trying to get 48" of mastic off drywall I've opted for beadboard panels which can be installed right over the "Neo-Baghdad" walls. Then I'll paint from the chair-rail up with a delicious color called "cherry tomato." White beadboard below, red walls above, and then back to the patriotic accents.

Once we pick and install a vanity, I'll mosaic a backsplash. We have an odd sized vanity area (surrounded by three walls so it's not like I have much choice as to size)and I'll have to get rid of the tile there, too. YUCK!

Oh and yes - the stars are clear glass; crash glass, actually. My driving concerns during making that window were threefold: Keep as much natural light as possible (thus the big areas of white and clear), privacy (we live on a corner with a home behind us not too far away), and yet stay true to the patriotic feel I was aiming for . . . .I can't wait to see how those red lines look after grouting with black.

Thanks for all the encouragement.
PantherFL
16 years ago
I think it's going to be smashing!
(and I'm sitting here laughing about the swap balls, because it reminds me of the SNLive skit about the Shweatty balls.)
eklypz
16 years ago
I love how you framed the white glass and those stars are amazing. I really need to pull over when people crash to get me some of that glass!
andrea_2
16 years ago
I must be channeling an 11 year old boy, because the first picture made me think of an interrogation. "Ve haf vays of may-king you eliminate." I know it's gross, but I guess that's where I am today. ;-)

Your GOG piece is cool. I've only worked with crash glass once and loved it, but I can't imagine the time it took to do so many small, precise stars. Good job!
bamasusanna
16 years ago
You a slug? Never!
I like your window. Since we moved to this military town, I've become more aware of what sacrifices are made by the military families. Your window is a beautiful reminder of how we keep our freedom.

So you don't think I'm a slug . . .

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So you don't think I'm a slug . . .

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