I'm back and needing advice!

16 years ago

Hey Guys it has been a long time since I posted. I had a knee stop working in April, blood clots(3) behind knee, they started blood thinner which was too much and I had a massive stroke in May. It has been a hard road back and I am now working on my mosaics again. Got my studio finished finally. I am still not able to walk on my left knee but will be going to Shreveport next month to a knee man and will probably either have surgery or get a new one.

I am preparing to start on the back of my house. I intend to mosaic all the brick and cover it with shards. My question is should I use thinset to adhere the shards? I plan to use Bondo for the heavy stuff. I am just not sure what to use on the balance of the wall? I need advice if anyone has any experience with brick. I will post pictures of a few things I have done since I've been "grounded". Good to read all you havc all done. Seems that you have been busy!

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Comments (18)

stjohnsgypsy
16 years ago
Oh Mercy! I have often wondered what you had been up to, but never dreamed you were going through so much trauma. After you had shared your photos, I thought you just were extremely busy working and creating! I will keep you in my prayers for a full recovery! Sounds like you are strong-willled and this will not get you...go mosaicing!! I'm not able to give advice on this...but here's a sight of a great mosaic artist that has just done part of her home in Florida...Good luck and keep your hands dirty! http://lagniappemosaic.com/164page%201a.htm
kelly6780
16 years ago
Flagtruck, OH MY LANTA, you have been through a lot! And you still sound upbeat and rarin' to go! That's great! I'm Kelly; I don't think we have ever met but I'd like to see your pics sometime. Anyway, while I've never done anything with brick, I have seen tile outdoors for walkways, etc. and these were over concrete. Concrete and brick, both rather porous...I think a good rule of thumb is thinset if used outdoors. Maybe get a couple small bricks and try them out first. I've seen people on here use cinder blocks and mosaic them. The thinset I get from Lowes says it is for outdoor use. I hope I was at least somewhat helpful. Take care of yourself!
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nicethyme
16 years ago
Wow Flag, geez that an ordeal. I'm so glad you are on the mend. wow.

I'd use a thinset and maybe even paint the brick with bonding agent 1st.
shrty411
16 years ago
Flag, good to hear from you!! Sorry for all your troubles! Hope you heal super fast.

I think thinset would be good. I'm doing some stuff on backerboard to attach to a wall. Its a very short wall, though

Maria
squirrellycanadian
16 years ago
You had a massive stroke, can't walk on your left knee, and you are going to mosaic the back of your house!!! I'll probably see you in the news......"Crazy Woman Mosaics Her Whole House After Massive Stroke" What an inspiration you are, no more excuses for me, if you can do THAT, I can finish my little project!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!! Welcome back!
rosemarythyme
16 years ago
Gosh FLAG! We had NO idea! Just thought you were busy with gardening. We're so glad to hear that you are mending and enthusiastic about your upcoming projects! Give a yell if you need help WITH ANYTHING! Remember, SLOW and I are just down the road a ways. I just looked at my Kaffe Fassett book--he has mosaiced outside walls and patios. He uses cement or a cement-based adhesive.
flagtruck
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks to all of you for your well wishes. I am ready to get started. I've been inside for too long! I checked Jaffe also Rosemary and he paid someone to thinset all his brick, then applied the shards. I think I will use Slow's good ole Maipai adhesive and outdoor thinset as that seems to be the majority opinion.Gypsy, I loved that website in Florida. Spent entirely too much time there drooling. I will go break some more dishes today. I haven't figured out how to do the high spots yet, I will start at the bottom, I can stand, but can't yet climb a ladder! I will probably try when no one is watching. Thanks for your help and responses. Good to be back.Missed you guys.
Calamity_J
16 years ago
FLAG!!! YIIPPEEEE!!! You're back!!! Can we see a pic of your awesome bright finished craft room??!! I'm so glad you are on the mend! Makes me feel like such a wimp with my broken ankle, always whining!! I know the feeling of being stuck in the house, isolated and away from garden projects!
crackpotannie
16 years ago
Glad your back and yes the mapei will work fine...Sooooooooosorry for all your problems hope you'll be up and strong soon.never got to see pictures of your truck ...will you post again for us newer ones!good luck annie
lyndalu
16 years ago
Welcome back FLAG! I was just wondering why you hadn't been posting.....OMG....thank goodness you got through all of that and are now ready to start a project. We missed ya! I'm still in awe every time I think of that fantastic studio. The amount of mosaic materials you had on those shelves was mind-boggling. It looked like you were setting up a STORE!!! Anyway, welcome back. Your wall project sounds wonderful....can hardly wait to see the WIP pictures!!
nanatricia
16 years ago
Hey Girl ! So sorry you have been sick .Looks like you are back up and raring to go .Way to go .
kelly6780
16 years ago
I've already posted flag, but I came back to catch up on what's going down! Speaking of going down, you just might be if you get on that ladder!! =0 Don't you dare, especially when no one is looking! Take CARE of yourself, don't DARE yourself. Please be safe! Oh and have a great time getting started!
chickeemama
16 years ago
Oh Flag, I am so sorry for you but so happy your ok!!!!

I remember seeing your pics on your workshop going up and I was in totally envy (as all of us were I'm sure!!!)

Can't wait to see what your walls gonna look like..just please be careful when you do the high spots (when no ones lookin!!!!)

Its SOOO good to have you back....

chickeemama
texaswild
16 years ago
Well of all things. I, too, thought you were wrapped up in all your projects. I think of you soooo often. So glad to read that you are back at work/play, and w/the determination and drive you have, it won't be long until we see that wall covered. Yes, Mapei Ultra Flex 2 is my recommendation for the wall - for the adhesive and grout. I am still working on my brick workshop mosaic, little by little, and if I had it to do over, I'd thin-coat it in the mortar before mosaicing. It would be much easier. Your handyman can do that for you and leave the fun stuff for yourself. Mine offered but noooooooooo, I was too anxious to get started. The mapei sticks immediately, and I had very little taping to do to hold the larger pieces on. Sooooo glad to see you back.
haziemoon
16 years ago
So glad you are ok Flag! I assumed you left us for gardening forums. You have sure been through a lot since
we heard from you last. Can't wait to see your wall WIPS!
Be careful...that's a huge project. Glad to have you back
with us.

Hazie
bamasusanna
16 years ago
I don't believe I've had the pleasure Flag! I've been posting since April or so. Sorry to hear of your health problems, but glad you're getting back into it with GUSTO!!

Susan
ladyronnie
16 years ago
Hey FLAG! So glad you're back among us, and so sorry for your trauma(s)! I'm a physical therapist, so I know how devastating a stroke can be. You are quite a woman to be back with us so soon, and with a project many of us wouldn't attempt with a completely sound body (except for our way unsound minds! :D) PLEASE be careful! We don't want any more horror stories from you! Glad you're back!
Shades_of_idaho
16 years ago
Hi Flag. So sorry to hear you have had such a time of it. Have thought of you often and always kept an eye out for your truck when we were on the I 84.

Glad you are gaining ground and hope the new doc can get you up and running soon.

Sorry I can't be of help with your question. Looking froward to seeing your progress in body and mosaics.

(((((((((((((((Flag))))))))))))))))

Chris

I'm back and needing advice!

Comments (18)

stjohnsgypsy

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