slow- whats the detergent for? Does it make any frothing bubbles?? I read in the directions you could use powder to burnish your rocks if there is a haze on them! daylily- when I tried the jar method described above I tried it. It really worked for me, but I have to say I love the convenience of the tumbler I got today! I used my tumbler for quite a while today doing some china, I had cut up. Now I have to make myself understand..now that its tumbled it will DEFEAT the purpose if I nip them before I use them..I swear I am so horrible about the pieces fitting just so that I'm gonna have to hide the leponitts (which I broke the wheel can you believe it!!!) and hook myself up to shock therapy!!!

Yup, I think I used a diamond bit and a sponge for keeping water around the bit when drilling. Haven't tried drilling a microwave plate as of yet, I know that some things are tempered and may explode/break apart when drilled. I was going to also mention that all the glass used on that bird house one, is scrounged old 70's stained glass, that I find at thrift stores/garage sales/for sale by owner websites...so I probably don't spend very much on my projects, I spend money on the marine silicone and outdoor grout and sealer I use as I want it to last(I use thinset when I can)

Hubby was just reading this thread over my shoulder and said "we need a bird bath". I had to LOL and explain that a bird bath is QUITE an ambitious project for a newbie :-) He just chuckled and said "fine, do a picture frame first, and then we need a bird bath." Gotta love the man and his faith in my ability! Thanks again for all of the great suggestions. As soon as I find the cord to hook my camera to my computer I'll upload some of my stained glass projects and follow up with my first mosaic piece.

It really is a hard decision, but usually there is some sort of indicator to the right direction - you may just have to listen hard and dig deep to find it. People gave all sorts of good things to clue in on in this thread from just sitting and staring at your kitchen daily and it coming to you over time....to looking at inspiration pics and tuning into which ones make you sigh in wonder.....to just making a final decision one way or another and seeing if peace comes with it. For me, I did decide on white with my previous cabinet maker, and I was excited, but still felt very nervous about it. The glaze or no glaze choice was not sitting right at all either. I wanted the warmth of glaze, but not the potential to be dated or the lack of control over how heavy or light it was applied. In the end, we switched cabinet makers, and I realized that stained wood really does fit more with our house. That's what all our millwork and window casings/trim are. So that's what we chose (stained birch, actually), and I feel peace about it. There is something about the warmth of wood that paint can't really replicate. Yet, I get my white painted fix too - we have a cream fireplace mantle and surround, so I am adding to that in the adjacent kitchen with a creamy white island, hutch, and columns. I am still toying with the idea of using black or green on the island instead of white...we will see! BTW, our kitchen should be completed by the end of the year. Our aim is Nov 1, but I think that's going to be pushing it.