backsplash and trees

Here's a hot of my kitchen backsplash. I am using Echo Recycled Glass Tile by Crossville in 2"x2" tiles. I designed the mosaic pattern and am setting each tile in one time at a time.


















Close up of the tiles. Tile pattern design is 30% each of Onyx, For Keeps(light almost clear) and Aggie (antique amber green) with 10% of Blue Galaxy.


















Progressing around the U-shape kitchen layout.


















This weekend I planted three trees on my empty lot. The local business Osuna Nursery has an annual Adopt A Tree Sale, where I scored a Honey Locust, Sugar Maple and Burr Oak, all great street shading trees.


















Two trees went in the "Parkway" (strip between sidewalk and street) while the Maple went in the front yard where it can capitalize on my planned rooftop rainwater harvesting system.

spring is in the air

Salt Cedar lattillas. Salt Cedar is an invasive species in the bosque areas of NM, but when harvested, the variety of red bark colors can be a nice touch to a gate.

Salt Cedar Lattillas gate done.

American Clay-ing Begins

On eight of the (interior sides) of exterior adobe walls I chose to apply American Clay, an all natural interior finishing clay plaster.  Because the walls had 90+ years of lath and plaster and paint finishes with cracks and very uneven surfaces, this wonderful product was the best choice. 

I  started with the east living room wall with a red-rocks color called Bryce Canyon.  Fun times slathering on mud!

Before I started...

Mixing the integral, all natural pigment into the clay.

Working my way up the wall with first coat.

First coat, still wet.  The color lightens up a bit as it dries.

First coat drying...