I AM a finisher, I AM!

Do you remember this project? It's been languishing outside under a sheet of plastic for almost 2 months. I started it when the boys were still in school, thinking it would be a weekend, maybe a week-long project....Ahem.

Yesterday morning I got up bright and early before the heat hit for the day, bit the bullet and grouted it.

Some of what has taken me so long in this front is spare time at the wrong time...sometimes I've had time, but it's too hot (the grout would set too fast), it's poring rain, etc. I actually got my supplies together on Canada Day and was going to grout it then, but realized I had about half as much grout as I thought I needed. After 2 weeks, the grout came in, and yesterday everything came together. Finally.

The top photo is of the mosaic before the final polishing. I started out applying the grout with a trowel, but found that to be really tedious. After a while I found myself applying it by the handful, working it in with the palms of my hands (have I mentioned how many pairs of rubber gloves I've wrecked on this project?). I smoothed it over afterward with the proper grout squeegee thing.

The second photo shows the mosaic half cleaned, the lower half of the tiles have been polished.

This photo gives a better idea of how much of a difference the polishing step makes. The left half of the tiles have had the grout clouding removed, and the bits of debris swept away, but not so on the right. ( You can click the picture for a larger version).

Now I spritz it with water periodically over the next 3 days (usually while my tea is re-heating), then seal it. With no rain in the forecast, this might just work out.

Whew. See? I am a finisher. Really I am.



(Had to include the gratuitous kitchen photo. I've always loved distorted images...this is our big pot on the stove. I happened to look up while petting our dog and saw this great, distorted view of our kitchen. Luckily I had the camera right there.)

Happy stitching,

Lisa