Reverb10 ~Make~

Hi everyone!  Thanks for reading me today.  I'm participating in the Reverb10 project, as we look back over the past year.  Each day through New Year's we'll receive a word prompt to create a blog post.  Today's prompt:  December 6 – Make.  What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?  (Author: Gretchen Rubin)


Oh this one's easy!  Earlier this year I learned how to make paper flooring, and it turned out fabulous -- it looks like a cross between faux leather and faux stone.  It's smooth and soft underfoot, and stunningly durable.  I was inspired by lovely artist Gwynne Gardner and when I contacted her for tips, she was so supportive with wonderful new techniques to share.


Materials:  a roll of heavy construction paper from your local hardware store, Weldbond glue, and a gallon of varathane.  Less than $100 to do 250 sq ft of bathroom and bedroom, and I still have paper and glue left.  Dilute one part glue with three parts water; I only mixed a couple ounces of glue at a time.  The key is to tear the paper, not cut it, so the edges are natural and feathered.  Glue on the bottom of the paper makes the "stone" lighter (as in front of the toilet), glue on both sides makes it darker, and wadding up the paper in the glue water makes it really dark and crinkled (lower left, and round spot center top).


To quote my July entry in Home Renovation: Transforming Us Both from the Inside Out:  Oh I'm having fun! I feel like a seven year-old playing 'mudpies.' There's no rushing here, it's all in the moment. It works best when you sort of fall in love with each piece, patting it gently into place. I'm learning lots of techniques how to vary the color and texture, blend edges, and how to 'layer the stones.' The diluted glue is like milk, so it washes up easy and I can stop and start, a little bit at a time.    


As for what I want to make next, a new income stream, pronto.  And yes, I need to clear time for it!  I actually have the time, but I let it get cluttered with less important things, diversions, distractions.  I guess I should take the metaphor of working on the floor:  after a point, the prep work is done, and the only thing left to do is clear the floor, sweep away every distracting bit of debris, and then start the main act of creating.