Belated Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas to all my friends, although it's a little late. Christmas was hectic and I'm relieved we're on to a New Year. Our first project is the smallest kitchen in the "Red Room," as Brittany calls it. It will be exciting to have it completed for our guests. Then there's taking down and storing all the wonderful Christmas decorations... Next - Valentines? What do you think to Party or not?

Christkindlmarket

New Look

Having a river at the base of the hill is a blessing for putting in road base and parking lots. River rock though irregular form a solid foundation after it is pounded in. Bob like a little boy enjoys the excavation of the new parking lot which will house guests at the castle.

How lucky to live when excavators, tractors, dump trailers and all the modern tools make work so much easier for one single man.

Can you see Abby on the lawn between crenelations?

Autumn Games

Fall is such a magical time! The leaf color the skyline in brilliant shades of autumn. These are some of my favorite palettes to take color schemes from, for clothing as well as room designs.

Always look to nature for a clue of what colors work so perfectly together.

Bob has finished the spiral stairway in the west turret. Yippee!

We will have Castle games for Halloween Oct 29th from 12 noon to 4 PM for children (must be accompanied by an adult). Come shoot arrows at targets, the trebuchets at the castle, spear a lance through rings, Walk a beam, for the Princess play croquette or badminton... then glue together masks and add your own details. One dollar per ticket per game! Tours of the castle, only $5 per person for this special holiday with children.

Cut Rock Stucco

Brittany is admiring the finished work!

It does make it look so much better. When mixing this stucco product make it like a very firm frosting consistency, then when you apply it with the trowel start at the top of the surface you're working on but move the trowel from below to upwards, then smooth it and fill spaces. Before dry add veining. and smooth keeping the trowel almost flat against the surface. This creates a very realistic vein.

Persevere

Destiny and JC's wedding today! I believe this will get easier the more we do each wedding, especially when the building process (at least of this building) is finished.
There is a strain I think we all feel that work hard. It is,will we get it done? The point is to persevere each and every day. To do just a little and from that little comes a larger work. A work we can look back on and say, wow, with the help of the Lord, we were able to do that!. So good luck in all your small endeavors, which add up to a larger whole.

Stucco Finish

Little by little we are getting the stucco finished on the castle, the back side of the arches is now complete as well as the side walls and dormers. The back turret is almost complete with just 3 more dormers to complete, then on to the back wall.

After applying this fibrous stucco and smoothing it, just before it dries, there is a narrow window in which you can put on the veining. Then you must smear and blend it in to a look of real rock.

It dries quickly so you must work very fast, 2 bags takes a little less than 2 hours to put on for 2 people. Don't be too picky and remember rocks have varying textures and veins.

Natural Beauty

Kari & Chad wanted the unusual. So they placed their arch away from the castle. That way she could exit the chateau unseen by her guests, and walk down the aisle, with nature as her backdrop. It worked beautifully.

Then they all moved inside for the reception, where guests partied until midnight.

So many choices with a castle wedding.

New Suite

Fun, isn't it! If you can't find what you want (and can afford) at the store, create your own.

That's exactly what we did with the headboard. There are still a few finishing touches to make it the best we can do, but for most purposes this small suite is elegant and ready for guests.

What do you think for it's name? Antoinette? Grace? Belle?

The Tiepolo theme started this room out, but as the room progressed it took on a life of it's own and so Tiepolo will have to go somewhere else.

Each room creates a statement with which you are enveloped in that dream. Come visit the Chateau and see whats new.

Changing Clouds of Love

Aren't the skies phenomenal in Missouri? They change so often and the cloud formations go from turbulent to wispy stratus with my favorite the massive cumulus. The only surety here in the weather is that it will change.

And so do relationships, often on a daily basis. The constant, like the sky and heavens above is the certain love one feels for another. That backdrop should not change, but be as eternal as the heavens above. This only happens when we put away our own selfish behaviors. I am as guilty as the next at not doing it all the time. The only redeeming quality any of us can have is that we are working on that betterment. Then trust in the Lords perfect love for we, who are so unworthy.

Yesterday Bob and Britt worked more on the stucco... Wouldn't you guess it's raining again, so that puts the completion of that off till better weather.

Since Bob made the trebuchets (catapults) for the schools to sling water balloons we have been thinking of other fun activities which children could do. Medieval in nature plus ones that will not hurt another. Any ideas?

Married at Last

Analisa and Kenny were radiant after their vows. Together at the romantic couples table they watched over their guest like Royalty.

May they ever enjoy the peace and love that comes through their union. Through all the trial leading up to the wedding they maintained level heads. Although those heads were elevated into the clouds!

Tapestry to Mural

Recreating another art work has it's limitations especially if you are working in different mediums. This mural was taken from a tapestry commissioned by Cardinal Wolsey when he was still popular in the court of Henry the VIII.

A tapestry has a woven texture, which I am not quick enough to recreate in paint. So instead I substituted his family crest for a Palmer crest and created a more fluid painting than a woven tapestry. With it, you get the effect without the expense or expertise of a woven tapestry.

Have fun with the art. Dont' be too critical. Enjoy

Bridemaid Remembered

Finally, the painting (recreation of the tapestry made for Cardinal Woolsey at Hampton Court) in the brides maid room is started!

This month Britt and I finished the clouds peering through the rafters of the chapel. We'll probably go back next year and add detail and more contrast. But with us reaching the tip of the ceiling at 42 feet, while balancing atop a swaying lift atop a ladder, I'm glad to have this much completed.

The floors in the brides room are acid stained and sealed Britt is working with Bob on the finish of the steps sweeping up in the entry.

Each day a new project. Each day a little more completed.

If Clouds Could Talk

Okay, I left the camera up at the castle. So no photos of the floor in the brides chamber or the doors in the entry.

We tried a different technique on the brides floor to see if we could get the amber to color a lighter version of itself. Then veined as usual. This time we didn't spray water first we put the amber stain directly on the concrete. Then veined with walnut, more amber and jade. While doing the veining I used extra sprits of water to blend and let the veins run. Doing the acid directly on dry concrete leaves what you do there, drops and all, be careful not to make veining to bold, remember in natural veining you have bold lines to narrow fading lines. Water helps with that.

While the acid cured Britt and I went to put clouds on the ceiling of the chapel. After 4 hours of wrenching our necks we went back to the brides chamber and cleaned the floor. It looks good! Then back to working on clouds. Britt has things timed and we're given an hour a cloud in each bay , it's closer to 2 that it actually takes (which is putting her schedule off). Schedules push us. Sometimes beyond our limits.

Sky Blue

Will the heating and air ever be done? Bob continued to work on those units.

Britt cleared and started to paint the ceiling a soft baby blue in which we'll paint soft floating clouds (I hope).

While I gold leafed the doors (there is still a little more to do,) Then I finished clearing everything out of the brides room and sealed the wall behind the mirror. Today, I will acid stain the floor, and help Britt with the clouds. It will be up and down all day.

Tomorrow I'll have more photos of our progress.

Another Day at the Castle

When sealing a concrete floor remember the smell's will give you a major headache. Quickly get in and out. Then leave the room and let it cure (with out curing your head).

Britt and I then stained the closet doors in the entry. Today I will finish those doors with gold leaf which will add a luster to the finish and tie it to the ornate front door. (This Photo is before stain & gold leaf)

For the next week the castle will be in upheaval.

Britt is starting on the clouded sky in the chapel and I will clean out the brides room to acid stain the floor in there. I want to do a practice run on a concrete block outside, because I want something very particular and I'm not certain yet how to get exactly the colors that I want. It might be less time, less stain, or just blending stain. I will have to try to see which works best.

Each Our Own Way

Saturday, Bob worked on the outside portion of the air conditioning / heating unit...still. Drilling through 6" concrete walls takes so much time.

Brit ran the lift carefully around the chapel sanding the windows and touch up painting.

Monday we will start to marbleize the columns, I'm nervous at the beginning of any new project. I've only attempted marbleizing on a very small scale before (In a painting I did of a library). It may take a few attempts to get it right, but I'm game to try.

There are times I can't remember what I did. Oh yes, sealed the floor of the studio kitchen, (which has to be done twice). Then I spray painted half of the wrought iron across the catwalk. The wind blew, and I soon looked like black tar. Getting the paint off took more time than the actually painting.

Acid Stain the Kitchen Floor

The more I do acid stain the more I love it, plus the freer I feel to try different techniques. When we finished the small studio kitchen, after cleaning the stain, there were a couple of small dots which had remained white like concrete. These appeared to be shellac which had accidentally not been cleaned before we stained. (Remember what I said before, clean meticulously)

To remedy the problem, I took the small hand sander figuring I would have to remove the spots and stain again. But as I was sanding with the fine paper I realized with a little sweep of the hand you could get an interesting look and additional veining. Although this has not been sealed yet, I like the effect and will not re stain. Sometimes our accidents are an opportunity to learn.

Overcoming Fear

The rafters in the chapel rise 42 feet in the air. It was hard enough roofing this castle, my heart was continually pounding. Insulation came next, as you can see here. Allot has been completed since then, drywall and paint.

There is one section of the castle that is almost impossible to reach from the lift. It is about a 2 foot wide section between the entry and the soaring roof beams. It has remained unpainted for over a year because of the difficulty in reaching it.

Yesterday, I started with every intention of doing this frightening task on my own. After the second lift up I succumbed to my fears and enlisted Brittany's help. She was fearless (Or perhaps, has made the decision to control her fear)

To get to the highest point we had to move the lift to the opposite side of the beam, thus placing us another foot from our intended painting spot over 36 feet in the air. With lift swaying like a drunken sailor, Britt climbed atop the highest cross member and with one hand gripping the beam and the other rolling smoothly the paint over that frightening gulf which had daunted me. She painted as close to the beam as she could and then rolled it out to insure easy reach from the 3rd balcony. I was the perfect assistant at this point, loading the roller so she didn't have to climb up and down. After completing both sides of the ceiling, with one quick step she leaped from beam to railing and was on the balcony. My heart was in my throat, as she finished painting from the safety of the balcony.

Hiring a painter would be easier, but how do we challenge our fears with out "DOING"? It is wonderful to have family leap in when there is something you just can't do.

Clean Up at the Castle

How refreshing to have a day off! I love Sunday's.

Not that I don't enjoy working. Truly work is satisfying, but a break refreshes and allows me to rethink possibilities. We will soon start a monthly program where there will be an exciting activity for the community 1 Saturday each month. We're working on the details. But the ideas are endless. So watch and come and join in the festivities.

This last Saturday at the castle I seemed to clean all day.

Britt finished the sealing of the floor in the large suite and I put linseed oil on the moldings in the chapel. How can 3 people make so much mess?

Bob wired the kitchen, I think he still has more to do. It is amazing how long something you think will be simple actually takes.

Castle Guardian, Coming Soon

The fountain in the snow, looks small and lonely, but it is over 7 feet tall.
I spent yesterday creating a newsletter. The Castle Guardian, watch for it. After several mistakes, where I totally had to log off, I've finally got a rough draft.
It's exciting to learn.... even for this brain which hasn't had adequate usage lately.

Acid Stain

Working with acid stain is a little daunting, because the results are permanent (which always makes me nervous). But remember this is fun. Britt wanted a jade/turquoise stone color.

• Tape and seal off: walls 3' up, floors any, area you don't want stained (move appliances).
• Clean the floor meticulously (no oil or sealants; make certain it will absorb stain)
  
• Spray a light mist of water,
  
• Britt sprayed the jade color with a fine mist. You can see it start to bubble as the acid begins to work. Add more in places to create modeling. Do not step on the acid it will leave permanent prints!
  
• I came behind with a mahogany, veining by rotating my hand and keeping the nozzle close to the floor. If there are cracks in the concrete it is a good idea to follow the natural cracking as well.
  
• Before backing out to far, I sprinkled coffee grounds where I wanted to create a slightly darker crack look.
  
• The next day we cleaned with soda water (very clean) this deactivates the acid.
  
• A few days later seal with a high gloss seal.

Check different stones slabs at http://www.marvamarble.com/italy.htm . This will help you determine what you want your stone to look like. Happy staining with acid!

Music at the Castle

There will be a Music Video shot soon at the castle. Guess who?

It's snowing

Yesterday, signed up on linkedin. Now if I can only actually link everything together.
Exciting news, there will be a music video shot at the castle. Guess who?

Plaster Motifs

Okay, Third day of Blog. It's too cold outside to work. I may be driven, but I'm not stupid. So as you begin your plans for your dream castle, remember all days are not perfect for working. There are times you will need to sit back and rest. So on rest days I plan what I will be doing. I'm researching making my own unique plaster shells, motifs etc. today.

Beginning

We've come a long way since this picture was taken 6 years ago. Especially if you consider that the majority of the work was done by 2 women and a man. However, when you're Building Dreams it feels like any sacrifice is worth it.

Chateau Charmant

First lets be clear, building a castle, or any building is easier than building a website or learning to blog. So if you are proficient at the latter it shall be a whiz for you to build your own castle.
As with any endeavor money can be the obstacle. So plan your life accordingly and save!
I'll start this tomorrow, I'm exhausted from fixing my mistakes with site building and blogging!