Paver Project

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

For the last fifteen years or so I have slowly been accumulating mosaic tiles - leftovers from various projects they inevitably end up piled in  heavy plastic tubs stored in the shed.  


More recently, the garden has been accumulating weeds at a frantic rate. In particular the pebbled edges of the concrete pathways and driveway. 


These two issues weren’t related until I sat down to weed the driveway edge for the zillionth time and came up with a great idea that could improve  both the weed situation AND the leftover tile situation at once.  And so the Family Paver Project was born.


My plan was to have each of our Sunday night dinner guests roughly design a mosaic concrete paver that I could complete and lay into the rocky strip, thus reducing the opportunity for weeds to poke through the stones, and also adding some colour to the grey grey driveway area. 


Of course I’d never created pavers before. So my first task was to work out how to do it - I really haven’t done much work with concrete - but after a few minutes  after a bit of you-tubing I was  dangerously ill-equiped and ready to forge ahead with the prototype.  I cut down three of those  white plastic tubs which can be bought everywhere so I could use them as moulds, Then I had Zali arrange the tiles for one paver, while I did another two.  (it tuns out that one 20kg bag of concrete creates 3 pavers).

 

After transferring the tiles to the moulds, it was time to do the concrete bit.  


How not to concrete:

 

  • Do not ever mix concrete in a tall narrow bucket (see below). It is impossible to mix it all.
  • Do not leave a concrete bag in the rain.  
  • If you do leave the concrete bag in the rain, do not try to use the slightly set mixture on new pavers. 
  • Do not attempt to mix concrete with your bare hands

 

Despite making the first of the above mistakes, the first three pavers came out a ok - they looked a bit rough at first, but after cleaning them up, they looked good.


With the concept proven, the next Sunday I shepherded as many guests as I could down to the craft area to create a design. Under the threat of no dinner for non-compliance, we got some nice results. Unfortunately there wasn’t time and space for everyone to have a go, but I got a good selection of people and generations.  


As it took about a week for each batch of 3 pavers to dry, it took about 4 weeks for me to get them all completed, including having to re-create a few due to paving error number 3.  

 

Then, a few trips and adventures later (i.e weeks and weeks), I finally had time to lay them. First i pulled out all the rocks, then put sand and stuff under each of them..

 

and voila!

 

This paver on the right is my favourite - it reminds me of an aurora, it reminded Clare of the earth. It’s actually one of my grandmothers pottery plates. She used to make them to sell at Salamanca for charity.  I feel it’s a bit like publishing and album posthumously. I’m sure she’d be cool about it.

And so ended the paver project.  It was a long project but I'm happy with how it turned out. And as long as I don't reverse over every single paver with the car, they should last a long time!

2016summary
Christmassy Photos Friday, 30 December 2016
Noosa - Day 5 Thursday, 15 December 2016
Noosa - Day 4 Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Noosa - Day 3 Monday, 12 December 2016
Noosa - Day 2 Sunday, 11 December 2016
Noosa - Day 1 Sunday, 11 December 2016
Being Bothered Pays Off. Sunday, 11 December 2016
Swimming tour of Brisbane part 2 Sunday, 11 December 2016
Paver Project Wednesday, 23 November 2016
Swimming tour of Brisbane Wednesday, 23 November 2016
The end of an era Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Snowvember Tuesday, 8 November 2016
Tramp-a-bag Monday, 31 October 2016
Mt Wellington Monday, 31 October 2016
Online Only Challenge Monday, 31 October 2016
3 Capes Monday, 10 October 2016
Packing Regrets Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Fantasy Amazing Race Tuesday, 4 October 2016
Before and After then After that #37 Monday, 3 October 2016
Before and After #36 Zali's Room Take 2 Monday, 3 October 2016
That's DR McComb to you.. Friday, 26 August 2016
'Mrs', 'Miss', or 'Dammed feminist'? Sunday, 14 August 2016
Who is really paying for the bake sale? Friday, 12 August 2016
Running Sunday, 31 July 2016
The Kettering Incident and Why I am the Smartest in the Room Friday, 29 July 2016
Before and After Sneak Peak Tuesday, 26 July 2016
Vacuum Cleaner Update Tuesday, 26 July 2016
How not to go to the movies Tuesday, 12 July 2016
How Not to Sell Vacuum Cleaners Monday, 11 July 2016
Melbourne Mini Break Monday, 27 June 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #35 Thursday, 23 June 2016
Treasure Chest Cake Thursday, 23 June 2016
Shark House! Saturday, 11 June 2016
Before and After #35 - CD Tower to Mirror Tuesday, 31 May 2016
Maths - it could happen to you. Thursday, 19 May 2016
Power Tools Tuesday, 17 May 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #35 Friday, 22 April 2016
Sheffield Rail Trail & Derby Thursday, 21 April 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #34 Wednesday, 20 April 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #31 & #32 & #33 Wednesday, 20 April 2016
60 Walks Challenge - Walk #29 & #30 Tuesday, 19 April 2016
Creatures of Habit Thursday, 7 April 2016
Let me count the ways.. Wednesday, 30 March 2016
Canberra 2016 Friday, 25 March 2016
Un armed.. Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Full day of activities Sunday, 13 March 2016
Dumped Saturday, 12 March 2016
Double Tromble Friday, 11 March 2016
Million Dollar Lane Wednesday, 9 March 2016
2nd International MFSC Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Tip Run Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Blackberry Season Thursday, 3 March 2016
Packed Lunches Wednesday, 2 March 2016
so yeah.. Sunday, 28 February 2016
Cradle Mountain Run Curse Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Last Pictures Tuesday, 9 February 2016
All the kids Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Overland Track - Day 7 Monday, 25 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 6 Monday, 25 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 5 Sunday, 24 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 4 Wednesday, 20 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 3 Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 2 Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 1 Monday, 18 January 2016
Overland Track - Day 0 Sunday, 17 January 2016
Slow Progress Thursday, 14 January 2016
Pakning på, opp og stå, ut og gå Monday, 11 January 2016