Renovating The House

I have been very buzy removating the house -basically, I am re-painting most of the walls and re-doing most of the floors.

Since I bought this house a little over 10 years ago now, I have used strictly non-toxic, biodegrable, as-natural-as-I-can-find-it products. A challenge sometimes, particularly on the pocket book.

The walls are now finished, thank goodness. Over the years, I have tried three different types of non-VOC paint, this last one being the best by far. The first one was from an independent store in the area. As it turned out, it never quite covered the walls. Knots and other stains would eventually come through, and that within a few days of painting. No matter how many coats, still showing. Very frustrating to say the least.

A second brand did help the issue a little but not completely.

Finally, the answer, from Home Depot no less.

I love that Home Depot is carrying a “green” option for some of their product, namely Paint. This makes it more accessible to the general population. Yes, I know it takes away from the smaller individually owned stores, which I do my best to support when I can, but the truth of the matter is most real significant strides in spreading the use of green and environmentally friendly products is done through major shopping stores/centers, of which Home Depot is one.

The brand is called FreshAire Choice. The base has no VOC content. There may be a very slight amount in the pigment as it has a very very slight smell to it when freshly painted. I personally can literally not breath around regular fresh paint, so I can tell you how happy I was to find this one.

It goes on very well with either roller or brush, and looks wonderful once dried.

The price is comparable to any other good quality paint, by just $2-4 more. Well worth the investment, for the sake of your health, your family’s, and the planet in general.

As with most natural paints, colors tend to be in the more “natural looking” themes -no bright neon types here- which only enhances the beauty of an organic living space.

Squidoo #6: A Cappella book 2

One lens closer to the Giant Squid title, for which 50 lenses are required…

This #6 is for vol.2 of my own personal book series: A Cappella. I made a lens for book 1 a few days ago and got around to book 2 yesterday. By the way, I upgraded the presentation a little too so look in to book 1 again.

Lens #6: www.squidoo.com/A-Cappella-Book2

The next one I think will be the Lensography that becomes necessary after a certain number of lenses are reached. It’s basically an index lens of one’s lenses. I know, I know, I only have 6 so far -but I figure I might as well set it up and plug in one lens at a time as I make it, rather than wait until I have 20 or 30 or more, and have to organize the whole thing. Much more efficient that way, don’t you agree?

So, for the next couple of days, I’ll be looking in on other lensmaster’s lensography to see the various formats for ideas, and get started on mine.

As always, be sure and visit the lens, rate it if you wish, and all comments always welcomed.

Updated Moebius Squidoo Lens

I have just finished updating my Moebius squidoo lens.

I’ve got a couple more ideas and then I think it’ll be good for a while. This is my best performing lens to date, and my goal is to submit it as “Lens of the Day”… so I want to make sure I do all I know to do to get it accepted.

I’m going to let it be for a couple of days, see how I like it, add an image or two, and submit.

Keep your fingers crossed… and in the mean time, visit the lens, comment, rate it, and send friends over to check it out.

Right here –> www.squidoo.com/MoebiusComics

Squidoo #5: Arcosanti

Lens #5 just finished on Arcosanti, the future like city under permanent construction in the high desert of Arizona. Paolo Soleri, an Italian architect and visionary, is the designer and overall builder.

See for yourself: www.squidoo.com/Arcosanti-Arizona-city

I visited the place a few summers ago and was absolutely amazed. Places like this only exist in science fiction movies… we forget that now is the time for all that “science fiction” stuff, and that a lot of things we think only happen in movies are actually happening today -good and bad. It’s just not always visible or within our mental radar.

This is definitively one of the GOOD things -though it’s been going on since 1970.

I hope this inspires you to visit if ever you are driving through Arizona.

Enjoy.

Squidoo #4: A Cappella Book 1

Moving right along, I wanted to make a lens for each of my personal, self-published books.

The first is for the A Cappella series, vol.1: When Are You Coming Home?

The link: http://www.squidoo.com/A-Cappella-Book1

These are little b&W books that are very personal and mean a lot to me. I am the artist, author, and self-publisher, and as such had to print in b&w because of cost. The originals are done with India ink and watercolor. I do have some posters printed through POD which I will add to the Squidoo page once IndyPlanet adds them to their online gallery.

In the mean time, see the squidoo page A Cappella Book1 and see what you think!

 

I will make one for volume 2 soon (vol. 3 is not yet complete)

Take the time to visit the page and feel free to leave me comments, either here or on the squidoo page (if you are a member).