I love it and I think the 2 pieces merge together quite nicely! I don't think it's busy at all!

I also love your little helper holding it up so you can photograph it!

Barb

Mary that is fantastic ,like I said I think you're pulling our leg!!!No really just joking but it's Sooooooooooo good I can't believe you just started.It is not too busy it is perfect!!!

I like it a LOT - all except the buttons on the end. They don't add to the continuity of the piece, in my opinion.

Otherwise I'm bowled over. What color grout?

Wow, it's fabulous. Can't wait to see it up and grouted... it's very fun! and nope it won't be so busy looking after grout because it will pull it all together, each individual piece will become one face.

Da-haaang MM!
I LOVE that orange shirt on your little prop child! That color really complements that mosaic!LOL!!
But seriously, You're doing a great job on your first project! I don't think it's too busy at all. In my opinion, the more stuff you have in it, the more interesting.

Wow! that looks amazing! You did a great job.

buttons...continuity? That's the section that I have to put more of in order to make both pieces not look like two pieces.
Do I need to rip the buttons out and put rocks in? Not sure why they don't seem to work...there's other kinds of "stuff" in the piece, so thought they were just more of the other stuff like the beads and rocks...

...maybe there's just too many of them?
Help me out here. It's not like I haven't ripped out any of these sections already...(several have had re-dos already).

Thoughts?

I LOVE the buttons!!! Orange you glad to have help?!lol! If only DH would let me do something like that!!! It is fantastic! I'm so glad you found us! Jane

Hey MM, lookin good!

I am not sure about the look of the buttons, but the grouting of them will be a butt kicker! Are they level with the rest of the piece? I would be afraid, if they aren't level they will just get lost and be difficult to clean up etc.

Great idea about leaving space to do later to show continuity and NOT higlight the seams. Very cool work!!!

And a prop child is good it have. How old is yours?

Oh how I love that!!! Sooo much to look at in there, just the coolest china pieces! I noticed a couple bare spots, is that where you screw it down?, do the screws have to go into studs? I'm just curious about the installation, I'll bet it's heavy. Hurry up and get that baby done!! I'm dying to see it grouted.....it's sooo gorgeous!!

Wow! That looks fantastic. Can't imagine doing that as a first project. Kudos to you!

That is to die for!!!! I showed it to dh and he liked it too....maybe he will let me try! Our counter tops are covered in the 80's bright yellow formica...yuck! it goes right up the wall to the cabinets.
LEAVE the buttons. It gives it that sense of surprise. And if you like them...that's what matters. Keep the updates comming.

It's going to be wonderful. And you can already tell that once the grout is done it will look so pulled together.
Your balancing of color's are perfect to my eyes.
(but I vote to loose the buttons) They're cute
but they don't really go IMO...but then again...what the heck do I know :o)

Looks amazing, but I'm with linlee on the buttons. They just don't seem to fit the theme, or the room.

MM, I can't wait to see this grouted. It is looking GREAT! I wouldn't call it busy but LIVELY! It really brings your kitchen alive.

As for the buttons, I think they will be a BEAR to grout. Plastic items usually get scratched in the grouting process, unless you are very careful. To me it's your personal preference to keep or remove the buttons but you have done a great job of balancing your colors, curves, and other objects throughout your piece, not so with the buttons.

FANKITCHENTASTIC! Yes, it IS colorful, but THAT's what MAKES it! Wonderful china bits. Where do you get those? I want some.... Re the buttons. Not liking them either. The colors are too dull and just don't complement the rest of the backsplash...IMHO.....

I LOVE IT! The colors make it. It isn't too busy at all.
It will feel less busy when it's grouted and there are things on the counters.

Hazie

Oh my goodness, I am loving this backsplash! I wish I had seen this before I did mine with plain old boring tile. You have done a fantastic job with the colors and design. I am in agreement with losing the buttons.

Ramona

And to think I stomped on my first "small" project...this is amazing.....I like busy......and surprises to the eye! Very cheerful and happy! As far as the buttons, I dunno.......it's a matter if you like them..then that's counts..........! This has to please your eye most of all because you will be looking at it every day......so if you do decide to change it...now's the best time before you grout! You've done an incredible job........still can't believe this is your first.......WOW....can't wait to see what you do for your 2nd!!!!

MARYMARY! This is absolutely...whatever adjective/s haven't been used yet which speak positively of what you are accomplishing!!! I love love love this! The buttons will be a bear to grout, but I think they are a whimsical touch. And I love the busy-ness of it!

You might think of using bottle caps instead of the buttons,colorful ones like old soda water bottle kind,smear on some grout and sink them down into it.A button look but more for the kitchen???Just an idea but love it like it is too!!!

Ditto to all the above!!! It's fantastic!
Love all the color! What a bright happy kitchen this will be! It will make you smile everytime you walk into it! I can just imagine going in first thing in the morning to put the coffee on....what a way to start the day! :)

Absolutely gorgeous! Going into my inspiration pics folder so that ONE DAY when I get up the nerve I'll remember your bravery and how beautiful it turned out :-)

Yep I like that idea Cracked, could be caps from Snapple juice bottles etc (those are metal right?) Nantucket Nectars caps are a great purple. I think someone nailed why the buttons aren't good for me and it's that they are dull (vs. shiney) and will leave that whole space really dull when grouted and that will standout strongly with all those shiny plates. I'd vote for keeping them if they had a good shine.

Those caps would be good though... I'm inspired by that idea

Really like the look of it. The buttons I don't like. The colors are dull and don't go with the other colors and the stone. I'd rip them out and replace with plates or stones. Otherwise, looks great.

Wow your first thing. You are doing a great job. Can't wait to see it all done. You go girl.

Great job!! Love the idea of replacing the buttons with bottlecaps! I guess the buttons just aren't kitchen-y. But as others said. You have to look at it!

Maria

F A N T A S T I C !!!!
I Love it!!! Thanks for sharing !
Great Work !\
Happy * * * * Holidays !!!
Merry Christmas !!!!
susiesunshine

not liking the buttons either--how about a cup bottom? have seen those used and i liked the look. never tried them tho. really like the china and colors....barb

Ok...well, I'm still mulling over the button comments...but what DID get the axe today were the oval globbies. I hated them. The green ones stayed; they seem to blend well, but the multi-colored ones weren't working for me. I replaced them with some other plate pieces, and I'm happier with that section now.

But I DO want to put in a 3D element, so ok, the buttons MAY end up getting replaced by a cup thingy that I really want to use, but I'm still not sure I wanna get rid of them yet...so I'll look at them a while longer ;) Will keep you posted.

Oh, and did I tell you that I got out the wet saw yesterday? NEATO! It worked FABULOUS on slicing the side edge off the vertical piece up there. But I must have had the guide on crooked, because now there's a GAP! :( Just a small one; not sure if you can even see it in the picture (it's on the right edge by the window...about 1/8th inch...gradual from the top to the bottom. I think I'll just hide it with new curtains ;)

So I'll play with it some more, and cut up some potential 3D parts :D

What about busted salt and pepper shakers or those little corn cob holders? Hmmm, what else..cup handles!
You've really got me wanting to do the backsplash in my kitchen!

I still vote to keep the buttons! When I was a little girl, one of my fav things to play with was my MOM's tin box of buttons! I'd sit and sort them for hrs!!! I've seen others add them to their mosaic pcs and always thought of hearth and home and sewing things together. Love it no matter what you decide!!!

Question? What is this mosaic on?
It looks fabulous!! Great job.

Hardiebacker board. Get it at Home Desperate or Lowes.

I too like the buttons, seems like we do have a sentimental attachment to them. You've given me an idea for a gift for my brother. I have lots of my mother's old buttons and I was going to send him some of her old recipes. Already have some old cigar boxes....hum.....

Wow - I see my button comment took on a life of its own . . .

That is really turning out wonderful!!! My eyes just want to follow it, its playfull, colorfull, and fun!!! It is really great. If you wanted a 3-d element how bout (seeings how you have the new saw and all)...cutting a teacup in half? Or like someone else said a handle but if you used a big cup handle you could almost make it be a towel holder.

What every you decide it will be great. I cant remember if you said what color grout you were going to use?

nope; haven't decided on grout color yet. I'm leaning towards a beige-product, but still not sure exactly which one yet. I love having the Laticrete color chart, though (still have one more of those left if anyone's wanting one).

I have Sauterne on hand already, but I'm also really liking the look of the colors on the right side of the page:

Butter Cream
Toasted Almond
Caramel
Cinnamon
Saltillo
Sand beige

Must hold these up to various sections of the piece to see what happens.

Linky dink to Laticrete colors

Hmm, I can't help on the grout colors. I guess it would depend on seeing the samples in person with the lighting in your kitchen. Trust yourself.
Chick had a neat suggestion on the cup handle towel holder! I'm gonna remember that if I ever get around tuit!

You could find a rooster at Hobby lobby or somewhere and cut the head off OUCH! put it on and put more plate shards or gems around it.You already have a rooster plate too.More to think about right...do you have a hobby lobby ?

No, unfortunately on the HL question. I think they forgot that the US expands North along the eastern seaboard...

LOVE the towel holder idea, but HATE the idea of a towel hanging out in the open, actually. What else can I hang off it?

oh, wait...I can get a 'finger towel' or something...that might work. A little PINK FLAMINGO ONE!!! (or maybe not...it might clash)

Just remember you have a plug there so if you use it a towel will hang over it????O.K. another thought too since you and others like the buttons why don't you stick in a few bright colored ones where yours are all dark?