New resident for the SMTP

Here is the first of many tikis I'll be carving for the Swanky Monkey Tiki Pub. This is an olive tree branch from the tree right next to the Pub. Huge winds tore down a limb, but they will live on - guarding the precious rum and Guinness!

Before and after pics...

Thatcher, Rufus...

That's not really a name, I just couldn't think of anything more clever as a header for this post - about thatching my roof.

I bought these "raincape" sections of palm thatch at Oceanic Arts in Whittier, CA. Each one is about 4' square and has been treated to be flame retardant.

I mounted them to the roof using fender washers and roofing nails. This seemed to work well, after my initial plan to use an air-gun stapler failed - the staples cut right through the thatching.
I started with the fringe and worked my way back toward the top of the roofline.
So far so good... Can't wait for that first ice-cold Zombie!
to be continued...

The Tiki Pub Project begins...

The transformation of a small, detached writer's studio...
...to a swingin', swank Tiki drink mecca began on March 7th, 2008, with the purchase of some "beachin" pebbles - specifically, 3/8" Sunset Pebbles from La Canada Rustic Stone in Pasadena. This small area required sixteen 80 pound bags.
to be continued...