lalocalloca
LaLocalLoca
www.lalocalloca.com
Artist ▪ Designer ▪ Wannabe Yogi
Support your local loca!
50 posts
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Last Seen Blogs
samuraizac
Zac ॐ
our-gentle-tide
•.•.•welcome to this hell of a page•.•.•
bax16
Brando's the name, and banjo's the game
mnxmcsyne
mnxmcsyne
Text
Salvaging My Old Sink
Last summer I decided to install new countertops. In an effort to stick to my budget, I decided to not purchase a new sink. I had a cast-iron sink that was discolored and stained, but otherwise in good condition. I found that a similar sink new would cost me about $200, So I decided to try to salvage the one I had. When it was removed from the countertop and the faucet was removed, this is what it looked like:
Dirty sink
I was getting a new faucet, so I needed to make sure I got all that gunk off so it wouldn’t show around the new fixture. Of course, I turned to Pinterest for ideas on how to clean this bad boy, since nothing I had tried so far had worked. (I had tried lime-away, baking soda, scrubbing bubbles, bleach, magic erasers, lemons, etc.) I found, and decided to try, a product called Barkeeper’s Friend that seemed to have good reviews. I was skeptical, but picked some up at Walmart for about $2. This stuff is magic! It still took some elbow grease and a razor blade, but I was able to get the sink sparkling again in about an hour. That’s it! Maybe a silly post, but this stuff changed my life and saved me $200.
FYI I do not receive any credit/pay/etc. for promoting links or products. All links are just because I found them useful. I was/am super excited about this cheap product that got my sink clean!
See the after picture below:
After cleaning it looks brand new!
Here is a picture of the old counters and old fixture, before removing the sink. If you would like to see the full counter makeover post, click here.
Before (sink area)
Here is the new counter before replacing the sink (and before grouting the tile or finishing the backsplash).
Sink area before grout
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Salvaging My Old Sink was originally published on La Local Loca
0 notes
Text
Countertop Makeover DIY for Impatient People that Hate to Measure
For years I have been trying to find affordable (like SUPER CHEAP) ways to disguise my ugly, laminate countertops. With a budget of practically $0, I scoured Pinterest for acceptable DIY ways to hide the ugly. I covered them in shelf paper more than once, which was less ugly, but extremely cheap looking. (You get what you pay for?)
FYI–I have linked to some pages/products for convenience, I don’t get any credit/pay for doing so.
Before – Ugly Blue Laminate
In 2018, I was gifted some talavera tile that was left-over from another project. It was about 2 boxes (200 tiles) of terracotta, and 2 boxes of cream colored 4 in tiles. While not enough to complete my kitchen, it was enough to motivate me to come up with a more permanent solution to my ugly kitchen problems. I determined I needed 3 more boxes of tiles (which actually ended up being 5 more boxes). I decided to use my tax return to begin this project which gave me a budge of approximately $1000. I had wanted to get cobalt blue talavera tiles, but after realizing they are about twice the cost of every other color I had to come up with another solution. I found that I could get mixed tiles on the cheap from eBay. Now I just needed to figure out how to make due with the selection of tiles I had available to me.
The gifted tile.
Fortunately, I was perfectly content to have my kitchen look like a Taco Cabana. I decided to order the mixed tiles (for less than $1 per tile) and use them with the solid tiles that had been gifted to me. Now I had 7 boxes of tile and no idea what to do with them. How hard could it be?
I borrowed (stole) an old book about laying tile from my parents (which through later research I found out is highly recommended when learning how to lay tile, find it here). I skimmed through and found out I probably needed to do a “wet installation” for the counters. I went to the hardware store and bought some plywood, and a bunch of .5 inch backer board (concrete board), and some mortar. I had the guy at Lowe’s cut the plywood to the width I needed, and used a circular saw to cut it to the length I needed later. Now to remove the existing countertops.
I thought this would be easy, and it wasn’t horrible, but who knew how HEAVY laminate countertops could be? Everyone? Fine, but I had no idea that they are basically 3 inches of solid glue and weigh a bazillion pounds. I had to crawl under the cabinets and use a drill to remove the screws that held them onto the cabinets. I used a pry-bar to pry off the 4 inch backsplash against the wall. Then I dragged all of them into my yard for eventual disposal. I could kinda manage the smaller counters myself, but the giant peninsula weighed about 200lbs so I had to enlist my dad’s help to drag that outside without damaging my doorways or my back. Since dad was there, I had him cut the angled pieces around the stove, and also use his jigsaw to cut the opening for the sink. Click here to see how I salvaged/cleaned my old sink.
BEST DAD EVER cuts hole for sink.
Very technical plans.
So, have I mentioned I have no credentials that qualify me for this project? My cabinets are cheap, builder grade. They have wood doors, but veneer/particle board everything else. Due to this, it was impossible for me to properly attach the new counter tops the proper way (from underneath). I ended up screwing them down from the top. DO NOT DO THIS. I’m sure anyone that knows anything about this is cringing. It worked great! Only problem is that if I, or anyone in the future, would like to remove the countertops…good luck! They would have to be demolished. Now I am stuck with some super ugly cabinets (a project for another day).
The wrong way to attach countertops.
After screwing the plywood down, it was time for the “wet installation” which basically means I had to screw some concrete board on top of them. This prevents the wood from getting wet if water seeps through the tile or the grout later. I borrowed a couple of trowels and a bucket from my dad and got to work. Basically, I slopped on some mortar, ran the slotted trowel over it, then set the backer board on top. Cutting the backer board proved messy, but easy. I used a t-square and and utility knife to score it, then it is able to be broken into the desired shape. I did buy the recommended rust proof screws to adhere the backer board. Apparently, if you get the cheap screws, they can rust and it can bleed into the color of your tile.
Concrete backer-board installed on countertops.
Finally, the fun part! Now that the new counters were prepared, it was time to lay the tile. I had laid out the pattern ahead of time, so I just stacked those tiles to the side and worked a few feet at a time. You start in the middle(ish) and not on an edge. (I hate measuring, by the way.) This is so you don’t get to the other side and realize you need a teeny tiny sliver of tile that would look weird on the edge. I put some mortar on the backer board, used the slotted trowel to score it, then added a little more mortar to the center of each tile and smeared it on like frosting. Since the tiles have a slight curve to them, the glob of mortar in the center provides strength. I also used the trowel to score the mortar on the back of each tile. Then I just pressed the tile down, repeat. Voila!
I did not use spacers for the countertop. This is why talavera tiles were an awesome and appropriate choice for me. Since the tiles are all handmade in Mexico, they are not square or even. Therefore, you do not use spacers with them, because then one line would be evenly spaced, but the other side would look like a mess of uneven edges. I just eyeballed the grout line, centering each tile according to its neighbor. This worked great for me. If you like to measure, or like precision, or like perfectly straight, modern looking lines, this is not the tile (or the method) for you. Thankfully my OCD does not extend to this area of my creative life. It did come in handy when wiping off the grout, however!
I did all the whole tiles, first, leaving the edges and any tiles that needed cut for later. You will need a wet saw/tile saw to cut tiles for the edges, by the way. I borrowed one from my uncle, but I am pretty sure you can rent one. When time came for cutting, I just took a whole tile, flipped it over, and marked it with a sharpie. No measuring! I also left enough space at the edge of the counters for the corner and edge pieces. I didn’t measure this (with a ruler) either. I just took an edge piece, placed it in its eventual position, and marked the backer board with a sharpie. That was my visual of where to start each row of tile.
After cutting and mortaring all the cut tiles in their places, it was time to do the edges. Expect edge tiles to cost about twice as much as a regular center tile, by the way. I did get the cobalt blue for the edges and corners. I applied these the same way (mortar on countertop and on back of edge piece). I made sure to apply a generous amount of mortar to the curved part of the edge piece, so that it would be supported later when I am leaning against the counters while cooking.
So, I forgot to mention I also prepped the walls where the backsplash would be by screwing on backer board (directly into the drywall/studs) before laying the tile on the counters. I used a thinner concrete backer board for the walls than I did on the countertops, I believe it was about 1/4″ thick. For the backsplash, I did use spacers, but not for their intended purpose. I used spacers only vertically, because I found that they prevented the tile from sliding slowly down the wall onto the top of the tile below it.
Tiles on backsplash with spacers.
For the backsplash, I didn’t apply mortar to the wall first. Instead, I just applied it to the back of the tiles, and scored it with the slotted trowel. This way, I could follow the vertical lines I drew on the backer board as a guide. (I relented and had to do a small amount of measuring.) I found the center, and drew vertical lines to help guide where I placed each column of tiles for the backsplash. Again, you need to start in the center and work out, so that when you get to the edges the tiles are as even as possible.
Prior to grouting tile.
After hours and hours and hours and hours of laying tile, it was finally time to do the grout. The tile does need to set for about 24 hours before it is grouted, anyway, so this allows for some time to sleep and read about grouting. Basically, I find that you don’t want to add to much water to the grout, and that you shouldn’t put grout in the joints where the counters the walls to prevent cracking. Instead, get a caulk that is matched to the grout color. This allows those joints to expand and contract with your home and prevents cracking.
I used Polyblend Sanded Grout in Nutmeg and matching Color Fast matching caulk.
Before removing excess grout from backsplash.
Grouting proved to be quite laborious, especially on the vertical parts. Girls, you know how your arms get tired from curling or braiding your hair sometimes? Multiply that by hours and hours of grouting. I purchased a rubber grouting float. It looks like a trowel except it is about an inch thick and made out of rubber. It is used to squish the grout in-between the tiles. It was a pretty effective tool, but I found it easier to just use my fingers to place grout between the edge pieces. The book said to “sponge off” excess grout. I found that a dry sponge worked much better than a wet one. You can buy a sponge for this purpose, but I used old kitchen sponges and they worked fine.
As the grout began to set, I used the float’s corner to scrape off excess grout and make the lines look nice. This took some trial and error. I can see the difference in the dried grout before and after I discovered this method. This step included lots of sponging and lots of scraping. Once I realized the damp sponge was not ideal, I just grabbed the vacuum cleaner and used it to suck up the extra grout as I dry-sponged it off. Once most of the excess grout was removed, and the lines looked nice and even, I used cheesecloth (recommended) to wipe away and shine the tiles. This took many times over each tile to complete. Fortunately, this is exactly the kind of tedious task my OCD craves. Polishing every tile to perfection 1×1. JOY!
Now it’s almost a year later, and the counters are holding up fine. (I am horrible at getting around to blogging, obviously, since it has taken 9 months to get around to posting this.) To my discerning eye, there are some parts of the grout that I want to go back and fix that dried before I discovered the best method for using the grouting tool/sponge. I have found that I can use a nail file to fix most of these areas. Maybe there is a better method, maybe not. I am pretty sure it is not noticeable to anyone other than myself (or any other meticulous-eyed designers, but I don’t often have this type of guest). Overall, I am thrilled with the results!
Before (sink area)
After (sink area)
Before
After with new stove.
This summer, the cabinets are on my to-do list. They can’t be removed/replaced, so they will be receiving a make-over. Stay tuned…maybe I will have that project posted before another year passes.
Rustic Style to me: “Do you even love me? Or do you just love the fact my aesthetic makes mistakes look intentional?”
Project Gallery:
Before
Ugly Laminate
Experimenting…
Teracotta Tile
The gifted tile.
Technical Plans
Framed Wall
False Wall
Drywall Added
Wall’s Edge
Before
Backsplash Preparation
After with new stove.
Tiles with spacers
Backsplash behind stove
Before (sink area)
Before (sink area)
Removed sink & prep
Sink area before grout
Dirty sink
After cleaning with Barkeeper’s Friend’s Friend
Grouting backsplash
After (sink area)
After (sink area)
After (sink area)
Backsplash behind stove
Coffee area
Behind stove
Counter prep
Backsplash progress
Coffee area
After (sink area)
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Countertop Makeover DIY for Impatient People that Hate to Measure was originally published on La Local Loca
#Albuquerque#budget counters#counter makeover#countertops#diy counters#diy tile#gallery#home improvement#kitchen makeover#la local loca#new mexico#talavera counters#talavera tile
0 notes
Text
Holiday Popup & Shop
Find me along with 20+ vendors at The ABQ Collective for a pop-up market this Sunday, December 9th. I’ll be set up inside with a variety of unique gifts including up-cycled beer cap jewelry and ornaments, Breaking Bad Christmas cards, photography, prints, malas (prayer beads), and more. Located on Eubank and Constitution.
A preview of just a few of the items that will be available Sunday, December 9th:
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Holiday Popup & Shop was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#abq collective#Albuquerque#artist#arts and crafts#breaking bad christmas card#breweries#buy local#christmas#etsy shop#hand made#la local loca#lalocalloca#marble brewery ornament#new mexico#popup albuquerque#popup market#santa fe brewery ornament#shop local#shop small#snowflake ornament#support local artists#supportyourlocalartists#tassel earrings#walter white christmas card
0 notes
Text
Breaking Bad Christmas
Walter White & RV Christmas Cards
If you’re looking for an original card to send this Christmas, check out this listing in my Etsy shop. Choose from two styles of Breaking Bad Christmas postcards, currently offering free domestic shipping through the holidays!
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Breaking Bad Christmas was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#breaking bad#buy local#christmas#christmas card#etsy#herbs#la local loca#lalocalloca#new mexico#nm#support local artists#walter white
0 notes
Text
Image Transfer (How To)
I get the question, “What is a mala?” frequently when I am at a market. Today I made this wooden sign to display in my booth that can provide an explanation to that question.
This was my first attempt at using an image transfer technique I saw on Pinterest. I am pretty pleased with the results. I already had prepared the printed explanation, so all I needed to do was mirror the image before printing. I also had the painted plaque laying around, waiting for inspiration to strike.
Step one: Print out your image, reversed if there is text. I used an inexpensive inkjet printer.
Step two: Coat the face of the image with Modge Podge. I used a sponge brush to apply, and the Modge Podge with the yellow label.
Step three: Smooth the paper, image side down, onto the surface you want to transfer it to. Let dry completely.
Step four: Peel away the paper to reveal the image once it has dried. I used a spray bottle filled with water to soften the paper so it would peel more easily. I also went over the image lightly with sand paper to remove all the paper.
Step five (optional): I added some more paint on top of the image until I was happy with the look. Once dry, I used a spray on sealer since I will be using this outside. I want it to hold up to the elements it encounters during the outdoor markets I attend.
l think this is one Pinterest project where I can say, “nailed it” instead of “failed it.” What do you think?
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Image Transfer (How To) was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#artist#craft booth#crafting#diy#etsy#etsy shop#free#image on wood#Image Transfer#la local loca#lalocalloca#mala#new mexico#support your local artists#tutorial#what is a mala#yoga
0 notes
Text
Green Jeans Farmery Pop-up Market
Join the celebration at Green Jeans Farmery this Saturday, February 11th, 9AM-Noon! Several local vendors, food, BEER, music, etc. View the event on facebook.
Pop-up Market
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Green Jeans Farmery Pop-up Market was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#art#artists#breweries#buy local#celebration#craft beer#drink local#food#fun#green jeans#green jeans anniversary party#green jeans farmery#hand made#la local loca#lalocalloca#local loca#markets#new mexico#nighttime market#nm#pop-up market#shop local#supportyourlocalartists#vendors
0 notes
Text
Moonlight Market Día de los Muertos Celebration
Join the fun at the Moonlight Market Dia de los Muertos Celebration! La Local Loca will be vending October 21-22. This will be the final weekend of the season!
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Moonlight Market Día de los Muertos Celebration was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#art#artists#breweries#buy local#celebration#Day of the Dead#dia de los muertos#dia de los muertos celebration#food#fun#hand made#la local loca#lalocalloca#local#local loca#markets#moonlight market#new mexico#nighttime market#nm#shop local#supportyourlocalartists#vendors
0 notes
Text
October Events
October 2016 Events
The end of the market season is upon us in Albuquerque. Find me this month at the following spots.
Saturday, October 1: Found on 4th
Friday, October 7: Moonlight Market
Friday, October 21: Moonlight Market
Saturday, October 22: Moonlight Market
Saturday, October 29: Downtown Growers’ Market
Sunday, October 30: Mile-Hi Market
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
October Events was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#art#artist#artists#buy local#Day of the Dead#dia de los muertos#downtown growers market#farmers market#fun#hand made#la local loca#lalocalloca#local#local loca#markets#mile hi farmers market#moonlight market#new mexico#nm#october 2016#photography#shop local#supportyourlocalartists#vendors
0 notes
Text
Mama's Minerals Arts & Crafts Fair - August 27th
Join La Local Loca & Tortuga de Barro at the 11th annual Mama’s Minerals Arts & Crafts Fair this Saturday, August 27th. Find additional info here. Market runs 10am – 4pm and you can find us in spot 63.
View booth map here.
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Mama’s Minerals Arts & Crafts Fair – August 27th was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#albuquerque old town#art#artists#arts and crafts fair#buy local#craft fair#craft show#fun#hand made#la local loca#lalocalloca#local#local loca#mama's minerals#markets#mile hi farmers market#new mexico#nm#old town#pottery#shop local#supportyourlocalartists#tortuga de barro#vendors
0 notes
Text
Papalo Pesto
Fresh Papalo
I received some papalo at a local market this week, and wasn’t sure what to do with it. I ended up adapting this recipe I found at A Sip of Bliss .
1 bunch of fresh papalo (about 2 cups)
1/4c almonds
2T lemon juice
1T chopped garlic
1/2T salt
1/8c jalapeño oil
1/8c olive oil
Mix all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. If you don’t have jalapeño oil you can use regular olive oil.
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Papalo Pesto was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#buy local#cooking#farmers market#food#free recipe#fresh herbs#herbs#homemade pesto#la local loca#lalocalloca#markets#mile hi farmers market#new mexico#papalo#papalo pesto#pesto#recipe#recipes#southwest#yum
0 notes
Text
OffCenter Folk Art Festival - September 11th
La Local Loca will be teaming up with Tortuga de Barro for this fun, annual folk art festival. Join us September 11th, in Robinson Park on 8th & Central. For more info, visit their website here.
Flyer – Please Share!
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
OffCenter Folk Art Festival – September 11th was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#art#art festival#artist#artists#buy local#fun#hand made#la local loca#lalocalloca#local#local loca#markets#new mexico#nm#offcenter arts#offcenter folk art#photography#pottery#shop#shop local#supportyourlocalartists#tortuga de barro#vendors
0 notes
Text
Summer Octofair June 18th
La Local Loca will be at the Octofair this Saturday along with other talented local artisans. Come enjoy the festivities 10am to 5pm.
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Summer Octofair June 18th was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#artist#artists#artists market#buy local#fun#la local loca#lalocalloca#local#local market#markets#new mexico#nm#supportyourlocalartists#vendors
0 notes
Text
Mile Hi Market
Join me Sundays 11-2 in Alvarado Park for local food and crafts. Season opens June 5th.
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Mile Hi Market was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#alvarado park#artists#buy local#farmers market#la local loca#lalocalloca#local#market#markets#mile hi farmers market#new mexico#nm#photography#shop local#vendors
0 notes
Text
DTGM Dates
Find La Local Loca at the Albuquerque Downtown Growers’ Market select dates this season.
Scheduled dates 8am-Noon:
April 30
May 7
May 14
May 21
June 7
June 25
July 23
October 29
More dates may be announced, check the Facebook for additional dates.
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
DTGM Dates was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#Albuquerque#art#artist#artists#buy local#dia de los muertos#down town growers market#dtgm#farmers market#fun#hand made#la local loca#lalocalloca#local#local loca#markets#new mexico#nm#photography#supportyourlocalartists#vendors
0 notes
Text
Winter Hours
Reduced hours for winter:
Monday: 11-4pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 11-4pm
Friday: 11-4:30pm
Saturday: 11-4:30pm
Sunday: 12-4pm
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Winter Hours was originally published on La Local Loca
0 notes
Text
La Loca's Posole Recipe
Posole is a holiday staple here in New Mexico. A more traditional recipe can be found on the wrapper of Bueno Frozen Hominy, but my version is easy-peasy and doesn’t include pigs’ feet. I guess it could be called the white-girl version, but it’s still caliente and delicious.
Ingredients
Easy Posole
Ingredients:
1 lb bag frozen hominy
1 container Bueno Red Chile
(I use HOT but MILD or MEDIUM are also available.)
1 package pork loin
1/4 c chicken bouillon powder
(I use Knorr “Caldo con Sabor de Pollo”)
1T cooking oil
(I used a garlic infused oil.)
Prepare hominy by boiling on stove top until kernals pop, about 2 hours. Add water as necessary. Add chicken bouillon any time after water reaches a boil. Once hominy has began to puff out, transfer to crockpot. Stir in thawed Bueno Red Chile, cook on high. (Add more water if necessary.)
Meanwhile, chop pork loin into bite-sized cubes. Cook in 1T oil on stove top until no longer pink. Add cooked pork to crockpot and continue to cook on high heat. This isn’t science, I usually leave it in the crockpot over night 8-12 hours because I really like it to marinate. If you cook the pork all the way through before adding, it could be eaten immediately.
Posole
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
La Loca’s Posole Recipe was originally published on La Local Loca
#505#bueno red chile#christmas#crock pot#crockpot#food#free#free recipe#la local loca#lalocalloca#new mexican#new mexican food#new mexico#posole#pozole#recipe#red chile#slow cooker
1 note
·
View note
Text
Holiday Hours
Special days & hours this week! Open Tuesday – Thursday. Open at least until 6PM Christmas Eve, possibly later if there is an interest.
Closed Christmas Day, Merry Christmas!
Share: Twitter Facebook Google+
Holiday Hours was originally published on La Local Loca
0 notes