Because we are using tiles that are different thicknesses (why make it easy?), David and his partner Gerry (also an amazing contractor) came to help me apply an under layer of thin set - sticky cement that goes on like mildly crunchy peanut butter.
First I traced the drawings in sections so we'd have the pieces to put the puzzle back together later. Then Gerry helped me mix up a batch of the thin set using his 40 year old gigantic mixer. It is so powerful, he had to hold it between his feet so it wouldn't spin out of control. I got a try too, but I think this is best left to the professionals.
Then we spread it on to the areas where the octopus body would be, and the part with the thinner glass tiles.
Angela Tirrell, another amazing artist and mutual friend of ours, dropped by with treats at one point. An impromptu late night picnic - lucky us!