Ask her anyway. It's been half a year. You aren't being mean for asking for what you paid for. As it is, she essentially scammed you and your friend out of a lot of money.
I assume you paid through paypal or something similar? If she can't at least provide you with good progress shots and a reasonable ETA for when the project will be done, report her and do whatever the steps are to get your money back.
Re: Vent Thread
I assume you paid through paypal or something similar? If she can't at least provide you with good progress shots and a reasonable ETA for when the project will be done, report her and do whatever the steps are to get your money back.