Lamp Shade Turned Into Hanging Light Fixture

I made this hanging light for my bedroom using an old lamp shade.

This old lampshade was "unique" to say the least.  It is also very large.

I saw this lampshade at the thrift store one day.  The first thing I thought was "Oh! I love the shape of that".  When I picked it up and saw how large and gaudy it really was, I had second thoughts.  I checked the price - $2.80.  Should I or shouldn't I?  All I need is more junk laying around to fix up, my family would think I lost my mind, and quite honestly, I was a little embarrassed to buy it.  So I didn't.

The next time I went to the thrift store, there it was.  I still liked it, so I decided to buy it.  Trying not to look embarrassed, I took it to the counter.  Apparently the price tag had fallen off.  I told the young guy that worked there that I had seen the price of $2.80.  He said, "Why don't we just make it $1.80", in a "I should pay you to take it" tone.

Still feeling proud of myself for having the courage to buy it, I arrived home with my prize. And then I had no idea what to do with it.  First things first, I ripped the cover off the frame.  The shape I fell in love with really stood out now, and that's when I decided to turn it into a hanging light.

These are the supplies I purchased from The Home Depot.

First you attach the rod through the hole in the shade.

Then run the wire through the rod.

I turned the shade upside down at this point so it looked more like the picture on the instructions.

You screw this cap onto the rod.

And tie an underwriters knot. (Just copy the picture on the package)

Attach the wires to the socket screws and push it into place.  That's it!

A hanging light fixture.  I added the extension cord so it would be long enough to plug in and then just hung the cord from ceiling hooks.

I wrapped the cord with white voile and tan tulle fabrics.

The shade "before" reminded me of the hats the ladies wore at the races in My Fair Lady, so I added embellishments inspired by vintage hats.  A tea stained ribbon, pink velvet rosette that I made, and more tulle.

I didn't know if I would like a "naked" frame, but I really do.  And I vow not to be embarrassed to buy junk any more. Look at the fun I would have missed. I wonder, have any of you ever been embarrassed to buy something ugly?

Click on the link parties list on my sidebar for all the parties I'll be joining.

Janet

Book Page Fireplace Insert

Hello everyone!  I've been suffering from blogging withdrawal.  I don't know why I haven't had time for any projects (besides running a half marathon, working, going to watch my daughter cheer at football games, shopping for a homecoming dress, and so on). But in between all of that, I finally filled that empty space in my faux fireplace mantle.

 Before...

I covered a peice of plywood with old book pages using the starch method you can see here.  I then made a frame for it out of moulding and painted it to match the fireplace.

I glued the frame to the plywood so it could easily be removed from the mantle.  You know how I love to change my mind.  It only took one small nail to hold the frame to the mantle.

I want to hang a floral print in the center, but I haven't found what I'm looking for yet.  So I put a small stool in front and topped it with a pitcher full of the last hydrangeas from the garden.

And here is another look at the after.

Oh! And did you notice my little ten dollar rocking chair?  It's waiting for a makeover, too.

I'm joining the I made it without my Hubby party, Show and Tell Friday, and Saturday Nite Special.  Monday parties are Show off your cottage Monday, Make it 4 Monday, and Metamorphosis Monday.

Janet

Buttons, Ruffles, and Bows

A Slipcovered Chair For The Guest Room

Well, I've been doing a lot of this...

And not a lot of blogging.  I've been training to run a half marathon in October.  I did a nine mile run today, and I'm starting to have some doubts about the whole thing.  But I'm not ready to give up yet.  Anyway, I did find time to finally finish this chair. Here's the before.

The chair was not comfortable to sit in, so I decided to replace the seat.  What a mess that turned out to be.

O.K.  Now what?

I had to cut a piece of plywood for the seat, install supports to hold the plywood, cut foam to fit the seat, and cover with batting.  Not the paint and slipcover project I had originally thought.

There's the chair with white paint and a new seat, ready for the slipcover.   I used three of my favorite things - covered buttons...

Bow ties...

And ruffles.

This chair is for my blue and white guest room.  It is filled with many projects to do.  I'll show you more of the room later.

Now I just need a cute pillow.  Oh well, there is always one more project.

Janet

Now onto the parties.

Making the World Cuter
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Make it 4 Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Modern Craftswoman Monday

Pink Paint and Power Tools

What more does a girl need?

I had this shelf from my previous home.  It is a shaker style and was originally painted a Williamsburg shade of green, if that makes sense.  Many years ago, I painted it white and added lace trim to the shelves.  Still didn't work.  So it has been in my basement waiting to be sold, donated, whatever.

Yes, it is meant to hang this way, even though it looks upside down. Well, since I've been trying to repurpose the things in my basement, I thought why not try to transform it from shaker style to cottage style?

Using plates and bowls as patterns, I drew curves on the side of the shelf.

I cut the curves with my jigsaw.  I used a scroll blade. 

And it worked!  No one could be more surprised than I was.  At this point, I put on a coat of paint.  It looked terrible.  I thought there was no way to get the new cuts smooth enough to paint.  So, I did what I had to do.

 

I bought a power sander.  I had no idea that the wood could be that smooth.   For those of you that already use an orbit sander, this is your cue to laugh.  That's enough.

So I got the edges smooth and put on another coat of paint.  It looked terrible.  The curves were just to bumpy and imperfect.  Back outside it went for more sanding.  This continued on several more times until I was finally happy with the results.

And you remember my shabby pink bench that I made here?  I have been dying to use more of this pink paint.  So that's what I did.

I put the shelf over the toilet in the master bath.  It is a very small, separate room, so that's the best picture I could get.

I'm going to have lots of fun accessorizing this one.  I'll need storage for all those personal items, something to hold extra rolls of toilet paper, and of course a lot of "just because they're pretty" things.

Janet

I'll be joining these great parties:

Metamorphosis Monday

Make it 4 Monday

Show off your Cottage Monday

Modern Craftswoman Monday

Floral Accents

At the heart of cottage style, floral patterns and fresh blooms bring color to the decorating landscape and lighthearted enchantment to our interior spaces.  Whether they are sweetly hand-painted on a headboard, skillfully rendered on canvas, or plucked from the garden, these endearing floral elements live and breathe the essence of cottage charm.

                         ~Victoria - Rooms of Bliss~

I received these beautiful roses for my birthday and I was inspired to look around at all the floral accents in my home.

In the dining room.

In the kitchen.

On the windows.

In the laundry room.

In the powder room.

From the garden.

And my most recent Goodwill find.

This wonderfully aged platter.

Today I'm celebrating the floral accents in my home For Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House In The Roses and Todays Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality.