Lamp shade project/Learning from my mistakes

First time projects are kinda like that, don’t you think?  Mistakes will be made, especially when you fly by the seat of your pants like I do.

Lamp shades.

I’ve done several lamp shade projects, but I always covered right over the existing shade, using the fabric of my choice and spray glue.

A shade like this one.  You simply tear off the trim and section divider pieces (is that what they’re called?)  Cut your fabric to the correct size.  Spray glue the shade in sections.  Then smooth on your fabric.  When you’re done, trim the shade with gimp along the sides and your choice of trims at top and bottom.  A very easy project.

But…..I had a shade frame.

Here’s the finished shade.

Mistakes I made?

1. Should have lined the fabric.  I choose a very sheer linen/burlap look and I don’t like being able to see the harp showing through.
2. Trim is crooked.  Be more careful next time to make sure I get it on more evenly.
3. Sew more/glue less!

So……keeping those tips in mind, here’s how to proceed with this project.

First timers, like me, should choose a shade without a significant flair at the bottom.  It will be much easier to cover.  In fact, I did mine with one continuous piece of fabric.

Measure the height and width of your shade.  I added a little extra for the corners so that I could include a pleat.

Starting at the top, apply hot glue in small sections and wrap you fabric around the frame, leaving just about half an inch on the inside.  Continue all the way around the top in this manner.

The bottom will be done the same way.  Be sure and pull your fabric nice and tight.

Next, apply your trim across the bottom.  I gathered mine as I was gluing.   I applied the white ruffle first, and the vintage trim over that.   Should have gathered the ruffle first with the sewing machine.  Then I probably wouldn’t have gotten it on crooked.  Oops!  That should be #4 on my mistakes list!

What did I use for my ruffle?  Flour sack kitchen towels!  They were the perfect choice!  Just measure your strips and tear!  No scissors!  And…..this is what gives your ruffle the ragged edges.  You can purchase these at Wal-Mart in a pack of five for cheap cheap.  This shade took less than one towel.

Next……apply your vintage goodies. 

I used printable fabric for the images.  This stuff is expensive!  $8.00 for 3 sheets at Hobby Lobby.   So be careful and get it right the first time.  Just advice from someone who hates to waste that money……

The cute cotton lace frames are from Michaels in the scrap book department.  From K.C. and Company.  You get one each of both frames in small and large for $3.99.

This is where I should have sewn more and glued less.  I was just afraid that I wouldn’t get anything sewn on in the proper place so I decided to glue.  I DID, however, take the images to the sewing machine and stitched around them in uneven circles.  Hopefully giving the illusion that they are sewn on.

I also should have hand stitched the tulle flower first.  I kept getting hot glue in the tulle, and actually had to trash the first one.

Here’s one of the sides.

So…..here is my lamp shade.  I think it turned out well considering my mistakes.

I owe KAREN at My Desert Cottage at big THANK YOU for inspiring me to complete this project!  Just click on her name above to visit her blog and see the beautiful shade that she made!

Have a wonderful weekend.  The sun is out here!  WooHoo!!

Denise

New From Heather

I finally remembered to have Heather e-mail me some of her new furniture designs that she has been working on.

A new Bombay chest.  This piece can be seen at Room 22.  At least, it was still in their window as of yesterday.  By the way, several people asked where Room 22 is located and I never did get back with you.  More of my tendency to procrastinate.  They are in North Park Mall at N.W. 122nd and May Ave. in OKC.

This cute vintage buffet.  It is going in the window of a florist shop, so they wanted bright so that it would be an eye catcher from the street.

A chest for a little girls room.

Mirror.  Also at Room 22.

Buffet and damask table.  Also going to the florist shop for their wedding room.  And girls, that damask is hand painted.  Every inch.  No stencils here!  I would be ready to pull my hair out.  Not to mention that it would look terrible!

This piece is going in a baby girls room.  Looks like Mom is all ready for her arrival!  Again, completely hand painted!

I hope those of you who are snowed in are finding something to occupy your time.  Thank goodness for blogs!

Have a wonderful evening!

Denise

Dressing The Bed

How do you dress YOUR bed?  I must say that I have been guilty of not dressing mine (or making it) at all.

I’ve always had two sets of pillow.  Pillows that we sleep on, and pretty pillows that graced the bed on the rare occasion that I actually MADE the bed.

 

So this is what the bed looked like.  Two king size shams, two standard size shams,  a euro sham, another standard sham and a decorative pillow.  Plus the quilt that was inside of the duvet weighed a ton.  So I hated making the bed.

It was a no win situation any way that I went because there were always always pillows to deal with.  We also sleep with quite a few pillows.

So finally, I’ve wised up!  Maybe it’s wiser or maybe I’m just tired.  Either way, the whole situation had to change.

I found a light weight khaki quilt at my Mother’s.  Problem one solved.

Then, I went to T.J. Maxx and bought all white sheets and pillow cases.

I made the burlap pillow and borrowed another neutral pillow from somewhere else in the house. 

VOILA!

Problem solved!  One set of pillows and a nice light weight quilt.  There’s only one problem.  I actually (and yes I’m crazy) starched and pressed the pillow cases two nights ago before I put them back on.  They’re as wrinkled as can be.  Not exactly a magazine perfect picture.  Then again, how could it be with that HIDEOUS brass bed.  I mentioned to hubby just last night that we really really need to get a new bed.  Hint hint!  He said “but brass is a timeless elegant look” at which point I told him that he was full of poo!  And I’m keepin’ it clean for blogging sake!

Other changes.

This…..

Is now……

This…….

More neutrals and gold.  One of my next projects is to paint the chest a neutral color.  Probably cream with tone on tone accents.  Per Miss Heather’s suggestion.  What do you think about the shelf Heather?  Should I paint it too?

These lamps, which were on either side of the bed, are going to the Rink to be sold.  I really loved them, but they are big and were always in the way.

I’ve replaced them with these.

We actually already had these swing arm lamps.  I need to spray paint them black.  The shades look pretty stark white in this pic. but actually look great with the white sheets.  I may try my hand at making some slips for them though, just to tone them down a little. 

And this……

Now looks like this…….

I love my resin antlers.  I’m just not sure about all the junk that I have hanging on them.  Gotta live with it for a few days and then decide.

And this picture above my bed.  Which is huge, I replaced with this……

She looks like concrete, but she is actually fiberglass and relatively light weight.

I rearranged some vintage pictures.

Threw in my little touches of whimsy.

Made a temporary cover for my foot stool/coffee table.

And I’m well on my way to a more serene bedroom.

Things still to do…..

1. Find a white bed skirt
2. Paint two pieces of furniture
3. Threaten Hubby with bodily harm so that he finishes my bathroom.  Uurrrhhhh!
4. Actually complete the slipcover for the ottoman.
5. Replace a couple of patterned drapery panels.
6. Make one more neutral pillow for my sofa.
7. Drag the brass bed out into the back yard when Hubby isn’t looking and blow it to smithereens.
8. Buy a new bed that I absolutely love.  Maybe this should be number seven.

And that should complete this project!  Neutrals here I come!

And while I’m planning and working…….

Molly is making sure that I have something to keep me busy later.  I swear, we can not give that dog any stuffed toys.  She rips them open in nothing flat and then tears out all of the stuffing!  Naughty dog!

Denise

Another Project

I’m cheating just a bit today…..okay more than a little bit.

This is a project that I actually initially completed several years ago.  However, in early December, I repainted and thought I would share with all of you…….

My all time favorite super cheap fix of alllllll times!

Before most of us were repurposing or repainting or reusing, there was a very talented young woman who was a thrift store  and DYI whiz.

Her name was Kathryn Elliott

I Googled her last night and came up with nothing.  I can’t imagine what may have happened to her, she was super talented and actually wrote two books.

The first of these books was…….

This was my thrifting, redoing, repainting, everything,  bible back in 2001!  She had projects that I had never thought of doing before. 

One of those project was the following……..

My kitchen backsplash.

Think this is vintage tin that I cut to fit?

Wrong.

It’s wallpaper.  Yep.  Wallpaper that I hung right over my existing ceramic tile.

But not just any wallpaper.  This is what they call in the “biz” expanded vinyl or textured paintable wallpaper.

When you purchase it, your paper will look like this…….

Pure white with a raised puffy pattern.

It’s available  HERE for $13.99 a double roll.  If you have ever purchased wallpaper you know that this is super cheap.  I did my entire kitchen with one roll!

Now I have sworn off wallpaper forever but I would do this project again because when you’re through, it looks so much like real tin that when people see it, they have to actually touch it to tell that it isn’t.  HONEST!

So here’s how you go about creating this look.  Sorry, there are no pics. with this tutorial.

First, you want to prime your wall.  This project will work with Formica backsplash, ceramic tile, or drywall.

Be sure and use primer that is made specifically for wallpaper.  This is very very important.  Don’t let anyone at the paint store tell you otherwise!  Wallpaper primer has “sizing” in it.  Sizing means that when the primer is dry, it will have a tacky feel to it and allow your wallpaper to stick to the wall better.  Wallpaper primer also seals the previous surface better.  This means that if you wanted to, you could actually hang over glass.

So……..Step 1.  Prime your backsplash!

Next, measure and cut your pieces.  This paper doesn’t have much of a match at all so it’s very easy to cut.  Be SURE and leave yourself at least an inch on the top and bottom.  You will cut this off later with a razor knife.

So…….Step 2.  Cut your paper to the proper length

Next begin wetting your paper.  After it is wet, “book” your paper and let it sit.  Booking is merely folding the paper in half wet side to wet side and letting the paste activate and get good and gooey.  Don’t get too far ahead of yourself if you are an inexperienced paper hanger.  You don’t want wet paper sitting for too long.

So…..Step 3.  Wet and book your paper.

   Hang your paper matching your pattern as you go.  Cut off excess at top and bottom as you go.

So….Step 4.  Hang it baby!

When your paper is DRY, and I mean good and dry, you want to caulk your seams and along the bottom where it meets the counter with a paintable caulk.  This is not something that you would normally do, but in a kitchen with all of the water, it’s a good idea.  I did this and I have never ever had any of my paper come loose.  Even back behind the sink.

So….Step 5. Caulk it Honey!

Paint your paper a dark color like black or chocolate brown.  Don’t worry about it being perfect, it’s just going to show through a little anyway.

So…..Step 6.  Paint away!

Now it’s time for the silver metallic paint.  Modern masters has a nice selection of silver metallic paints.

 

Just Google Modern Masters and you should find a paint store in your area that carries it.

Brush on your silver and while it’s still tacky, grab a cloth and rub gently over the raised areas of the paper to give it a worn look.  You might also dab here and there with your rag to take a little off in different areas.  There’s really no way to mess this up.  If you take off too much silver, just paint back over that area.

So…..Step 7.  Paint it silver and dab away!

After you have achieved the look that you want, clear coat your backsplash with the acrylic sealer of your choice.

So…..Step 8.  Clear coat to protect!

And there you have it!  A backsplash that looks like you paid a fortune to have it installed.

This has saved me a fortune while I wait for those beautiful granite counter tops that I want.  Which I’ll probably never be able to afford!  Aaahhh welll……….

Hope your weekend is going great!

Denise

Next Project Please!

If there’s one thing that this lousy weather has done, it’s force me to stay at home and create.  I’ve gotten more done since last Thursday than I have in a very long time.

This project is a variation of a theme which I have seen several places across Blogland.  There is just such amazing talent out there.  How can we NOT be inspired to create?

As I stated before, I am presently CRAZY for burlap.  Even my hubby just today commented on my current obsession.

So……burlap is the background for this project!

Let me just say, before I show you some pics., that I had every intention of painting this frame cream.  But my impatience, as it often does, got the better of me!

This project was soooo easy!  If you can sew, even a little bit, and use a glue gun, you can make a memory board like this one.

Using your frame of choice, cut your burlap to fit, leaving about an extra inch all the way around the back.

Using your fabrics of choice, begin making and laying out your pockets.  I used all neutrals on this board because I knew that I had a lot of black and white and sepia toned pics. that I would be displaying.

The two smaller pockets are pieces of hankies with the edges folded over.

This was actually a little vintage towel that I cut to fit.

This was a piece of lace, probably from the bottom of a slip, that I sewed on loosely so that I could insert goodies between the sections.

This was a piece of a newer cotton lace table cloth that I cut following the pattern and sewed on.

Select your materials for your pockets and lay them out on your burlap.

All pockets are sewn on and then buttons were hot glued where I wanted them.  Don’t over do with the pockets, leave plenty of space to pin on bits and bobs here and there. 

When you’re done sewing on all of  your pockets, hot glue the entire piece to the back of your frame.  Stretch your burlap tightly.  This will probably cause your pockets to look a little misshapen but that’s okay!  Imperfect is perfect!

This has turned out to be the perfect place to display some of my family heirlooms like these cameos.

This one is just beautiful, look at the tiny necklace she’s wearing.

A vintage broach that belonged to my Nanny.

A 1917 pic. of my PaPa when he was in the military. 

An old pocket watch that belonged to my great grandfather.

A picture of the grandfather that I never knew.  He died when my father was nine.

Little bits and bobs.  I gave one photo a jeweled crown and displayed vintage pins, or pins with special meaning.

And other goodies just ‘cause they were cute!

About two hours total!  FUN!

Denise