Covering a Lampshade
For the light fixture over our table I really wanted a huge lamp shade and after pricing them out I just couldn’t find one that I was in love with- {and not to mention Dave isn’t totally sold on the idea} so I wanted something that wouldn’t kill the pocketbook if we decided we didn’t like it later on.
So I went to Walmart.com and found this big shade for about $15 and the smaller ones I think I bought at Target or Lowes {honestly I can’t remember it was that long ago now}
For the smaller shades I just bought 2 bronze pendants from lowes {they’re going in our study over our desk}
For the big one {I looked and looked and looked and couldn’t find anything for it cuz I wanted it to be bright and more than one light} than I found this at D.I. for $5
I know I know– kinda scary right now– but with a little paint and a bit of jimmy riggin- I think the light fixture will turn out great! {I’m at least excited about it! Dave still not so much – I think he thinks his wife has gone crazy- I keep telling him to trust me ( ya I really Really! hope it turns out ok )}
Anyhow back to the Lamp shades 
They were pretty boring and generic white
They were pretty boring and generic whiteso I got some upholstery fabric- spray adhesive– my trusty little glue gun and went to work.
First off I pulled off the trim that went around the shades {it was just glued so it was a breeze to get off}
Than I layed the shade on it’s side and rolled and traced and than cut about an inch or more extra around the lines so I could roll the top over.
Than I got nervous and quit taking pictures cuz heck I had no idea what I was doing or if these things were gonna turn out {I tend to do that a lot with projects– get halfway through and than panic :)– I’m sure I can’t be the only one that does that!}
But I ended up spraying the fabric and shade with adhesive and just rolled it on– rolled and glued the top around the top of the shade and than used the trim I pulled off on the inside to cover the fabric and finish it off.
{I know kinda crappy pics of the finished shades– but when we get them up I’ll take better ones }
}It went pretty fast and was actually kinda relaxing just gluing away while we watched T.V.– {this was the night we discovered Duck Dynasty– all I gotta say is we needed this show– we’ve needed some good laughs lately! So funny!}
Anyhow I can’t wait to get them up and see if they actually look OK or if I’m gonna have to eat my “trust me” words to Dave– I sure hope not! I’ll keep you posted on that!
Read More »
I’ll keep you posted on that!DIY schoolhouse light fixture
So I love LOVE school house light fixtures!! I’ve been coveting them for in my house for along time now but…..
I really couldn’t afford a $100-$200 price tag {restoration hardware} and even at $52 {wayfair} for 8 of these babies that is so outta my budget!
I’m happy to say though for $15 and some spray paint I have my School house light fixture!
I’ve seen the bulbs at Home Depot forever and I’ve seen the tuts online {like this one}of using the smaller bulb light base’s for the lights {the problem is I wanted the big bulb with the 4″ opening and not the smaller bulb– and I really wanted the curvy base }
}So I searched and searched and found a curvy base for about $19 {here}you just have to buy the globe- so you’d have your light for $25 (since the big schoolhouse bulbs are at Home Depot for about $5)
I debated that for awhile and than found this post
She had ordered the parts separate from MyLampparts and just put it together
{Dave’s a genius with electrical stuff so I wasn’t worried about him putting it together}
So I bought this Canopy for $7 {here’s the link}
For the rest of the Light I needed
Light socket {link}
Bar {link}
screws{link}2 for each fixture
knobs {link} 2 for each fixture
comes out to around $10
{and the shipping wasn’t bad either- I can’t remember the exact total I just remember it wasn’t bad }
}
I wasn’t a huge fan of the white so I knew I’d be spray painting them to the oil rubbed bronze
I like to use a orangy bronzey gold color underneath because I feel it gives it a more realistic feel and you can sand the top coat to show a little of that.
Coat of the oil rubbed bronze
I love how they turned out {sorry for the crappy pic} we were in the middle of moving and I was in a hurry But eventually when we install them in the house I’ll take some better pics!
But eventually when we install them in the house I’ll take some better pics!
I love my light with it’s beautiful vintage bulb and curvy base– it’s my favorite
Read More »
My Huge Wood letter F
So I’ve coveted a huge letter for awhile now– preferably an old one with lots of character. Usually when I found one though 1. I couldn’t afford the price tag and 2. I couldn’t find the letter F
also it crosses one off of my 30 before 30 list yay! {make a big word letter or words}
So when my niece put me on to the shop Cut it out- I was so excited!
The guy did wonder if I was sane when I asked for a 36″ letter F. I guess the usual is for a thick letter about only 18″ tall But I knew what I wanted even if it was crazy
But I knew what I wanted even if it was crazy
I love doing fun projects like this where I get to play with my paints makes me feel like an artist even though I’m far from one.
makes me feel like an artist even though I’m far from one.
The finish for this one I painted a tan color- than brown and black along the edges- I used some crackle paint and also some walnut stain cuz I love the color of that- I think I even spray painted the edge to a flat black- than I put on top a coat of Country White latex paint {Really I just had fun with it}
I would have liked to paint a million layers so it was really thick paint peeling off but let’s face it I’m not that patient.
For now it sits on my piano– eventually when were outta the basement It’ll find a place by our mantle.
Cake Plate Tutorial
I know that this tutorial has been done a thousand times over but I have wanted a cake plate stand FOREVER.
{does anyone else always have the sandlot movie pop in their head when saying forever– best movie ever :)}
anyways…
So this is what I started with
Read More »
So this is what I started with
found at good old D.I. for a whoppin 50cents
So I painted it white- and found a white square plate at Walley world aka Walmart
Than we got some of this– Gorilla Glue Epoxy– ya Gorilla glue your my friend
Hubby Marked the plate where we wanted it to be
Added the glue, stuck the stand on and let it sit for a day.
And Wallah a cake stand for Ellie’s Birthday Cake
How to Paint Doorknobs
The Easy & fast way to Paint Doorknobs
First off you need some beautiful dated gold doorknobs to paint
aren’t they all nice and shiny and very much gold– not really my cup of tea
The Supplies
Auto primer
Brushed Metallic- oil rubbed bronze
Protective non yellowing clear finish
total supply cost– around $8
Step 1
- Lightly sand the doorknobs- (It really is pretty easy to scratch the lovely gold finish so this step isn’t as painful as you’d suppose except when you have a lot of doorknobs than it gets pretty darn boring)
Step 2
-Spray Primer
Step 3
-Spray color
Step 4
-Spray protective finish
Yep it pretty much doesn’t get any easier than this
plus $8 isn’t bad for all new doorknobs-
Also since I did some test knobs 8 months ago I can tell you that they hold up great and still look like new.
This post brought to you by the so challenging
“typing and mousin it up with the left hand cuz’ i’m holding and feeding the baby” position
You should all feel very special
Read More »
