Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Getting all domestic on you with a lamp re-do!

Yeah, I'm shaking things up a bit. Lately I've been feeling domestic and like my house needs a little 'something'. It's been neglected for too long. Of course this lamp isn't going to change everything, but it's a start : )





Originally I had seen this lamp over on Donna's blog, An Enchanted Cottage (great blog Donna!). It comes in 2 different colors, green and blue and costs only $9.99!!! Her daughter purchased the Green lamp while Donna chose Blue.



I have nothing like this in my house and as you know I love birds, so I rushed out to the Christmas Tree Shop and searched like a mad woman. Nothing. Finally, there on a table all by it's lonesome sat one lamp, in blue. Not the color I was looking for but, oh well, I'd find someplace to put it. Then I spoke a sales associate and he said they had more way up on the tip top shelf so he hauled out his huge ladder and plucked a green lamp out for me. Perfect! My kitchen has plenty of burgandy and green so I knew this would work.



Isn't it precious? I know, it's needs SOMETHING, right? But what? Joanns fabrics here I come!






I instantly found the trim but couldn't pick a fabric. That's when Hubby came to the rescue. He has a great domestic side and found something within a few minutes. I lucked out with that one ; )



Here are the results:








I like it! Actually I love it! (even though the roping may be a big on the large side) My husband made the lamp pattern for me (you can find a tutorial right on youtube), and it's all just hot glued on! Easy as pie!


Bonus: everything was 50% off!




There's only one problem, I made an oopsie. My plan was to whitewash the entire base of the lamp, but then after I painted one bird and started wiping it off I decided I didn't like it. Guess what? That paint isn't coming off without taking the finish with it! Arggghhhh. So the only thing to do at this point is to add a little more white wash to the rest of the base, which I'll probably do today, to pull it together. I'm sure it will be fine in the end.




And in case you were wondering what the needlepoint looks like that sit's on the wall behind my lamp, this is it. My mother in-law stiched it for us several years ago. Isn't it beautiful? I only wish I could change out the frame as it's a bit simple for my taste, but it will do for now.



I'm thinking I should go back to the Christmas Tree Shop and see if they have any blue lamps left to put in the bathroom I'm painting . . .




26 comments:

Laura said...

Love what you did to the lamp, Sharon! Hubby did a great job selecting that fabric, and the trim is adorable! That needlepoint is gorgeous. How about painting the frame?

Eve said...

I love that lamp Sharon! But I can't see their little heads now! That is really a beauitful job there! That white was looks goog from here...maybe you'll change your mind after doing the base. I love the needlepoint too. I was going to say painting the frame but it is very lovely the way it is.

Mary said...

Wow! That's a great lamp but you made it even better with the fabrics. I share your fondness of burgundy and green.

One lampshade can change the look of an entire room!

Mary

Connie said...

Your transformed your beautiful lamp! Obviously you have some major talent here.

Donna said...

Sharon - it looks wonderful!! I never think to transform lampshades until I see incredible makeovers like this! Love it! I'm glad I posted about the original lamps so you were able to get one.

And I love the needlepoint that your mother-in-law stitched. It makes me want to start doing some stitching again. I don't know why I stopped doing cross stitch and crewel work... Now I'm itching to maybe find something to work on again!

Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage

Beth at Aunties said...

Sharon,

The lamp is perfect and I love that Brent has a domestic side to him. The materials are beautiful he picked.
I would love to find a bird lamp.

I will email you what our son K wants for his graduation gift in May. It made me laugh so hard. Our daughter made them a bird quilt which turned out really beautiful.
Loved your lilies in the background!!!! Probably from that sweet husband of yours for V day.
The frame can be changed out pretty easily at a craft store and they can keep (Hobby Lobby has coupons to print out off line)the stitches pulled straight, It is beautiful.
Thanks for sharing!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Hey...I recovered a lampshade this weekend also! We have a lot in common...it's kind of weird.

nikkicrumpet said...

You and the hubby did a wonderful job! I really love what you did...it turned out so cute and looks perfect! Dang I need to run to the Christmas Tree shop up here and see if they have any of these!

A New England Life said...

Laura,
I thought of painting it but I would really prefer something more elaborate or French Country looking. At some point, when I want to spend an arm and a leg, I'll go look for something a bit more fancy at the frame shop.

I know Eve, they are a bit hidden but oh well. I really didn't think about the trim hanging as low as it is when I bought it.

Thank you again Donna! It gives the perfect low light near my computer in the evening so I don't have to turn on the harsh overhead light. I just love it!

Beth, I sure wish we had Hobby Lobby here but we don't : ( Yes, do email me about your son's birthday wish!

Hip Chick, I'm going to run into you one of these days . . .

Dang is right Nikki! You better RUN to the Christmas Tree Shop! I went back today and they had 1 green lamp left and I bought it. The blue were all gone. Not sure what I'll do with it yet, maybe cover it and give it to my mother or sell it on Etsy. I'd buy more if I could get them.


Sharon

Becky said...

That lamp is the cat's meow! So cute, kinda like shabby chic, which I love!

Anonymous said...

Wish they had an online store... I'd buy a couple of those bird lamps. They are adorable!! And what you did with it is sooo kewl.

DI
The Blue Ridge Gal

Kim said...

Love that lamp!! I need a new one myself and if I saw that I would have probably bought one for every room. HA

Wonderful needlepoint too. I love needplepoint pictures.

Jayne said...

Well, look at you, you crafty girl you! I love it too and it's even more special since you all "adorned" it together! Bravo!

Elaine said...

Well, I think a trip to the Christmas Tree Shop is in order! What a pretty lamp and I love what you've done with the shade.

It's perfect for Spring! Spring is coming right?

Anonymous said...

So cute...I have the cutest little rooster lamp in my kitchen and I NOW know what it needs...Joann Fabrics here I come !!!

You did a great job :)

Kathy :)

Stepping said...

Great Lamp! You have just given me an idea for a couple of old lamps I have put in my attic. I was thinking about throwing them away but have a great idea now. If they turn out I will post some photos.
Thanks Bunches!

2 Dogs said...

I really like the material you used on this lamp.

For my b-day I got flowers, cake, cards, a book and John took me out to dinner. Yum it was good.

I think it's suppose to warm up AGAIN this week. Then the next week it will probably snow again.

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

I am crazy about birds, that lamp is awesome!

Dog Trot Farm said...

What a great idea you had for the lamp. The shade came out lovely.
Guess I may have to make a trip to the Christmas Tree Shop in the morning!

Shelley said...

I love what you did with that birdy lamp!! Gorgeous!! (And did I mention I have a birdy-themed guestroom at our log cabin that it would look great in?! LOL!)

Mary said...

Oh how cute! I have a thing for birds, too. Not that I'm a bird-watcher, but I love birds in art. I collect prints and engravings with birds in them, and plates too. I love the lamp base, and the newly refurbished shade is totally wonderful!
xoxo,
Mary

Mary said...

Oh, and did I say how much I LOVE your header?

Phyllis said...

I am in love with the lamp and you did a great job dressing up the shade to it as well. It would go in my home perfectly!

Bonnie said...

I so enjoyed your blog! I live Florida and it was really nice to see the snow and the beautiful mountains. I love the bird photos as well. Thanks for sharing. Bonnie

Alyson | New England Living said...

I went to the Christmas Tree Shop on my birthday to look for this lamp. Unfortunately, they didn't have any! Dang it! It's such a cool lamp and you did a great job in modifying it.

Unknown said...

Sharon,I love how the lamp turned out. You did some very creative work. And the colors are so pretty! The trimming looks great. I don't think that I would like it any better if the trimming was smaller. Kudos for you!