LITTLE BIT OF THIS, LITTLE BIT OF THAT!

I spend a fair amount of time perusing different blog sites and various magazines filled with 'junk' creations, getting ideas here and there, and trying to re-create them into my own plans and projects.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery........quote by Charles Caleb Colton

Right? Well, I don't copy other's ideas EXACTLY!  Mine always include my own personal touch of whimsy - enough to make it look SIMILAR, but NOT THE SAME! Otherwise it wouldn't be UNIQUE, now would it? Even with the vast amount of people that are into the re-purpose/re-create craze, there's still a never-ending supply of uniquely new ideas out there! That's what's so much fun about it!

LAMP SHADES
I've accumulated a plethora of lampshades lately in all shapes and sizes. I must have seen some inspiring ideas using lampshades to get me started in the collection mode!  Here are a couple of them featured in the most recent Country Living Magazine....


I actually HAVE the exact same one that's pictured on the right! I found it last year laying on top of a trash pile waiting to be picked up! I couldn't believe my luck!! I was visiting out in CO and it just happened to be during the same time as the town's Trash Days - an annual event that attracts ALL kinds of junk and junky collectors, like ME!! Anyhoo...I was thrilled to find it! Didn't know what I was going to do with it, but knew that I couldn't leave it to be hauled away LIKE TRASH!! ah, ha, ha, ha!

Isn't she lovely? Not a stain, tear, or missing tassel! It reminds me of a ladies corset!

I've had this next one for awhile. The fabric was in shreds, and after removing it, I sprayed the frame with a coat of white paint. My plan was to turn it into a hanging light. I attached a mini eyelet ruffle to the top and bottom, but didn't really like how it looked. I'm still re-thinking this project!

These are a few more of the shades I've acquired. Different shapes and sizes. The smaller ones will be more difficult to use as projects, since there's only one of each style! Would it look TOO ODD to have mis-matched shades on a chandelier? Then, again, WHY NOT??

       

To see if I could rescue one shade that was badly water stained - I incorporated that look with a vintage tea-stained ruffle and lace scraps and beaded glass trim. It's shown here on a small milkglass hobnail lamp base.

First, I modge-podged tea stained sheer voile onto the shade and then added lace and trim scraps. The decorative lace applique and the voile are salvaged pieces of a white wedding dress that was used in another project. Mini millinery paper roses and satin ribbon accent a lacey flower.

The pair of dainty milkglass hobnail dresser lamps were a Goodwill find! If I were going to use this little lamp with this shade, I'd give it more of an antique off-white color for a better match. Wouldn't you agree? 

You can see the darker marks of the water stain through the fabric. Makes it look more authentically vintage!!

MIRRORS

By now you all know that I have a serious love of old mirrors! Especially ones with the aged and fading silver backing. They reflect so much beauty. Some years ago, I saw what was called a "ghost mirror", where a faded image was visible in the mirror itself. I've always wanted to give it a try - here's what I came up with:

Isn't it beautiful? It's vintage sheet music and a lovely scrapbook paper under the mirror. I've looked at several tutorials on how to do this, but they all seemed rather lengthy and involved strong chemicals. So I came up with my own solution! Very simple and it worked quite quickly! I was so happy with the results!

The closeup shows the detail of the background. Notice the words "Gypsy Countess"! I couldn't resist! The frame is an antique with floral carved edges. It's very sturdy and heavy - perfect! It will be a conversation piece, for sure!

PILLOWS

I always try to incorporate a few pillows in my space. Fills in empty places, adds a bit of whimsy, and makes it all look comfy & cozy! This is one I just finished out of some muslin and stenciled letters.

I like ruffles!



WHAT INSPIRES YOU? 

THINK SPRING!!

XOXOX