before and after: table lamps

I found these candlestick lamps at the GoodWill last week when Cameron and I were on the hunt for a new desk for me. There's only one shown below, but they're a pair. I was pretty certain they had potential, so I embarked on (yet another) project :)

Two candlestick lamp bases

 Two lampshades (also from GoodWill)

I taped the hardware and the cord with painter's tape, and then spray-painted the lamp bases with grey primer, followed by black satin, and then finished off with cream satin. Each layer took about 2 coats.

In between coats, I worked on the lamp shade. I actually like the shade with the scalloped edge - the fabric is very light, and the strips are almost like ribbons. The one below, however - not so much. 

I chose 2 yards of lightweight, cotton zebra-print at my local fabric store. I peeled off the top and bottom fabric edges and tore off the pleated outer shade, leaving the just the inner plastic supports. Then I started draping fabric over the shade to see what worked best.

I settled on large pleating. One hot glue gun and a roll of grosgrain ribbon later, and I had a finished recovered lamp shade.

The last step was to lightly sand the edges of the lamp bases after they had dried completely. I wanted the finished project to have a slightly rustic look, and that did the trick.

Happiest No. 2

Sunny bright happy curtains in the kitchen. We have a local fabric store, G Street Fabrics, that has a massive selection of upholstery and curtain facbrics. Typically I find the majority of their selection to be too "safe" for my taste, but I do like to rummage through the $5 stacks for backdrops on photo shoots, or just general time passing. A few weeks ago I found this lovely, happy print and zipped up some curtains for the sliding glass doors. I will share that I cheated - the long edges are sill selvages, and not true seams. You can't tell the difference now that they're hung. Whatever - kid only naps once a day, you do whatcha gotta do. The rest of the kitchen is still a work in progress, and that progress is s.l.o.w. 

 They drop completely to the floor and I heart them. Next up will be sheers for the back wall o'windows. Sewing sheers is fun, fun! NOT.

Cameron and the goop on Superbowl Sunday. I believe Cam was mimicking Cass at this particular moment. It's a pretty dead-on impersonation, if you ask me - but you didn't, so I'll just share my opinion anyway. Uncle Sean gave Cass a Steeler's hoodie for his first Christmas, and he wore it with pride.

A (whispers to herself) finished living room. At least for now. There are a few tweaks here and there, but it's pretty close to complete.

A few of Cameron's earliest framed photos. Pinwheels from our wedding. 

Part of my vintage jar collection.

 My handmade wedding bouquet, based on a kit purchased from Princess Lasertron.

The child has learned to crawl down, and up, the steps now. He goes down the stairs veeeery carefully, and it's hilarious. 

 "I did it all by myself Mama." Bless his little heart. 

These litte stacks of lovelies will be made into something even lovelier. I am waiting on a delivery from Sew Fresh Fabrics, and then a new storm of crafting shall commence. Or, a very, very slow drizzle of crafting. Cuz ya know, it's not like I have other things to do - laundry and taxes and meals to cook and contracts to write. Nah, I think I'd rather play with fabrics and patterns all day.