My Grama's Soul

JUST SAYIN'. Found this somewhere on the NET. JO

Allright......I will admit it.  I love having things in my home that are homemade...not store bought...and are like nothing you will see in someone else's home.   I also love mixing the quirky with the refined  ~~ something homemade with a fine piece of art. Since downsizing and moving I'm finding myself with many things that I can no longer use or are just simply wrong with the feel of this house.  So I end up taking things apart and reusing them in new ways. The little lamp above was made from an old lamp base from World Market and a shade that had ripped and torn over the years.  I incorporated various lamps parts of other fixtures that we are no longer able to use here...and  voila'!  A new little lamp that is both funky and artsy at the same time.  My dear husband loves the idea of the shade being there and yet not being there.   I only use a flicker bulb in these lamps as they are really more for decorati...

I have had this leopard lampshade forever....it was in storage and since I have always loved it...I decided to give it a fresh new life. Fringe comes from an old scarf that I no longer use...but I have always loved, loved, loved this fringe.....sewed it onto the bottom of the shade..it can be removed with a little snip  if I get tired of the look.  I've had the floor lamp since the mid-nineties and it is actually pretty special in its own right...but I thought it needed a little more drama. When I looked at it with its original finial...I realized that something had to be done with that.  So.... painted the existing finial a ebony black and glued on a small crystal ball that I found at a garage sale many moons ago... I have to say....at night....when this lamp is illuminated....it is pretty spectacular.  I really am pleased with how it turned out....just recycling and reusing... hugs, Jo

As most of you know...my beautiful soulmate and I travel in a motor home during these hot summer months.  In fact.....we will be leaving fairly soon when some unfinished repair work is completed.  Anyway.....traveling in a motor home is often hours on the road and often the roads are pretty winding and bumpy...so it is impossible to do much artwork while underway.  I read a lot but sometimes I tire of that.....so last summer I found some great lampshade forms and decided to hand stitch shades for them. I tea stained the lace before working with it and simply stitched it together while traveling down the road. It puts out the softest of light....and is delightful in the evening when all is quiet and we have turned in for the day. Hugs to all, Jo