Recovered Vintage Lampshade

I found a vintage lampshade at our local Flea Market some time ago...it sat in our storage room for at least a month.  The fabric that was on it was dry rotted so I ripped it all off and then recovered with some of the duvet fabric I had left. 

I bought some really cute eyelet lace and some gimp that I thought would really play it up without being to frilly and fou fou.

Years ago, I had bought a packaged light set from Lowes.  It came with this floor lamp.  I always hated the fact that you could see where it was linked together so I painted it a pale blue.  Now with the lampshade...I think it is perfect!

I love how soft the lighting is with the British Rose fabric and how it reflects in the glass of the china cabinet.

Along with the chair and the revamped gun cabinet...I think this area is just perfect!  It's funny how I am always redoing things, but I know you all have to do that too....

Thanks for visiting...now I'm off to recover some chandy shades and possibly do a little of my Christmas decorating.

Happy Birthday Sweet Sara

 

It all started when I married my highschool sweetheart.  He wanted to have children and I didn't.  I didn't like the thought of  bringing a child into this world and going through what I had went through as a child myself.  But he persisted and I am so thankful that he did.

 

After having a miscarriage I was reading my Bible one day about Sara and Abraham.  I had read the story many times and knew it so very well.  But something was different.....the words just seemed to leap from the page into my heart.  I then knew I was to have a child and her name would be Sara.  I know without a doubt that I heard a voice telling me this...I knew it was God. 

 

One night at our church, my pastor called me up front.  He said what he was about to say he had been struggling with.  He then proceeded to tell me that God had told him that I was pregnant and that I even had a name.  He said her name is Sara.  No one, absolutely no one did I tell this!  Not even my husband.  I began to cry...God had confirmed what He had told me.  You see, when my husband wanted children, I hadn't.  I know God put it on my heart to have a child and then when I had a miscarriage it was devastating!  So for God to tell me that I would have a daughter and her name would be Sara, then confirmed through my pastor....I was thrilled!  We all know how long it takes to have a baby, so I had a girl and guess what her name was?

~SARA~

 

 

She was my most precious gift.  I loved her unlike any other before.  I woke to her sweet smell, her sweet smile and her little precious smile just consumed my whole life.  She was my princess.

 

 

 

Even back then I loved pink and she wore it every day.  My mother in law even asked me if I had clothes for her in any other color, lol.  SARA looked absolutely beautiful in PINK.  Nothing but PINK would do.

 

 

 

Sara was my pride and joy, always with me at all times.  She loved her Mammaw Garnette just like I did.  I always thought if I ever had children that I would want them to know her like I did as a girl.  And God blessed me with that dream.

 

As she grew....I knew I had always wanted a sister or brother....since I was an only child....I wanted that for her.  So then along came her sister Hannah(which is another story entirely).  Sara was so excited to be a big sister.  Something she has done with flying colors.

 

 

 

I couldn't have asked for any better...my two little angels.  And just look at how she was teaching Hannah to pray...

 

 

 

The love that they shared was something truly amazing...something I had always wanted.  I was seeing their love grow right before my eyes.  She was the best big sister anyone could ever want!

 

 

As she began to grow, I saw such beauty...she was becoming a young lady...just radiant and so full of life.  She made me so proud!

 

 

I couldn't believe my eyes...she was almost the size of me and then one day she just passed me up.  I then began to look up at my little girl.  Then I realized she wasn't that little girl anymore. 

 

 

 

She had become a beautiful young woman before I could even blink my eyes....starting to drive, liking boys, thinking about college....I just couldn't believe it!

 

Where had my little girl gone that I used to take naps with, cut up oranges for and watch The little Mermaid with?

 

 

 

I'll tell you...she is my best friend, the one that I share my life with, my hopes and dreams for her with, the one that I laugh and can be sarcastic with, the one that makes me so mad and happy at the same time with....she is my first little girl who'll always be that sweet baby I held in my arms 18 years ago and got the every first smile from.  She'll always be that little girl that called me Mommy.  A name that I am proud to be called(now when she wants something).  I now have graduated to Mom.  But I will always love my little girl no matter what....

 

 

 

Happy 18th Birthday Sara!

 

Mommy loves you!

My British Rose Settee

Guess what I did with this?

A friend on facebook sent me a message about this settee that she had bought but hadn't had the time to re do it.  She offered it to me so I JUMPED on it!

This is what I invisioned.....

I knew what I had to do to the duvet...for a week I went back and forth about the decision.  Finally I thought "what the heck!"

When I picked it up from the lady I was buying it from, she handed me a bag full of the tufting buttons.  And do you know what?

They were all in excellent condition matching the British Rose perfectly with it's green and blues.

I painted the settee, reupholstered it and made a seat cushion all nice and fluffy.  I think she really turned out beautifully!

At the end of our bed was a chest....I was so worried that the settee would overpower the space since the chest was simple and white.  But after adding it to the bottom, I feel like it blends in perfectly.  Plus I can still lay all of our pillows on and under it.

I played musical chairs again...can you tell?

Making sure we had plenty of walk space so that we wouldn't crack our toes in the middle of the night....

I am working on other projects with the rest of the duvet fabric, so more photos to come in the near future!

I Love Battery Operated Lights

 

I thought I'd share with you on how I make battery lights and slipcovered shades.  I have to admit that I have a fetish with them.  It all started years ago when I found a lovely primitive candlabra chandy that normally held candles.  I've never been one to "fancy" candles since I worry about fires.  Kids and candles do not mix.

 

So my mind began to think....

 

 

 

I thought that the battery operated candles would work lovely and would be great for when the power went out.  Then I began to add shades.  Let me just say,  they put out so much light and no fire hazard!  I just wrap double sided tape at the base to make snug.  I like making little slipcovers for the candles too...they hide imperfections like when the tape shows.

 

So here are some shades that I made today with some bridal lace.

 

 

 

I bought a couple of chaneliers some time back and they came with the shades.  Kind of "blah" in my book.  Mom and I made a trip to a local fabric store and accidentally found this beautiful lace!  It is the perfect length for making slipcovers for the shades.  I love how they turned out!

 

 

I found this candlabra at Michael's years ago and just fell in love with the crystals and the scrolly design.  It's a perfect nightlight on it's own downstairs for "when the power goes out."

 

 

 

Here is another candlabra that I found on Facebook Yardsale.  Didn't she just scream "look at me!"  I knew I could make her beautiful!

 

 

Perfection!

 

I have so many battery operated lights throughout my house.  My husband loves them and how much light they really do put out.  I have one in each of the girls rooms for nightlights because when our power does go out...it is really dark!  And you know kids...their imaginations run wild!  So them seem to love them too.

 

Thanks for letting me share one of my many fetishes....and I hope I've sparked an idea with you!

 

 

 

 

Sara's New/Old Bed

This is that beautiful bed after painting!

 

I found this lovely on Habitat for Humanity Restore in Huntington on their page.  I knew she had to be mine!

 

 

So I called my dear sweet Mama and aksed her if she'd meet me since she lives close to Huntington and lead me there after calling Habitat to make sure they still had this gem.  It was on!

 

The very next day I got up at 6, the store didn't open until 9.  It takes about an hour to get there, so I had plenty of time.  I ended up at the store before they opened and am so glad I did.  There were two people that came in wanting the bed as we were carrying it out after purchasing.  Not to mention several on the "fan" page responding to their photo like I had done.

 

Then when I got her home I began painting!

 

 

 

She then sat in the garage over night!

 

 

The very next morning I started in...Sara didn't want to , but I made her, lol.  We set the bed up and I went to add the slats...they were too short!  Oh how my heart sank!  My first thought was that it was a queen...but I knew that couldn't be since it looked like a full.  Then I got my trusty tape measure...guess what?

 

It was in between!

 

Well, that called for some quick thinking and a trip to Lowes!

 

 

I made a frame from 2x4's and legs to take the pressure off of the rails.  Sorry I didn't take a photo...but it is solid as a rock now and a jiant could sleep on it!  Still having plenty of storage underneath, she turned out perfectly!

 

Sara was thrilled, even more so after learning that the bed was "really" old!  She tends to like the older days just like her Mama!  She wouldn't admit it, but she's a lot like me.

 

 

Beatle's, Elvis and Jimmy Page(guitarist for Led Zeppelin) are her loves....she calls them her babies.

 

 

I hung this one here so  right before she closes her eyes at night she'll see her "babies"...

 

 

I love all of the detail!

 

 

 

The black in the posters and frames just add the right vibe to her room...especially being a teen.  But still having the right amount of vintage/shabby chic without losing it.

 

 

 

 

She decided that she wanted the wing back that was in the spare room to be in her's since she said it was so comfy.  I added a little table for her drink when she's watching tv.  Or for when her sis comes in for a visit "to bug her" as Sara would say...No really I am blessed to have two wonderful daughters that absolutely love eachother!  They spend most of their time together every day...little spats here and there, but they always want to be together!

 

 

 

 

 

So there you have it!  Sara's new/old bed....and it's mine when she leaves!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My spin on a chaise lounge

I bought a chaise lounge from facebook yardsale the other day and I have to admit, I thought it would match perfectly with our downstairs retreat.  By the photo it looked as if it were a silver/blue color but after bringing it home...it just didn't match.  Well of course I knew what I had to do...slipcover it!

 

The back pillow was attached, so I decided to cut it off since I had done it before with a chair of mine.  I don't know why they make them attached like that!

 

 

I had some sheets that belonged to my oldest daughter that had seen better days...speckled with holes.  I have loved them with their little blue paisley print and thought what the heck!  I had a little bit of a "British Rose" shower curtain left and some left over gimp.  I went and bought a dust ruffle since I was feeling a little lazy.

 

 

I think it all goes so well together and ties in with the rest of the fabric I have used in this space. 

 

 

The dust ruffle really helped on not having to hem and make a ruffle.  My kind of job...EASY!

 

 

I took off the fabric that was on the chair and saved it for my Mama since it's the perfect shade of blue for her.  She wants me to either slipcover or upholster a chair for her so I thought it would work and save her a few pennies.

 

The chase is filled with down and after taking off the fabric, it is so soft and cushy...perfectly shabby comfiness!

 

 

I think this will be my spot since the hubs loves to lay on the sofa.  I love propping my feet up, so this will work so much nicer than that hard coffee table.....

 

 

I purchased an armoire some time ago and recently painted it.  I put it upstairs and brought the one from there to here.  This one is much taller than the original one here which  means I didn't feel the urge to add things to the top(nothing but a dust magnet).  Lot's of moving heavy things in two days, but so worth it!

 

 

We spend lots of time down here, so I want it to be comfy and the slipcovers are perfect for throwing in the wash since we snack here.  This space has one window, so all of the white works wonders!

 

Well, I'm off to take a shower and pop some popcorn...I'm gonna enjoy that little chaise tonight, so sweet dreams ya'll!