Winter Beach Lodge Living Room Part 1 (Old Sweater Lamp Shade)

Hello folks…how are you?  I hope this post finds you feeling good.

Thank you, to all of you who sent warm wishes after learning our big fluffy guy, Dude, passed away.

Here’s Dude’s story if you would like to read it:

“Dude’s Apple Tree”

I’ve learned a little something about myself in the last week or so.

When I’m sad, my thoughts naturally wander to things that bring me joy.

For me, being creative brings me inner peace, and happiness.

I thrive when I am set free to create.

Here’s a little piece of what I am referring to…

She’s cool, isn’t she?  Or should I say, warm?

That’s my old sweater on the lamp shade, and my Mom’s “mother of pearl” bracelet on the base.

This lamp is now perfect for our living room makeover.

We’re going for a “Winter beach lodge living room” theme.

After all, we live in Michigan, and we are surrounded by the Great Lakes.

—

Here’s how it all went down.

On the way home from the orthodontist I asked the girls if they wanted to stop for ice cream.

Luckily for Mom, the thrift store just happens to be on that side of town (sneaky).

This is what I found…

Huge potential.  I mean HUGE.  This girl is not small.  I could barely fit her in my car.

The lamp shade is actually “burlap-ish”.  How cool is that?  All for $4 (50% off $8=$4).

Score!

That night I turned it on and knew instantly that I didn’t like the lamp shade’s “orange” glow.

So, I decided to paint it.  Then I painted it again.  And again.  It wasn’t working guys.

So, what’s a girl to do?

I gave up, and worked on the lamp base instead.

I spray painted it with Rustoleum:

I loved it, but it needed more umph.

I went to my jewelry box and found my Mom’s mother of pearl bracelet her Brother, Rick, gave to her.

It wrapped around the little base perfectly and it secured just like on her wrist.

Now it will get more attention rather than in my drawer.

I was also inspired at Michael’s.

Turquoise beads were the perfect color.  Fishing wire worked great securing those.

I had twine on hand so I wrapped that around first.

Now we are talkin’!

Hope you like it Mom.

(don’t worry I will still wear it)

Okay…so the base is perfect.  What about the gigantic lamp shade that looks horrible?

What?  Did you say something?

“How do ideas pop in my head?”  You ask?

4 places.

While I’m driving, in bed, in the shower, or blow drying my hair.

Lets just say my hair air dried that day.

Holy cable knit sweaters Suzie.

I remembered a post I read from a very clever gal months ago.  Her name…Beth.

Beth, from Unskinny Boppy gets all of the credit for this idea.

She put a sweater on her lamp shade.  Who would think of that?  Well, Beth would, that’s who.

Check her’s out here:

Unskinny Boppy’s DIY Lampshade Tutorial

It is beautiful.

Thank you, for the inspiration, Beth.

So here’s how I did mine:

I went into my closet and located a sweater I don’t wear.

The lamp shade tried to escape, but I trapped her.

I ended up gluing both the top and the bottom.

That Liquid Stitch is awesome.

It was tricky to get straight, it’s not perfect, but I love it.

It’s me & Mom, all in one 🙂

It fits right in with our Winter Beach Lodge Living Room too.

I can’t wait to show you what else we have done.

If you examine the photos below closely, you may get some hints.

Catch ya next time on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives!

Just jokin…just wanted to see of you were paying attention.  XO