Redoing Some Old Lamps and Something New Coming!

First of all, let me just tell you that I have a bit of news that I hope you'll enjoy. I've been setting things up the last week or so to do a blog where there is nothing but a list of lifestyle bloggers: romantic, country, shabby, chic, gardening (because what is more romantic than flowers?!) whatever—just so it's more about lifestyle than anything else. It's just links so it's not hard to do or to keep up because I can't keep up much more than I'm doing right now!

When you go over and see the logo, you'll see some absolutely stunning roses on the logo that are by Ronda Juniper Ray, who graciously and enthusiasticly gave me permission to use any rose I wanted in the making of the logo and also sent me the original photos to use in my PhotoShop. She's a dear and another Mac user. ;-) She's also a fantastic artist. When you go to the blog and see the logo, you'll see her roses; these in this little button are MY roses. Pathetic, but I did paint them. Do not get the two mixed up; it wouldn't be fair to Ronda. ;-)
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I bought these lamps several years ago when we were thinking of moving here to this house. I think I bought them at Home Depot. They are extremely heavy for lamps and the shades were a kind of "pull up" kind in the box. In other words, they were flat in the box and we had to lift them from the bottom up to the top of the shade and secure it. When we did that we realized that when the lights were on you could see they weren't on properly or evenly. I kept them like that with the intention of fixing them someday. I tried and tried but they wouldn't align properly—the wire showed through and no amount of tugging and pulling would get them in proper alignment. But we absolutely loved the lamps, even Love Bunny. They truly made a dramatic statement and he even agreed, which is no small feat, trust me! I even tried finding new lampshades but these are so big I couldn't find anything as big even in the best lamp stores in Boise. So I kept them and just recently decided what I could do.

I bought some braided gimp trim and put it over the shade where the cloth met the wire of the shade form. I had to put 2 strips about 15 1/2" long down each one, and there were 8 "ribs" on each shade. It took about 13 - 14 yards to do it but I was thrilled that the ribs don't show now when the lamps are lit at night.

I then added some white lace around the top, an organza bow, some faux pearls and some pink paper roses to the top. The roses around the bottom were already on it so I had to work around them, but I love how they look now. What think you, chicks?

Full photo of the lamps and the ambiance they bring into our home at night. It's almost a magical place.

Full photo of lamp during the day. This photo was taken before I added extra pearls to it later in the day.

Closeups of each shade with light off and light on.

And if Mum, my sweet adopted mother in Texas, is reading this then here are some smooches for ya, Southern Belle. I spent a great deal of my childhood in Orange, Texas and I can do a wonderful southern belle impression that would astound you! LOL This is true!!
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Friend's Home Tour #4

Update on son 4/12/09

Go here to read the latest on our son's situation. Thank you.
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This room belongs to my "scrapping buddy" and is adorable. She just got this room from her sister, who went to another room. You get a "peek" at another chandelier in this room also. Notice the shabby chic lamp. That floor lamp in the corner is one I gave her as I had no place for it. Tash even has a fluffy throw for her bed. I think she's one of us, chicks! *Smile* This is the lower level of the house.

Tash needed a valentine box in a hurry last month so her mom brought her over and we put this box together with fabric and crepe paper garland in under an hour. It was quickly done with glue but we got it done in record time! I guess Tash liked it so much she kept it. :-) Those are probably her baby shoes on the window sill. The curtains are also Rachel Ashwell.

These are Tasha's baby dresses. Aren't they adorable? Of course, having seen them in person I know it better than you do, but I do love the way she displays them like I do. Adorable!

Notice the shabby chic rug on the carpet, the little chenille chair and the vanity desk for her. How cute is that?!

There is only one boy at home now and he's 4 or 5 I think. Their sons are all married I believe and have kids of their own now. But the boy's area is just that: BOYS area! All patriotic and red, white and blue. They have plenty of room for all the grandkids when they come.

An extra bed for the toddlers that visit. This is a very patriotic family as you can see from all the flags. Love it!!

Phyllis had to close these drawers when I was doing the photoshoot. I told her it was fine but being an excellent housekeeper, she wanted it perfect. It was a cute gesture but she is a meticulous woman.

Is this cute or what?! Her hubby made this for their kids years ago and they can play on it with a real saddle. I have never seen another one like this. Just darling.

This is the media room. I didn't take a picture of the "television" because it's so big I wasn't sure if it was an actual television. It's behind a blue curtain that draws closed. Must be some kind of "media" this old chick isn't familiar with yet but it looked like a movie screen of some sort. I'm sooooo not in touch with "media" now except computers. Notice the blue wood burning stove.

A kid's room is just to the left of the media room. This could definitely be a bedroom but it houses all kinds of things for the kids and grandkids to play with, play on or dress up in. What a treat this is for little ones I'm sure. Horses to ride, kitchens to "cook" in, costumes to dress up in, chalk boards to write on, strollers and dollies to push, boxes and boxes of toys, phones and shelves of stuffed animals. This room is a child's dream play room!

I'll round this one up for today. Only one more blog post to show you of this lovely home.

Friend's Home Tour #2

This is a better shot of that antique sewing machine and the lovely entry to my friend's home.

Turning right at the dining room takes us into their living room. Those windows are facing south. The little cottage is just visible through the right window. White painted tables and luxurious deep-cushioned sofas and chairs and PINK lamp shades! I just adore how she has taken a sort of Idaho log home and made it so romantic. I would have done exactly the same as she has done. Then she's tied back sheer curtains on the wood trimmed windows. Oooh, did I mention her hubby built this house for them? Well, he did. It is very pretty and large also. Just wait till you see it all.

River rock fireplace. Phyllis has flowers and plants all over this home. Plus she gardens in the spring and summer and usually has a vase of flowers for the pulpit at church. She can really grow beautiful flowers.

The lady of the house also plays piano and I think teaches some of her kids to play also. Luxurious white shag carpet and a vintage rocking chair. Hubby made that clock on the wall also. He cut the wood and then someone in the family painted it. Talent abounds in this family.

Close up of the clock.

Her kitchen. Squeeeeeeeal!! I love the boldness of red. She is not a wimp when it comes to colors, I tell you. She's a woman who knows what she wants and does it regardless. Astounding and fantastic she is. Red microwave, plates, skillet, stools at the countertop, pantry door, hanging pot holder.

Red and white checked curtains at her front window looking out into her entry garden. Red transferware plates on her wall above the sink window.

Yep, hubby made this clock also! I have to tell you this man is the kindest, sweetest, gentlest man I've ever met. He is such a humble man he is most like Christ in any person I've ever met. I guess you have to have patience when you have 11 children!

They've done a faux finish on this wall. Notice another chandelier in this family dining area. A woman after my own heart!! I only have one but she has MANY! But I'm thinking of getting more for my home. *Wink*

They just this past week got their first computer. It is kept in this area and you'll see it on the left side just a wee bit. You'll also notice she has a battenburg lace tablecloth on her table. She's a true stay-at-home wife and mother.

Okay, hold me back here!! Look at this stunning shabby chic white feminine bedroom! Blue and white toile curtains inset into those log windows. And another chandelier. Plus a pink lamp shade with roses on it. Squeeeeeeealing with delight! I know she loves pillows also.

Okay, that's a teaser of the bedroom to come in the next post of their home.

Greenhurst Nursery #17

Have you ever thought of a black and white Christmas? Well, here's what it could look like if you DID. Exquisite. My friend and sister PRH chick, Stephanie, will squeal with delight on the bling in this photo. SteeeEEEppphhHHHHhh, are you listening?!?! Give mum smooches for me, honey...... She does love me the most, ya know! ;-) hahahah

Fur covered ornies that remind me of santa's helper's hats turned upside down

Polka dot and shell ornies........

More lovely clocks in this place. The middle on is huge.....

Steeeephhhhhh..........more blingggggg!

Eye popping glitzy bling.....

I would LOVE to have that chair in my living room!

I'mmmmm dreaming of a whiiiiiiite Christmas, just like the ones I used to knoooowww........

I absolutely love clocks so these are right up my alley..... even cuckoo clocks ornies....

You can display it just at Christmas, but I'd display it all year long.......

Did someone say "white" Christmas? How about "RED" Christmas????

Or a feather and/or grain Christmas??? Beautiful!

Father Christmas is about 4 feet tall here.

Another stunning lamp for hanging on the wall.....*Sigh*.......Lamps are a weakness of mine also.........

Years ago I was at work in my job and walked around alllll day long with an ink smudge on my upper lip. Cannot for the life of me figure how that happened but finally at the end of the day a woman told me. I always wondered why she didn't tell me about it when she first noticed it and saved me the embarrassment of walking around like that. I think she was not a true friend. This kind of says it all for me. Telling me about it when it happened as opposed to telling me at the end of the day that it had been on there all day would have saved me much embarrassment, but actually, I think she was the one who should have been embarrassed!

Lovely cabinet.

This was also bright true red. I could find a place for this in my craft/sewing room or my office/painting room I think......

This ain't yer same ol' "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree, trust me! It just sparkled even though it's "minimalistic"!

Okay, you'll have to enlarge this photo to see the "sticker shock" on these gorgeous little ornies. Hah

You would definitely have to be a "connoisseur" to collect these little expensive jewels!

Gorgeous and stunning!