SYTYCD - "Catalog Hack"

This week's assignment was catalog hack.  Boy when I saw that I knew I was in trouble.  This was going to be hard for me, I've never hacked the catalog before.  Hacking evidently means to copy something from a catalog like Ballard's or Anthropology or Pottery Barn etc.  

So, I searched the pages on each of these sites and settled on a lamp from Anthropology.   

Cute.  And super expensive too $798.00  yep that's right.   I have a friend that has made some super cute lampshades lately but I haven't looked close enough to see the mechanics of what she was doing (I think I better go visit her) and I wanted to use what I had here.  So, with that said, 

and keep in mind I was aiming high....

and I'm not through trying my hand at this,

yet.

okay don't laugh too hard,

Oh lardy, this was not good.  In the "Spirit of Keeping It Real" here is my first try.

Man I was just a working that thing.  I was folding down all those little wire pieces and wrapping in them around and thinking ........... "this is going pretty good"  and   "I wonder if anyone will want one?"  and maybe even a thought like,  "wow I'm gooood".

Not willing to give up I found some left over wire cloth from construction and used it.  It is much nicer than the hardware chicken wire I started with but I have a this gnawing feeling it was much more expensive, too.  

Used the old lamp shade as a pattern.  Hellowa.  First time? - nope didn't do that.  

It was hard to keep it together, it sat like this for a while, I had to ponder what to do next.  I kept thinking sew it.  I fought that temptation in the earlier rendition so this time I tried it.

I grabbed my twine and threaded it through the wire using the blanket stitch.

I love that stitch, it's one of my favorites.  For some reason it reminds me of my grandmother, Nanny.  She used to make quilts and my favorite was the one with the silhouette of the little girl in her dress and bonnet.  Anyway, it had that stitch on it and I have just always associated it with her. 

You can't really see it but that's what I did.

It was looking pretty good so far and I began to feel some confidence 

and then ........

I got the bright idea.  Yep, another one.  You think maybe I should start to notice that when these bright ideas come up I should squash them down?  

Naw not me, I like to live dangerously.  

So that's when I picked up the burlap.  You know the traditionalist in me couldn't just stop with a wire lamp shade - no, must have stuff.  

I had this piece of burlap laying there and I wondered out loud to myself cause I live in the country and if I'm gonna talk to anyone I have to talk to myself, it's okay I only answer occasionally.

Actually I wasn't flying completely on my own .  I was in the big city earlier this week and stopped by my friend's shop.  She has this fabulous shop I should do a post on that sometime (check - future post) anyway, she has a fabric shop with some antiques scattered around, some painted furniture pieces and things for your home.  She has this new lamp in that I am drooling over and I got to studying the lamp shade, it had these little silk ribbons stitched in a random pattern on it and it was fabulous.  So this is a take on that.  A bad take - but a take on it none the less.

The thought was to make burlap ribbon ruffles.  So I found my string, began pulling and tied a good knot to keep it from pulling through.

I just noticed that I did not have any pictures of the results but you get the idea, I'm sure.  Just think of squigeley ruffley burlap ribbony things. 

I put them on the shade in random patterns kind of following how they were going on their own.

Yea, I'm showing close up pictures first, because from here it looks pretty good.  

Nice and texturey.  

One thing.  Before I show the last just remember this was wwwaaaaayyy out side the box for me.  

One little dangley thing.  

So there you go.  Catalog Hack.  I think the catalogs are safe from me.  

I'm linking up with them, they may need to know this stuff.  

So You Think You Can Decorate, click viewer interpretations button.  And hey, add you own, k. 

Guest Room - Makeover

The makeover is going great, I have about two weeks to get into shape before my guest gets here.  It's kind of her room because she stays in the most.  Maybe in the next post I will talk about who she is.  But, I think the make over will be just as comfortable for any gentleman staying in the room.  

I read on someone's blog last week that if you use candle wax on your furniture before you paint when it is time to sand the painted finish off, it will be tons easier.  So I grabbed one of my Christmas candles, since they were broken, and started to rub the wax on the edge of the bed.  BUT, it seemed like too much work ( I can't even believe I just wrote that).  

Before.

Ooh, a little scary.  

Too late to turn back now.

Oh.

My.

Goodness.

I love it!

There's no turning back now.  I am officially a black paint fan.

FYI/BTW, I will never, no never, not use the candle wax again!  When I got to the area that I had rubbed the wax on it was way easier, hello-wa.  

Next.

Turquoise.  

Hmm yummy.

Updated to add:  Beneath My Heart - end of the month party.  This is my first link up craft party.  I'm a little nervous.  

Basically I got nothing.  But I love my blog and blog land so I got to come up with something.  So, here it is.  

I found this message painted on a sign and I thought it was worth keeping.

od didn't promise days without pain, 

laughter without sorrow, 

sun without rain.

ut He did promise strength for the day, 

comfort for the pain 

and light for the way. 

This is an encouraging message but check out these beautiful letters.  I found them at the Daily Drop Cap.  This girl is amazing.  She does all the letters by hand, I think that's what it says about her.  

I love the alphabet and beautifully written words.  This is one thing that I am planning on working on.  My lettering with  paint or pen leaves a lot lacking.  About the best I could do is copy her, though.  I don't think this kind of stuff is in my head.  Go check her out.

 

Cooking on the Ranch

You'd think with a title like that I would have some kind of beautiful photo of a culinary accomplishment here.  

Nope.  

But, I do have an idea.  

Do you read Ree Drummond's posts at the Pioneer Women? If not, you should.  This women amazes me.  She can cook and take photos of her cooking and all the other stuff she does, (I don't want to talk about it).  

But this morning - red potatoes, roasted garlic, evoo, white wine.  That's right.  

My honey is going to think I am brilliant.  

um hmm.  

Brilliant baby.

Seriously, she lives on a ranch, I live on a ranch.  We should know each other.  We should.  

I just hope that when I grow up, I can be more like her.  

In-couraged

Have you check out this new blog?  I'm sure you have.  All the big name blog writers are there and some that I am just meeting.  They have a way of taking an ordinary everyday activity and relating it to Christ.  Like buying a box of crayons  for school supplies.  Comparing our walk with the 24 crayon box all the way to the" crowning glory of the boxed crayon empire - 96 count with the built in sharpener."

And then there was the one reminding us that sometimes "hope waits in the dark"  and that the promise of  brighter things come after a long, cold winter.  

They are giving away a necklace and I found the writing on the card something to hang on to.

In God's heart, you are . . . 

created

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

psalm 139:14

chosen

The Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession

Duet 14:2

celebrated

He will take great delight in you...He will rejoice over you with singing

Zeph. 3:17

cherished

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness

Jeremiah 31:3

I in-courage you to check them out.  

American Idol - Theatrics vs Acoustic

Thank you DVR.  You give me freedom to go when I need to and not miss a thing.  So I loved the show, I'm looking forward to tonight, I was on the road (again) so I didn't get to vote, but I knew who I would vote for, didn't matter what the performances were like.  And speaking of performances, lets get right to it.

Kris wins the coin toss, and chooses to go second.  

Up first Adam Lambert with "It's a Mad World" - hum, singing is great, his vocals are on, Gothic in theme, reminded me of twilight (if I had seen twilight which I haven't) .  Yea, haunting.  Go figure.

Cute Kris - gets personal with "Ain't No Sunshine"  I think it's ROCKIN!  Yea I love it, I will buy. this. kids. music!

note to Simon - again you were not sure and again he proves you wrong and again you take it all back.  WHAT?  Seriously, even I have a better memory than that.  Get up off my boy Kris.

Round Two

Who is Simon Fuller anyway?  "Change Is Gonna Come" - 

Adam sings the blues, nice change of pace with him, not really buying it, looks to me like he was a tiny bit uncomfortable with it, but he sings the phone book so why not the blues, right?  I"m feeling like I need to hear the original Sam Cook version.

Kris, "What's Going On" 

Can I get a coupon?  Wonder if he would come over and sing on my patio?  I'm loving it!  May have been a little light for the night but, hey, he didn't choose the song, so whatever.

Round Three

No Boundaries - ?

I have no comment on this round for the performers, they did their best with this song.  

Bad Kara! 

I'll sum it up with Kris' comment on the night, they agreed, not competing,  just singing - putting on a good show.  I think they did that, they gave it their all.  While I am not a fan of men in guyliner and nail polish, I think it speaks volumes from the people who are living with each other, that they seem to like and respect each other.  I am looking forward to much more from these guys.  In my opinion America got it right.  Stupid Simon! 

Oops, I forgot to link up with BooMama.  Check her out, it'll be fun.