If you can make it, sister,...

..then you shouldn't buy it.  Or something to that effect.  It's a pact I made with my sister-in-law when we were in some home decor store years ago.  I can't make a couch, of course!  Nor can I hand carve wood, or make certain accessories, but I can redo a lampshade.  Had some great lamps with old shades that unfortunately blended into my new wall color.  Needed a punch of color and wanted a "bohemian" look.  Got some thrifty white drum shades, luxe fabric that was pretty cheap, and some killer fringe....

...and after...

Even though the drum shades were pleated, the weight of the chenille fabric more than concealed that.  Trim is sooo forgiving, like maybe when you don't cut chenille fabric straight, hypothetically speaking.  Funky ball fringe adds just the extra bohemian touch...and imperfection only adds to the whole charm.  Think scarf draped across grand piano, books strewn everywhere...well, that's the look I was going for anyway. 

Easy directions:  Lay lampshade on its side on top of fabric.  Cut fabric to width of lampshade (or thereabouts - as I said, trim is forgiving).  Glue fabric onto lampshade, using spray adhesive.  At seam, fold fabric under for a neat line.  Do the same with the trim, and you're done.  Two large-size drum shades took me 30 minutes or less.  My material cost was around seventy-five bucks.  Sounds like a lot, but have you been shopping for lampshades lately?  Elaborate shades in beautiful fabric go for well over $100. EACH.  So make it yourself, sister.  Easy project with big impact.

Posted by admin on 08/31 at 04:03 PM
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Italy Favorites…

"How much old stuff and churches can we possibly see?"  My eleven year old, who ultimately is my best traveller and comedian rolled into one.  Plenty, was my answer...

Posted by admin on 08/27 at 06:25 PM
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France Favorites…

Just a few shots from France (I've got over 300) and tomorrow...Italy...

Posted by admin on 08/26 at 10:44 AM
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Welcome Back

Europe was overwhelming...so much to see and three weeks flew by...however, my family has unanimously decided that that is too long to be away.  Me?  I'd be on a boat for six months, travelling the world, if time and money alllowed.  There are treasures everywhere, and since we packed two empty totes, we came back stuffed (totes and bellies).  Some highlights, by region....  In France, I avoided pottery and linens, though they were plentiful.  Stuck with foodstuff (salted caramels, fleur de sel, and pretty much anything to do with french salt, after seeing the beautiful pink salt beds in the Comargue region), and pretty soaps from Provence, a bargain at 1.50 euros...

Did a little more damage in Italy.  Murano and Burano, small islands near Venice, are known for their glass (glass ornaments in back for 15 euros, and small trinkets my son bought) and lace respectively...

Florence is known for leather, fine stationery, and gilded wood boxes, trays and other home decor.  My son bought the leather garbage can in the back which conveniently folded flat for travel - do ya think they're appealing to  tourists?

Further south, Sorrento and Amalfi coast had wonderful foodstuff (spice packets at 5 for 7 euros), olive wood kitchen accessories (salad servers for 10 euros), limoncello (7 euros in a beautifully painted bottle), and small lemon soaps (1 euro apiece)...

...ceramica with "lemons" - are you catching a theme?  There were many more patterns, but I was drawn to the cobalt blue with the lemons...

...linen scarves made in Italy (only 5 euros apiece), and another souvenir my son bought - a beautiful inlaid wooden box (20 euros), an old timey Sorrento trade....

We met a lot of people who were 2nd, 3rd, even fourth generation craftsmen which was so interesting for my children.   The prices were very good for the quality (the leather purses, for example, were generally around 50 euros - amazing prices, considering that they were real leather and hand-crafted).  And now, I'm done with a lot of Christmas shopping....

Posted by admin on 08/11 at 10:43 AM
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