Pretty Lampshade

As if I needed another project . . .

I found this tutorial at BetterHomes and Gardens crafts.

Isn't this pretty?!

http://www.bhg.com/crafts/home/accessories/reinvent-a-lampshade/?page=10

By Pam Porter

What You Need
Kraft paper
Tapered or bell-shaped lampshade. Ours is a bell-shaped shade 8 1/2 inches tall x 6 inches in diameter at the top and 12 inches in diameter at the bottom
Fabric to cover lampshade (for ours, we needed about 1 1/2 yards)
Measuring tape
Pencil
Scissors
Iron
Fabric wash-out marker
Sewing machine and coordinating thread
Hot-glue gun and glue
5 inches of grosgrain ribbon
5 covered buttons and assembly tool (look for a kit containing both)


What to Do
Place kraft paper on a protected work surface.
Measure the circumference of the top of the shade and add 4 inches for each pleat. We have five pleats so we added 20 inches to the 20-inch circumference of the shade, giving us a total of 40 inches.
Lay the lampshade on its side on top of the kraft paper.
Using a pencil, trace along the top of the shade as you roll it across the kraft paper, creating an arch. Complete two full rotations of the shade to equal the 40 inches.
Return the shade to the starting point, lining the top line up with the top of the shade and tracing along the bottom of the shade as you roll it across the kraft paper. Complete two full rotations of the shade, creating a second arch.
Connect the arches together at the ends by drawing a line from the top arch to the bottom arch.
Use scissors to cut out the band of kraft paper, adding 1/2 inch at the top, bottom, and each end.
Press fabric and lay wrong side up on your work surface.
Place kraft paper band on top of fabric and trace using a fabric wash-out marker.
Cut out fabric band and hem top and bottom using 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Secure on end of the band to the top of the shade using a hot-glue gun.
Begin wrapping the fabric band around the shade, stopping every 5 inches to fold in a 1-inch pleat, holding it temporarily to the shade with a clothespin or office clip.
When completely clipped in place, use hot glue to secure the band to the shade and to glue down each pleat.
Use grosgrain ribbon and a covered button kit to cover five buttons to hot-glue at the top of each pleat.


Tip: An all-over patterned fabric works better than a stripe.

I'm adding this to my list of things to do "someday!"

Hope you have a happy Saturday!

Cardiology Cat

Toby isn't eating today. He's sick. This is my "cardiology cat" who hasn't seen a cat cardiologist because his mom thinks taking a cat to a specialist would cost way too much $$$.

Toby has a grade two heart murmur that we're "watching." Not sure what "watching" a heart murmur means but whenever he gets sick that's the first thing I think about. A trip to my vet yesterday revealed he just "has a cold." He had a bit of a fever but otherwise is okay. They gave him a shot of antibiotic and steroids. Gave me some liquid antibiotic to try to get down him twice a day too.

He has been sneezing a lot and breathing with his mouth open, and NOT eating.

I really didn't think much of that at first because he doesn't like his new "low fat" food. I was hoping that he had lost some weight. No, he gained weight! He weighed 15 pounds yesterday! I'm sure he will be back at the bowl soon!

So now that the cat crisis is past, I'm musing about other things...

My "To Do" list is very long and I don't seem to be getting much accomplished other than adding things to my list. Do you make lists? Does it help you get things done? I like lists.
Grocery lists. Christmas card lists. I didn't send out any Christmas cards this year but I did make a list. Wonder if I make a list of things to do if I'll actually DO any of them? Bear with me, the list is long!

1. Rake the front and back yards (check)
2. Trim the overgrown bushes (check)
3. Ask my landlady to have someone take out the stumps out front (again).
4. Paint the mailbox and post
5. Hang the thrift store valances in the craft room. Do I want to hang them as they are or trim them up a bit? (check - just put them up as is for now)
6. Spray paint the dining room chairs red. Have to sand and prime them first. (check)
7. Gather all of the other little things that I plan to spray paint and paint them. Picture frames (5), step stools (2), child's chair in the bathroom, small table in living room... (done!)
8. Wash new white twin sheets I got for $3 each. Measure and cut/sew for curtain panels in living room. Iron them and decide what decorative treatment to add. Grosgrain ribbon? Stamps? Stencils? Floral fabric trim? Need to get a drapery rod too. (drapery rod - check)
9. Move my desk out of the craft room. Give it to my daughter? What do I do with the stuff in the drawers? (check - moved desk to guest room)
10. Vacuum and clean the carpet. (check)
11. Unload the dishwasher. (check)
12. Take stuff by back fence to Mission Possible, take what's trash out to the street (check)
13. Color my hair. Trying to lighten it up a bit. Will it turn orange again? (check, OK!)
14. Get a haircut. Stop cutting it myself and just do it! (check)
15. Take the cat carrier and ladder back out to the shed. (check)
16. Change the sheets and wash the quilt (check)
17. Do the laundry (check)
18. Iron something to wear today (check)
19. Try to give Toby his medicine. Emphasis on TRY. (done and Toby is fine!)
20. Get another cup of coffee and post to blog. (check)
21. Go to work and try not to think about what I need to do at home!

Hope you have a productive day. Not sure I'll get much accomplished on my list, but it might help to do just one thing?

Moving AGAIN?

These are some photos of my house in Deltona Florida. It was the first place I was able to purchase on my own.

It was another renovation but one that was not nearly as costly as my Sanford home. I enjoyed decorating and gardening here. The drive from here to work in Orlando became too much. Hence, the move to Sanford...

You've read about the Sanford project. What a money pit that was! There was great personal satisfaction of seeing what hard work and perseverance can do, however.

I'm renting now. That has not stopped me from pursuing my desire to improve. Here are some photos of my current home that belongs to someone else! The wannabe decorator in me always has a project in progress!

I've not only painted the kitchen, I cleared out the overgrown bushes out front and painted the front door. I painted my office and the guest room too! Everywhere I've been I've found some outlet for my creativity...

I don't know where I'll go next but I'm sure there will be challenges and opportunities ahead. I'm looking at renting a little duplex to help keep my finances in order. I would rather stay where I am and continue to make making this house "my" home.

The duplex has potential too. The neighbors need to clean up their back yard! Do I really want to take on another project? Do I really want to move AGAIN?
I don't know...