Lamp Rescue

I have been looking for a new lamp for our family room.  Not just any lamp will do, I wanted something that I could not only re-purpose but be fun and creative as well.  One night when Jeff and I were on our way home from working on Lindsey's house, I saw a heap of garbage at the top of someone's driveway and laying on top was an old brass lamp, and some other treasures I knew I wanted.  So after begging Jeff to stop, this trash diving embarrasses him in a BIG way, I loaded up the back seat and was thrilled with my new finds.  After checking the lamp to see if it worked, I knew that this would be my new lamp. Yeah!

This is the lamp before it transformation.

I used this Rust-Oleum antique hammered finish spray paint.  I have used it on several things in the past and knew that it would work great on this project.

I love the way the hammered finish gives a slight texture to the surface.  

Next came the lamp shade, this is where the creative fun begins.  I took this old lamp shade apart that my mother-in-law gave Lindsey.  Lindsey decided she wasn't using it right now so she let me have it.  I am thinking she is going to want it back after she sees what it looks like now.

I started to Mod Podge pages for an old dictionary to the frame of the shade. 

You have to be careful with the pages once they are wet with the Mod Podge, they become very fragile and tear easily.  Go slowly, draping the pages over the frame.  As the pages start to dry you can work out the wrinkles and repair any tears that may have occurred.

When the Mod Podge was dry, I glued gimp along both the top and bottom edges to not only add interest but to help finish the edge.

Using my Cricket machine, I cut out flower shapes to make the flower embellishment for the shade.  I cut three flowers in graduating sizes.  I started with a 2 1/2", 3", 3 1/2", and 4", so in the end I had 12 cut shaped.

I group the flower shapes together and sewed some buttons through all the layers and then using a pencil I curled the edges of the petals.

This is what the paper flower ended up looking like when it was done.  I really like the way this turned out and think I just might figure more things I can use these paper flowers on.

Considering I had everything on hand to do this project, it looks like this one is free.  You can't beat that!

 
Here is what the shade looks like with the light on.  I am really liking the way the light shows where the pages overlap.  Gosh! I can't tell you how much I love, love, love making something out of nothing.

I am participating these link ups: Between Naps on the Porch, Its So Very Creative, Keeping It Simple, Mad Skills Monday, The Girl Creative, The DIY Showoff, Skip To My Lou, Today's Creative Blog, Coastal Charm, New Nostalgia, Me and My Bucket,Nikk's Nifty Knacks,The Thrifthy Home, Blue Cricket Design, Creations By Kara, Fine Craft Guild, It's a Blog Party, Trendy Treehouse, Fireflies and Jellybeans,Tales from Bloggeritaville, It's a Blog Party, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Thrifty Tickle 

Comments

[Cecily]

Super cool! That is one fabulous redesign! I love the old dictionary pages and the hint of color around their edges - just awesome. Great job, Judy!

[Lori]

Another awwesome project. Once a girl starts looking for the FREE piles around town they are everywhere and it can become addicting. Glad you are having fun. Lori

[Catch a falling Star]

I have to admit, I would be too embarrassed to dumpster dive.My mother in law was notorious for it! Then she'd bring all kinds of things over my house to go thru...I loved it.
Your lamp turned out wonderful...great job!

[Kim Meagher]

It's beautiful. I need to try these paper flowers. I've been seeing them everywhere and they are so cute!

[Jenn @ Seeds on a Breeze]

I saw this on Made By You Monday. I love any kind of book art. What a great "trash to treasure"!

[Ann]

Yummy! Love the texture and interest of the book pages and your flowers are too clever. Especially love it with the light on. Something for nothing but your own cleverness and ingenuity, win win!

[Holly]

How darn cute is THAT! ... sigh... All of these paper flowers lately are REALLY making me want a Cricut. Cute repurpose!

[Ginger]

Cool! My husband hates it when I wanna pick up something too...he actually has never stopped for me :( Perhaps someday, I can break him into it! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

[Nikki]

Awesome! Love it!! That textured spray paint is one of my favs! :) Thanks so much for linking to gettin' crafty on hump day :)

[ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage & Junkologie]

Wow! That is a creative transformation!! I especially love detailing that the flowers add to it. Well done! Thanks for linking up over at Junkologie!