A Tropical Bird and a Lampshade Adapter?

I'm glad this project is finally completed because my frustration level was definitely tested!!  Now that it's finished and placed, I can breathe a sigh of relief.  

I refer to this as my tropical bird-- but as to its true identity --have no clue or idea.  Could it be a parrot or a peacock or what??  It has a long full tail and very nice coloring --- so tropical bird it is!!  The frustration did not come with the construction of the lampshade but mainly with the  lamp I chose.

As you can see the shade has a washer top and requires a lamp with a harp.  No harp --- (now what to do) I really wanted to use this vintage glass candlestick lamp.

Don't laugh --- but it took me forever, and forever, and forever to remember that there is an adapter to solve this problem!!!  Shown in the picture above is an adapter and a vintage finial that coordinates with the colors of the shade.

Hooray!!  Put the adapter over the lightbulb and it automatically substitutes for a harp.  Put the shade over -- screw on the finial -- and we are set to go.

In all my chattering about the adapter, I forgot to give you the basics of the lampshade.  The shape of this frame is referred to as a cut corner and measures approximately 7 inches high.  The lower trim is a yarn tassel drop with a peacock blue bead thus adding an extra 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches.  The main portion of the shade is a vintage hand done needlepoint piece.  

The sides of the shade are done with a dark golden fabric that resembles a shantung sheen and yarn weave.  Difficult to pick up fabric variations with camera and lighting.

Another picture to show the fabric variations in a different light

This picture is a little closer up and seems to show the actual needlepoint stitches.

So long until next time my friends.  Lesson learned -- a lamp adapter goes a long way in calming ones anxieties -- (who knew?). 

I'm linking toSavvy Southern Style

 

1930's Revived!!

This lampshade will make you want to open the blinds  and "let the sun shine in" !!  This is what I refer to as my "happy shade".  It makes me want to open my heart -- feel good things --- and puts a smile on my face.   Hope the  happiness spreads to you!

Into my drawer I went and out came more of my vintage embroidery pieces.  This was a dresser scarf from either the 30's or the 40's and fits perfectly onto this six sided hexagon shade.  Time to revive the 30's!!  I got busy and this shade is where I finished.

Both the front and back panel has this embroidered basket filled with flowers.  The beauty of this scarf is the quantity of the stitches allowed me to also  incorporate the embroidery on to the sides of the lampshade.

 I also found vintage crochet  with the same soft embroidery colors as the dresser scarf and used it to trim  the bottom of the lampshade.   In order to ground the design and pull the eye to the details,  I put a contrasting white braided trim at the top of the shade.  I think that was the finishing trick.  

It has a clip top to neatly and easily fit over the lightbulb.  Hope you leave this post with a smile on your face and thinking "oh this is truly  one of a kind".  I will then have accomplished my goal.
I'm Linking To:Savvy Southern Style

Mid Century with Oriental Flair Lamp & Shade

Did I say mid century with oriental style? Yes I did!!  Can that be ---is that combination possible????  I don't know --- I'm not a decorator.  However ---- this is MY version!!  All I can say blog land folks -- you will either love it or hate it because there is no middle ground.

 This lamp originally had a very tall harp with a monster lampshade.  Since I knew the style and size of the  shade I wanted to make, I had the lamp rewired and the harp replaced to fit the new shade.

In the picture above you can see the original harp.  It's almost the size of the entire lamp and a smaller lampshade would not have worked with this size harp.  The problem with a larger shade is that it  overpowers the lamp.  Since I wanted the finished look to be a blending  and show off the base as well as the shade --- I opted for the smaller harp and shade.

  
This is the finished product and the style of the shade frame is what is referred to as a cut corner and measure approximately 7 inches across the top -- 10 inches across the bottom -- and 7 inches high.

    
The front section is done with an older piece of embroidery.  It has the long stitches such as seen in crewel work.

  
The colors of the hand done piece were then matched to new quilters quality oriental fabric and added to the back and sides.

    
The top and bottom trim were done with a braiding and the ribbed sides were accented and hand done with the same fabric used on the body of the shade.   Well there you have it.  Geisha completed.  I don't think you'll find this in a big box store.  Certainly eclectic and certainly one of a kind.    Lesson learned:  Do not be hesitant to switch out harps or try a different shape or size lamp shade.       
    I'm linking to:Savvy Southern Style            

                                                                               

The Elephant in the Room

Traditionally when there is an elephant in the room, one must learn to ignore it, not mention it, sweep it under the rug, and tip toe around.
I hope the same rules don't apply when  my little elephant lamp and his custom lampshade appear.  Quite the contrary -- this was made to draw you in and invoke conversation as opposed to pretending it does not exist.

The body of the lamp shade is made from upholstery fabric and the ribs are done with the same fabric as is the top trim.  The bottom trim and beads were matched to have the same gold and red shading as the rest of the lampshade.

The shape of this lampshade is often referred to as a cut corner and altogether there are eight sections to the body.  The middle front and back have larger panels and then each end has three parts.  

The approximate size of this shade is 6 inches across the top;  9 inches across the bottom;   and 7 inches high not counting the bead dropping (that's another two inches).

The versatility of this shade is that it is not only complimentary to the cute elephant lamp but can also go on a plain (new or old) candlestick lamp.  My style at home is traditional but this can also fit into a variety of eclectic decor.

Although I am new to blog land, I would like to thank all of you that come by and visit.  Obviously there is a learning curve and I am finding that picture taking and narratives are a steep mountain to climb.  Please hold my hand as I learn!!!

Script is All Around Us

Script works great as an accent piece in our living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, dens, kitchens, studies, and the list goes on.  It can be incorporated  on chairs, pillows, curtains, and of course the all important lampshade.  Once we hit the lampshade arena the question becomes  do you want it as a sconce,  a shade,  a pendant, or a hanging drum ???   Color -- size --- shape -- placement???  You get the point -- the versatility is endless.  All and all script is fun, current, and sophisticated (all rolled into one).

Looking at these shades gives you a feeling of vintage with the old french script and at the same time a current and new freshness.  If you look closely you will see the difference between these two shades has to do with the side seams or ribs.  One is done with the same fabric as the shade, the other is done with a braided trim to match the top and bottom.  It's all a matter of taste ---- isn't it.  That's the beauty of custom work!!

When I display this shade, life becomes a little complicated because there are choices to be considered.  The beauty of this shade is that with each rotation a different manuscript is featured.  Thus I have to decide which part of the shade do I want facing forward.  Oh my:  too many choices --- to many decisions.

See what I mean?

In my home I have this displayed on a candlestick shaped lamp but honestly I prefer to put this on a lamp with a little more bulk.  I better look around and see what I can find.  You never know what lamp base is stashed in the corner of my closet!!

See you didn't believe me when I told you script is everywhere!!

Thanks for stopping by -- stay tuned for future posts.

Vintage Chic

What better way to enjoy a vintage treasure than to display and see it daily.  Here is one of those "treasures" appreciated in the form of a custom lampshade.

                 
This was made from a 1930's piece of hand embroidery featuring some lovely french knots set into a floral bouquet and set off by an embroidered bow.

       

         
The embroidery extends around the sides and back of the shade showing off the rich colors that form the butterfly and remaining flowers of the embroidered piece.  

      
A delicate hand crocheted bottom trim lends itself I believe to the mood of this intricate lampshade.

          
The versatility of this shade lends itself to be paired with multiple styles of lamp.  As seen above, it worked nicely with a 1940's glass lamp as well as a 50's white milkglass piece.  Any new lamp in white or pastel colors would also work and certainly make a decor statement.

Thank you for stopping by and I will try to work on my photo skills as I unveil more of the shades that I fancy.

A Little Bird Told Me

Only two days of snow and I'm already complaining!!   I must admit however, that I carry on about winter weather  every single year and as a result I get no sympathy from family or friends.   They are just tired of hearing about it on a daily basis.  So now I turn my attention to you folks in blog land and prepare to vent--- (Winter is Not my Favorite Time of Year)!!!!  Here it is only January and needless to say,  the lure of spring is heavy on my mind.  So what better way to deal with winter blues than to focus on thoughts of spring, chirping birds, and flowers.  Perfect excuse to pull out needlepoint items and create some lampshades.  I got busy and put two shades together and thought I would share them with you today.

This shade practically sings to me with the sweet bluebird perching on a branch.  The bird is a needlepoint piece and the sides are done from a vintage chenille bedspread.  I think the two textures combined together give it more of an eye catching appeal.
The curving of the shade (otherwise referred to as bell shaped) tends to give it a an over all softness.

From birds we leap to flowers with another needlepoint piece.  This one is done with a straighter frame but lends itself to the scene of a straighter window with a great window box.  So uplifting that I attached it to my profile picture.

The coloring of the trim seems to frame this lampshade well.  Often times , trim can either make or break the overall look of the lampshade.

Both of these shades are approximately 7 inches wide and 7 inches high and are best suited for smaller accent lamps.

Well thanks for letting me share and please stop by again as I reach further into my lampshade cache.