Vintage Wedding Lamp Makeovers

So as I stated previously, my son is getting married in October.  We will be having a reception in our church cultural hall, a.k.a. the gym.  This leaves alot to be desired for atmosphere with flourescent lighting (along with making me LOOK like the mother) but hey it is free!  So my job, if I choose to accept it (I did), is to bring in softer lighting so we don't see all my wrinkles.  So off to the thrift stores...ALOT!  Looking for lamps and chandeliers in need of vintage makeovers.  Here are the lamp makeovers (the chandeliers still to come...Hey they need a post all to themselves!)
I found these 2 lamps on different trips (don't have before pictures) for $4 each. 

  

I added the beads and crystals with fishing line... 



...bought old lampshades for 2 bucks each and tore them apart just for the top wire contraptions.  I added the lace that I found on ebay (12 yards for $20 which included shipping, used about 3 yards) and some bulbs. The lace needs to be steamed but I will do that later.

It killed me to spend $6 on this little thing but I saw the potential (again no before picture...I KNOW!) 

I took my Crop-o-dile and punched holes in the metal tray (yes they do punch a hole through practically anything) and added the crystals, attaching them with split rings  (I scrapbook and make jewelry too).

I wanted to try something different with the shade...yes ripped apart a $1 shade for the top wire.  I spray painted some awful gold Christmas garland I found at the thrift store and added that with Dollar Tree Ribbon for that "something different".

And last but not least...this little baby (literally) cost me $4 (it still has the price tag on it!)

What to do for a shade...hmmmmm...so while I was making this (the future daughter loves music)...

I thought "Yes!  Use this paper!"  So with another $2 lamp shade (yes I buy them in bulk...hahaha)  which I did not rip apart, I folded my way to this (with a little lace I dug out of a box).

So for around $35 I gave a new life to 4 lamps that will sit on tables around the gym with pictures of the happy couple.  I am halfway there to making the lighting situation favor the mothers!

Quick Fix to Ugly White Battery Tea Lights

So the next few months I will be planning and preparing for my son's wedding and reception on a limited budget (I do have other things I like to spend money on you know).  His future bride has only one sister here in Utah so because I LOVE projects, I am helping where I can (I do tend to get "involved").  I have been working on lighting, decorations, leis and table centerpieces (I will get to the chandeliers I redid on another post) and since we are doing the reception in our church we cannot use real candles.

So off to Hobby Lobby I go to buy their value pack of 16 tea lights (with 16 extra batteries!) for $9.99 minus the lovely 40% off from the coupon.  The only problem is that they are white (she likes "Creme or Ivory"), plastic and ugly.  I thought of painting them (spray paint...God's gift to crafters) but that seemed like such a hassle.  Then I was inspired.  PAPER!  Being a scrapbooker I had everything to do this project!

All you need (besides the paper of choice, scissors, cutter and ruler) is roll-on adhesive tape, an ink pad, and a paper punch.  Since I did not have the correct size of paper punch (one too big, one too small) I made do with what I had.  This is SO EASY!

First, measure the the side width and circumference (around) the candle.  Cut a piece of paper slightly wider and a bit longer.  Roll on your adhesive along the top side edge.  I used TomBoy.

Attach the paper.  I did not mind if the paper was a tad wider because these candles have 3 tiny legs on the bottom.  That way I have more room for error...I did not want it too narrow. 

Overlap the paper and glue down.  Walah!  The side is done.

Now here is where I had to try a few things to make the top line up.  No matter how hard I tried to put a center punch in the middle of a circle it would not line up completely.  So this is what worked for me.  I cut a piece of paper a 1/4" wider than the top of the candle (giving room for error), then punched a hole close to the middle.  I used my smaller hole punch and then when I "carefully" slide it on it will tear slightly to fit.

Slide it on carefully the WRONG WAY.

 Push the slightly torn paper down flat.

Remove the paper, apply adhesive on top, staying close to the edge.

Now put the paper back on the right way.  Turn the candle over and using sharp detail scissors, cut the excess paper off.  This way the edges line up just right.

I then used an ink pad around the edges to "age" it. 

It's done!  You could even embellish it with ribbon, jewels or whatever.  I hope you find this idea helpful for a party or wedding situation.  I did!  And though it may not be brilliant, it sure helps make my table centerpieces prettier.  Little details make a BIG difference.  Have fun!  

I admit, I need to lose a pound...or two...or 75 !

Since the weather has been so hot lately, (and a dry heat doesn't make it any better) I have neglected to make it to the gym the past few weeks. It may have something to do with sweating at home, sweating while going to the gym, sweating at the gym...well you get where I am going with that. So now that the past 6 months diligence of working out 5-6 times a week has gone down the toilet I found this to be extremely hilarious!


Dear Diary, For my birthday this year, my husband purchased a week of personal training at the local health club. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. Friends seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress. ________________________________
MONDAY: Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god-- with blond hair, dancing eyes, and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!! Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines... I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring! Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!
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TUESDAY: I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me!
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WEDNESDAY: The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. Why would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other crap too. _______________________________
  THURSDAY: Butthead was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late-- it took me that long to tie my shoes. He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny witch to find me. Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine-- which I sank.
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  FRIDAY: I hate that IDIOT Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic, little aerobic instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it. Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the freaking barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?
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SATURDAY: Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.
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SUNDAY: I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun-- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

Aloha!

This is my effort to share all the ideas I have been able to remove from my head for the past decade or so. 

With all the years I have served in various Church Callings and my creative endeavors I do for myself, I have had people express to me the need to make these AMAZING ideas available for others. 

This blogging thing is new to me so be patient.  I will be turning to my son on how to include pictures, files and such and of course he is in a serious relationship so his time is limited for his mother.  Just thinking about how I am going to do this is almost making my head explode...and if that happens all future awesome ideas will be lost forever.  We do not want that to happen!

Mahalo for checking me out and I hope your patience will be rewarded.

Hayengirl (Liz)