a little makeover, a little procrastinating, a lot of snow hating

Winter simply must go.

And I mean it.

We've been getting some very nice days, then it all goes wonky and snow comes again. And I just can't take any more cold.  I'm done, I quit.  Either Kansas warms up and stays that way, or I am leaving.

Before it snowed this week, while the weather was pretending to let Spring come,  I picked a handful of the daffodils blooming in my yard so I could have a bright bit of Spring time on my windowsill.

That helps, well a little bit.

I'm so glad that I have my blog friend weekend to cheer me up and make me feel spring-y since the weather isn't doing it for me!

Another thing that helps lighten my mood when I am feeling grey and gloomy,  is to lighten up something else. A friend gave me a pair of these lamps, and I liked the lines, but disliked the color. So, to cheer myself up, I made them a bit cheerier.

I followed the short cut steps that I like to use (on my side bar, in the tutorials, "How to paint a chandelier") and gave the lamps a spray coat of (bonding) primer. 

Then, I added silver glaze over the primer, using a stiff brush and a stippling technique.  That is where you dip the brush in the glaze, then dab the brush against a paper towel to take some off, and then pounce the brush onto the object you are painting.  I use a really cheap brush when I do this, since it beats the crap out of it.

This is a technique that you don't want to try to do perfectly. The only thing you really need to watch out for, is that the crevices and cracks and low parts get filled in good.  (its also pretty to use two colors, a slightly darker one over the first after it dries, but I was too impatient and didn't do a second color)

When it was dry, I sealed it with a clear coat.

Over the long, candle stick portion of the lamp base, I added a strip of paper taken from a really old sewing magazine.  It was simple and quick, I just ran a bead of glue all around the edge of the backside of the paper, and then stuck it on.  I didn't even measure just right, I wrapped it around, so that the excess just went halfway around the pole again.

The page I used was a little crumbly on the edge and I liked that, so I left a bit of a ragged edge.  You can't really tell from the photos tho, its more to the backside of this image, but you can see just a little bit of the torn edge to the right.

The lampshades got left as is.  I thought I wanted something lighter and lacier, but once the lamps were painted, I kind of liked the contrast.  Especially after pinning on an old, white velvet flower.

Did you notice that I blurred out the backgrounds?  I just about had to, my studio is the pits right now.

See what I mean?   But, it will be all spiffed and ready for my blog friend weekend soon.  (this post was written earlier in the week, and scheduled to post over the weekend while I'm off playing with my friends. Lets HOPE the room looks a little better for them!)

But,if I don't stop getting side tracked by little projects like redoing a lamp,  the chances of the room getting cleaned up could be slim to none.

 Or if I spend time digging through old magazines looking for pictures. Now, that is a real waste of time. But talking about pouncing glaze reminded me of this show house I painted in years ago.  It was a Victorian house, and had great textured wallpaper all up the grand staircase and through the hall.

I painted in all the colorful details of birds, flowers, and sunsets on the paper, then stippled over it in bronze and cream glaze.  This photo was in Better Homes and Garden Paint Decor. I'd forgotten all about this article, and just had to go and dig it up.  Instead of cleaning the studio. 

Okay, enough procrastinating. I'm really going to tackle the room now.

ps-  Today is Silver Bella sign up.  For various reasons, I won't be going this year,(one being sticker shock at the price!! Others I won't go into)  That event was always so special to me, but I haven't talked to a single person that I know who will be going this year. Of course, I made all those friends at that event, and would probably meet more wonderful people there if I did go.

Are you going?

Comments

[sandra]

Karla I am so with you in being over the cold! I love the Spring and the flowers it brings! Sunshine in Texas and birds chirping!! That staircase is divine!!! Incredible...makes me want to see it in person! Have a great girls weekend and can't wait to see the pictures from it!!! -Sandra

[Andrea]

I love the lamp!
Please come visit my post on my most recent shelter pet in need and enter my GIVEAWAY!

xoxo
Andie

[Jane]

The lamp looks fantastic, Karla! I have to try your painting method. Have a wonderful weekend with your friends!

XO,
Jane

[Samantha]

Your daffodils sure are pretty...but I'm with you, spring just can't come soon enough! We're warm and sunny right now (hot actually) but it's supposed to go back to cool weather after today...boooo.
And nope, no Silver Bella for me...with 2 kiddies in college I just can't justify spending that much. Although one day I really would like to go to a crafty event...I know it won't be that one. The event you're hosting sounds more like what I would be looking for...smaller and a little more relaxed. I would want a chance to chat and giggle with everyone! I'm not knocking SB, something for everyone, right?...I'm just not sure it's me. :)

[Ramsam]

The lamp looks great! I think your studio looks like the perfect place to lose yourself! I love it, with the creative chaos and all!

[Ido]

Hello Karla,
I have a couple of lamps that I want to transform for my bedroom (my husband says they look from India, with beads hanging, he doesn't like them) and I didn't know what to do with them, now you have inspired me to transform them just like yours! Thank you!

[Sheila R]

Love your lamp redo... I won't be attending Silver Bella this year either, and I am very sad as I have met some incrediable women and it was the one large thing I treated myself to each year. Sticker shock and definitely trying to save my pennies. (Sure with this economy would get better!)

Have a wonderful weekend.

[Janet Ghio]

Pretty lamp! I'm leaving Missouri when you leave kansas! I've had it with this prolonged weather!! I want sun and warmth!!

[creativechaos]

I love the lamp Karla....You studio looks fine to me. I see absolutely no problem with it! :0)

[Diane Knott]

LOL! Karla, yes, your studio shows a busy person resides there! It should be messy to prove the point! ;-) Love the lamp! And...if you decide to leave, don't come here because the snow you had came this way! I'm thinking of Key West - sounds good, doesn't it! In my dreams!
Hugs, Diane

[GerryART]

Your candlestick girl is just loverly, Karla.
Hugs,
Gerry in Jeff City and hoping this nice weather holds.

[Vicki]

Karla
Come on down to Florida we have been hitting the 80's for weeks!

[Sandy]

In the 90's here today. My roses are blooming up a storm! Wish I could put some in a box and send it to you. Hope it warms up before Bird Song or I'll be bringing my woolies!
See you sooner now than later. Hope you are having a good week-end with your buds!
Sandy

[Stephanie O.]

No Silver Bella this year for the Indiana Girls. It was a great opportunity to meet all my wonderful blogland/swapping partners like you, but don't feel it is the right fit for me anymore.

[Laura]

Winter, winter go away, we are supposed to get snow here tonight (Michigan)!!! We are all sick of winter, I have tulips on my table as reminder of spring to come! Love your blog!

[Mitzi Curi]

If you want to get away from the cold, don't come to Michigan, where it's always "20 degrees below comfortable". By the way, that wall treatment you painted is mind-blowing! I wish I could see it in more detail. You are one talented gal! Hopefull today you will be receiving a box of goodies from me, for your Bird Song event. If it's not there by today, I'm going to wonder what happened....

[mercedes scott]

Karla, I know exactly how you feel about the white crap (I mean, snow! pardon me!). We are sick of it also; here in Minnesota, I still have white patches on my lawn--nothing sprouting through the soil yet! Love your daffodils, though! You were lucky to get those...
I've been reading the SB comments. I had been considering attending since I've always heard amazing things about it and it would be my very first "event" (other than the Creative Connection last fall)... but thought the price was a bit much... wasn't sure if it was worth it. I think I'll pass and look for something else. I feel a bit more "educated" about it now - thanks to everyone.

[Lisa H.]

I've signed up for Silver Bella! It will be sad that so many of the gals I *just* met last year (since it was my first Silver Bella) will not be there. I was hoping to build on the new relationships....

[Saucy Chick Sherry]

Your lamp is just gorgeous and now looks so much better than it was before. Love your studio as it just looks like real life. Happy weekend...

[jeanie]

Seems like every post I'm reading today from Georgia to Portland (OR) and everywhere in-between is grousing on the snow -- we're getting it today, too. Not much, but with the cold and gloom, enough to make me very snarky indeed! So thanks for the beauty bits!

[Procrastination Free Living]

The white flower it makes my mind and heart refreshing.. I like your stuff. and the article was so nice i love it..!! good luck!!