Wednesday, August 10, 2011

My First Lampshade!

I can't believe it's been a month since I posted! Blame it on the heat. I do. I've become lethargic, escaping for hours into the pretend world of books.

I've only done a few things since last I posted. Back then, I promised I would finish the lampshade I was working on within a matter of days. Took me quite a bit longer to get it right. It was the first I ever covered that wasn't simply cutting and gluing. But my first effort left me with wonky trim and the shade just a bit too short for the lamp.

So I ripped off the trim, replaced the bit that covers the spokes, and added a 1" pleated trim at the bottom, then used gimp as the finishing touch.

Here's the end result. Still nothing I'd enter in the county fair (if we had one), but it's better than a sharp stick in the eye! (The glass lamp is a vintage one I found at a thrift store in Eureka Springs AR.)


An up-close shot:


The back:


Hoping that practice makes perfect, I'm currently working on the embroidery for a second lampshade. I should have that completed by tomorrow, then we'll see how well I do with the rest.

What else have I been doing, did you ask? I had lunch with my oldest sis a couple of weeks back and she brought me two vintage brooches to use in my crafting. One I've already put to use in a flower brooch.


I'm kinda liking the look of it. I think it'd be spiffy on a winter coat.

The final thing? I mentioned losing myself in fictional worlds. Well, those worlds were expertly crafted by a dear friend, Linnea Sinclair. I first read her work back in '99 when she and I critiqued  each other's work. She was a great deal of help with mine, but I was blown away by hers. While I finally put away my dreams of being published again, she's become an award-winning author of sci-fi romance for Bantam. Check out her website here. And her list of books here.

I hope this hot, hot summer is keeping all of you well. Take care.