Try it Tuesday

Welcome to my first post on "Try it Tuesday"! 

I'm fairly certain that many of you are like me...you have to rely on your significant other to "help" you with some of your projects.  I'll admit, I depend heavily on Dean for the heavy lifting, power tools and wiring.  Because of this, I usually have to wait until he can get to them, and that's usually not acceptable to my sometimes (more often) impatient personality. 

No more whining!  Some of the projects he does for me are so simple, I know I can do them!   He is so good at what he does and I do love watching him at work on my projects....but, he works full-time and the last thing he wants is for me to have a long "honey-do" list waiting for him when he gets home.

So, on this day I tried something new and the results were very self-satisfying.  I WIRED A LAMP!  With just a little oversight from my hubby, I DID IT!!!  Now I know I can do it all by myself from now on - and you can, too! 

 

My project lamp is this really sweet little lamp that I found last week in Tennessee.  Obviously, I have an obsession with lamps!

I just love the details! Little nicks and all.

I originally planned to do a tutorial on this, but since I'm not a certified electrician, or anything close, I don't feel that I'm qualified to do that. :)  There are lots of places on the internet that give you step-by-step instructions. It really is an easy process!

 

 

After all is said and done - I have a new little lamp that will sit proudly on my sewing table. I just used a lampshade that I already had....but I'll be creating something extra special for her in the next few days.

 

"I am always doing things I can’t do — that’s how I get to do them."
- Pablo Picasso

 

 

Make It Happen Monday!

Are you ready?  This is the first of my weekly posts I'm calling "Make It Happen Monday"! 

 

If you're like me, you have piles and piles of projects that get pushed back and never get done.  My garage is still packed full of projects, so I've decided that each Monday (the day that I find the hardest to get motivated) I will pick a "back pile" project and get 'er done!

This morning, I brought out a pair of Gone With the Wind lamps that I purchased several years ago.  They were in really rough shape and needed a lot of work.  I feared not because I knew they could be saved and made pretty again.

 

The necks were weak and didn't hold the globes very well.

 

They were icky and rusty, not to mention the nasty old dead bugs.

The bases were badly corroded.  This is definitely NOT the good kind of patina!
 



Dean did the hard work of taking the lamps apart so that I could clean every little inch. When I was all done with that, the first thing that needed my attention was the metal.  Luckily, Deep Creek Vintage now sells the perfect solution! 
Baroque Art Gilder's Paste! 

 

It went on incredibly easy, much like shoe polish....and it dried so fast and hard with no smudging!  I just used a sponge brush to apply and decided to leave some of the old patina shining through.
 

Just look at the difference it made!  I'm in love with this stuff!

 



We reassembled, tightened and rewired the lamps and voila! - a beautiful "new" pair of lamps!

 

I took these pictures before I added the chimneys. 

 

 

I hope this post will inspire you to make it happen!

 

 

See you tomorrow at Try It Tuesday!

 

 

 

  

I've been lost....but now I'm found!

Yes, I have been MIA lately, but I took a much needed break from pretty much everything while I crawled into my cocoon, including doing anything new for the shop.  The last few months were crazy busy and I really needed a break.  Shame on me....but I am feeling so rejuvenated now! 

 

I think I finally got my Mojo back from Dr. Evil.....

 

Yesterday, after a trip to the shop to bring more things in, I stopped at a local thrift shop and found this amazing dresser!!

As soon as I saw it, I ran to it HOPING it hadn't been sold yet.  I've missed so many great pieces by being too late.  YAY!  It was still available!  So, after paying for it, I gave a great show to everyone when I had to pull everything out of my Explorer to fit this in, then cram everything back in.  I had a big pile of stuff as my front passenger, but I got it home!

 I highly do not recommend driving like this!
 

I have something in mind for it....and I want to keep as much of the wood showing as I can.  The top needs some work, including stripping off the veneer - so I will have to do some painting on it.

YES, I feel the excitement coming back!  This one will be very sophisticated with just a touch of masculinity when I'm done.  Fortunately, and unfortunately, we'll be on vacation next week and it'll have to wait until I get back.

 

Everyone needs a little break once in a while....and I'm so glad that I took one.  No doubt, being burned out is very bad for the soul...and the creative mind.