~VINTAGE CHRISTMAS GRAPHICS MADE SWEET and NEW~

~ORIGINAL CANDY CANE GRAPHIC~

Over the past few months I've extolled the benefits of learning several different photo-shopping programs that teach peeps like me who are L'ordinateur A Défié (that means Computer Challenged in French) how to do neat stuff with aging graphics and copyright free images using their home computers.  Learning the best way to manipulate a variety of designs has captured my fancy and I find I'm continually amazed at what someone like me can actually do! L'ordinateur A Défié!  L'ordinateur A Défié!  It just sounds so much better in French!

~RECOLORIZED IN CREAM~

Cleaned-Up & Refashioned

That said...I don't want to send you down a rabbit hole because learning any such program can really be difficult.  At least it has been for me.  I've shared with you before that I scream out call out nicely for my Mr. AGPMan when I'm really stumped and if he's not around I dial-up my computer-techno-genius son, Brandon.  Both my guys help me out a lot...but what I've found is that there is NOTHING better than good-old-fashioned PRACTICING!  This of course takes many hours and renders my now contact dependent eyes tired and red.  Too much computer time can even put me in a foul little mood when I struggle for hours to get something just right only to have it disappear from my screen (I'm learning to hit that SAVE button more and more and more!).

~RECOLORIZED IN PINK~

Cleaned-Up & Refashioned

At the very top you will see a vintage sixty-five year old greeting card from 1945 (I actually have the entire dated box with coordinating cards as well).  The original design had yellowed and it's narrow layout was impossible for me to use "as-is".  I've loved this Candy Cane image for so long and after redesigning it I'm hoping it will be perfect for use in lots of sweet Christmas projects and website offerings this year!  I removed the sentiment at the top and also the glitterized snowflakes because they had a deep patina to them and have a tendency to print out very dark!  All the manipulation was done using the computer program PAINT SHOP PRO!!!  Maybe for PINK SATURDAY I will show you a Pillow using the Candy Cane refashioned on the PINK!

For those of you who love this kind of design work I hope you'll take some time out of your busy life to learn some of it.  It can be fun and the rewards are huge!  I'm not savvy enough to ever do a tutorial...I'll save that to the brainiacs of the world!

I hope you are inspired.  I'm going to say it again...if I can do this you can, too!

Blessings for an awesome Wednesday...

Love to you~

 

~THE BLESSING of PINK and Thoughts on a Summer Day~

~THE BLESSING OF PINK~

Of all the colors I’m starting to think

That I’m truly destined to dearly love pink

It soothes my soul and blesses my being

My heart ever joyful from the beauty I’m seeing

Of all of the colors I’m starting to think

That life isn’t possible without loving pink

For without it the ocean and shells in the sand

Would not be as beautiful, lovely or grand

I dream of a garden, soft petals in blush

Entwined in a trellis, pink flowers a must

Climbing and vining wherever life goes

While thanking my Maker for the tiniest rose

Of all of the colors I’m humbled to think

God gifted my heart by creating all pink

From down here on earth to the heavens above

He’s fashioned the universe with the color of love

For pink brings me laughter, sweetness and bliss

A gentle reminder of life’s dearest kiss

Wherever I wander and whatever I do

I pray God’s pink blessings of goodness on you

Rebecca Suzanne/2010

Blessings to you this lovely, lovely summer day.  

~HOW TO MAKEOVER A LAMPSHADE - A Tutorial For You~

~How To Cover A Lampshade~

(and make it look fabulous!)

 **Left Click Pictures to Enlarge**

Ever see those lovely little lampshades in those charming boutiques that are decorated with the latest fabrics and trims and found yourself wondering how they were made?  Well have I got a treat for you today!  I'm going to show you how and share with you some tips on how I get mine to look the way I do.

I've made and sold refashioned lampshades for over 20 years and the basic way of covering them hasn't changed much at all.  The fabrics and trims have changed, but not the instructions!  So...I've a put a little tutorial together for you with seventeen pictures with notes at the bottom of each one and hope you'll try your hand at making a few for your own home.  The tutorial is for the shabby cottage chic shade you see above, but you can tweak it for any style you like best!

You will need the following:  Lampshade, Scissors, Fabric, Ribbon, Gimp and/or Braid(several kinds), Hot Glue & Gun, Sewing Machine (or needle and thread for gathering ribbon), pen and paper and a tape measure.

Begin by removing the binding from around the bottom of the shade.  Be careful not to pull too hard or you may tear the inside lining of the shade.

Next make a paper template by tracing around one section of the shade.

Cut out your choice of fabric making sure you have enough to cover all sections of your lampshade.

Next, using the Spray Adhesive (DURO) you see above, on the back side of the fabric spray ONE PIECE (more will dry out) at a time making sure the glue generously coats the fabric.  Use too little and the fabric will pucker on the shade.  Use too much and the glue will come through to the other side. 

Begin covering your shade until all sections are completed.

Next, hot glue your gimp (braid) down the spines of the Lampshade cutting it off just short of the top and bottom edge.  Do this until all the spines are covered

Your Shade should look something like this!

There are lots of things you can use to embellish your Lampshade.  Ribbon, Lace, Rickrack, etc.  Use your imagination!  I chose to use loops of ribbon around the top edge and base of my shade.  However, lots of things will work.  You may even choose to leave the top edge plain.

After hot gluing your top/bottom trim in place, use a complementary trim to cover your raw edges.  Hot glue in place.

After hot gluing your top/bottom trim in place, flip the lampshade onto it's top and begin hot gluing your choice of gimp (braid) in place.  This covers up any old glue residue from the original banding.

It should look something like this when you are done.

Your final touch can be either ribbon or braiding (tassels, etc.)!  Just tie your favorite little find around the top edge and you are done!

Here's mine again...

And with the light on...

And here's one I have in my studio!  They can be made to fit into any decor and look beautiful in most any color!

My only word of caution comes regarding the thickness of fabric.  The best fabrics for this kind of shade covering are light to medium weight cottons.  Anything thicker just doesn't want to stick!

Hope you enjoyed a peek into one of the many things I love to do!

Blessings for a wonderful day.  I'm going to take a nap now!

Love to you~