Wednesday, February 9, 2011

I can finally move on . . .

. . . to the next long term project!  I think I started this lampshade makeover over a year ago.  I'd work on it feverishly for a few days and then totally ignore it for a month or more.  Does anyone else do that?  I guess I'm a little (okay, ALOT) fickle.  I start things, lose interest, and go on to the next thing.  It seems like I never totally finish anything!  Everything I do needs tweaking!  But this project is Done!  Over!  Complete!  Finished!



Please ignore the piece in the background that is not hung on the wall yet.  That has been there for a month now but I have to walk out to the workshop to find nails long enough and there are still snowdrifts in front of the door.  You see what I mean about tweaking?  But I did hang a heart garland on it so it is almost finished!


I think I'm happy with the look of my vintage button lampshade!  But it is heck to read under!  Funky shadows!


Well, I guess it is not quite finished because the lamp has got to have something done with it!  Can I spray paint over brass?  Can anyone give me ideas for the lamp please?


Now I can start on all those leftover quilt squares that are piling up!  Or maybe the glittered letters that are half done!  No, I know!  I'll whip up some paper roses for the wedding!  See what I mean - fickle!

I'm linking to Faded Charm's White Wednesday


What have YOU finished during the long, cold winter?



39 comments:

stefanie said...

eeekkkk that is gorgeous!!!!

Unknown said...

oooh..this is outstanding. i can't imagine finishing something like that, but it sure was worth it!!!
xo
lynn

Debra@CommonGround said...

This is WONDERFUL, Connie. I've never seen this before. no wonder it took so long, but it's really a one-of-a-kind creation!
xo,
Debra

The Whistle Stop said...

That is adorable!!!! I love it! Gotta just do what you're in the mood for!
Laurie

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

Lovely...and I hear ya, I've got a few unfinished projects here and there myself ;) Laurel

Blessed Serendipity said...

That lampshade is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! Love it Connie and yes you can spray over brass. I have done it and it comes out beautiful.

Danielle

Jill said...

Connie you did it!! And, I love it! Now, how did you do it?? Did you use wire or thread? Are glued to the top and the bottom? I COMPLETELY understand about unfinished projects...you really don't want to know how much I can relate...

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Connie, wow, The lampshade is gorgeous!! I know this was a tremendous amount of work but it turned out fabulous. Love it. You can paint over brass and I have done it several times on lamps. Use a spray primer first, paint and then spray with a clear coat. I have had no problems with chipping.
Hugs,
Sherry

Diane said...

Oh, Connie ~ I LOVE it! Funky shadows though...I bet! LOL.

Lynn Stevens said...

Ohhhhh Its WONDERFUL!!! I Love it, worth waiting for Connie and yes you can paint over brass, just scuff it up a bit to give it some tooth also make sure it super clean, no greasy fingerprints. You may want to paint it off white and then distress it. Or paint it off white and antique it, either way it would look cool!
Have fun
Hugs Lynn

Susanne said...

Oh my gosh, I love, love, love this!

I have painted brass, actually I spray primed then gold leafed it first, then 5 years later I spray painted over that. I guess I really liked the shape of those old $2 lamps.
Susanne.

Crystal said...

This is so awesome!!! I love it!

Lululiz said...

That is an amazing project! I have never seen anything like it. It must have taken you ages and ages dealing with all those buttons, so worth it though, it is an incredible piece.

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Hi Connie,
this is awesome!! Love it. I too have unfinished projects.Have a wonderful weekend my friend.
Hugs,
Marie

Dorthe said...

Connie, I don`t know how you can paint the lamp,--but I know I love your shade, such a wonderfull idea-it looks very beautifull.
xo,Dorthe

foreverdecorating said...

I can see why you lost interest. I looks very time consuming but beautiful. It looks like snow, it looks like beautiful vintage buttons, it just looks so unique and outstanding.

Laurie said...

Wow -- can I link to this on Button Floozies?!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

That is gorgeous, Connie...worth all the time you put into it! Very original and creative!

Sue@MyArtsDesire said...

Can I relate to your "unfinished business"...let's just say we must be twins separated at birth!!! They were hoping that by separating us, they could divide and thus conquer our wayward gene of not crossing the finish line on all attempted projects. It didn't work, did it?

But Connie...if ever there was an inspiring reason to finish, this is IT! Oh my! I love, love, love, love this. Beyond wonderful.

I recently strung a bunch of cream buttons to use as "ribbon" on gifts. Then I twisted some more colored ones into wire. Have I posted about them? No. Why? You know why!

Love your photos too! Xo, Sue

The Catnap Cottage said...

how creative - yep, for that fickle thing, i think we all do that! lol!! the lamp shade is a beauty! just scuff up the lamp with a piece of sandpaper and clean it really well and prime and paint away. use spray paint - it is so much easier than the brush on stuff - and there are lots of cool finishes now too. good job fickle girl! lol!!

Tahnya Marie said...

Oh my gosh, this is so stunning. I have never seen anything like this before and now my head is swimming with ideas...

Createology said...

This is brilliant and I love your button shade. How unique and clever. Yes, prime and then spray paint and it should be fabulous. Happy Hearts to you...

Anonymous said...

Great unique shade. Awesome things take time. That was time well spent. Peggy

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

This is pretty...and yes, you can paint over the brass and even distress it a bit to give a vintage look.

I found this link at Button Floozies...

Stephanie ♥

RobinBirdsNest said...

Awesome! love, love, love it!

Unknown said...

Yay! I've met someone else who goes bonkers - love love this button shade!

Anonymous said...

I just came across your blog when you commented on my OWOH giveaway, but I had to comment here. This lampshade is just amazing!! I can't imagine how long this must have taken you! I guess you'll just have to read leaning the other direction. ;p I am a huge reader, so I would have to put it away from my favorite reading chair, but it is soooo worth it; a real treasure!!

Linda said...

I love it....the lamp shade is adorable. I am a button lover and I am always looking for ideas to use them. You can paint over brass...check my blog out...recently I painted two brass ceiling lights. There is a spray paint by Krylon called Fusion...no sanding or priming.....comes in several colors as well as white and it drys fast. I use it all of the time and I love it! I will be in trouble if they ever quit making it.

Curtains in My Tree said...

I also love that lamp shade. The buttons just makes it over the top fabulous

I have painted old lamps sometimes I use a metal primer then sometimes I just spray paint it.

Be sure and show a picture after you paint the base

Janice

Sarah said...

What a fun idea! I adore buttons, especially mother of pearl. This is so creative. Glad you finished and shared it. ~ Sarah

" SHABBY JUNK" said...

That is one great lampshade! That had to be hard work! Love it! judy

Laume said...

I've never seen anything like this - ADORABLE! So many new ideas now. I'm thinking maybe as a window sashing. I just took some old curtains down from the kitchen while I was painting last week. They're faded and not in style with the new direction so I don't know what to put up there instead. Fortunately the "curtains" were actually a row of store bought napkins so now I can just use them for their original purpose. Refashioning rules.

Simply Bungalow said...

Love this. It's amazing. I just found your blog and I'm so enjoying it.
~Heidi

Suz said...

Connie,
That is just amazing. I know you will treasure it! Worth all that time!
Hugs,
Suz

Julia K Walton - Fire Horse Textiles said...

What a fabulous use for spare buttons. The result is wonderful :)

imsteelefullofscrap said...

Enjoying my cup of coffee and come across your blog! Oh I am terrible at finishing things I get bored if it takes too long and want to start something else!
I love the vintage button shade did you use fishing line???

Blue Velvet Chair said...

This is absolutely lovely! And I'm right there with you for long-term projects. Just finished a DIY ottoman that took us a year to get done - with lots of down time in between.
I'm curious - did you use regular thread for the button strings?
Michael

Revi said...

I love your lamp shade! I love vintage buttons, and lamps, so this made me follow you. Found you on pinterest!
Revi
www.revisionarylife.blogspot.com

Kristin Gatlin Spencer said...

I can't believe i'm saying this...but, i wouldn't paint it! it's beautiful just the way it is, and i paint everything!