Lampshade Update

Most of our lamps are from the early 2000's.  Nothing wrong with that and everything still works.  However, some of the lampshades are yellowing or otherwise falling apart and I am getting tired of looking at them.  When I ran across a beautiful silk drum style shade at the thrift store, I was happy to take it home.  The picture on the left shows our old shade made of nice handmade looking paper, however, it is hanging on with Scotch tape.  Very sad.

I took the recently acquired lampshade, and since it is silk, I stamped it with acid free pigment ink in a simple design.

The real obstacle to my plan switching lampshades was that the new one was made with a smaller Slip UNO fitting than my floor lamp takes.  This was no surprise since, IKEA lamps are known for this and I was pretty confident I would be able to switch out the fittings.  How hard could it be?  (See the next photo for the original shade fitting, silver, middle right; and the new, larger white ring in the center of the shade.)

Dang, solder doesn't do the trick

Turns out pretty hard.


Nope, not glue either

I first tried to solder it but the solder just rolled off the surfaces---even off my roughed up wire.  OK, so on to plan B.  I tried gluing it in.  I used two different kinds of glue but neither could hold up the weight of the shade with the small contact that the wires made on the fitting.  I did think the use of binder clips to hold the drying components in place was pretty clever though.  :)

Tried screwing on wire terminals

Next I tried looking it up on Youtube.  Probably what I should have started with this step, but surprisingly, it was no help.
So off to Home Depot.  The staff there suggested I put three little holes in the UNO and screw on wire terminals.  I would then clamp the terminals down tight onto the wire.  Again, I had a problem with the weight of the shade overpowering the small contact points with the wire.

Finally in desperation I took apart a second IKEA lampshade and overlapped the wires.  Not elegant but works. 


not the most elegant solution

So in the end, I am enjoying my lampshade but I have to say Never Doing This Project Again. Of course, if I did, I would know how.

Finally can enjoy my lamp again!

Insights Makers

 This week instead of my usual schedule I worked with the Lansing Makers Network (LMN) as a volunteer (and member) to host a group of Lansing elementary school children.  The children were part of an enrichment program called BEYOND Insights.  Each year the BEYOND Insights program has a different theme and activities.  This year the children, grades 3-6, worked on projects such as creating their own museum displays on Egyptian history with activities such as making their own mummy, and making papyrus paper.
To celebrate the end of the year, the BEYOND Insights group decided to supplement their STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) curriculum with activities at LMN.  The members had a great time working with the children.  We divided the children into small groups to work on a variety of projects.  The children made and decorated wooden planters, visited the woodworking area, had demonstrations of the lasercutter and 3D printers, had a slowest marble anti-race (sort of Rube-Goldberg-ifying a marble race,) and created an electromagnetic motor.  The members of the Lansing Maker's Network did a phenomenal job creating all of the kits for the different activities. 
I am really proud to be a part of such a great group.

 

 

An example of Rube Goldberg machine, OK Go's video for This Too Shall Pass

Gelli Plate Experiment & Star Attraction

I have had fun in the past experimenting with gelatin plate printing so when I discovered the Gelli printing plate I was pretty interested to work with it too.  The Gelli plate has a clear, soft surface.  It holds it's shape, unlike the slow (or sometimes quick) decomposition of gelatin.
I first tried printing on fabric using my usual Jacquard fabric paints.  I did not like the response of the paints to the printing plate.  I need to experiment further but the paints seemed to react to the plate.  Once dry, the paint easily peeled off of my silk, an effect I have not seen before. 
My next experiments were much more successful.  I made the prints shown here using lightweight cardstock paper shapes.  This time I used transparent and semi-transparent Liquitex Basics acrylic paints. 

Steps to Monoprinting
1. Smooth a small amount of paint with brayer on the Gelli plate.
2. Quickly arrange cardstock cut-out shapes on plate
3. Align paper over plate
4. Gently but firmly press hand all over paper.
5. Carefully lift paper and set aside.
6. Remove cutouts. Optional, place 2nd paper down to pick up ghost image (paint that remains on the plate.
7. Clean Gelli plate and brayer. (I used wetwipes.)

In other news, a new fabric design available in my shop: Star Attraction.

Fairies, Mom, & Still the Giveaway

It has been a while since I worked on a doll of any size.  Doll Street Dreamers is having a fairy swap for members.  The deadline has not yet arrived so you still have time to join and participate.
This is my Pink Fairy for the Mini Fairy swap.  She is of my own design.  Her body is cotton and she has paper wings, organza and chiffon dress and rainbow dyed mohair hair.

In other news, Spoonflower's  weekly contest is designing a floral border print.  Spoonflower suggests the design could become a skirt for mom.  If you remember my post on my chicken curtains that you won't be surprised my design, Garden Path with Onagadoris Yellow Border, includes roosters in with the flowers.  My mom always liked the bright colors that complement her dark hair and fair skin.  I think she would like this.  Please consider voting starting on Thursday, until then the Bee contest is still up.  See previous post.

Garden Path with Onagadoris Yellow Border

And lastly, my celebration giveaway on Spoonflower is still running until the end of April.  Drawing will be held May 1.  Comment with your favorite of my designs for a chance to win and favorite a design for a second chance. 

New Milestone Giveaway! And Bees!

Things have been silent here on the blog for a couple of months.  My husband had knee replacement surgery so I have been a busy bee helping him plus doing the extra the things around the house that he normally does.  Things are getting back to normal now, thankfully.
So here I am with three things.  First, I am back with another Spoonflower contest.  This week's theme is Bees.  It was difficult to decide between my designs and polling my friends resulted in a three way tie so I went with this one.  Please consider voting.

Busy Bees Blue

Here are other two designs.

Busy Bees on Lavendar

Busy Bees on Yellow Daisies

 And now for the milestone.  I have finally broken the 100 favorites barrier on Spoonflower for one of my designs.   To celebrate I am giving away three yards of fabric of any of my designs.  To be entered into the drawing, simply comment on my blog naming your favorite of my designs from my shop.  To get an extra entry favorite my design on Spoonflower.  These entries will be combined with my Facebook entries.  The drawing will be May 1st.

And for the last little giveaway.  Spoonflower is giving away a swatch of their new fabric Cotton Lawn Ultra.  Simply enter the coupon code freelawn.

A little Bee PSA

Fierce Little Rose

This week's post features more sewing for my daughter.  She is still really into pink, so, while I have other colors of this design in my shop I went with her favorites.  I made two items for her in organic cotton knit, a drop waist dress with a Peter Pan collar and scalloped skirt and a pair of pants with a tuxedo strip.  I just love this photo of her looking fierce.
For the dress I used two of my designs, Hexie Roses Deep Hues (the top) and Profusion of Roses in Reds (the skirt.)  For the accents, I used Damask Matisse Style by littlerhodydesign.
The pants have a flower button waistband and use my Hexie Roses Deep Hues design and littlerhodydesign's Damask Matisse Style for the tuxedo stripe.
 My daughter is such a fun model it provides and extra incentive to sew for her.

Spring Romance

This week I am highlighting some of my more romantic inspired fabrics.  First of all is my entry into the Steampunk Valentine contest.  It was inspired by Victorian valentines and Steampunk costumes.  I love the playfulness of Steampunk.  I even included my favorite Steampunk singer, Professor Elemental, because he has a song that just makes me so happy.  Please consider voting.  The design will be available as fabric, wallpaper or giftwrap within a month.  Let me know if you need it sooner.

These next designs are not Steampunk but they are all about the beginning of spring.  They are inspired by heart shapes, flowers and the little florets on the trees as they begin to blossom.  These fabrics are available in my Spoonflower shop.