Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

New Life Through Up-Cycling


You have all been hearing me talk about our incredible neighbors.
Well' here I go again!
These two lamps were in my "yard Sale" 
a couple of months ago.
No, they didn't look like this . . .


They looked like this,see them on the right.
Look at how shabby they looked,
and not in a good way:)


Well, my friend Shirley has the golden touch
when it comes to make-overs.
She didn't just paint the lamps,
she also took the shades down to bare wire 
and recovered them.


Look at them, aren't they just adorable.
She did them for her granddaughter's new apartment,
and let her pick out the colors and fabric.

 She is going to teach me how to cover lamp shades.
That is, as soon as I have a little more time.
Probably that will be sometime after frost.
I'll be sure and do a tutorial:)

Shirley and her hubby are so talented.
Do you remember the birdhouse that he made us. 

Well, this is what he made and gave me for my birthday.

With gifts like these I just might start 
adding another year to my age , twice a year, LOL.

It looks perfect on my country porch.

 If I could make a wish and have it come true,
I would wish that all of you had neighbors like ours.

That is not because of their amazing talents,
 or their awesome generosity.
 It is because they are an honest and honorable couple.
They are the kind of neighbors that you would not be afraid to bare your soul,
and ask for prayer . . .
knowing that they would pray for you and never talk about your shortcomings.

We have known them for years 
never thinking that we would ever be neighbors.
It's it marvelous how God plans our lifes . . .

Here's wishing you all and wonderful day:)

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)
 

 

54 comments:

  1. Connie I love the lamps they are so pretty. When you learn to cover a lampshade I will be waiting for the tutorial. I have a lampshade that needs revamping. I am a nut when it comes to hearts and windchimes. Yours is so pretty and I can only imagine how nice the sound when the wind blows. Happy Birthday.

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    1. I love my new wind chime . . . it has a very delicate tone and doesn't interrupt conversation on the porch. I can not wait to learn how she does her lampshades.
      They are amazing and have the look of a very high end shop:)

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  2. What lovely and talented friends you have! Those lampshade makeovers are amazing!

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    1. Hi Cynthia, I know . . . I can not wait to learn how to do it. The only way that I ever knew was the elastic at top and bottom, and they never looks very pretty. Shirley's shades are amazing. I think that she could make a business out of doing custom lamp shades.

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  3. What a great makeover on the lamps! And I adore wind chimes! Yes, your friend is talented. I might have to have a couple of birthdays a year :) I hope you can do a tutorial on the lampshades after the frost... it'll be here before you know it!

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    1. One of these days when she has some free time, I'll have her come play with me out in the studio and she can show me. I'll be sure and take lots of photos:)

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  4. Having lovely neighbours who are friends too, truly is a blessing - and when they are talented too, well that's a bonus! I'm sure they love living next door to one as lovely as you too :-)
    Hugs xx

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  5. Darling make-over. Did it make you want the lamps back ***smile**.
    It's a blessing to have such good neighbors. We should all be that kind of a neighbor to others !!

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    1. Hi Kerin, I think that the lamps are adorable, but I do not have room for them. Our other house had a living room and a family room, now we only have a living room and it's a little bit smaller than our old one. I had a lot of things that I put in my yard sale and a lot that I just gave away. Shirley did a wonderful job on these lamps and I'm looking forward to seeing photos of her granddaughter's apartment:) We feel very blessed with them as neighbors.

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  6. Those revamped lamps look beautiful. What an amazing job your friend has done on them. Your windchime looks lovely, what lovely neighbours you have.
    Ali xx

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    1. Hi Ali, I truly love my little wind chimes, they are the perfect touch for our little country home.
      As for the lamps . . . well, she could teach me a lot, she is such a talented lady.
      Their home is amazing, every time I visit I see something that I missed seeing the first time.
      They should have their own blog:)

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  7. She did a great makeover. So good when someone else can use what you had no more use for.

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    1. Our neighbors have an amazing skill for turning trash to treasure:)

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  8. Such talented neighbours. The lamps are so chic and such a transformation. Love the wind chimes - I bet you think of your neighbours when you hear the music.

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    1. Hi Lorrie, We were blessed when we bought this little country home. Wonderful property and marvelous neighbors:)

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  9. Connie- What fun things...from the recovered lampshades (which are darling) to the sweet wind chime. What fun to see everything. Sounds like you have great neighbors. xo Diana

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    1. Hi Diana, what I wrote about them, is just the tip of the iceberg.
      It is a true blessing living nest to Christians that walk the talk
      and live their lives,not in judgement, but in love:) Life is wonderful
      here on our little country farm (that's what we like to call it). The only
      animal is Butchy, but the garden and the space makes it our little farm:)
      Thanks for stopping by. I do hope that all is well with your family, I know that
      you have been going through a lot of illness . . . you are in my prayers.

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  10. I wish your prayer would come true, Connie! Wouldn't the world's ills be solved in a heartbeat if everyone had neighbors as genuine and caring as yours!! And their talent is nothing to sneeze at either! Those lamps and the birdhouses and wind chime are all spectacular, whimsical, and fascinating!! Thanks for sharing!! Hugs, Darnell

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    1. Good Morning Darnell, This world would certainly be changed if everyone had neighbors like ours. I have a sign out in my studio that says, "be the change that you wish to see in the world". That's all that we can do, but it is surprising how a kindness can spread and touch many people along your way. Just smiling at a stranger and saying "Good Morning" or "Oh, what a lovely outfit" . . . little things like that can put a smile on their face, and cause them to continue to smile and put another smile on another persons face. I love that tiny little phrase from the bible, "The greatest of these is Love"
      I hope that my prayer are answered, too :) Thank you for your lovely comment and your sweet visit this morning.

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  11. I think I want your neighbours to move next door to me! I adore the spoons wind chime, what a fab idea. Two very talented ladies living side by side, you ought to start a shop between you, you would end up rich xxx

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    1. Hi Fran, sorry but they are my neighbors, I'm not giving them your address, LOL Besides that they would have to buy a big boat, to be your neighbors:)
      Thanks for the sweet comment, if we were younger, I think that might be a great ideas. I was thinking of a once a year craft sale, that would be fun:)

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  12. Those little lamps are just adorable. I love that they have print on them... so cute! That wind chimes is sure sweet too.
    I guess the best part would be that you have such good friends and now y'all are neighbors. A treasure.
    Oh...and the camper bird house? You can just pack that up and send it on over here. ;) I love all things camper!

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    1. I know . . . that little birdhouse is a gem. The first week that we had it hanging there, a little bird flew over and claimed it. Smart bird, right:)

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  13. You are truly blessed to have such sweet neighbors. The lamp make over is awesome as well as the other items they made for you. All so adorable!
    Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

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    1. Sweet and talented . . . I should have taken a photo of the whirligigs that he makes, too.
      They are outstanding!

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  14. The lamps are adorable! I think and hope that most of us have neighbors like that. We just have to take the time to befriend them. :)

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    1. There is a lot of truth to what you are saying. In some cases, a knock on a door and introducing yourself, and just being available as a friend can make all the difference in the world.

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  15. YOur friends became your neighbors...How wonderful is that!!?? Love what she did to the lamps and I am still drooling over the camper bird feeders. I bet they feel the same way about having you as neighbors!

    Carol

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    1. Hi Carol, I hope that they do, but the truth is I think that they got the short end of the stick, LOL. They are pretty darn special:)

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  16. Those lamps are amazing.

    I have never tried doing a lampshade, but your friend has me inspired.

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    1. Hi Carol, she is working on another one for her bedroom right now. She has made an amazing yo-o quilt for her bed and is now working on a lampshade and pillow shams. I'll see if she would mind me getting a photo when she is finished. This friend has so much talent; I hope some of it rubs off in my direction :)

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  17. Evening Connie, I love hearing your stories about everyday life....people you've known and how God always has a plan. Your friend is very talented...I think she turned those lamps into something so charming!! Your wind chimes are such a sweet gift...adorable!! And you know me...that camper birdhouse is right up my camping alley!! lol! I'm sure you will be enjoying Fall weather soon....seems like we are a month ahead here in Ohio but I believe we will have more warm days ahead. We are finally moved in...but still have much to do. Hope you and Steve are doing well.....so happy for you!! Sounds if you are loving your new place~~~Blessings~~~Roxie

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    1. Good Morning Roxie, it is always a pleasure to see you here in my comments. We are truly blessed with our lovely and talented neighbors. We still have a lot to get done on our place, before cold weather. I am taking a short trip to visit our daughter and then next weekend we have a lot going on, but it's time to get started on our new windows. I think that I will get a few ordered and then while we are putting them in, I'll order a few more. I really don't want more around than we have the time to work on. Windows are not safe around anyone as clumsy as me. I am so happy that you are getting moved in. It will be nice to be moved in before cold weather and to spend the holidays in your new home:)

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  18. Replies
    1. Hi Becky, I know aren't they delightful. That young lady is very fortunate to have such sweet grandparents. They have been collecting furniture and redoing pieces in her colors; I just know that her apartment is going to be adorable.

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  19. Hi Connie,

    What wonderful neighbors! I am blessed to have some wonderful neighbors too! Every year when he cleans his chimney he also cleans mine. Your friend definitely has a talent of making beautiful lamps! What a lucky granddaughter - to have such a talented grandmother! Mine was a fantastic cook and we'd all gather at her house for weekend gatherings with other relatives.

    I need to go visit your Blog Hop post. I'm sorry I haven't be around sooner.

    Hugs,
    Kay

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    1. Hi Kay, I always get excited when I see that you have visited. I love the picture you painted in my mind of all of you gathered around your grandmother's table enjoying a home cooked meal together. I can almost smell her kitchen . . . oh, wait a minute it's my zuccinni bread in the oven, LOL. Having good neighbors is truly a blessing.

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  20. The lamp looks wonderful! I'll be happy if you do a tutorial on lamp shades because they are so expensive and still so boring looking most of the time... But I don't know how to do my own.

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    1. I think that there are a lot of us that want to learn to transform lamp shades like my friend Shirley does. They are very expensive and like you said "boring" . . . when we learn this, we can match them to any decor. I'm excited about learning it , too:) Just think . . . any color, any pattern, any texture, any trim etc.

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  21. Hello Connie Just found your wonderful blog via Kay (505whimsygirl) when she tagged you for TCBH. Just became your newest follower, and certainly enjoyed the lovely pictures you shared of the beautiful lamp makeover and the wind chimes. Lucky you to have such good neighbors (and it's great that they are generous with their talents too). Recovering lamp shades is something I always wanted to try, so good luck when you finally get time for a lesson. These lamps turned out fabulously. Will be looking forward to your post with TCBH and getting to know a new friend. Hope you'll find time to visit me as well. TFS

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    1. Hi Mary, It always excites me to make a new friends and I will be visiting your blog, after I finish typing this reply. We are blessed with our neighbors, they have enriched our lives in many ways. Come back and check out the post before this one . . . it is my TCBH post. You will be introduced to three very lovely ladies and their creative blogs. Thanks so much for following me, I consider it an honor:)

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  22. Hi Connie, my new peanut loving friend. It is so nice to meet you and I now follow your blog!

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    1. "Well, hello Dolly" . . . oh, I bet you get that a lot:) Thank so much for following me back. Your blog is charming . . . I am having fun going through your archives:)

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  23. Hi Connie!! What amazing neighbors you have!! The lamps look fabulous!! I love the bird feeders and wind chimes!! I'm so glad you stopped by my blog so I could find yours!! I enjoyed scrolling through your posts and getting to know you better!! I love your crafty Art Barn!! I hope you post pictures when you are finished inside!! And I always love meeting fellow Hoosiers :) I'm happy to be your newest follower!! Thank you so much for voting for my card - I appreciate it so much!! Be sure you stop back by my blog and add your name to the linky - I'm having a giveaway for everyone who votes!! Have a wonderful evening :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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    1. Good Morning Lisa, am delighted to see you here and that you are my newest follower . . . how fun! I just returned from a road trip, so i've been away from blogging for the last four days. Every now and then we need to get away . . . I was visiting our daughter and granddaughters and helping celebrate our youngest granddaughter's seventh birthday:) I'm good forward to a grand new blogging friendship with you, welcome to my blog:)

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  24. Blessings of dear friends,,, the best !
    I luv the little re-purposed colander & flatware,,, so cute.

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    1. I just love that little wind-chime, it is delightful! Our neighbors are amazing:)
      I purchased the most adorable necklace on a trip that I just returned from. It is made from a table knife . . . shared it with our neighbors because I know that he can make them. I found it in a darning little shop in Joseph, Oregon and will be showing it in a post sometime soon:)

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  25. Your friend is very talented. I would be so intimidated to take the shades down to the wire. The new fabric and paint is just the update the lamps needed.

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    1. Hi Brandi, I would be too, if I didn't have Shirley to help me through it. I'm excited to find the perfect lamp shade and have her teach me. I already have a place for one . . . I just have to go thrifting for what I need, as far as size:)

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  26. How awesome! What wonderful neighbors you have! Those lamps are gorgeous all done up and the wind chimes are so creative!:)

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    1. What can I say, we are blessed! The best neighbors ever and we enjoy so many of the same things, including trash to treasure.
      It is sure a pleasure having them right next door:)

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  27. Those are darling! How neat that you got to move next to your good friends.

    Hugs,
    Kathy M.

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