To resolve or not

Here is the tricky part. Is it a resolution if you just obsessively think it but don't write it down on you 2010 resolution list. I didn't write down "Use stash first". I have this problem every year. I love my craft stash. Sure I have more than I might ever use, yes it is often sufficating to have. Really I could write pages about the love hate relationship I have with my craft stash. I won't bore you with it here, really just read anything about hoarding, I think that is how I am with my craft stash.

This past weekend I took the plunge. I actually completed two projects that have been bugging me for a while. Part of my hoard of craft supplies is lamps, yes, lamps. Especially free or very nearly free pressed or cut glass lamps. This weekend I tasked my DH to go out to the garage and get two of the lamps, his choice (he went out in shorts and flip flops in negative degrees, I guess he really does want my things out of the garage, huh?). He brought in one that was perfect in a corner of our living room and another that was perfect for my bedside stand.

Both lamps needed shades. Lucky(?) me I had thoughtfull picked up lamp shades whenever they are free also. Of course the lamps needed to be cleaned, rewired and the shades recovered. The larger lamp actually turned out to be the easier project. DH rewired the lamp and I covered the shade. Attesting to the size of my fabric sewing stash I had the perfect gold striped silky poly fabric, white cotton sheeting for the shade lining and even perfectly matching trim for the top and the bottom. I simply googled for recovering a lamp shade and tweaked it until it looked like I wanted. It was about an hours work-- total cost- $1.00 lamp, free-shade, stash fabric for shade and about 1.50 in rewiring supplies. I think it looks great. There are a few things I would do differently next time but all in all not to bad for a few bucks.

The little lamp proved to be tricker. It had a different set of wiring, options for 1st bulb, 2nd bulb, or both to be on. It was also a little bugger to clean, some sort of nasty was in that glass ball. The shade was a simple top hoop, bottom hoop design so I had to wing the pattern. The shade on the first was easy and I could largely use hot glue, not so the little one, hand sewing all the way. I think it turned out adorable though.

These projects have really got me hopping though. I love my sewing machine and I am hearing its siren call right now. The boys birthdays are in Feb and April and I have dreams of knitting sweaters, hats and sewing quilts. Ah, but it is good to have dreams right?!

Sew Liberated Book GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sew Liberated Book GIVEAWAY!!!!

Do the fantastic giveaways never end. Must find the time for my sewing machine this week.

Neige $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Neige $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

I am a sucker for lovely children's clothes. I have spent more on boutique clothes than I would like to admit. I wish Grosgrain didn't show me this store, because I don't need to spend anymore money but I love this site.

Genius wrapping ideas for the Earth and wallet

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2009/10/make-gift-bow-from-magazine-page.html
Brillant- simply brillant!

Gifts I want but don't dare ask for . . .

. . . or the title could read, In Case the Husbnad Doesn't Think I'm crazy enough

I love this Meadow Lyre
http://www.bellalunatoys.com/musicbooks/items/meadowlyre.htm
The fact that I am not musically inclined at all doesn't seem to be entering into the picture.

Tap Shoes
I so wish these were my size http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34600208&ref=sr_gallery_15&&ga_search_query=tap+shoes&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Thoughts for today

Random bits wandering about in my head today:

I love my boys!
I love snow!
I love everything about the holiday season except this. Not being able to find the perfect gift for someone on your list that really deserves the perfect gift.

Stuck on an ornament

Every year I make an ornament for friends and family. I think it is a nice way to be able to give someone a gift while still being small and none of the pressure of reciprocating the gift giving. I just really love making and giving gifts.
This year I would love to include Finn in on this tradition. I am out of ideas though. I may have used them all up this last weekend with the nieces and Finn and the adults, truth be known (you know you loved craft time!).
If it was just me I would stay up until midnight to make these little baskets, I am obsessed with them, http://frontierdreams.blogspot.com/. Do you think a 4 year old would get in on the felting?