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Sunday, September 16, 2018

Fall Pine Cone Cluster

One thing that I have plenty of is pine cones.  I have been trying to find ways to utilize them in different ways and my newest creation is this pine cone cluster for fall.
I went out gather pine cones this morning then baked them for 45 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.  Then I glued burlap ribbon in different lengths to the top of each pine cone.   
I had some fall colored hydrangeas that were then glued to the top where the ribbon is glued on to the pine cone.  I ran out of hot glue sticks (how unheard of?!) so I had to be creative to put the ribbons together to hang. 
A twist tie came to the rescue!  I just used it to bunch the ribbons together and then used another one to attach the cluster to my vintage gate.  I was going to tie a bow at the top of the ribbon but I attached an orange flower instead. 
This was a fun and fairly quick project to complete.  I have a lot more pine cones so I think a Christmas cluster as well as a winter cluster will be happening.  Who knows what else I might come up with for all of my pine cones!


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Sunday, September 2, 2018

Thrift Store Lamp Makeover

I have been searching every thrift store and every yard sale I go to for lamps.  I didn't really care what they looked like, I just wanted a matching set for my living room.  While at the Idaho Youth Ranch today, I spotted a matching pair of shiny gold lamps and at $4.99 each, they came home with me for a makeover!
After we bought these lamps, we headed to Walmart to pick out some spray paint.  Rustoleum Turquoise Sky was the winner today.  If I change my mind later, I will just spray them a different color...I just love spray paint! 
I scuffed them up and then cleaned them with glass cleaner before handing them over to my handy hubby to paint.  Since he paints cars for a living, I figured he would do a much better job than I would and I was right.  I am loving the way my lamps turned out! 
I have had these lamp shades for years and never had a use for them.  I tried to spray paint white over them to tone down the black but that didn't work. Although they aren't exactly what I was going for, they will work for now.  
They are perfect on each side of the couch in my living room.  Next up, making new end tables! 
I am kind of looking forward to it getting dark tonight so I can turn off the lights and admire my new lamps in my favorite color. 
It's amazing what some spray paint and a little creativity can do to make your vision come to life.  Don't pass up those horribly ugly gold lamps that you might find in the thrift store.  You can always give them new life with some spray paint like I did! 

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