hey there everyone! are you ready to burst into child-like singsong with that title? it's all i could chant as i was working on a project for my spare bedroom. i wanted to replace the teeny tiny lamp on the bedside table. upon which i remembered a chunky wood spindle lamp i had. thing was i didn't want an ordinary shade to top it. visualizing a wire frame minus the fabric...a dig thru my "stashes" yielded nada. then i caught a glimpse of the pile of potato baskets hiding in the shadows. literally a light bulb "aha!" moment!
and as the lyrics go...{1} potato...{2} potato...{3} potato...
and don't think i forgot the {4}! because here it sits {below}...
i took random pages of ephemera & wove them thru the wirework of the basket. then popped it on top of my weathered lamp base...left the handle dangling for a bit of whimsy and finished it off with a diminutive wood ball finial. now it's one hot potato if i do say so! exactly what i wanted. casual character galore! and just so you get the big picture...here's what it looks like {below} as a whole!
almost makes me want to burst into yet another song - you light up my life! but i know where my strengths lie and singing is not one of them. so i will stick to the kiddie singsongs! in which case the stack of little tablets in the crock may jog another tune...and i think you all know his NAME-O!
i will send you off today with a medley of songs that will soon be stuck in your head like they are mine! maybe they will inspire a project or two of your own! or at least make you skip to your lou...
happy day!
Hi Beth,
Haven't been by for a while, so it was fun to read your last few posts. Just love the cleverness of your lampshade. Weaving the old papers randomly through the basket wires looks so wonderful, textural, and vintage-y. You rocked this project, girl (no big surprise there; everything with your "touch" turns out pretty magical)!
Thanks for the tunes now stuck in my head,
Maggie
Posted by: maggie raguse | February 16, 2012 at 03:38 PM
That is super cute!
Posted by: Katie Mansfield | February 16, 2012 at 03:59 PM
I Love, Love, Love that lamp!!! You need to put that on Pinterest - I know there is a way, but I'm not too tech savy! Gorgeous!
Posted by: Sue Pagels | February 16, 2012 at 04:43 PM
very cute and creative!! i enjoy your beautiful blog! thank you!
Posted by: lucy | February 17, 2012 at 05:30 AM
Love your lampshade. I think I can hear a stampede of others looking to recreate this unique shade!
Posted by: Pamela Manes | February 17, 2012 at 04:02 PM
Brilliant! Love it!
Posted by: Last minute lynn | February 18, 2012 at 06:10 AM
Oh my gosh, your light shade is to die for!
Posted by: Ali Manning | February 19, 2012 at 04:47 PM
GORGEOUS! oh the lamp is soooo you! it is vintage & fresh all wrapped up together! darling! xo
www.NorthernCottage.net
Posted by: northern cottage | February 21, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Love the look of your lampshade...but be careful that the bulb is not too hot or that the paper makes a fire.. There is a reason that purchased lampshades have all those ratings and fire proof shades!!
Small House/ Big Sky Donna
http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com
Posted by: Donna Allgaier-Lamberti | April 01, 2012 at 06:22 AM
I LOVE your basket lamp!!!
Posted by: Lisa | December 04, 2012 at 09:47 AM
Such a neat idea...love it!
Posted by: Rondell | December 22, 2013 at 09:54 AM
Love, Love, LOVE your basket lampshade with book pages!
Posted by: Delia | January 07, 2014 at 07:10 PM