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Thursday, May 10, 2012

DIY PillowCase Lamp

I'm annoyed that I didn't take more photos of this project as I went along but there was a movie on while I was doing it so I was a bit distracted. 

Anyway it isn't rocket science so you should be fine. I got the inspiration for this idea from Tater Tots & Jello but she cheated because she used pre-ruffled fabric. Just saying. 

So in order to do a project such as this you will need: 

Lamp
Scissors (preferably fabric)
Glue Gun 
Pillowcase (preferably with a ruffle trim, it makes it easier) or some other fabric

Start by cutting your chosen fabric into inch wide strips, make sure your fabric piece is long enough to wrap all the way around your lamp. I was only using a little lamp shade so I didn't have to worry too much about this. You can vary the width of your strips depending on what type of look you want, I wanted a textured look so I made mine fairly close together when I applied them. 

My $10 lamp from Kmart. I'm sure you can find one at an op shop (thrift store). 

A pillowcase my boss was throwing out. 
Next you can start hot glueing your pieces of fabric around the lamp starting at the top and working your way down. Be sure to keep the strips taught as you go around if you want a "Mummy" type look. I wanted mine to be flat but if you want more of a "ruffled" effect just don't be so pedantic about applying it smoothly. While applying the strips you can go perfectly across and make straight lines or you can be a little messy and make them go up and down a bit, I chose the latter. J suggested I make them straight and even, but the lamp is on my side of the bed. 

Once you are finished wrapping your "mummy" strips around the lamp you need to cap off the top and bottom to give it a finished and neat look. I used a nice even piece from my strips for the top and just hot glued it over the top of the other strips. 

For the bottom I used the left over ruffle pieces from the pillowcase. I hot glued it on as a whole piece (wish I had photos) and then trimmed it down so it just barely hung past the edge of the lamp. J liked it with the long granny ruffle but I didn't because it looked like a jellyfish, apparently that is what he found appealing about it. 

The ruffled edge from the pillowcase that I just cut down.
I made it uneven because I like the roughness. 
I love it lit up, it looks so much more textured.
I had to use my phone for this photo so it isn't the best image. Sorry.
Adds some nice colour to my bedside table
(an old box that I covered with a vintage tea towel (kitchen towel) from J's mom's house. 
I am currently trying to find a pretty ribbon to tie around it to just finish it off. But for now I am happy with my funky little lamp. I think it adds some much needed colour to our bedroom. 


Sunday, May 6, 2012

Free couch

J and I saw this little beauty on the way home from church yesterday. With a big old FREE GIVEAWAY sign next to it. I wish I had got a before shot but pretty much it just needed a good clean and it was like new! We now have a beautiful music room couch. Isn't God awesome? :)

Can't wait to decorate this little room :)
Douges and Trip can't figure out why they aren't allowed
to lay on this couch. (it isn't leather)

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Brenner Birthday Bash

Yesterday J and I went down the coast to visit the fat one (our niece) and her parents for her mum's birthday! We went to the Max Brenner there in BroadBeach I believe it was, anyway here is a map to it.


For those of you who don't know and honestly I don't know how you can't know what Max Brenner is, it is a Chocolate Bar. I remember my first encounter with 'The BaldMan,' it was during my first year at Avondale College  and I was out late with my sister (a chocolate Lover) and her friends.

The Bald Man himself, I always pictured him black...
for some reason.
One of them suggested we go to Max Brenner, and during the thirty minute drive to the place I got a complete review of how incredibly amazing this place was. To be honest I did love the atmosphere and the look and the chocolate of the place, but it was over crowded and expensive. Since then I have been back when I wasn't on a college budget and I enjoyed it quite a bit more, but it is still expensive.

Yesterday half of us ordered the Babka. I think that is what it was called, anyway it is essentially a tower cinnamon roll, just replace the cinnamon with chocolate and ad a little shot of dipping chocolate on the side. It is really quite delicious.

The Babka

I had the Mocha, which was very nice, very very sweet but very nice. And the birthday girl got a white chocolate Chai Tea, and she seemed to enjoy it.

Needless to say we were all on a chocolate high. Even little Faddi, she is pulling her chocolate face below.



Half the fun of Max Brenner are the funky cups and mugs they have made special for their store. One of which is called the "Hug Mug"  It just goes to show a few simple details can take a store a long way.

All in all this is one of the best Max Brenner's I have been to, the service is quick, which is rare for a MB, the it is not over crowded and has a lovely outside seating area. If you are looking for a special afternoon delight, this is the place to go. And they even have a few things on the menu for non-choclate lovers. J's favourite is the 'Pink Granita' (passionfruit and strawberry smoothie) even though he says it is a girlie drink.

Of all the Max Brenner's I have been to I recommend this one.