The Lampshade Lady Blog

Lampshade Workshop: Sept. 24, 2009

oh my goodness, what a fun day. Yesterday was the first day of my 3 workshops this fall.
Time flew by. My shop is still a wreck, but it's a good idea to get the dust bunnies out from
under places that I don't see. And lunch on the porch; can Vermont really have so many nice sunny days in a row. I savor the last days before shutting my shop door. Just that little extra light makes life a little easier before winter hibernation.

We all made medium shades, Hex Clips and Hex Bell's. Checks, Vintage Linen, Toiles, Vintage Enbroidery and a pretty light colored floral motif. Fun to hear stories of life in our different areas from Vermont to California. What an honor to have students make such a trek. I enjoy my workshops and get lots of inspirational ideas from my students and they from me. It's a nice change of pace, although I was fast asleep on the couch at 8:15pm last night- even Project Runway didn't keep me up.

So it's back to plugging in lamps and rearranging the shop. Hopefully fall tourists will be on the roads the next couple of weeks. Enjoy the last warm fall days and another day to have lunch on my porch.

What a Great Fall Week in Vermont

Here's one of yesterday's creations. Actually made a pair of these sweet shades from a Society Silk Embroidery Dresser Scarf. I always keep my eye out for these at Flea markets or shows. The trim is usually this pretty scallop which is ideal to incorporate into the shade design.

Ah, the New England weather is making up for the crummy summer weather. Sunshine all week. Last night my book group discussed and hosted herbalist and author, Pam Montgomery. Pam has just finished her book, Plant Spirit Healing, A guide to Working with Plant Consciousness. A wonderful herbal book and a treat to have her join us to share her book. A few years ago I heard Pam speak on using Plants for healing and have continued to learn and use herbs for everyday use. That lecture was a real eye opener for me to see the power and wonderful ways we can use herbs. I've got lots to learn, but it is fun to keep learning and growing. Pam's website is, www.partenereartheducationcenter.com.

Workshop update: My workshops are almost full, a few spots for the first class, wed sept 24, and a few for the oct. 8 and oct 22 is full.

Pawlet Village, Vermont

(double click to enlarge)

See the new Pawlet Web site at www.pawletvermont.com and see some great spots in our beautiful village and town. Just don't tell everyone!!!

More Funky Drums

A vintage English embroidery. This came from a nice series of embroideries I found last fall. I decided not to use it for the book, figured it might cause a stir.... But so darling with the vintage gingham and used the last of the same trim as below on the bird shade.
A darling red work embroidery shade on my porch today. Look at the sweet vintage trim, wish I had more of this. It was fun to choose which of the red work panels to use. Sometimes you will find them in antique shops or flea markets. They are quilt squares that never got finished into a quilt. I'm always on the lookout for them. Perfect for shades

I needed just the right shade for this funky flea market lamp. It's a great lamp, but needed to be spiced up to look a little less drab. Heather Bailey designed the fabric for freespirit fabrics, great colors and fresh look and very affordable. Check them out at www.freespiritfabric.com. The trim is a Houles onion tassel.

What a sunny day it is here today, got camera out at last. It's long overdue to take a few lampshade shots. They definitely are not the easiest thing to photograph. I was inspired to make some drum shades with these great cotton quilting fabrics from Freespirit, designed by Heather Bailey. And the fun dangly trims. These shades went together in no time flat.

I'm still looking for a new fabric for fall for a drum shade over my desk. Got to find the "right thing" for the fall "cheer me up colors". Maybe this color.... love these new colors on blogger. What fun they are.

Come to Vermont in the Fall, Lampshade Workshops

Fall Foliage Fabric Lampshade Workshops @ Lake's Lampshades

There is still room avaliable in my fall workshops, but don't wait too long some of the dates are almost filled.

WORKSHOP DATES: only one class is necessary to learn the basics.

september 24 11am-5pm
or
October 8th- usually peak folliage 11am-5pm
or
October 22nd (almost full) 11am-5pm

DETAILS: cost $150, includes all materials but fabric. We will make a small-medium paneled shade. There will be several frame choices. The class size is small and a reservation is a must. You will learn lots of great tips and sources for lampshade making. Get a sneak preview of The Lampshade Lady Book to be published by Potter Craft end of summer 09. We have lots of laughs and certainly have a good time, hopefully!!! Come and let your creativity blossom, have a laugh and learn a new craft.

call 802-325-6308 to reserve a spot or questions.
hope you can make it!
judy lake

Finishing The Lampshade Lady Book

I just looked back to my blog, can it really be my last entry was in June. Oh, so bad. But I have a
reason!!!! Heavens, most of my life just sort of slipped by this summer. Book writing has slowed
and creativity is starting to churn again. I loved the process of book making; I think we are going
have a great looking finished product. I've seen a few layouts and they are fantastic. It feels good
just be a lampshade maker for a little while.

I'm back to listening to the radio, scanning the web for interesting radio shows. If anyone has any good suggestions please send them in. I have a slight Hay House Radio addiction, although it can usually be turned off quick unless it's Carolyn Myss. And then I listen to the Herbal Highway on KPFA Thursday afternoons. Often WBUR on weekdays am, The Point. if it's interesting.... And often start with Morning Addition or if I need to go full out I'll listen to the real news on Amy Goodman's radio show.
I guess what I am getting to is that I missed all my radio shows while doing The Lampshade
Lady Book. Definitely had to stay focused and control the downward tunneling of deep concentration..... country stress..... how could it be.

I missed days in the sun and going out with my girl friends. It was to bed early and up
early. Carson, my great husband keep me eating dinner every nite and groceries in the refridge.
I missed 4 months of the spring and summer but what an exciting ride. I remembered half way
through working on my book that I had been editor of my high school yearbook.

But I still haven't gotten much better at using the computer....... I do know that it still does a lot more than I can fathom. I had fun collecting the best of the best fabrics for each of my lampshade projects. I started a year ahead,keeping an eye out for very special treasures from each of the vintage textile groups such as vintage needlepoints, vintage kids embroideries and so on. I had to consider balancing colors as well as fabric styles. It's too hot out today, I promise to be back tomorrow.

Send me your favorite web radio stations, love to hear some new ones.

and there is still room in lampshade workshops. I will write about them tomorrow. It's too hot and groggy to think.
all for now,
judy