The Lampshade Lady Blog

A great start to the day: new magazine in the mail and a pretty embroidery arrived, too.

Just arriving here at my shop this am. I'm feeling a little groggy and lazy and maybe have worked too many days this week... ya, you have to make hay when the sun shines as they say here in the country. It's a beautiful day here in Vermont. Humidity has fled and flowers are watered. Absolutely one of those beautiful summer days but I'm kind of grumpy that I'm inside today. BUT much cheered up by the arrival of this yummy silk embroidery. Isn't it pretty, especially for those purple lovers like me!!! And many of my friends, too.
Detail of my morning package. Beautiful shading of the embroidery threads. Wonder what I'll make with this? Wonder who made it? I wonder where it came from? The maker was very talented and especially tidy in their work. This really cheers me on this morning.
Today was a double treat at the post office. Also in my little box was a new magazine, Living With Style, published in Montreal with text in English & French. My dear friend Ellen surprised me with the kind gift of this subscription. I promise I will pass them on to you Ellen when I have finished, BUT their maybe a bunch of pages ripped out.....:)

As you can see by the cover there seems to be lots of more beautiful textiles and embroideries! yipee. I am pretty close to Montreal here in Vermont; it's just a train ride to the city and way overdue for a venture up. Years ago we took the train up for my 40th birthday.... January in Montreal is darn cold. The train goes right along Lake Champlain, so romantic with snow falling and ice fishing guys out on the lake.
Thanks so much Ellen for this beautify. The pages are beautifully designed and the paper is a delight to feel. Some of the on line rags are great but this beats any one I've seen. Ohh, to savor the feel of this magazine; just what the magazine addict in me needs. Note to self: time to chuck out some old magazines in bathroom! *****I can envision a long afternoon break on the porch couch with a cup of tea and peeking deeper into these articles.

Lots to do today, time to stop procrastinating. I'm thinking of my friends at Brimfield this week. They are in for some nice weather for the rest of the week. Here in Southern Vermont is a super antique show on Saturday in Dorset, The Dorset Antique Show. It's a top notch antique show; a bit fancy on prices and dealers, but I always find a little something. I usually sum it up as an education. The show runs every other year in the village of Dorset. I try to scoot out before I open my shop. Check it out.

enjoy the day!

judy

Antiquing My Way to Maine

It takes most people only 4-5 hours to make their way to Maine from Southern Vermont. I like going the back roads in search of not too fancy lamps with lots of character. I stroll home with about an 8 hour trip; best ever scones and coffee in Woodstock, flea market,  late lunch savoring my first Maine Italian Sandwich and lots of antiquing.

Here is the grouping of lamps I found on my trip. All in all, it was a productive trip. I was also on the hunt for fabrics and embroideries, but only found a few nice pieces. The lamps are sitting on a nice big cotton hunt scene I found at Cornish Trading, my all time favorite antique shop. Cornish Trading is on  RT 25, close to the Me/Nh Border. The Hunt Scene has a nice hand to it and ought to make up well into lampshades. I picked up 5 more lamps there, too...... yipee. Time to get out the clear cords and start rewiring.

A new shade in my shop. A vintage crewel piece. Good colors w/ gold braid. Square Bell washer top. This one won't last long. Shade is $150.
Detail of crewel work. 

 2 cut corner rectangle w/ antique linen grain sacks. $135 each. Very chic and wonderful. These guys are the real deal; I can barely keep them in stock.

Scallop Hex Clip, vintage apron fabric w/ mini pom poms and embroidery insert fabric used for self trim. 7 inches high and 10 inch bottom. $85.

Another hex scallop w/ vintage European cottons and mini poms. I have a pair of these lamps and shades. Give a call to the shop if interested. 802-325-6308 or email.
one more scallop hex. Vintage French knots, 4 top x 8 bottom and 6 inch high. $75. Vintage pink lamp, rewired $58.

Just finished this beauty before heading to Maine. It's funny how the design process works. Mostly by the seat of my pants.... not really, but sometimes it feels that way. This is a super sweet crewel. As usual, I knew it would go together great, but WHAT to trim it with??? to make it or break it. I've used this new fabric before to make self trims. I think it "made it", certainly not always so easy.
Detail of crewel. Shade is $150. Love it.

Just had to slip Fini in today's blog. He seems to find the sweetest places to snuggle. This is on a rainy day last week and he's keeping warm under the heat of this little lamp.

last shot of the day. I know you guys are super interested in more drum shades. YES, I PROMISE I will show more HOW TOS and info on hanging drum shades. I go in spurts making drum shades. I have them all over my house, but they can be a slow to sell in my shop as my clients are a little more conservative, sometimes.

This is a lime dot from Susan Sargent's fabric with a trim I found at MJ Trim (although not on their website). I've used the trim lots of times; one of those handy, perfect finishes for a lively shade. This shade is $95. It is 12 x 12 x 8. (top x bottom x high= how to write lampshade measurements) the trim adds another inch or so.

Promises of more drum shades soon!

xoxo,

judy lake