Thursday, March 25, 2010

At the Hop (Blog Hop, that is...)

Are you enjoying the bunny trail so far? This is stop number ELEVEN of seventeen for the Penny Wise Arts Blog Hop. Make sure you see them all!  If you're hopping along in order, you've just left Stamper's Quest Magazine and are hanging out with the Accidental Artist for a few minutes. I'm so glad you're here!


My project includes both original art and two sizes of clear glass microbeads from PWA. I like unusual projects, and so I decided to created a nightlight with glimmer.



The nightlight itself came from a craft store. The "lamp shade" was even sticky.

I began with a photograph I took of an iris. I played with it in Photoshop Elements 7.0 until I was happy with the "artsyness" of it. I then created a new letter-sized document and put three of the iris images together.

Several months ago I discovered a product called "Bubble Jet Set 2000" that would allow me to print on fabric without making the fabric super stiff.  I prepared several pages of fabric at once so that I had them ready to go when I needed them--like for this project!


I printed the three irises onto white cotton fabric using my ink jet printer. (This printer does a TERRIBLE job with photos, but works well on fabric--go figure.) I trimmed it using the lamp shade pattern and put it in place.

I used the pattern again to cut an "O'So Sticky Tape" sheet that I put over the fabric. I poured the regular size clear microbeads over the entire shade and then poured a layer of mini-microbeads to fill in some spaces. Once I pressed the beads firmly into place, I edged the top and bottom of the shade with craft glue and added the fun fibers that I got from a dollar bin at a craft store. Assemble the nightlight, plug in, and voila~soft light with sparkle~and all original art!

Before you run out to buy your materials for this fun project, hop on over to my friend, Michele Aiello-Zendejas, and see what wonderful ideas she has for you!!!  (She's a genius--you're sure to love her creation!)

37 comments:

Suzanne said...

This is such a cool project Steph! And I do love how the micro beads glisten through the light! Perfect that you were able to compliment the design with some of your own photography! You rock!! Hugs, Suzanne

Leah said...

what a neat idea... love your light...beautiful. Thanks for the fun on the hop!!! Hop hop hop off I go again..lol.

jennifer said...

really cool idea and I love how it turned out! jennifer

JeanneLee said...

Very cool look to this lil' shade!
Thanks for doing this hop along...

Crafty girl said...

I love the shade, you are really very talented:)

Kathi said...

Hopped on over! Thanks for sharing - love the idea to create your own designs on fabric! Turned out so beautiful!

Kathi said...

Hopped on by! Love the fabric idea and how you used your artwork mediums. The beads created a lovely accent. The first message I left didn't take - sorry if I left two.

Regina said...

a great idea! You are so clever!

mhanlon said...

Hi! Doing the blog hop! -Melissa H

pcrusberg said...

That's a gorgeous light! I love iris' and yours is beautiful! Thanks, Pam

Eunice said...

Wonderful lamp shade! And congratulations on your racing!

Melissa Lee Ragsdill said...

Steph...Different and FAB as always..A Midsummer's Night Dream!
Lady chat!

Lissa said...

Love the nightlight!

Susan said...

simply STUNNING!!! love this , how unique. I love your photographs also, great blog...I am now a follower.
Susan

Anonymous said...

Absolutely stunning!! I wish I was any near as a
"accidental" as you!!

Sharon said...

Absolutely stunning!! I wish I was anywhere near as
"accidental" as you!!

Missy said...

Steph,
You always do the neatest things. Love the lamp shade.

JeanM said...

What a cool lampshade.

Evelyn S. said...

Wow, Stephanie! This is glorious!

Vicki C said...

Stephanie, I just love Iris'. They are so beautiful. This project gives me lots of ideas. Thanks, it's awesome. Vicki C.

Dot said...

Hopping by! Such a beautiful nightlight! I'm off to Michele's blog to check out what she has been up to!

Julie I. said...

This is a beautiful project! Thank you for sharing the instructions here on "the Hop".

Anonymous said...

OH!!!! OH!!!! OH!!! Awesome! Thanks for sharing! Gail gailheinecke at charter dot net

Lisa said...

I just love your night light!

edandliz said...

Every stop a winner. Your night light is gorgeous

Peggy said...

I continue to be amazed at all the wonderful project. This is a terrific idea!

Tropical.stampa said...

thanks for such great ideas for the micro beads - i should use them more!

Michelle said...

that is a fantastic idea! your results are beautiful. thanks for sharing.

One Creative Queen said...

This turned out really well - you should be proud of it! xx

cathy said...

Really pretty night light and really different as well.

Anonymous said...

Great idea! Love the fabric printing!

Quilt knit said...

This is a very nice idea!

edandliz said...

What gorgeous photographs

Beki Ward said...

Your night light is gorgeous Stephanie. Thanks for telling how you did it...I love it and am now anxious for my irises to bloom!

Diana Joy said...

Fabulously creative project. That night light is soooo pretty. Thanks for sharing.

Susan said...

I'm back. they said I had to come back on sunday!
Susan

Brooke said...

Really neat idea. I love different night lights. I'll have to give this a try. It's amazing what you can do with clear micro beads.
Hugs,
Brooke