Make It: DIY Photo Lampshade

Photo crafts are some of my favorites.  My daughter's elementary school held a dinner/fundraiser/auction each year, and every year I was tasked with making the item that represented her grade.  I always aimed for something that would be different - never seen before - that would bring in the big bucks at the auction.  This particular year I found success with the photo lampshade.  The lamp and shade sold for over $2,000.  Yowza!

I chose to use black and white photos for this project, although color would work just as well ... or sepia.  When the lamp is turned on, the photos shine providing a wonderful treat!  This photo craft would make the coolest ever baby or wedding gift.  For sure, handmade gifts are the best! 

Like it?  Pin it!

MATERIALS LIST:

• 1 Lampshade, with four straight sides.  I bought mine at Lowe's.
• 1 Lamp base.  This one came from Target.
• 1 Low watt bulb
• 5 Sheets of overhead transparency film for a copier, or more for in case you make an oopsie [Tip:  Because this stuff is expensive, buy individual sheets from Staples, Kinko's or your favorite printer.  You can even use their copier to print your photos.  Don't buy transparency film for the ink jet as it's too flimsy.]
• 4 Sheets of vellum
• Scissors
• Fine lined Sharpie-like marker
• One piece of white paper
• Small round hole punch (smaller than the holes found in notebook paper)
• Black plastic gimp string (cheap stuff that kids at summer camp use to make lanyards)  
• Green tea (or wine) and snacks (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1.  Take shade apart - I took the shade apart, being careful not to rip it, so I could use one panel/side as my pattern.

2.  Make a pattern - Using the old lampshade, make a pattern that you will use for each of the four sides of the lamp.

3.  Acquire and resize photos - I mooched photos from my daughter's teachers and resized them so that they would fit my panel pattern - one photo per panel.   I made them all black and white.

4.  Print photos - Using my laser printer, I printed each photo on transparency film made for copy machines (one photo per transparency sheet).  The side facing the lamp will be the printed side so consider this when printing in case you first need to reverse the image.  

5.  Trace and cut out your photos - Using your pattern from step 4, trace around, being careful not to mark within the cutting area, then cut out your four transparency photos.  Cut inside the Sharpie marker lines.  [Tip:  You can also use this pattern to make one see through pattern from transparency film so it's easier to see where you need to draw around/cut].

6.  Cut out vellum - Using the same pattern, cut out 4 identical pieces of vellum.  These will line your photos.

7.  Make a punch pattern and mark it - Using your pattern once again, cut out one sheet of white paper.  Use a pen to measure and mark where you will punch the holes. 

8.  Punch your holes pattern - True confession:  At the time I made this lampshade, my very first, I did not own a small hole punch so I used a two-tined barbecue fork to punch my holes.  Word to the wise, use a teeny hole punch (smaller than notebook paper size).  It's so worth the five-ish bucks you'll spend.

9. Punch your holes - Punch your holes in your photo transparencies and vellum.  Take your time.

10.  Stitch - Place photo transparency ink side down on top of vellum.  Make sure all your holes are punched and line up correctly.  Use black plastic gimp string to stitch your film and vellum to the shade's wire frame.  Refer to the photo above.  Tie your stitches off in tight knots.

11.  Add a low wattage light bulb, turn on and ENJOY! 

~Merrill ♥

 

Down 20 Pounds = Meatless Monday + Life-Changing Documentary

About a month ago, my beloved and I watched "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix.  My friend Vicki had recommended it last year, but we were busy with life and put it off, darn it!  You know how sometimes you wish you could have a do-over?  This is one of those times.  We have been telling everyone about this movie, which now includes you.  Don't wait.  Watch it right away.  TWO THUMBS UP! 

The documentary takes a look at the theory that most, if not all, degenerative diseases can be controlled, or even reversed, by following a whole-food, plant-based diet. The story traces the personal journeys of two pioneering researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell (author of The China Study and nutritional scientist at Cornell University) and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (top surgeon and head of the Breast Cancer Task Force at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic).

Dr. Campbell was concerned in the late 1960s with producing high quality animal protein to bring to the poor and malnourished areas of the third world. While in the Philippines, he made a life-changing discovery: the country's wealthier children, who were consuming relatively high amounts of animal-based foods, were much more likely to get liver cancer. Dr. Esselstyn found that many of the diseases he routinely treated were virtually unknown in parts of the world where animal-based foods were rarely consumed.

These discoveries inspired Drs. Campbell and Esselstyn, who didn't yet know each other, to conduct several groundbreaking studies. One of them took place in China and is still among the most comprehensive health-related investigations ever undertaken. Their research led them to a startling conclusion: degenerative diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even several forms of cancer, could almost always be prevented - and in many cases reversed - by adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet.

Their website, FORKS OVER KNIVES, has so many interesting articles, videos and more. Check it out

  

Found on page 27 of the book:  “The fact that so many diseases are dependent on diet is the reason why, for health and healing, it is far better to rely on food (i.e., your fork) than surgery (i.e. the surgeon’s knife). Simply put: forks over knives.” 

Super duper news is that my husband was so moved by the film that he immediately adopted a whole-food, plant-based diet.  He dropped 20 lbs. in one month and feels like one hundred dollars.  He didn't over think it but rather jumped in feet first.   I am taking the more timid big-toe-in-the-water approach but will get there, and will keep you posted.  Our kids haven't noticed much of a difference.  Our son, who happens to have autism, has been gluten-free for 18 years, and our daughter is dairy-free, so modifying diets is our way of life.

I will be posting yummy plant-based recipes HERE that have all been taste tested and approved by my family.

When you watch the film, let me know what you think.

~Merrill ♥ 

Meatless Monday: Fresh Roasted Tomato Pasta Sauce

I once thought there was no such thing as too many tomatoes, and then we planted a garden.  Our six plants produced so many beautiful tomatoes that we have been making and eating fresh pasta sauce at least once a week.  The sauce is equally as delicious atop homemade pizza.

FRESH ROASTED TOMATO PASTA SAUCE 

This is a really easy recipe that uses a minimal number of ingredients.  I don't have the amounts as I just wing it each time.  I don't think there is a way to mess up this dish except, perhaps, if you were to add too much salt.  Taste as you go.

INGREDIENTS  

Tomatoes, chopped

Onions, chopped

(Zucchini, chopped, is optional, but if you have scads of it, you may as well toss it in)

Garlic, chopped

Oregano

Salt

Pepper

Balsamic Vinegar

Olive Oil 

Fresh basil, chopped (add after cooking)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350ºF.  Combine tomatoes, onions, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in large bowl.

Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.  (Tip:  I buy the glass pour bottles at WalMart for less than $5.00.  So handy)

 
 Drizzle with olive oil then mix ingredients thoroughly.

Transfer to a cookie sheet (or two) lined with parchment paper.

Bake in a 350ºF preheated oven for 60 minutes.

 
Remove from oven.

Transfer to a food processor and blend well.  Add fresh chopped basil.  Transfer contents of food processor to stove top and heat through.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  

Top your favorite pasta with your delicious sauce and enjoy!

 
 ~Merrill ♥