Handmade Paper

I love handmade paper and although I recovered this lampshade a few years ago, I still wanted to show you just how easy it is to do.

If you have a boring card lampshade which you really detest but it is on a lamp that you really love, simply recover it.

Lella Loves... Handmade Paper

This lovely lampshade was previously a plain white card shade which I covered with handmade paper. I chose the most beautiful paper which has flower petals and bits of stem and leaf in the paper. 

Similar papers are detailed below such as paper made from old bank notes, grass cuttings or even elephant poo!

Lella Loves... Handmade Paper

TK Maxx is my favourite shop for bargains. Their reducements section is always a mess and I turn that into an opportunity: where people stay away, I dive in! Rummaging the red tickets can unearth a few gems.

Lella Loves... Handmade Paper

This variety pack of beautiful handmade papers was only £3 which is an amazing bargain. I hope to use the orange paper to recover a book but that is a blog-make for another day.

Lella Loves... Handmade Paper

All I did was take the lampshade off and draw around the bottom section to create a small template. I then cut out three sections, all the same size and I simply glued them onto the original card shade.

Voila! An old lamp with a new look.

If this inspired to to jazz up an old lampshade, look for beautiful handmade paper. One of the best internet shopping sites for really unusual paper is the Exotic Paper Company on 01823 421805

They make highly individual, bespoke papers and many have visible inclusions.

Contact them for samples if you fancy using paper containing:

Sterling (paper including shredded bank notes)

Glitter (paper including holographic slivers)

Grass (paper including grass cuttings)

Wildflower (paper including wildflower seeds)

Lavender (paper including lavender flowers)

Cress Seed (paper including cress seeds)

Straw (paper with a straw fibre content)

Banana (paper with banana skin fibre content)

Moorland (paper containing natural compost)

or try their

Ellie Poo (paper with an elephant dung fibre content)

Rhino Poo (paper with a rhino dung fibre content)

http://www.elliepoopaper.co.uk/

Have fun and do leave me a message if you update a lampshade, cover an old book or simply frame a sheet of rhino poo paper!

Lella  xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Vintage Crates

This delightful crate was a thank you gift from a friend. I had looked after her kitten for 3 weeks and, I must say, it was a pleasure to have a cat in the house again. However, the ever fabulous and fragrant Miss Heather is very thoughtful and she knows my love of old packaging and advertising items.

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

It really is just too lovely for words! :)

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

Dirt, dust, mud and rust. A few cobwebs don't bother me.

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

I love this crate as it is quite small and makes a perfect little display unit when turned on its side.

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

Mr Sit Still has been moved from the front door and he sits in quite nicely. I have included him in the display as a reminder that my kitty-sitting duties garnered the gift of the crate.

Lella Loves... Vintage Crates

And here it is! Books all in place. My friend is so thoughtful: the thank you card she bought me is a ginger tabby sitting in a box.

I will find this little display a cosy corner to sit in and I hope you enjoyed seeing it today.

Have fun, whatever you are doing.

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com

Holey Stones

One of my favourite things to do is to go to a beach and search for pebbles with holes in them. They are called holey stones and I love them!

Lella Loves... Holey Stones

Throughout history, many cultures have believed holey stones - stones which have holes created completely by the power of nature - have healing and magical properties.

Lella Loves... Holey Stones

When you wake up to a bright blue sky and a light breeze, there is no better place to be than beside the seaside. Collecting other pebbles, shells and driftwood is all part of the beach comber's day out.

Lella Loves... Kitchenalia

I take my old enamel tin and let the stones show themselves to me.

Lella Loves... Holey Stones

There is a beach comber in all of us.

Lella Loves... Holey Stones

They are believed to carry the wisdom of the ages so I wish you bright blessings and may you find a holey stone next time you go to the beach.

*Tip: Holey stones have natural holes in them, created completely by wave motion and water erosion. Pick them off a beach and the knowledge and secrets of the ocean will remain with your stone.

If you believe in magic, Dummies has an informative page so pop over there and have a look:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/charming-your-way-to-effective-magic.html

Have a lovely day :)

Lella xx

http://lellalovescreativity.blogspot.com