Weekend Paint Projects: Painted Lamp Shade

Happy Friday!  It's time for another installment of Weekend Paint Projects! 

 

To refresh your memory: every other Friday we will post a detailed how-to of a project that you could easily accomplish over a weekend.  Some of them will be super simple, some more involved but all of them will be real projects we've done using paint to spruce up the place.  The goal is to inspire you to do the same.  We are firm believers in the power of color and what better way to add it to your life than with easy weekend projects. Every time we post a weekend paint project, there will also be the chance to win a quart of paint for your own weekend project.  How do you win?  It's simple.  Comment here or on our facebook page about a weekend paint project you've been dying to complete and a winner will be chosen at random and announced the following Tuesday.  

Today's weekend paint project is pretty easy and fun to do.  Plus, you'll feel like an artist when it's completed.  I give you: the painted lampshade.

First things first: you need a lamp.

This is what mine looked like when I started.  Plain wood lamp with burlap shade.  You'll notice in the following photos that I painted the base of the lamp.  I'm not going to go into detail on how I did that today, because we have enough to talk about with the shade, but it's a simple formula of sand, prime, paint.  We chose our color wisp.

Step 1: Draw design for shade

I chose this design because I love the look of the profile silhouette.  I've been seeing them everywhere and I thought someday I could do a male version on a different lamp and use them on our nightstands.  Cute, huh?  But today.  It's all about the lady.  First I sketched the drawing in pencil and then I traced over it in sharpie.  You will want your design to be dark so you can see it in the next step.  The options are endless here.  You could do your initials, a quote or anything you dream up, but if you want to use mine you can download it here. 

Step 2: Transfer drawing to lampshade

  

To do this, simply tape your drawing to the inside of the lamp being sure that it is centered and the ink is facing the side you will be painting on.  You should be able to see an outline of your drawing through the shade.  Turn the lamp on to see it more clearly.  Then just trace the drawing onto the lampshade using a pencil. 

Step 3:  Paint!

Simple.  Trace over the lines you've penciled onto the shade.  Then erase any pencil marks still showing. 

Step 4: Marvel

a note:  I used a burlap shade partly because it is what I had and partly because I like the look of burlap shades, but the process is much easier when using a shade made with linen or other smoother fabric.  The burlap made it hard to see my drawing clearly through the other side and also made the painting less precise because of the texture.  I happen to like that look of free-hand, but if you use a linen shade you will not have that problem. 

ps.  we used our color wisp, not only for the base, but for the shade also.  It's the softest purple you will ever meet.  

What do you think?? 

As always, remember that when using our paints you don't need to be concerned with toxins, VOCs, or even odors.  All of our colors are completely organic, non toxic and safe making them the perfect choice for your projects!  Don't forget to comment here or on our facebook page for a chance to win a quart of paint in the color of your choosing! 

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one year old & 20% off!

As you all know, I am not yet a mother.  And while I do not have a baby, I do have this:

 

but now she looks more like this: 

because last night we celebrated her first birthday!!!  She has changed so much over the past few months, but hasn't lost her puppy charm (or energy!).  We started the day off with a birthday swim, her favorite activity, and then celebrated with a few new toys and a doggy cupcake.  Yes, she is spoiled and yes, we are those people.  At least we didn't dress her up in a birthday hat and have a doggy birthday party... or did we?

Anyway, today I wanted to do something slightly different and share with you some awesome birthday/milestone marker ideas that people have come up with - all using chalkboard paint: 

I love this idea...  listing the things your baby loves, does, etc. at different points in their life...  and how cute is baby Claire?!

Here's another take on the same idea... 

Same shot at different milestones, just change up the text...  

Keep track of that growing belly! 

And finally, the birth announcement. 

Now, what's the one thing all of these shots have in common?  The chalkboards are all black!  And while we love a black chalkboard, the really wonderful about our chalkboard paint is that you can order it in ANY of our colors.  And even better?  Our paint is organic, completely non-toxic, and safe for both you and baby.  

If those sweet little baby (and puppy!) faces aren't worth going organic for, what is? 

Today, we are offering 20% off all chalkboard paint products.  Pick your color and get creative!! 

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Merry Monday and Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Good Morning all and a Merry Monday to you!  After a week plus of rain and gray skies I woke up this morning to blue skies and sunshine.  And it feels so good!  Well, actually first I woke up at the hideous hour of 4 am to drive the boy to the train so he could catch a plane to San Francisco, the whole time willing myself to only wake up enough to make it safely there and back.  Then I crawled back in bed.  THEN I woke up to sunshine.  It's a beautiful day and we have a lot on our plate this week.  No time like the present to dive on in... 

But first we wanted to share with you some of our picks for Mother's Day gifts... 

And of course, up first is our very own paint:

Has your wife or mom been hinting about a painting project she wants completed?  Do you need to finish the nursery before little one arrives?  Now is the time.  Surprise her with the gift of a new room.  A coat of organic, VOC free paint is all it takes.  We have a great deal going on now for Mother's Day.  20% off all colors in the nursery line, so don't delay.  Order today and you'll have it before the weekend! 

Mom is the Heart of our Home... 

 I am a firm believer that a beautiful card with a hand-written, meaningful note from the heart inside goes a long way.  You can get this one on etsy. 

Here's a beautiful gift for those professional, polished moms out there who spend a lot of time at their desks:

We love this two-tone leather mouse pad.  It's feminine and tough at the same time. 

And finally for the mom who loves to decorate:

We adore Angella Eisman Designs... she does both scarves and pillows made from old cashmere and wool sweaters.  We particularly love her rosette, ombre pillows like this one. 

Enjoy!!  And don't forget to take advantage of our great mother's day deals!!  20% off and an additional 5% if you like us on facebook and share our page with your friends!! 

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dear expecting dads

Hello Dad to be.  Are you thinking about what to do for the soon to be mother of your child for the upcoming holiday?  Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Why not surprise your love by painting the nursery?  Hasn't she been asking?  

With the Quiet Nursery Collection, you don't have to worry about toxins, fumes, or harmful VOCs in the air.  It's completely organic and safe for you and your babies.  Best of all, you don't have to wait for the big reveal!  It's perfectly safe for your expecting wife and the little one growing in her belly to see the room right after you paint (or even be there during, but where is the surprise in that?). 

This week, we are offering a great deal to get you in the painting spirit.  Take 20% your purchase of any color in the nursery line for Mother's Day!  If you are unsure of which colors to choose, shoot us an email - we love to help!  And to make this even more exciting, if you like us on facebook and share our page with your friends, you can take an additional 5% off!!  Just post on our wall to let us know you've done this and we will send you the extra discount code! 

So dads, don't delay.  Imagine the look on your baby mama's face when she sees a beautifully painted room.  And imagine that grin grow when she learns that you used the safest, most beautiful choice out there. 

For 20% off the Quiet Nursery Collection, use code momsrock upon checkout.

For 25% off the Quiet Nursery Collection, like us on facebook and share the page with your friends.  We will send you the additional discount code! 

Enjoy!  

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organic gift ideas

We are back after a lovely long weekend.  We hope you all had wonderful holiday weekends full of family, good food and lots of color.  

I spent the weekend in my hometown with family.  It was one of those rare Thanksgivings with snow of the ground which added to the festive feel. 

So we took a walk and snapped some photos along the way...

we took some like this, all smiles...

and then of course, we were ourselves.

And because you can't really see her except for her little head poking out of her dad's jacket:

She was there, too.  We love her. 

But, it's Monday now and it's back to reality.  I can not believe how close we are to December.  Today we thought we would share some great gift ideas for the expecting mom or little loved ones in your life:

clockwise from top left:

1. Why not make it yourself?  Use organic fabric and make these adorable giraffe rattles. 
2. Or use this free downloadable template to make cute little lamb pillows to rest little heads...
3. We love this organic love bunny.  Get it here.
4. The perfect gift for both mom and baby... these organic, sweet bibs.
5. We love these stripes!  Organic baby set here!
6. Meet Sophie - the amazing giraffe little ones are guaranteed to love. 
7. Because who doesn't love snoozing in a hammock?  And an organic one at that! 
8. And finally, my favorite organic baby quilt out there.

Of course, you can always get your friends a gift certificate for Quiet Nursery paints as well!

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