Monday, August 1, 2011

Pinterest Challenge


Last week I was reading some of my favorite design blogs and saw the Pinterest Challenge that had been issued by three of my favorites Sherry of Young House Love, Katie of Bower Power and Emily of Secrets of a Stylist.  The challenge was just the motivation I needed.



One of my very first pins was for Amy Butler's customized Ikea Maskros light I saw on Little Green Notebook.  I've been trying to come up with a fun, non-toy birthday gift for my niece who turns 4 this month, and since all of her toys and clothes came out of storage just two weeks ago the last thing she needs is more of either item.  I decided I would honor her love of all things purple and pink (she reminds us all at every opportunity they are her favorite colors) and build her a custom light fixture for her room.

She was with us at Ikea when I purchased the light - and I'm happy to say she noticed the light in a display and mentioned she liked it. (I think this girl has a future in design, she loves Ikea and will grab my hand to show me her favorites, and her taste is surprising modern.  She also loves to look through fashion magazines picking out the gowns she likes best.)

Light before
The light was a bit more expensive than I thought, but once I had the idea in my head I couldn't resist.  Luckily I got a great deal on the paint (30 cents a bottle at Michaels!)

Light in progress
Saturday was painting day - and just in case you are wondering, the light has 84 "flowers" on it to be painted, and I painted both sides.  I managed to watch two movies while painting.  For anyone wondering, I used basic craft paint and small sponge brushes, but spent the entire time wondering if it wouldn't have been easier to lay them all out and spray paint them.

Light Close up
Sunday I discovered the light actually need to be hung before you assemble it - but I wanted to have it done so I could submit it for the challenge, SO I got creative and hung it from the chandelier in my kitchen for assembly.  I have no idea what I'm going to do with it for the next two weeks or how I'm going to get it to her house (I'm thinking it may need disassembled and then reassembled, but at least I have the satisfaction of completing the challenge.)

Finished LIght
I'm happy with the way it turned out and can't wait to see it hung in her room.  I'm now looking forward to trying out some of the other ideas I've pinned.

Did anyone else out there participate in the challenge?  Wondering what Pinterest is, want to follow my boards, or need an invitation?  If you do, let me know I'll send you an invitation.

I watched Eat Pray Love this weekend (thanks Kristine!) and have been humming this song every since.

Eddie Vedder - The Long Road





Pin It

42 comments:

michelle@decorandthedog said...

You kicked this challenge in the hiney...your project was definitely better than all of mine combined! Your niece will love it!

Anonymous said...

oh my how lovely it turned out! my sis n law & brother did a white one for their wedding reception under a white tent, looked so lovely out there at night, now its hanging in their living room! great find!!

Hyacynth said...

Wow, Jamie! That turned out gorgeous!

Lisa Gordon said...

Jamie, you are absolutely amazing, and this is over-the-top wonderful!! I would love to see her face the first time she sees it. She is going to be one thrilled little girl, and how wonderful when years from now, she will look at it, and know all of the love that went into it.

Maegan Beishline said...

So, so cute, Jamie! You know...I haven't jumped on the Pininterest wagon yet...I think it would be a very bad thing for my already challenging internet limits!

Lisa said...

I hope she love it.
I had a chance to go into pininterest and I just dont have the time right now or energy. I need it in other places . I sure enjoy what everyone is doing.
Thanks Jamie

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

WOW Jamie. I am so impressed. Your niece is going to love it and keep it forever :)
I'd love a Pinterest invite please. I've requested one from the website, but I've been waiting for weeeeeeeeeeeeks...

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I love that light fixture! I have not heard of the challenge. I haven't been on Pinterest a lot lately. Is it still going on? Look like it would have been fun to do. Great job!

Anna said...

Love how this turned out!!! What a memory making gift - your niece is going to be so thrilled! You'll have to take some photos of the gift opening. She is going to be one surprised little girl :)

R Montalban said...

Love it :-)

Justine said...

how fantastic wow!

Kara @ June & Bear said...

Your light is spectacular. My daughter is a big fan of pink and purple too and she would die.

Anika said...

Coolest thing ever! Love it!

Have not been on Pintrest really...it all confuses me sadly although I have seen a lot of pretty things on there. I just joined Twitter, baby steps ;)

Anonymous said...

More great shots! And I love that you share a song with every post. I had been thinking about doing that on my own blog, and I may just have to do it now that I see how effective it is (for me, anyway). I'll be sure to pimp you out when I do. :)

Vintage Restyled said...

What a great idea! You ROCK as an aunt, now I am feeling inadequate in many ways!
Thanks for inspiring me today!

Rikki said...

You are officially the best aunt ever!

Kate said...

Love it!

Amy @ Keep'n The SunnySide said...

My daughter and I were just looking at this light at Ikea on Sat. I love that you painted the flowers! Great job!!!

Jennifer said...

I've loved that Ikea light for a long time, but I LOVE your's even more! Seriously, great job!!!

Joyti said...

Well, you did a great job on the challenge...and I bet your niece loved her gift.

blue china studio happy said...

That is so cool! Your niece will love it. I haven't seen this challenge so need to check it out.
You've totally inspired me!

Teachinfourth said...

Not only does it look great, but you listen to Eddie Vedder? Double bonus.

I've become quite partial to his music as of late. I also love the song, "Whole Again" by The Late Night Chemists.

You'll love it.

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

This is really cool! I actually like the fixture colored better than in the original stark white. Great work!

Courtney said...

SO. CUTE. You did a great job and I bet she loves it. GREAT job!!!

Diana Joy said...

How awesome...what a cool and fantastic gift. Any girl would love one....even me.

Tamsyn said...

I love how this turned out. You must have amazing patience :)

4 Lettre Words said...

You are SO creative. LOVE it!

Ms. Becky said...

I wish you were my Aunt! I love this Jamie - it soars.

Michelle said...

i am so glad to see you did this. i have been thinking of making a teal one for my kitchen reno and was wondering if a "color" would take. yours looks fabulous! nicely done! she will love it! ~m

Anonymous said...

I love those IKEA lights! Although I admit I thought you just bought them like that. Silly me, it's IKEA. Of couurrseee there is assembly :)

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

That is so nice of you to paint it her favorite color! It's bad enough putting the light together (any IKEA purchase can be a paint to put together). I wouldn't take it a part. Good job!

The Blonde Duck said...

Popped in from the Teach in 4th challenge! I just got an invite for pininterest....This is a cool collection!

Tat @ Mum in search said...

Your project looks fantastic! You and Michelle @ Decor and the Dog are going to get me hooked... Just when I'm trying hard to cut down on my online time.

Sara McCarty said...

The lamp looks fantastic! Great job! Don't you just adore Pinterest?! :)

blue elephant photography said...

You are so gooooood! I love that light lol Believe it or not I have never been to an ikea before but I want to go this month. I love that flowery light you made, it is so cool! And I'm glad you got to watch Eat Pray Love, let me know what you thought about it. Hugs. ♥

Rosie Grey said...

This looks fantastic, Jamie! You are a talented woman!

~Kristina said...

That lamp looks so fun! Great song.

Cat said...

Yea! The light turned out fantastic ... I just know that your niece is going to love it.

♥ Cat brideblu

ps. Yikes ... 84 "flowers" front and back is a LOT of painting indeed ... you were quite the trooper!

Laura lok said...

fun!!!! i joined pinterest a while ago but haven't quite figured it out well honestly haven't gone back to try this will give me incentive to do so.

Rachel said...

I *love* that light! What an amazing gift! I'm sure she will be thrilled!

Penny said...

Wow I'm glad our IKEA trip had such a happy ending. The finished project is amazing! xoxox

Unknown said...

I was just looking at this light on IKEA last week. It's not for sale on line and the stores by me don't carry it. What did you use for the flowers, stems and the parts you attached them to? Redoing my bedroom and want to make this light!!!

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