my lamp {DIY Design with Lori Kroh}

**** I have had several requests for links to things I post – just wanted to point out that whenever you see something in red text, it is a link ****

Monday Monday…thankful for another week to be alive! You know what I find inspiring?…..friends who use their unique gifts to be a joy in the lives of others. My friend Lori…she is one of those girls. Lori and I are about as opposite as you can get. She is the life of the party. I am the wall flower. You can’t help but be happy when she is around. She brightens a room. I remember the very first time I met her.

I was dropping off my son at preschool. We both had daughters in infant car seats. My girl was in the tan one her older brother used. Lori’s daughter was in one with zebra stripes and hot pink ruffles. I noticed the car seat long before I got to meet the mom carrying it. Randomly one day, Lori came out from behind that carseat and said something like, “Hi. I’m Lori. I read your blog. You should write a book. Really. Write a book. Stuff like that Rice Night your family does. Write it and I’ll buy it. Nice to meet you.” She’s an awesome encourager….and a great friend. I’m thankful for that crazy loud car seat that caught my eye…and more so for the mom carrying it. Love you Lori and your loud car seat!

Lori has been a designer for the past two Clean Slates I have worked on (2010 here, 2011 here). Last month she started classes called DIY Design. The idea basically is she has a craft…you can do exactly what she does or change it up to suit you. The first month was art from pizza boxes and burlap. This month was a scrap fabric lampshade.

She does them in the morning and at night. I think I got so excited, I forgot that FireCracker would be with me (kids aren’t really supposed to come). I figured I’d go for as long as I could.  So, with boots, tutu, dolls and some crayons we headed over for some girl time crafting.

The classes are held in a cute little shop on Main St., On the Corner….lots of cute vendors.

This is Lori’s version…and Lori holding FireCracker who had reached her crafting limit.

Here is my lampshade….then plastic removed and starting my version.

My girl pooped out, so I finished mine at home. This is such a fun project to use all those leftover scraps from other projects.

My girl thought it made a great hat. Mine was completely inspired by Dottie Angel.

It looks happy in my newly painted white entry. A little random? Yep. A little fun? Yep. Lori’s next class involves old windows and easy ways to change them up for the holidays (you can buy a window for $3.00, other supplies are provided). You can get more information on her facebook page (look at the info tab). The next class Nov. 8th (10:15am and 6:30pm)…then a new project on Dec. 6th. It makes for a fun night with girls. I love seeing Lori excited about this new adventure.

It is always inspiring to me when women (and men) figure out what they love and then find ways to share that with others. It reminds me of Meg and her Craft Weekends. Rachel and her e-courses. Emily and her Embrace the Camera. And SO MANY MORE….women just doing their thing. Encouraging other women. Inspiring others.

Basically, just being awesome.

*****************

Be Awesome Today Poster: Lucius Art (got this is the Swag bag from the Whatever Craft Weekend!)

Be So Happy…. : My pinterest via Life Made Lovely