Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Shades for Irmi


Recently I finished icing the cakes so to speak, on my Irmi lamps.  There are now five of these lovelies in my possession and each shade has to reflect the base in both color and charm.  It took some time to thrift enough shades from the stores.  I refuse to pay retail.  I found another Irmi, Old Women Who Lived in a Shoe, while in Arkansas, there was no price on it.  The manager couldn't get a hold of the dealer so it didn't get to come home with me....labels...I was beaten by my own game!  We even asked her to quote us a price, but she said she couldn't.   In the meantime, here is what I have worked up for the newest group.


This sweet little Ark is covered in a reproduction 30's fabric and trimmed in vintage rick rack and buttons.  There is a night light in the boat that works.  I rewired this baby and let me tell you I didn't take a picture of where the wires went before I took them off...I popped the main fuse three times before I took apart another lamp to figure it out.  Good thing I don't do this for a living.  


This Moda fabric looked perfect online and then when it came in the mail it was a touch too bright.  Buttercream is what it really needs.   This really makes me flinch every time I come in the room. ( OCD )  I am on the hunt for yellow gingham to redo this one...again. 


Oh how sweet these turned out.  I love the orange and the dots...I honestly can't remember whose fabric the orange polka dot is maybe Michael Miller?  The trio's fabric is Rosalie Quinlan.  I trimmed it in baby white pom pom and the dot in the best shade of vintage green rick rack.  These are up high on a shelf which is why I left the edge finished and no light bulb.  Such sweet smiles.  I have a jar full of Irmi figures off of mobiles that I am hoping to use on ornaments and make some more drawer pulls.  There is an illusive Tee Pee Irmi Lamp out there somewhere.
This is one collection I love to add to.  
I hope they make you smile!  Thanks so much for all your sweet comments.  It is very nice to know that I am not the only one that enjoys vintage treasures.  
The hunt continues...

16 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

They are just charming. You must be so proud of their make-overs. What a lovely collection. I'm seriously envious...in a good way.

Mecky said...

Those are so sweet! I hope that you an find another Old lady that lived in a Shoe soon. It needed to come home with you.

The shades look great. I think the yellow on the train looks just fine.

Unknown said...

Hi Renee! Oh my you have given me inspiration for my own shade! I have the base, now to find just the right fabric.
I wanted to be sure and tell you about my sweet friend Carrie/Cozy Cottage (sister of Diane/Saturday Finds) She has a Scottie Giveaway in just your colors! Too cute!
Thank you so much for your friendship, for having such a wonderful blog I will continue to visit, and for your creative inspiration.
I have put your name on an item (can't remember, my mind is toast) Thank you so much! Elizabeth

Jane said...

Love the lamps! They're all so cute! We had one & a mobile too when our children were babies. I can't remember what happened to them. We moved around a lot then, so probably gave them away :(
Hope you find the teepee lamp one of these days!
Jane-Jacksonville

Betty said...

Your shades are so cute! I only have one Irmi lamp. It's the Jack and Jill and it is the only one I have ever seen while out thrifting. I keep hoping!

ImagiMeri said...

Hi Renee,

I'm a good friend of Elizabeth's and she sent me over here, and now I'm following you. I'd love to send you some swatches of three pieces of yellow fabric I have that might work for you. If you like one well enough, I'd be happy to send it to you. Send me your address to my email (meriw@cox.net) and I'll mail the swatches off to you.

Hugs,
Meri

Nan said...

These all are so cute. My favorite is the red lamp shade. I don't know that I've ever seen one of these lamps for sale or maybe in those days when I lived in CA I was not looking for them. I see the comment above here is Meri. A good friend of mine too and you will enjoy her I'm sure.

Amy said...

Those are adorable! What a great collection!

birdie blue said...

the new shades are perfectly sweet, renee. love all of your vintage irmi, so fun.

xo
~molly

Kori said...

Hey Renee honey! I'm new to your blog and am loving it!! You are so creative! Hope you'll check me out too. Have a great day doll!

Have you heard about my good news? Kori xoxo

blondeepisodes.com

Unknown said...

Renee,
I find myself wondering about what I will see here every day now! These are so perfect!!!!! I have to get busy and make one for me and my Humpty Dumpty....I see the size I need now....and I have to have some cute fabric and I know I have the ric rac and buttons....thank you for the inspiration! Sandy See you tomorrow! :):)

kluless said...

These turned out SO cute but YIKES - electricity! You are much braver than me! Thanks for stopping by my blog today and yes, I remember the Sucrets tins as well. I must have some kind of Pandora gene because I am always attracted to boxes and just MUST open them up to see what's inside.

Gina said...

I just found the Noah's ark one recently at a KY thrift store! Mine is missing one of the animals (and I wondered which one and now I see it is the alligator).

They are all just completely darling!

Mrs. Nancy G said...

I love your style! I used your image from the beginning of this post to make a birthday card for someone special.

Thanks for sharing!

:-)

Anonymous said...

I ♥ Irmi!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I came across your posts while researching a lamp on the internet that I have from when I was a child. It's the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe Irmi lamp. I may be willing to sell it if you're interested in buying it. Please let me know. My email address is denised73@netscape.net

Thank you,
Denise