Sunday, October 30, 2011

This Little Light of Mine

Everyone loves a little drama, right?!?  Well, this next post begins with a little drama.  No one really knows who should win this one, but somehow I'm ending up with all the credit.  Remember my parent's beautiful home in the mountains?  (If not, go to the original post here).  Look closely at the kitchen and you will see that there is a spot for a hanging light over the sink, but it is missing the perfect light.


Mom looked at a variety of lighting stores, shopped in magazines, and even brought a few to the cabin to try them out.  She just could not find the perfect light. She wanted something that had a "cabin feel" minus the typical antler/forest animal theme. She wanted something rustic, yet classic. And then it hit them... (cue the Days of our Lives theme song). Well... it hit one of them... Mom says that it was her idea, and Dad claims that he was the genius behind this one.  Wouldn't it be cool to drill a hole in the bottom of a colander, connect it to a light kit, and hang it over the sink?  Genius.  It doesn't matter whose idea it was.

For Mom and Dad's kitchen, they found an old colander in the basement that had the perfect combination of cream and brown to match the cabinets.  For our D and D project, we went a little colander crazy and bought the following colanders (new and old) at a variety of stores.


We started with the cute blue one in the front.  We used a Sharpie to trace the size of the bulb connector from the light kit.

 
Thanks for the demo, Dad!  Then we Dad used a drill to cut the metal.  (He always gets to use the fun power tools!) 

Then he and Mr. Dump used a file (not a nail file - this one is for metal) to make a perfect circle for the connector.  If you are trying this at home, be VERY careful!  The edges are extremely sharp. 


I spent most of my time watching and cheering them on!  (Please ignore the messy hair and no makeup... At least I showered that morning!)


When the hole was the perfect size, we attached it to the light kit that we bought from Lowe's Home Improvement. 

Then we had to try them all out!  (I didn't take pictures of all of them!)


They look even better at night! I love how the light shines through all of the little holes! 


This project is fun, different, and can be done in very little time!  I have already started thinking about other items that I can use for lights!  Pretty much anything that can have a hole drilled in the top/bottom would be perfect for a project like this!  Now two of our colanders are patiently waiting in The Sleepy Poet to find their perfect home.


Happy Junkin'!

Sarah

25 comments:

  1. I LOVE THEM! The lights are amazing - what a great idea! It makes me want to drill a hole in the bottom/top of every kitchen item I have!

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  2. Letting you know that I am featuring these adorable lights in tomorrow's post over at Hating Martha...they are just great!

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  3. I love these! Great Idea! Found you from HOuse of Grace.

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  4. Alright, where's the weekly post, Mrs. Stressed? Some of us live and die by your posting schedule! Give us some more makeovers! (No pressure.) You can write about how your lovely and kind sister is driving a UHaul 3.5 hours this weekend to give you all of your, um, treasures. We'll have to take some pictures - you're going to love what your #1 Picker has found! Do you like that promotion I just gave myself? (PS I will be assisted in the UHauling by the muscle of this operation, Mr. Kortney "You really want me to stop in the middle of the street so you can pick up someone else's trash?" Wells.)

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  5. LOVE! LOVE LOVE this. I just saw one of these in an antique mall and I stopped and said to my hubs how cool is this. You did a great job. Thanks for sharing with my newbie party. PLEASE add my button or link indicating such. Thanks!

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  6. This is one awesome idea...love it! Thank you for sharing it at my NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY party, but I do see that you need to add my party button or link on your post...thanks:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  7. Oh wow, you are amazing! Fabulous idea...I'm your new follower, please drop by for a visit when you have a chance.

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  8. What a cool idea! This is so unique!

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  9. This is such a fun kitchen idea! I would love for you to share it at my "Best of 2011" link party, along with any other posts you are most proud of from this year, at www.petalstopicots.com
    ~Kara :)

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  10. What a cute idea!! I just found your blog and am now your newest follower. Stop by and check me out sometime..

    Noplacelikehomeally.blogspot.com

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  11. Okay ! This is one I want to try ! I am a new follower too , come by and visit some time .

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  12. I love that. Great job, thanks for sharing.

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  13. Hope you don't mind I will be featuring this soon on my blog. I already did on my face book wall.

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  14. THis is so cute! What a creative way to add some fun to a kitchen!

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  15. Thanks for coming to the party! Happy crafting in 2012!
    ~Gay~
    itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com

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  16. this is genius! I have a super ugly light in my kitchen-now I just need to find the right colander.

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  17. What a great idea! I love the effect of the light shining through all those little holes! Great job!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  18. Congrats! This fabulous project was just featured at my linky party. http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2012/01/linky-22-will-craft-forthe-cure-to.html

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  19. What a cute, fun idea! Love the green one the most-est!

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  20. Love these lights, and everything you're doing here, I'm now a follower!

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  21. I love the re-purposed colanders as hanging lamp shades, terrific idea!

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  22. I have the same issue in my kitchen...mmmmm...this is making my wheels turn. I love all of them, especially at night. Grand idea!

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  23. love this super creative project!

    come say hi over at nichollvincent.blogspot.com

    have a wonderful day!

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