I think this may be a record for us...Matt and I are do-it-yourselfers, but the problem is that we don't really have time to do it ourselves. The usual situation is that we get the supplies and then...it sits. This is why my kitchen still doesn't have new counter tops over 2 years after starting that project.

A few weeks ago we ordered this chandelier. I was instantly in love. I've never shown you the light that was hanging in that room because it was, well, embarrassing. A big mass of glass & brass. Nice. Of course, after almost 5 years of living with it, I didn't notice it anymore, until I had guests over. In my mind we would install the new light immediately, but realistically I knew that wouldn't happen.

I think the dinner guests did it. We only left it in the box for about a week or so! A few hours before our guests were to arrive we installed the new chandelier. Gosh, what an improvement! I wasn't really prepared, so I just hung the cards that came with it. It was okay, but I envisioned more. Actually, I envisioned something more like the book pages that were shown on the website, but you don't get that when you order it.

After looking at my skimpy chandelier all evening, I was ready for a change the next morning. The cards came down and a tube of open weave fabric went up. Eh, still not what I had in mind. I really needed more fabric to make what was in my mind, and my bum finger wasn't helping the situation any, but it was fun to experiment and I could see the possibilities.

In the end, the fabric came down and the cards went back up, but with some printed paper. Again, I was using what I had on hand. It still wasn't exactly what I wanted, but I need supplies for that.

On Monday I made my way to Hobby Lobby to pick up some scrapbook paper, which happened to be on sale for 50% off. I really wanted mostly whites & off-whites, but they didn't have that, so I got the most neutral double sided papers I could find. While I was there I also picked up a tiny hole punch and some large jump rings - also 50% 0ff. With my new half priced supplies, I cut out circles in 3 sizes then attached them together with the jump rings. Each clip got a strand of circles. Voila, a whole new look!

Next, I'd like to try some type of crochet/knitted wire, or something like that. I can see myself having LOTS of fun with this!