...I'm gonna let it shine:)

So let's talk about a super cute, super cheap, customizable lighting option...Ok?

As you all are well aware of I have been turning a basement closet into my own little craft spot for some time now. It just needs a few finishing touches and hopefully I will be sharing the finished project with you later next week.

One of the first things I wanted to tackle in the space was the lighting issue. The closet has one of those fluorescent tube lights in there which I actually don't mind because it puts off a lot of light, which is great for when I'm working on projects. Plus once I got my shelf hung the light was way less noticeable, but I still wanted something different. Some mood lighting perhaps:) Just kidding. I really just wanted to have another lighting option that was softer and still illuminated the space enough that I could work on things... but it also needed to be CHEAP!!!!

Let me clarify... my version of cheap and your version of cheap may be slightly different. I don't mean a $150 light fixture marked down to $90 or even $60... I'm talking under $10. So anyway, here is what I came up with....



Mommy's Little Helper!!!!

First I bought a pack of brown Christmas lights from one of our local craft stores for $1.25. It has 20 lights on the strand and is approximately 5' long. Perfect for the small space I'm decorating. I was hoping to find the ones with white strands, but no luck in the size I was looking for, so instead I just spray painted the wires. I used Dixie Cups and pushed them over the lights so that no spray paint got on the bulbs.

 

I would recommend getting the plain white Dixie Cups. When my lights are turned on and all the other lights are off you can see the pattern on the cups just slightly through the scrapbook paper. But anyway, next I traced the cup onto some scrapbook paper. 

 I got 4 on each 12x12 sheet, so I used 5 sheets.

 

Then just cut them out.

Ok bloggy world... I know it seems like I have been slacking lately, but I promise you that is not the case. I haven't posted in a few days, but that doesn't mean I haven't been working on things:) Too be completely honest, I probably have at least 10 projects going on right now! ahhhh. including a giveaway:), an entire room makeover, and also some very exciting news! I really need to focus on one thing at a time. My head is spinning!!!

Here is a sneak peek of some of the fun stuff I've been working on...

So I hope you can hang in there for the weekend... I promise to have lots to share with you next week.

Oh and I forgot to mention my little honey bunny graduates from Preschool on Sunday:) He's growing up so fast!!! Pictures to come...  Have a great weekend!  

Right now I am in the process of turning an unused basement closet into a beautiful craft space for myself. I am so excited to show you all what I have done, but since it's not quite finished you will just have to wait a little longer:) For this project I was on a VERY tight budget, like $0. So when I saw that Michael's had there photo boxes on sales 6 for $10 I knew I had to go get some. Unfortunately there weren't many styles to choose from so this is what I came home with.  

 So that's what I did. I pulled out the Minwax and two coats later, I was in love! Well maybe not LOVE, but deeply in LIKE:) I just used a paper towel and moved in a circular motion over the box until the entire thing was covered. Once that was dry I moved on to a second coat.

The box on the left has only one coat of stain while the box on the right has a second coat. I was a little nervous about how the boxes would take the stain since they are not wood, but I am definitely happy with the outcome.