Around my house, the hardest part is deciding what to post because there's so much to choose from. Today, I selected a lamp that my father made in high school. It's made from a hollow "cypress knee". A cypress knee is a section of root that a cypress tree sends up out of the ground to expose part of the root to air. Cypress trees mostly grow in swampy areas and there is no air in the soil, so they stick roots out of the ground. They're beautiful along the waters edge, just one knee next to another, lined up like soldiers. But, if you have a Cypress tree in your yard, they're heck on lawnmower blades.
Anyway, he hollowed it out and ran an electrical cord to a lamp fixture at the top. The only thing I've replaced is the cord and plug. (The old plug finally blew and left a bad scorch mark on the wall. Yikes!)
It sat on a table next to my grandmother's chair during all my childhood memories. The shade it had there was a plastic barrel with a mountain and water scene on it that was really beautiful when the light was on. I can remember turning it on, just to stare at the beautiful scene depicted on it. After her passing, it came to me without the shade and I found the green shade on another lamp where it looked terrible and, with a little switching around, it landed here where it fits perfectly. It is a heavy vellum shade with leather lacings holding it to the metal frame and is very old but not fragile at all. It was made to last a long time.
Behind it is a corner of my first wall hanging quilt, Hip to be Square, which was made for Rob's birthday in 2006. It is also the first kit quilt I ever made. Maybe I'll post a full picture of it another day.
Have a wonderful Thursday! I'm still working too hard, but I'm also stealing time now and then to work on the cmas quilt. I've got one miter left and hope to post a pic of it tomorrow. See ya'. Lane
12 comments:
Oh, Lane, I remember the shades you talk about...I think my grandmother's brother had something like that, they were sorta magical. I love your lamp, I looked and looked for something similar to put at our cabin in Colorado, and only found one..at an estate sale and they wanted too much for it, even on half price day. Your dad did a great job, the lamp is beautiful. I am off to the grocery store and then, hopefully this afternoon I can get some sewing done. Have a great weekend and a great VTT!
That is a great lamp! Thanks for sharing.
That is a lovely lamp Lane and I love the quilt hanging behind it
Thanks for sharing your lamp. I remember the kind of shade you are talking about, Oops telling my age!!
Patricia
That's a beautiful lamp. I don't think I've ever seen a cypress tree so I am fascinated by the idea of "knees."
Cool lamp and handmade by dad, can get any better
than that! Happy VTT!
That lamp is very cool, especially with that gorgeous green shade, but I wish I could have seen the old one! I have a little lamp with a shade like that. The lamp is shaped like a covered wagon, and made out of a cactus. I love looking at that thing! Anyway, your lamp is such a great family heirloom!
Happy VTT!
How nice to still have something you father made! It goes really well with your quilt, too!
Cheers!
What a great lamp and I loved reading your story about how your Dad made the lamp. I have read so many posts today of vintage treasures that have been passed down through the family. Thanks for sharing your family heirloom.
wow that's an amazing lamp base..looks like fingers :)
A most unique use for a very mean root problem!
What a cool lamp! Love that shade too.
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