I’m always amazed when I cross paths with stories about families who are living off the grid.
But those who have consciously made a commitment to reduce their carbon footprint.
That is one serious commitment.
I don’t even want to think about my very own size 7 and growing carbon footprint …
I mean, if it’s pouring rain … or subzero temperatures … or guitar day …
A school that is just five-and-a-half blocks away? A pathetically short drive that takes the same amount of time to walk to …
A pathetically short drive that reminds me of those ye olde tales from my grandparents of how they “walked 10 miles to school through a blizzard with no shoes …”
I can only hope that this super duper simple project can be my retribution …
It’s my off the grid contribution …
I took two grass cloth drum shades that I found hanging out in the basement …
And I tied some twine to the the metal thingies inside and looped it over …
And clipped a clip-on battery-operated LED light that I found at Home Depot inside …
And then hung them from two old planter hangers that were already hanging around on the porch …
And there you have it …
Some off-the-grid screen porch ambiance …
* Not Just a Housewife * Savvy Southern Style * Someday Crafts * The Shabby Creek Cottage * At the Picket Fence * Common Ground * Funky Junk Interiors * Between Naps on the Porch *
I can see the “power grid” of pinterest lighting up the boards from the millions of pinning of those “off the grid” lamp shades. They are fantastic!
You should absolutely drive your kids to school on rain, snow, or guitar day…it’s what moms do!!
Sooo cute. I love the shades and the COLORS! 😀
Now you’re a role model for those (me) who don’t think of these things.
We (I) need to be more aware of these things.
Happy you’re with us,
Pam
I prefer crossword puzzle grids that keep me occupied during breakfast. But your lamps are ingenious!!
Your space looks so comfortable and sweet! Smart idea!
I thought us DIYers were the soul of recycling. lol This about how much trash we’ve saved (wink)
Great idea!
–Katie
@ Creatively Living
Linda, those are just brilliant! What a great way to get a little lighting where you don’t have power! Pinned it!
we switched our house to mainly LED lights. We haven’t noticed a huge change in our BGE bill but they last WAY longer! 🙂
Linda,
Those are so cool.No can’t say we are off the grid.I tried unplugging things when we were not using them.But then it was a pain remembering to plug things back in.But we do recycle.And buying from resale shops is a big way of helping.All those things don’t end up in a landfill which helps the environment.
((Hugs))
Anne
that is a super cute idea! When we redo our front porch I am going to do something like this…since we have NO electrical outdoor outlets. not even one
That’s a pretty clever idea!
~Bliss~
LOL! My contribution is a string of battery powered led twinkle lights shoved into a one cup mason jar and crammed into a boat lantern.
Tah dah!!!! I’m off the grid too!!!!
xox
Too clever!! I never thought of myself as an ‘off-the-grid’ type, but my solar chandeliers are sort of similar!
Next thing I know, I’ll hear you moved to a little log cabin with no electricity where you grow your own veggies and keep chickens and goats and sheep!
It all starts with a little solar power – watch out!
Love these – pinning them.
Kelly
Fancy AND cute. Win!
SMART SMART SMART!!!! Loving that! It could be done in so many ways…like using chain for an industrial look…Thanks for sharing!
Look at you going green! Don’t go too far off the grid or we wont be able to find you! 🙂
That looks fabulous! And what a great idea! I would love to see pictures of how it looks in the evening, although not sure that would be an easy photo to take and really do it justice. All the same – great job! I can’t wait to go to my fav thrift store and pick up some shades! There are some amazing projects in blog-land for those babies!!
Love the lights!! Must be quite romantic <3
I drive my non-driving adult son with autism to guitar in bad weather, maybe 1/4 mi. from home. Hope that doesn’t cancel out my recycling, energy-conserving efforts 🙂
Janet
YOU ARE ONE SMART COOKIE! I love it and you did a great job. Blessings- xo Diana
I just want to hang out on that porch. So lovely. 🙂
What a great idea, you a just full of them! I find that I look forward to your posts even more now that we don’t get to hear from you everyday!
loving your off the grid style xo
GREAT idea! Love your ingenuity, Linda. And sometimes it’s just easier to drive. Just sayin’… 🙂
xo Heidi
Linda … ummm just thought you should know it wont help your carbon footprint but it is way more than a GREAT idea! I know what you mean about how we do things, like drive a couple blocks when we should walk but … sometimes we do. I think I feel a bit guilty now! 🙂
Always a clever thinker you are Linda. Looks awesome!
Seriously CUTE & CLEVER, Linda!
You’re brilliant! Love these! Great idea, Linda!
Those look great and so does the porch.
Thank you for posting this! I’ve been wanting a light over my kitchen table but I am not a big fan of the swag cord running up the wall … A much cleaner look and probably more light then christmas lights. Can’t wait to try it! ~ Christie
Fun! I have to say that I did indeed move to Montana from SLC, Utah to live more sustainable. It was mostly to get away from building code than to conspire about our nation and try to blow it up. Anyways I’m working for an LED lighting company here and it’s always fun to see cool uses of LED lights.