How Not to Re-cover a lampshade

Steps to learning how not to recover a lamp shade:

1.  Do not read, or follow any of the thousands of lamp recovering DIY tutorials (my personal faves are this one, this one, and this one).

2.  Do make sure you overlap your fabric too much on the underside.

3.  Also, make sure that you use so much hot glue that it's impossible to rip the fabric off without ruining the base shade.

OH, and don't take 18 million photos of the bad process.  It's just in bad taste.


Got it?  Are we all versed now in how not to re-cover a lampshade?  Good, lets get started with my version!

I did everything wrong, but what can I say- it was my very first lampshade recover-y project.  You can't always win (like I demonstrated in this recent storage box failure I had)

First, my lamp shade was tiny, but I measured out an inordinately large amount of fabric.  (Fabric that I loved, and had left over from this no-sew table runner.)  Because, as in the steps above, I did not follow #1.  Instead of rolling the lampshade on the fabric to get the right measurement, I instead sat it on top, and measured around the base. And the cut out the largest circle of fabric ever.

 

Second, I tried wrapping the fabric around, thinking I was being clever and coming up with a new technique!  no.  I cut a hole in the center of the fabric, and wrapped around the top first.  Just a whole bunch of excess fabric, and a lamp shade that only shines through the top half.  I creatively wrapped the loads of excess fabric in 3 pleats.

 

  

 

Third, I used so much hot glue during this first attempt to make a lamp shade cover that I can't pry it off, without fear of breaking through the already brittle plastic.  Remember, if I haven't already told you, this lamp also came from the thrift store originally.  But, it was $7.50, and a great style and size. (there I go, justifying again.)

 

  

 

Finished Shade:

So anyway.  This project is the disgrace of the new office.  Don't get me wrong.  I actually like it when the lamp isn't on.  But, whats a lamp that never gets used?  (sounds like the opening to a joke, but I don't have the punchline)  It's in there, with it's gloriously re-vamped satin black base (yes, I got rid of that brass!), but with a shade that looks like, well, crap with a capital C.  I'm conflicted.  Z said he liked the shade!  Was he saying that to be nice, or am I too picky?

You be the judge.  Here it is in action, in it's current state:

 

 

Lay it on me... give it to me straight... tell me the truth.  I think I've already made up my mind, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.  :)  Oh, and I'm hoping my second lampshade covering project turns out better.  So far, 50% of the way done, it is.  More on that later.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday.  You guys rock.  Like seriously, all of you!

Masquerade DIY

In honor of Halloween, I thought I'd pull this project out and show you... and because, about 30 minutes ago I realized that I had no costume and kids were already ringing the doorbell...

The project was actually born when we had to go to a masquerade themed 30th birthday party.  Rules were, you don't get to come in unless you're dressed up!  My creative juices got flowing and I decided I could make a mask (in addition it was short notice, so... it was my only option?)

I found these two inspiration photos, and printed them out...

I ran to Beverley's on my lunch break, and found the essentials: fabric covered masks, gold rick rack, glitter glue, rhinestones, ribbon, feathers, dowels... and this is when I purchased my little hot glue gun.  :)

Have you heard of the millions of projects you can use hot glue guns for?!  I used it here & here and am looking for more uses...  I digress.

Ok, so back to the masks.

I laid newspaper down, and got to work.  I had to try out with the black one first, since that was for Z.  :)  Luckily it worked out well. 

I trimmed out the edge, and the eye holes with the gold rick rack on both masks.  Because they were covered in a fabric texture, the glue held really well. 

 

I then followed my inspiration photos, and started in with the gold glitter glue.

 

While this was drying, I wrapped my dowels in ribbon (gold for mine, and black for Z's) and added streamer strips to mine.

Mine got feathers, in the classic mardi gras colors: purple, green, and yellow- they were sold together in a pack, so I lucked out :)

 

 

End result:  We looked good, plus this project was so fun!

Be-Jeweled Wreath

After another GREAT idea from Kate over at Centsational Girl, I tried my hand at making this overly simple, but astonishingly gorgeous holiday wreath.

This one really caught my eye- the color, the sparkle, even the embellishments. I gathered the super easy supplies: 14" foam floral wreath, orange flat sided marbles, terra cotta acrylic paint, ribbon, and a gold sprig.

What a BEAUT:


To make this, it's almost so simple that with the exception of the hot glue, I would say this is a project a 7+ year old could do. First, paint the wreath the main accent color for your marbles. Before gluing any marble gems, add the ribbon which you'll cover with the gems later. I used a sponge brush, and unscrewed the lid and poured some onto a piece of aluminum foil. I had to let the wreath dry on one side before flipping to do the other side. I ended up doing 2 coats, just in case, and was glad I did because you don't actually cover the ENTIRE surface with marbles- they don't all fit in like a perfect puzzle.






Then, start gluing! I first started putting the glue right on the wreath, but later realized it was easier to glue the backing of the gem, and attach. :)




This was such a relaxing project!


At the end, I attached the gold sprig (with hot glue) I also purchased, and because it was wire, I was able to bend in the position I needed.

The final:

Total project breakdown:

Wreath Form: $3.50
Paint: $0.50
Marble Gems: $10.50
Ribbon: already had (bought 2 spools, 4 yards each, for $3.50)
Gold Sprig: $1.15

TOTAL: $15.50ish

I love it! Thanks for the inspiration again, Kate!