Lampshade Makeover :: Ta-dah!

Do you know something? Since the beginning of November, I've actually written no less than four Ta-dah type posts, which makes todays post "Ta-dah number five", isn't that something? I'd say it's been a very creative and productive time for me of late hasn't it?

So yes, a little bit of a rippy-sticky reveal for you today as I show you my recently completed decopatched lampshade. Remember when I told you all about the joys of Decopatch when I discovered it last month? And do you remember my first rippy-sticky project, the LOVE letters??

I tell you, this decopatch stuff was truly made for the likes of me, I think it's absolutely brilliant. It's such a simple craft, so childish in many ways, but the joy of decopatch, oh the complete JOY of it lies precisely in it's Simplicity and it's Childishness. The simple, childish pleasure of ripping up little bits of paper and getting all messy-fingered with glue is not to be underestimated. Well not for me at any rate.

So anyhow...lets get on with revealing this particular project :: the Horrid Lampshade Makeover.

This funny white plastic lampshade hangs low over our dining table on one of those springy wire type things which means you can alter the height of it. We use it every single day, and it was here in the house when we moved in. Over the two years that we've lived with this light, I've looked about on many occasions for a replacement shade but without success. I mean, as lampshades go, it wasn't completely hideous, but it wasn't really very nice either. It was just kind of functional and there.

The idea to give it a decopatch makeover was quite spontaneous, and to be honest I wasn't sure that it would actually work out. But as I had little sentiment for the Horrid Lampshade, I didn't feel too worried if it ended up a disaster. So off I went, full steam ahead with the rippy-sticky makeover.

I decided on a very simple design of stripes. Nothing complicated, nothing too faffy. Horizontal stripes, about 4cm deep, starting out from the top and working my way down.

I admit I had a little confidence wobble at the above point, when three stripes had been completed. I had to keep hanging the shade back up every time I came to a stop because we needed the shade in place in order to keep the light low enough (without the weight of the shade, the light bulb would spring up near to the ceiling, making the whole room seem very harshly lit and not nice for eating under).

So for a week or so, the Horrid Lampshade remained in it's half-finished state as I pondered on it's progress. Then one evening last week, I decided that it really HAD to be finished, and that it was daft to leave it half done, even if I was unsure of it. So off I went again with the rippy-sticky, working my way down to the wavy, fluted bottom edge until all of the white plastic was hidden under a mass of little coloured papery bits...............

................and it was only then, with the last stripe in place, that I decided it had possibly been a success.

That I did in fact kind of like what I had done to the Horrid Lampshade.

That

it

was

horrid

no

more.

Want to see??

ok.........you got it..........

Ta-Dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hung it in place and looked at it from every which way.

Took me a while to really get used to it, to move on from thinking it was merely an "OK" improvement.

Had to live with it a while to really fall in love with it.

But now I am.

In Love with it, that is.

In the evenings when the light's switched on, the dozens of little bits of coloured paper glow like a magical mosaic.

It really does look very Lovely indeed.

And it fits so well with this room, brings a smile, warms my heart. 

So....thats the story of how the Horrid Lampshade received the rippy-sticky treatment and was magically transformed into the Lovely Lampshade.

I do appreciate a good, happy ending to a story, don't you?

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Comments

[Terri]

I love your style! Also, wish I could crochet. Your projects are fabulous.

[Piglady612]

What a pretty project!

[Jo]

Hi, this is the first time I have posted. I love your lampshade. I have several "horrid" plastic lampshades that could do with this lovely makeover. Can you tell me what paper you used? Is it decoupage paper? What glue do you use?
Thanks
Jo in NZ

[MissFlux]

Oh WOW!!! Lucy that IS a ripper!! That is trually BEAUTIFUL. I had not seen this post .. I noticed it in photos of that part of your house and thought it looked crocheted! .. And why not? Haha I'm going to be doing a crochet shade soon.
But when you turn your light on doesn't that just look amazing. Well done girl x

[jeanine perkins]

Hello. I was just introduced to your beautiful work. I love everything you do!!!! Your work is a ray of sunshine in my gloomy day. We are in the midst of winter here in Nebraska. Your color combinations are so beautiful. I thought your lampshade was fabric!!! I also enjoy that you do so many different types of crafts. I will mark you as my favorite and visit often. I may even try some of your projects myself. Thanks for bringing the sunshine back today. Jeanine

[Jenny Hawkins]

Fantastic work and very inspiring. I have added a link to this blog on our Decopatch Facebook page. Feel free to add a link to: Country Love Crafts FB page and Decopatch FB page at any time (the Decopatch FB page has two children behind the large tree). Keep crafting ... you're good at it!

[LightView]

Your article made my day delightful and really helpful. Do you know why? I ordered custom lampshades for my living room with an animal print, that was match for my carpet from http://jovin.com. Their design was fabulous. But now, you give me a great idea for my old antique lamp stands, that hiding in my closet. With your tips I can make my own!

[Joyce]

I have been reading pages and pages of your blog tonight....I'm positively bleary eyed and must go to bed, but I'm addicted. Your shade is marvelous, and all your projects so inspiring!

[Susan_Peterman]

I just love your blog and the lamp. What a "crafty" person you are and an inspiration to us all. Susan

[Kathy Blair]

Hi Lucy,
I found your bolg when I had to move away from home family and friends and the job I loved, teaching Jr Kindergarten in Sunny Calif to Snowey South Dakota in the dead of winter. Your bolg blessed me so much and helped me get through hard times. I loved your crochet help and hearing about you and your family. Photoes are beautiful too! I think you would love this sight for childrens toys patterns. Amigurumi. It's lionbrand.com.
Type Amigurumi in the "Describe what you want" search bar.
God blessed us with a job back home again and I found out I am going to be a grandma!!!
Thank you and Blessings to you and your family!!!
Kathy Blair

[Videa]

hi Lucy
I hope you are alright we havent heard from you for ages

[Kathy]

TaDa, looks like a colorful parasol. Gorgeous, well-done.

[Dawn]

Your home is so colourful and happy I think you are so blessed. When is your baby due?

[stefania e silvia]

wow..... all is beautiful.... very very compliment !!!

S&S

[Darlene]

Just discovered your blog through a link from Fibermania (http://fibermania.blogspot.com/). What fun! I love how you transformed your ugly lampshade. Your kids are blessed to have such a creative mama.

[mEET]

WOW! that's beautiful, live the idea and the colors!

[LP]

C'est magnifique on dirait une jupe.
Bravo

[laughing purple goldfish]

a fabulous work of art... so perfect in your home... love it!

[Freakish Lemon]

It looks gorgeous. You did a great job on it!

[Mildawg]

I absolutely love what you did with the lampshade.

[Mousy Brown]

I do love it straight away! Now I just need to find an ugly lampshade to make beautiful :)

[Steel]

That's amazing!

When the light is on it reminds me of a Tiffany lamp...

[debbie]

Your lovely lampshade reminds me of a really twirly skirt!

[michelle]

Luce I love the sound of this decopatch stuff...
I hope I can track some down here in australia as I have a zillon projects in mind...
Love your lamp shade...too funky!!!

[tinyinc]

great affect and a much nicer shade now!

Top making!

tinyinc