Friday 22 March 2013

Lace lampshade makeover...

When I showed you how far the living room had come in my recent post, I said that the lampshade was under construction...


This is something I've been dying to tackle for ages. I was tempted by the patchwork lampshades of Vix and Dee Dee but as much as I admire the look in other peoples homes, I can't embrace colour in my own. Just can't. It scares me. I've said this before, but I want to live in a White Company catalogue.

Anyway, earlier this week I was trapped in the house with a sick child, no biscuits whatsoever and Scooby Doo on telly ALL DAY so I decided to get cracking with my lampshade to help take my mind off things. I'm such a great mum...


Here's my plain shade with all the trim ripped off. I also pulled out the lining as I wanted the light to show through the lace.



 So here's my BLAND version. It involves cutting up lacey doilies and vintage lace tablecloths. No doubt we all have a secret stash of these. Doilies aren't cool. But if they're hand made lace and under a quid, I cannot resist their allure.

This is a cool project if you have ripped or stained lace and doilies or tablecloths. You feel less guilt cutting them up if they're damaged. I also gave the cotton lace a bath of tea to dirty them up a bit.

I covered one side at a time of the shade with white glue, positioned on my lace and trimmed the excess, leaving enough to turn over at the top and bottom. I like to use Aleenes Tacky Glue which is a habedashery glue. It holds your work in place whilst wet and dries completely clear unlike Mod Podge.


With the next side I overlapped it slightly using the pretty edge. Once I'd gone all the way round I glued velvet ribbon at the top and bottom.



And when the light is on?  It's at it's best.







And my husband came home with snacks! What a guy...



I'm inordinately excited about this! The ONLY thing worth watching on telly...


Even if it is total nonsense...
Who is your favourite? 

Linking with Jennifer Rizzo; Fabulously Creative Friday
 The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday
 The Rosegarden In Malevik
 Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special
 Three Mango Seeds: It's Party time
and It's So Very Cheri

29 comments:

  1. What a pretty transformation! Nice job!
    Never seen it or that Essex programme either. xxx

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  2. I've never seen the Essex one either but I used to live just behind the Kings Rd in Chelsea and I love the show. xxx

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  3. Gorgeous lampshade; as I was reading, I was looking around in my mind's eye, looking for a lampshade that needs revamping; sadly, they're all already done.

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  4. I LOVE Made In Chelsea. I actually find myself sitting with my mouth hanging open in shock/outrage at least four times each episode. "My favourite TV show? Ready Steady Cook..." made me giggle for a very long time. Still want to punch Spencer in his stupid smug face though.

    Ok, I'll shut up about MIC now. Your lampshade is lovely- and it's brilliant how it completely transforms when the light is on :)

    xx

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    1. Haha! No I meant who's your favourite person in MIC! But, I think there's only you and me watching it! I have a crush on Francis! He used to be a joke but last series they transformed him into a tragic Hugh Grant character and I was smitten! I find all the others punchable. xx

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  5. It's lovely. I donated some of my stash of doilies to my daughter last month as she wanted some to revamp a lampshade! Not sure when it will be done though as she's currently crafting for her Caribbean wedding - the excess baggage charges are going to be huge, but it's still a lot cheaper than paying for stuff out there.

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  6. WOW its beautiful and I agree totally different when lit. I love MIC too. Spencer though I want to punch and I'm not a violent person.

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    1. Thanks Donna! I think the show is designed to make you want to punch them all. I see Jamie and Francis actually got beaten up the other day! Hardly surprising!

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  7. The lampshade is gorgeous! I would love one!

    And as for MIC whoah! My guilty pleasure! I don't watch any reality TV at all except this, but by George I love it!

    I also think Francis is marvellous, I was shouting at the telly last season "Kiss him you silly cow!" But I think Jamie is my favourite favourite. I get quite cross when his posh chums call him "Boy" and when those evil Mummies were mean to him? Grrrr! I don't care if he'd been a swine, he was an apologetic swine!

    I am so ashamed of my intimate MIC knowledge...

    Kate
    Just Pirouette and Carry On...

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    1. I know what you mean, It took me ages before I could publicly admit to watching it!
      I'm afraid I can't bear Jamie! It's his bleached hair!

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  8. Wow, fantastic job on the lampshade Emma Kate, it's sooo pretty. I've been inspired by Vix to do one too but although I can do colour it has to be red and matchy-matchy and I haven't found the right stuff yet.
    Never seen MIC (or TOWIE, can't believe how incredibly thick they are or why they are given air time)

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    1. Thank you! Donna from the Tulip House has just done a red one with paper napkins that looks great!
      MIC is so bad, it's good!

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  9. Oh I have a wedding dress I am cutting the lace off of , I can use that to cover me a shade,
    I love yours

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  10. Absolutely gorgeous! What a great idea. Happy weekend form the enchanted oven.
    xo,
    Lisa

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  11. Wow...I found you from your link up at "funky junk's" party. I truly LOVE how your lamp shade turned out. Fabulous job and so very pretty when it is lit. I have been wanting to tackle a shade "updo" but have been too intimadated to try. Now I'm off to goodwill to find me some lace!!! Gotta see the rest of your blog and become a follower if you have gfc.
    Have a great weekend!!

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  12. The shade looks fab. I have 3 bags of doilies, not sure if I am too ham fisted to manage to do one like this though. Still you have inspired me to do something or another with one lamp I have that has only the metal skeleton frame, I ripped the filthy fabric off it months ago!

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  13. Thanks Chalky! I love the frames when they get down to bare metal. There's a gorgeous chicken wire one on pinterest. x

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  14. seeing the energy efficient bulb troubles me. I've now made a shade out of 2 antimacassars and 6 safety pins - looks ok from the other side of the room ... ps think you are right & I shouldn't paint the bamboo plant stands, I have 4 vintage ones and nowhere to put 2 of them. I have had conservatory fantasies for years.

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    1. Yeah, I think if it's totally see through you'd need a candle bulb. x

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  15. That iS so funny---really liking your take on it too!
    Catherine

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  16. Wow that looks gorgeous and so pretty, dee xx

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