Thursday, May 14, 2009

Not so easy DIY lampshade

Dear readers- I would like you to know that I will not lead you wrong when it comes to things being "easy." A lot of sites boast "easy" projects, when in fact they are painstaking headaches that make you want to cry. Nope, it's all about honesty here at Down and Out Chic so in the name of full disclosure, I will really tell you how this DIY project went. I received instrutions from the very cute and chic blog Sweetie Pie Pumpkin Noodle. For the record, Jackie did not lead me astray with her instructions, in fact, they make complete sense. The only problem is that I was working with a lampshade shaped a bit differently (top opening is smaller than the bottom). If I had been a more savvy Do-It-Yourselfer, I would have noticed this difference at the beginning, but alas I can be a bit hard headed and careless at times...
Here's what I started with:
This is B's lamp and I was not allowed to paint the base. The wood is actually quite beautiful so I agreed to not touch it.
You can find the instructions I followed here. Basically I was supposed to cut a pattern that would easily wind around the lampshade. I used craft paper as a pattern to help me cut the right amount of this fabric. Again, had I been thinking about the shape of my lampshade, I would have cute the pattern a bit different.
After some super sticky adhesive spray glue, a few curse words, numerous cuts and more curse words, I finally got the fabric to fit around the lampshade. I put some clothespins on the edges to ensure a proper glue job. B may or may not have had to walk away from me doing this b/c I was not happy (again, no one's fault but my own).
Here is the final result, which I'm actually quite happy with, but just don't look too close up if you're ever in my home. You might notice some unsightly seams. I suppose this is the joy of DIY projects...you learn something new with each one and your mistakes might actually become the nuances you'll learn to love.
Here is another lamp in my home that came together quite haphazardly. The shade is from UO and the base is from My Finch Studio.
Now I have two lamps I love, even if they are a bit flawed.
If you're wondering how or why I'm using these random Polaroid shots, you should check it out here. (I know I received this link from a blog, but I forgot to write it down so if you posted this recently let me know and I'll link you!)
Morale of this post is that DIY is not always easy and the results might not be quite what you were expecting, but how can you learn if you don't make mistakes? Thank you Sweetie Pie Pumpkin Noodle for this great idea!

42 comments:

erin said...

loving your honesty and these posts!

Anonymous said...

It looks lovely!! like the print.. Dont worry.. i wont have a close up!

Anonymous said...

LOVE them!! you're great! i just thought of these ugly lamps in my bedroom... maybe i'll try this out one day!

ABSOLUTELY NOT MARTHA said...

i love a good honest diy. great prints!

Kellie said...

They look great! I love it!

Gabrielle said...

So true, some projects are way harder then others. The more you do a certain type of projects, the better you get. This happens to me daily. Sometimes I think back on how for I've come with my crafting. I'm way more of a perfectionist now, how ever, I still can make a big mess out of things by not paying attention.

bananas. said...

girl you are on a DIY roll! and from the looks of it, you're doing a FAB job. a little sweat and a few curse words never hurt nobody ;)

Unknown said...

ha - you say it looks horrible but it's way too hard to tell here. looks great from where i'm sitting!

Jackie said...

Oh man, I am sorry it ended up being more difficult than anticipated :( But it looks great! I love your fabric choice, I think it looks wonderful with the base. It's so true with DIY-ing that you just have to learn from your mistakes, and things get easier as you do more and more projects. It's all about the learning process.

tanya said...

you are seriously on a roll--I LOVE it!

Callie Grayson said...

oooh, i really like your end results. I have two lamps that need new shades and I think I will have to do this DIY!!! next week when my mum is in town. She would love to help.
xx
callie

georgia b. said...

awesome! you've got great talent, dear!

Live a Colorful Life said...

I love your new lamp. The base is fabulous, and you used probably my all-time favorite Amy Butler fabric. Evuh. It turned out great!

Honesty. As a quilter, my favorite quilt book title is "Really Hard Blocks that Take a Really Long Time." At least you know what you're getting into.

Diana said...

This is such a good idea!! Great job! you make great design limitless!

Julia said...

Oh good, it's not just me :) I think it turned out lovely!

ticklishfromadistance said...

It looks great and your post made me giggle. No DIY project is complete without cussing. Promise.

Wally said...

Christina - you are a funny girl! I think the lamp shade is very cute. I love that you are so honest and personal on your blog. Keep it up :-)

Gabbi said...

Your lamps are awesome, I'm going to have to try it. I appreciate the not-so-easy warning... I'm setting my self expectations low. :)

naphtali said...

Love the project! Looks great. Funny thing is I JUST bought that same fabric last night!! I got about four different Amy Butler fabrics and have projects lined up. Love it!!

TERI REES WANG said...

You made those lamps come alive.
Keep creating, it works!

Rachel Follett said...

You are so talented! I have always wanted to tackle a project like this but it seemed too overwhelming. I commend you for taking it on!

Sabine, La Marquise des anges said...

maybe not so easy but very beautiful !!!

from the right bank said...

Look at you and all your DYI! It looks awesome - that yellow print is great.

The Professional Bridesmaid said...

I'm totally in awe! Those are so awesome.

A "cheery" disposition said...

I love that print you picked out!

Rachel said...

I was wanting to do a similar project like this with some leftoever fabric, so... thank you for the heads up and the honesty. I love that fabric!

Katherine Lee said...

it looks gorgeous! i've got all these extra scraps of wallpaper, and now i know what to do with them. thanks for the idea! and that polaroid application is possibly the coolest thing ever! i'm definitely giving you a shout out on my blog for introducing me to that. thanks for the comment!
xo Katherine aka. Urban Flea :)
www.urbanfleadesign.com

Aline said...

you did such a great job!!!

A. Jarrett said...

how creative is this? ~love how this came out~

Elaine Prunty said...

I think its looks amazing, well done.
you know the quakers when they were making quilts always put in an error on purpose as "nothing is perfect in the eyes of god" whilst I may not necessarily believe in a god I do believe its ok ,not to be perfect..

Bromeliad said...

You did good!

I tried to do a lampshade once and ended up clamping the edges with my toes.

Blair Friedeman said...

No matter how hard--you did a fabulous job!!! Love the fabric you chose too:)

PS~Erin said...

You are just all over the diy! So impressive! I think it turned out great!

Full House said...

Thanks for the not so easy discloser. I've actually tried this so I feel your pain.

Your lamps look great!

drollgirl said...

DIY is a gamble, for sure! but you are game! you should see some of my sewing projects. DISASTER. hahahahahah. oh well. one must keep trying or shell out for the work of the professionals. :)

paula said...

love this! I may have to try it.

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

TOTALLY cute - i have the same fabric in red n white...its one of my faves!

Jen Ramos
'Cards & Prints You'll Love...'
www.madebygirl.commadebygirl.blogspot.com

Felicia|DaLipstickBandit said...

but it looks great in pictures..lol

Haven and Home said...

Well it looks great to me! I appreciate your style in fun lamp shades!

jess@noelmarie said...

Love them! What a great DIY. Crafty lady!

Marianne said...

Hi there ! I love your lamp, the fabric is amazing ! I've just made my first one yesterday for my baby's nursery. You can check it out on my blog if you want : http://nocesdecoton.canalblog.com/archives/2010/02/24/17031361.html. I hope you like it ! Cheers from France !

Anonymous said...

I had the exact same problem with mine - mine was tapered even more drastically than yours. I did pleating, of sorts, but I'd love some thoughts on better ways to wrap it. Sigh. It's here: http://diyingtobedomestic.wordpress.com/2010/06/23/mason-jar-lamp/

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