Vamp up your Lamp-shades!!

I am doing my first Guest Post ever on Wednesday over at Life as Lori. I'm soooo excited!! This is the project I am showcasing ... let me know what you think!!


I took these plain and boring lamps and JAZZED 'em up by embellishing the boring off-white shade!! I got both of the table lamps and a floor lamp for $14.99 at TARGET, pretty sweet right? I've been using them for a month or so and I just couldn't get over how stinkin' boring the shades were. Then just the other day the idea popped into my head to paint them a bit. Ok, its super easy, here we go!!


First, I had to decide which words I wanted to use, and which language as well. I figured that since they were for the bedroom I needed to use a romantic language, so I went with French and the words "tranquility" and "serenity". I downloaded a font by Jellyka Nervan called Gare de Chambord from Dafont ... if you've never been there for fonts, go there after you read this :)

Since my shades are tapered and not drum, I cut the words up into smaller sections so I could arrange them in a straight line. I first tried without cutting them and due to the curve of the shade the word looked kinda arched, like a rainbow :) I taped them to the inside of the shade using scotch tape.


Turn the lamp on and trace your letters onto the shade with a FINE tipped paintbrush and whichever color paint you would like. I went with black for these. I didn't want the lines to look perfect, I kinda was going for an oldish look, so you don't have to worry too much about a super steady hand.


Once you've got the word painted on, take the paper off and let it dry. Once the paint is dry you will be able to see if you need to add another coat of paint. The more coats you add, the darker and opaque the letters will be. *** I have NO clue how to type the letters in WORD with the accents and things over them, so I just free handed them on, I know this picture doesn't show it, but I didn't want you to think I forgot about it ***


My original plan was to do a tea-stain treatment to the shades to darken them up a bit, but turns out I REALLY liked the look of the black against the off white shade. But, I still wanted to jazz it up a bit so I wrapped the top and bottom in jute twine. There was already a binding along both the top and the bottom, so I used that as a guide. I went through a lot of mini glue sticks and sustained a few minor burns, but I LOVE the way they turned out!!

This is the lamp on the Hubs' nightstand. His says "tranquility".


And, another shot of mine :) I LOVE LOVE LOVE how these turned out, so much better than I originally envisioned, and what a way to doll up some plain boring lampshades!!

Its been so long since I've linked up to my favorite parties, I've been so crazy busy with the move and Bucket's birthday and now Phil is leaving on Friday morning for 12 weeks. I'm not sure I've told you all, but he is in the ARMY so he is going to Georgia for OCS (Officer Candidate School). Anyway, check out all the fun places where I get my party on!! I am linking this specific project to the following parties:

Something I Whipped Up Monday @ The Girl Creative

Make Your Monday @ The Twice Remembered Cottage

Make It For Monday @ Cottage Insticts

The DIY Project Parade @ The DIY Showoff

Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Made By You Monday @ Skip To My Lou

Making The World Cuter Mondays @ Making The World Cuter

Toot Your Horn Tuesday @ A Silly Little Sparrow

Do It Yourself Day @ A Soft Place to Land

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday @ New Nostalgia

Whatever Works Wednesday @ Someday Crafts