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Have I mentioned how addicted I am to Pinterest?

I have found enough ideas for 2 lifetimes! But, once you pin them, what do you do with the info? I’ve pinned so much that I’ve forgotten what I have even pinned! Well, the last few weeks, I have seen several Pinterest Challenges going on around the blog world. So, I decided to take on the challenge myself. I looked through my PINS and found one project that I really wanted to accomplish, a burlap lampshade. I love the texture, it’s rustic yet chic at the same time.

After looking at a bunch of fun lampshades, I remembered this ugly early 90’s green lamp that I bought for $2.00 at a yard sale.

 So, I bought some burlap and pretty buttons, grabbed some newspaper from the recycle, found some left over silver spray paint and spray adhesive in my basement, and pulled out my trusty glue gun, then set to work.

First thing to do is clean and dry your lamp. Then, mask off {old bags work great for this} any part of your lamp that you don’t want to paint. Looking back, I should have just spray painted the cord, but, I wasn’t thinking ahead. Yeah, oopsie. Anyway…

Spray your lamp with a few light coats of your desired color.

Wow. Goodbye 90’s!

After it dries, you’ll want to spray a couple coats of  finish. I had this finish leftover from another project, so that is what I used. {By the way, Rustoleum is a FAR superior spray paint then Krylon, but, alas, they lack in color selection. But, that’s completely besides the point.} I used gloss because I wanted the sheen, but you could use whatever depending on the look you are after. While that dries, or 2 weeks later depending on how many “helpers” you have given birth to, start on your lampshade.

First, make a pattern out of newspaper. Just roll the lamp along the newspaper as you draw your edge. It’s not too terribly tricky, but, it was WAY to complicated for me to do while taking pictures. After you’ve got that done, cut out your burlap. I left some extra on the end, just in case.

Next, you will attach your burlap using spray adhesive. Take a lesson from me! Spray both the lampshade AND the material with a good coat so that it doesn’t come unstuck 443 times! Oh, and do this outside. You don’t want that on your floors. Don’t ask.

Now, fold the edges over each other and iron shut.

Go over whatever didn’t seal with your hot glue gun so that it is nice and tight. It should look something like this.

Now hot glue your trim around the top and bottom of your shade. Use some clothes pins to hold the trim in place while the glue dries. Warning: you might not have any

fingerprints left after applying said trim. Just keep that in mind!

Oh, and please excuse my late night crafting photos. A mama has got to do what a mama has got to do.

After you have your trim on, sit back and admire it for a minute. Your fingers will need a little break!

Now, hot glue on some fun flowers, buttons, or whatever makes your lampshade sing. I used some flowers I’d made for our family pictures a couple weeks before. If you need a tut for the flowers, just hop back on sweet Pinterest and search “burlap flower tutorial” because there are a bunch, and you are sure to find one you like.

And, here she is!

So much sexier than her former self! I don’t think I’m quite finished with her yet, though. I need to add a something inside on the flowerless side to balance the weight of the embellishments. See how it’s leaning to the left? I’m thinking a fishing line weight or two glued onto the inner rim of the lampshade will work perfectly! And, I’m thinking she needs more bling.

Go big or go home, right?

2 weeks later:

After 2 weeks of looking at that lampshade, I couldn’t take it anymore! I had to add more flowers. I know, I know, I just don’t know where to stop! But, seriously you guys, I feel much better now.

Well, there you have it, just like the Old Man’s Major Award, only I think this one wouldn’t have gotten accidentally busted by the Mrs.

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*Ok, y’all, I challenge you to go pick one thing off your boards and actually try it.

I can’t wait to hear what you choose!*