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Thursday 9 August 2012

Country Girl Lampshade

I bought a floor lamp at auction for $2.  Then, I found out a new lampshade would cost me $30.  I also overbought burlap garland at Christmas time.  Putting these two issues together made me come up with this. ~


Here's the original shade.  Warning: Not a pretty sight! ~


I grabbed a roll of burlap and started pinning it to the old shade. ~


I liked the look of the nubby weave when the light was turned on. ~


Now, I guess they don't expect you to do this with it and they make no effort to make the burlap an even width.  There were gaps in the middle and I hauled out a strip of drop cloth, frayed the edges and pinned it on. ~


I had some hand carved, wooden buttons and added them to the middle strip.  Glueing it all on seemed like way too much work so I grabbed a needle and thread and tacked it all right onto the old silk shade.  I'm thinking I can change the centre seasonally by snipping a couple of threads and re trimming the band.

The sleeves on the candle bulbs were yellow and split but I remembered seeing this on Timeless Treasures. ~


Audrey comes up with the most ingenious ways to re purpose things and, since she has a good twenty years on me, puts me to shame with the projects she tackles.  Check her site out, but I warn you, you'll fall in love with her!

Out comes my stash of old sheet music and the problem is fixed! ~


Given all the years I spent in the music biz, I think it's very apropos.

I like to think of this shade as what Audrey Hepburn's country cousin would wear to Breakfast At Tiffany's. So, I decided to take her to the country for a photoshoot, back at the river.  I'm sure the neighbours don't find it odd that I'm carrying a floor lamp around outside with me!

Let's see how she looks beside my old bait shack door. ~


Shabby perfection! ~







32 comments:

  1. I love it Maureen and would have never thought of that - wow - I have a couple of lampshades that I hate - definitely going to try this one!!!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  2. loving your new lampshade. I'm going to have to read up at Timeless Treasures as the music sheets added are adorable!

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  3. That is a great lampshade! Love it's new look. Megan

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  4. You have done it again...this is the cutest darn thing!

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  5. This turned out beautifully! What a wonderful way to perk up a lampshade! xo wendy

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  6. Oh wow, your lampshade turned out great. Love those buttons.

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  7. Love your lampshade, and still love that door in your deck area again too. I have a lamp sitting to my right right now, and for the last few days been thinking about what to do with it. Love the look! So glad you shared your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – your creativity helped make the party a success!

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  8. Great job Maureen. Love the makeover and that you can easily change the trim if you wish. I have thrown away so many lamp shades that could have been re-cycled. The socket sleeves look so neat with the music cover. Thanks for the link back. So happy that you remember that blog. I love that old weathered door. I am wishing I had one to put in my potting shed.
    Hugs,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

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  9. Lovely post, Maureen, and I luuuvvve what you did with the lamp shade. The last shot outside is so dreamy and yes, I agree with you on Audrey's county cousin in the movie.

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  10. OMG, I love it, I want one, you are amazing, I love the photo by the door.

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  11. I love this and I esp love your pics. Found you on the vintage farmhoue!

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  12. Love the look of the new lamp shade. So much better than what you started with. Great job!

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  13. I love this, I was just a Micheals today looking for that burlap ribbon, next time you pop over to my blog could you let me know where to buy it

    Carol

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  14. such a great idea to use the ribbon, maureen! and i love the music paper on the sleeves, too!

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  15. Don't you love it when a plan comes together! I love the musical notes on the light holders what a great idea...they would have come home in my basket as well!

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  16. Musical noted on the holders is clever. Great job of transforming your lamp.

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  17. You turned your ugly duckling into a swan!
    Brenda

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  18. Love it! Knubby goodness.
    Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina

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  19. Love it!! the added little notes on the lights are perfect! Thank you for sharing at Uncommon!! :)

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  20. Well now, didn't that just turn out wonderful?!
    The strip of fabric and buttons covered the gap quite well...and the paper around the socket holder thingies...perfection for sure!

    Love this idea, am looking for something for my son and his girlfriends place...this gives me ideas! Pat

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  21. Very shabby chic! Came out wonderful! So: I am inviting you: Come link it up with us at the party http://www.finecraftGuild.com/party/

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  22. I just love it! I think it was a genius idea. Love the pics and those music sheet covers.

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  23. LOVE IT!!! SoooOoo UNIQUE!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!

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  24. WOw, how great and creative! What a makeover. :)

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  25. Maureen,
    That's pretty creative thinking. It worked. I never realized how much I liked burlap. I have seen it from lamp shades to table runners.

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  26. Perfect! I love such creative solutions.

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  27. Country girl lampshade is pretty darn cute! THanks for sharing with the party.

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  28. Love it! Burlap has such a surprisingly nice glow to it with the light on! your door backdrop was so pretty, too.

    Hugs, Angie

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  29. Your lampshade looks great! Your a feature this week!

    http://daysofchalkandchocolate.blogspot.com/2012/08/features-and-fridays-link-party.html

    Thanks for linking up!

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  30. You were featured at Days of Chalk and Roses Maureen - way to go!!!
    XOX

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  31. Gorgeous Maureen, I love this. Definitely shabby perfection, and yes Audrey is great too !

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  32. Absolutely perfect! Love the burlap!

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