Lampshades

Here are some of the lampshades I have altered in some way or another.

The 1st one is a cheap white paper shade I bought at Target. I just wrapped it in some pretty textured yellow ribbon. Just start off tying the ribbon to one of the "spokes" at the top of the lampshade, then just wrap, keeping the ribbon tight, until it's covered. Then tie it off. *SO* simple. Use any ribbon to match your decor :)

2nd, a really cool lampshade I found at a garage sale. It was actually free because it was my friends garage and she let me take what ever I wanted. It started out really ugly, with tattered and stained red velvet. It was missing 1/2 of it's red fringe. It looked like it could have come out of a brothel, but I loved the form of the wire shade, so I ripped off everything and started with the bare form. I cut strips of cream colored tulle and tied them onto the shade, starting from the middle of the form tying some knots at the top and some knots at the bottom. Then just trim the tulle to the same size at the top and bottom. This makes the ruffle. I love the way the old wire form shows through. I added chandelier crystals hanging from the bottom. Very girly! If your shade didn't have a middle wire you could alternate tying the strips one at the top, then one at the bottom, or just have a full ruffle at the bottom or top of the shade.

3rd shade is one I found at the thrift store. I paid $1 for it. Again I loved the form and it was actually in great shape, just a little plain. I decided to "slipcover" it with an old sweater. I found a really nice Pendleton silk sweater for $3 at the thrift store. I pinned the sweater, wrong side out around the shade, then slipped it off and sewed down the pin line. Next I turn it right side out and slipped it back on the shade and trimmed the sweater about an inch above at the top and an inch below at the bottom. Then I folded the sweater under the bottom of the shade and hot glued it to the inside. I did the same thing at the top but I folder it twice before I glued it so it would have a nice finished look. I added cute pom-pom fringed hot glued to the bottom. It made for a warm and cozy look.