Some days I just don't feel like sitting at my desk or getting my hands dirty in the kitchen. Some days I get crafty cravings. Working from home has many many advantages (all-day access to the kitchen to name number one!) but I do start to notice things I want to change and update and think of ridiculous lists of items we 'must have' in our house.
As I'm trying to lay off unnecessary spending with bub's impending arrival and because I just love a good simple DIY, I got crafty with bits and pieces I found around the house.
Project one was recovering a black IKEA lampshade in a sunny yellow fabric for the nursery. Recovering lampshades is one of the easiest DIY home decor projects you can do and makes such a huge difference in no time at all. I forgot to look when I finished but I think this took me 20 minutes total if that.
You will need:
- Old lamp shade
- Fabric - must admit I have a ridiculously large supply
- A glue gun
- A pencil
- An ironing board and iron
- Scissors
To work out how much fabric you need, lay the lampshade on the piece of fabric on its seam. If it doesn't have a seam then mark a spot inside the shade. Mark where you start on the fabric then roll the shade across it until you get to the seam again. You'll need to cut a piece a bit longer than that.
To get the top and bottom nice and even, repeat the rolling but this time, every few centimetres, mark the top and bottom of the shade on the fabric. Remove the lamp then cut around the fabric adding about 3cm (1.5") to your outline so you have some extra fabric to fold over.
Iron the fabric so it's nice and flat then you need to hem one side of it. Fold it over about 1cm and iron it then repeat so you have a nice neat edge.
Now it's gluing time. This part is a bit tricky to explain (should have done a video) but I'll do my best. Lay the fabric out flat and line the seam of the shade up with the un-hemmed edge of the fabric then roll the shade in the fabric to make sure it's lined up well.
Unroll it and glue the un-hemmed side down. Then it's just a case of rolling up the shade making sure the fabric is nice and tight then glue down the hemmed edge. Stand the shade up and working a few centimetres at a time, carefully glue the top and bottom of the fabric to the inside of the shade to make it nice and neat.
I have really tough fingers from cooking so the hot glue doesn't bother me but I'd probably advise using the end of a pen to help push the fabric onto the hot glue.
Leave your new shade to dry for a few minutes then put it back on the stand and admire your work.
My second project was creating a bit of a blank canvas to decorate with the seasons and occasions. I just stapled a piece of burlap over an old canvas and a few minutes later had my blank canvas.
I wanted to do something a little bit Halloween like with my decorating. Will thought my orange bunting was a bit far fetched but I think orange is Halloween don't you? I just cut out some little triangles and blue-tacked them on so I can change it up again very soon for Christmas! I'm thinking some fabric Christmas trees perhaps?
What about you? Do you DIY?
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
That lamp shade is gorgeous! I love yellow-it's so uplifting :)
Claire says
Isn't it? I never used to have any yellow but now it's popping up all around our house!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I haven't done DIY for years but if I were in the states I would be making a wreath for the door out of pine cones or cross stitching something with a holiday theme or knitting mittens. I need to get going. :) Love the lampshade!
Claire says
Now that sounds like exactly what a certain someone should be doing to relax and take it easy ;-)