Shed a Little Light…

It was some time ago that the lamp in the trailer bedroom fell and was squished in the slide-out.  The lamp itself was unharmed, but the lampshade was, well, let’s say, it had definitely seen better days. But, it was one of those things that I never really thought about unless I was turning on the lamp, or putting it in a safe place for travel (this lesson was quickly learned).  Never once in all my pre-shopping list-making did I think to put “lampshade”  on my lists.  For months, it was a live and let live situation.  As long as the shade was not in danger of catching fire, I let it be, cringing at it’s misshapen ugliness whenever I really looked at it.

The metal spokes of the frame had actually come apart, and poked out through the fabric in several places.  The day came when I finally decided to get a new shade.  I was tired of trying to make this one look presentable.

Off to my favorite store – Hobby Lobby – with  a 40% coupon in hand.  It was lampshade hunting day.

I was somewhat disappointed in the selection of shades.  If  you wanted a whole lamp, they had some gorgeous options, but my lamp was fine – I just wanted a shade.  I finally (to my husband’s great relief) decided on a design-your-own shade that could be covered with fabric.  I paid less than $5 for it, and I knew I had some fabric back home in the trailer.  So I came home and dug through my stash, finding a bright, cheery fabric scrap leftover from one of my favorite aprons. 

The shade was wrapped in a wax paper template, so cutting it out was quite simple.

I didn’t have my hot glue gun with me, so I had to make do with Elmer’s school glue.  Even then, it was really easy – no burnt fingers from boiling glue!  Yay!  :)  It went together quickly, and I was pleased with the speed of the project.

Ta-dah!  The new sassy lamp shade!  I could add some fringe-y stiff, but I didn’t have any in my stash.  Perhaps I will do that later.  I actually kind of like it just as it is. 

New vs. Old

The finished product – yes, it makes me smile.  :)