My husband and I both love mini lamps around the house.  We use nightlight bulbs or 7.5 watt bulbs just to add warmth to the house.  I had a lamp that the shade had broken on, so I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a few items to dress up a new shade.  I outlined these easy steps anyone can do to update any shade you have. 

First, find a lampshade that compliments your lamp, house, and style.  Also check to see if your lampshade attaches by the lightbulb, or with a finnial. You don't want to finish your shade, only to find you purchased the wrong one.

 Second, select your trim material.  I wanted a fuzzy thread like finish.  They have all types of materials such as beads, fringe, or tassles.

 Next is your adhesive.  I like Aleens because it adhears quickly and will withstand the heat of the bulb.  Hot glue sometimes loosens with the heat of your lightbulb.  Especially if you are using a higher wattage.

 These clips work great for holding your fringe in place while your adhesive dries.  You can also use pins or clothespins.

Add glue to the edge of your shade.  Make sure not to use too much.  You don't want it to bleed through your fringe. You may run the risk of your clips sticking to your shade if you use too much glue. When you wrap the fringe around, make sure to check that you are not going to high or too low in your placement. 

After it is placed properly, place a clip to hold it while your adhesive dries.  Repeat this step until your entire trim is in place.

After all the clips are in place, turn shade over and allow to dry, about 1 hour.  Remove clips, trim off any excess fringe and place shade onto lamp.  Sit back and enjoy your beautiful project!

I am a sucker for anything shiny!  I am also a sucker for a deal on craigslist.  I found these really cute silver serving trays last week.  I got all 6 of them for only $5.00!  What a bargain.  I can use them for a variety of things.  I put some out with cookies on them for Thanksgiving.  One I put by my tub with sea shells we collected on the beach when we took the kids to Disneyland years ago.  You could even bake some fresh cookies, wrap them in cello with a big holiday bow and give them out as gifts! 

I am starting a new project this week.  I am refinishing my husbands pool table!  He is totally thrilled with this project.  We purchased a table for $150 used.  It is just an old bar style table.  The sides are brown laminate, the felt, green and patched in a few places.  I've started by preping and painting the sides, legs and underneath satin black.  Next I will paint a fire engine red trim around the table, get mother of pearl beads and fill in the screws, and re-chrome the chrome sides.  So far it is looking really nice.  When all of the painting is done, we will refelt the table in red.  Can't wait to see the finished product. 

So I've started my next project.  A full sized head and foot board that I picked up at Goodwill.  Not quite sure what the previous owner had in mind when they started this project, but it has a funny finish to it, and a very strangely placed shelf where your head should be. I have a few areas that have to be filled in with wood filler.  My plan is to paint it a satin black and put it in the house.  I know a full sized bed is small for a couple, but honestly, they are so romantic.  You are forced to cuddle up together because there's just no room!  I will post pictures as I go along.  So exciting!!!



Ugly Gold Seat




Primered Bench

                                                  





Final Product!!!!!

OK well here goes.  This is my first project.  I found this old, ugly, very dirty harvest gold piano bench at a local thrift store.  I paid $7.50 for it.  I went to a local "Home" improvement store (hint hint) and picked up this lovely green paint.  I liked the way the bench opened, so I very carefully took off the hardware to use later.  I sanded the ugly dark brown legs down and painted them green.  I pulled off the fabric and batting from the bench seat, and using a pillowcase with pretty pink flowers and matching green leaves, recovered the bench.  Not bad for my first project I must admit!