DIY Life

It's never too late to bring some festive decor into your home, and with this easy DIY lampshade update, chances are you've already got the tools to do so! Don't believe me? You have a lamp and some paper, right? Good. Then get to work:

The only materials you need for this tutorial are as follows:
black paper, a pair of scissors, a pencil and double-stick, clear tape

Yep, that's it!

Your instructions couldn't be easier! Try these few, easy steps on for size:
1. Download, print and cut out the black cat template.
2. Trace the template onto black paper with a pencil.
3. Cut out the cat shape from the black paper
4. Use double stick tape to adhere the silhouette to the inside of the shade.

And with that, you've got an instant DIY trick up your sleeve, perfect for surprising last-minute Halloween guests.

If you love shabby chic, this is your tutorial. Yesterday, I was browsing Velvet Brown, a hot spot for feminine decor in the U.K., and stumbled across this lampshade. Could be super cute in a girl's bedroom or nursery, or perhaps a Victorial entryway. Although this lamp skirt sells for roughly $40, you can create your own version with a considerably less alternative.

Search for a toddler's skirt, preferably layered (I've found a lovely black alternative that I may love even more than the beige!). Fit to the shade, and make accommodations as necessary. You may need to tighten the waist with elastic, or add another layer with filler fabric.

Don't have time to shop the toddler's section? You can create a similar look with an old skirt in your closet by sewing a few extra layers.

Whichever you decide, it's important to remember how easy it is to create stylish alternatives for the same items in big box retailers. With a bit of creativity, you can own a one-of-a-kind lampshade that would make Velvet Brown melt!

Love the lamp you have but the lampshade has gotten dusty and dirty over the years? My lampshades all took a beating during a recent cross-country move. Instead of running out and purchasing a new shade -- anything but plain white is expensive -- why not remake the lampshade by covering it with some fabric that co-ordinates with your room?

You will need:

Scissors
Spray glue
Paper, for tracing the pattern
Fabric

Step One:
Lay your lampshade down on your craft paper, or the back of wrapping paper. Starting at the seam roll and trace the bottom of your lampshade until you arrive back at the seam. Then roll the lampshade back in the opposite direction and trace the top edge. For the most common style of lampshade, it will be a crescent shape drawing.

I went to the store the other day and perused the selection of lamps. Talk about cheap crap, er, I mean expensive junk. I couldn't find a lamp under $20 that wasn't ugly or in need of some serious style. I came home totally bummed that I didn't find the perfect lamp.

Design*Sponge's Kate has made some really cool cork lamps. Her perfect lamps are made out of cork, Ikea cutlery caddies, and an Ikea plant pot. She got her lamp wiring kit at the hardware store and purchased her lampshade from Anthropologie.

Kate's instructions are precise and very easy to follow. She explains exactly how to put the lamps together, where to put the lamp wiring through the cork base, and finishes off with some awesome pictures of her completed cork lamps.

Cork is so versatile. You can tack some pictures on the cork, or decorate your new lamp however you wish. You can even paint the cork, if plain brown bores you. Either way, this is the perfect weekend project. I will definitely add this to my project list.

Kids love to draw and create things with paper. If they are complaining this holiday season that they don't have any money to get Gramma and Grampa the perfect Christmas gift, sit them down with some paper to make a paper lampshade.

Tomoko Fuse made an origami paper lampshade with a large piece of paper that was folded over and over again. The corner folding continued at the halfway points of the paper, with the paper being well creased with a bone folder. Horizontal creases were made at all intersections, which completed the folding process. The model was bend around so that all diagonal folds became mountains.

Your kids will not complain about being bored anymore if you give them the paper to do this fun origami project. Use caution with the fire retardant spray, please. An adult should spray the paper lampshade in a well ventilated area.

Dan over at Instructables has a nifty tutorial for making your own custom lighting fixture from - among other things - plastic milk jugs. He provides a template that looks sort of like a parallelogram with notches in each corner. You use the template to create as many identical pieces as you like - he even offers suggestions for different methods of cutting.

The pieces are then joined together by the notches - no glue or screws needed. Last thing you need is a basic lamp fixture and a bulb that won't melt whatever material you choose for your fixture. Sheer genius.