Anthropologie-Inspired Lampshade Tutorial: 2nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!! And for those of you who are new to this space, welcome.  I hope after you read today's tutorial that it will convince you that this space is worth bookmarking and visiting time and time again! :)

We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

As a participant, I was asked to share a handmade gift idea for the upcoming holiday season. So, today I have a tutorial to share on how to create your own Anthropologie-Inspired Lampshade using my Fiskars tools.

First you'll need to purchase a neutral colored lamp base and lamp shade (or, if you're frugal like me, thrift one from your local resale shop).  Then, place your shade in front of you with the seam at the back. Wrap your shade several times with baker's twine from The Twinery until you get a band the thickness you like.  Go slow and with each wrap around be sure to use your fingers to push the twine tightly together.

Next, use your Pretty Scallops Lever Punch XXXX Large and punch 4 scalloped circles from cross-stitch cloth. Punch a single circle using the Circle Lever Punch XXXX Large from the same cloth.

Fold each of the scalloped circles in half, then in half again. Place a dab of hot glue between the layers near the crease of the folds to hold it closed.

Then, place hot glue on the back of each wedge and adhere to the circle. Allow to cool.

Embellish the center with some coordinating ready-made embellishments. These are from the Saturday's collection by Little Yellow Bicycle. I just removed the bronze brads that came with them and inserted some colorful fabric-covered brads in their place. The felt texture of the petals and the linen texture of the leaves add subtle texture and compliment the cross-stitch material nicely.

Next, use your Circle Shape Template to trace several circles, varying in size, onto some colored canvas to create your own flower embellishment. Insert a fabric brad through the center. The pink flower was created in the same fashion as the scalloped flower cut from cross-stitch material using sheer organza fabric.

Use temporary adhesive, such as Removable Glue Dots to figure out your preferred placement of your flowers before using your hot glue gun to adhere them to the lamp shade.

Once you have a placement you are happy with, remove one flower at a time, remove the glue dot, and then hot glue the flower in place. Be sure to hold it in place until the glue cools so it doesn't shift on you. Lastly, to put your lampshade makeover in the 'over-the-top' category, add a plume of feathers cut from a feather boa.

All that's left to do is admire your super chic Anthropologie-Inspired Lamp Shade made on a budget!  Oh, and figure out how to wrap it up so you can gift it this holiday season! LOL.

So...back to the hop details:

To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! Use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day.

And the best news I have to share is that Fiskars is one of the sponsors!!! Can I hear a "whoooot, whoooot!?"

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov 27, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!
Clearsnap
Hampton Art
Graphic45
Fiskateers
Donna Salazar Designs
Tombow USA
Authentique Paper
The Twinery
Eileen Hull for Sizzix
Globecraft Memories
Diana Gonzalez – Clearsnap
Monika Wright – The Twinery
Gretchen McElveen - Hampton Art
Megan Aaron – Clearsnap 
Tania Willis – Fiskateers (you are here)
Gloria Stengel – Graphic 45
Suzanne Austin – Clearsnap
Shellye McDaniel – Authentique Paper
Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs
Jen Carter – The Twinery
Laura Denison – Graphic 45
Candy Spiegel – Globecraft Memories

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

Happy Hopping!