So, i mod podged a lamp..shade!

Allow me to introduce my $2 lamp from my favorite junk store! I've been thinking about getting it for a few wks but i wasn't sure if I needed it...obviously I do ;)

I really don't know whats up with the tape around it edges. But when i took it off the shade was perfectly normal, so maybe they were trying to keep it from getting messed up?

Anyways I decided to paint to base blue...

Then i thought all afternoon about what to do with the shade. I was itching to do a project & i definitely wanted to finish this lamp in one day. So i got the bright idea to use some pretty wrapping paper i got on sale at Target & just mod podge the shade, crazy i know!

I keep forgetting to get some foam brushes so I've been using this foam roller every time i mod podge & it is a pain! But anyways i poured some on a paper plate and rolled it on my shade, doing one section at a time. (mod podge can be a serious mess so its best to do a little at a time) Then I laid the paper down, i wasn't careful about wrinkles because when i was done i gave it a distressed worn look (you can't tell in the pictures) I rolled the top coat of mod podge. I trimmed the edges and let it dry over night.

Ta-Da!!! I need to put some trim around the edges, but i didn't have any I liked at the house so that will have to wait. You may have noticed the base isn't blue...I changed my mind after I had it painted my Ocean Breeze, so i went over it with the cheap-o white kind. I love it :)

I'm not going to lie it was hard to maneuver the paper on the shade the way I wanted but it's holding up really good & it looks like a real shade!

-Brittany

I'm linking to these parties...

Where do creative ideas come from?

I don't have any projects to show you guys today. Mostly because I'm super busy, and since I haven't found a CNA job yet I've made myself promise not to spend money on "junk". But, I got this super sweet e-mail forward from my Mom where a friend of hers said how much she loves my blog & I'm pretty sure I'll be going to the junk store or Dollar Tree tomorrow so I will have a new post to help you guys with you fall decor! (Ah my favorite decor of all!)

Anyways the reason for this post is to show you guys that making decor isn't some kind of super power! I totally wish it was, but the truth is anyone can do it! Hence DIY :)

So, I am going to tell the best secret ever...the ideas all of the bloggers around here have aren't always original...

They're just cheaper versions of stuff like this...

This pumpkin stack, oh excuse me Pumpkin Topiary is from Kirkland's "Harvest" collection. It is $24.99!!
What in the world?? I do love it, & I'm seriously thinking about making it tomorrow just so I can show you that $24.99 is a rip off & we shouldn't have to wait till December to get "harvest" decor at a reasonable price.

This one honestly cracks me up. Pottery Barn is selling this set of fake acorns for $14 bucks (& you get about 54.)...ACORNS people! I just got some acorn decor, for FREE. It's called your yard & It's the best place to shop for fall decor like: acorns and pine cones.

 This is just plain crazy! Pottery Barn made this Halloween set up, which I love! What they are trying to sell is that big cloche. Their price is $69...wow that's some serious sticker shock. Cloches are so plentiful at junk store you can find one just about every time you go in there. as for the other stuff that decorates it, lets do i list...books, candlestick: have, spider, tombstone candle, moss: dollar tree, so you maybe would spend $10 on this same look if you just found a cloche & took the time to decorate around it.

So, stop looking at those magazines & emails you get and thinking, that cost too much I just wont have any decor...make it! You can do it.

My intentions for this post was not to bash department stores for their high prices, but to show you all how easy it can be to find inspiration and creativity. Its right in front of us we just have to look with a knew eye. Good luck with your decor. I'll be posting this weekend to show you some fall decor I'm working on. If you want to show me something you make because of this post don't hesitate to email me I'd love to hear from you.  mrszcross (@) yahoo (dot) com

p.s. I know my Mom has been emailing people to tell them about my blog. Because of this I have been considering adding a tab to my blog for all of our local junk stores and stores to buy supplies. Basically I'll review them for you show you what you can find there and if the prices are reasonable. If any of you guys are interested in visiting the junk stores in our area. If so email me or mom and let me know. Also if you want to follow my blog, or post comments please make a google account to do so. I don't want to include unnecessary information unless you guys are reading this. Thanks!

-Brittany Amber :)