Thursday, November 10, 2011

Lampshade Christmas Tree

My talented sister-in-law, Elizabeth gave me the idea of making a Christmas tree out of old lamp shades.  Elizabeth made one herself to display items at a scrapbooking convention earlier this year.  (She in turn was inspired by a tree made by Sweet Magnolias Farm. )


I started off collecting old lampshades from Goodwill.  I tried to find some that had a more interesting shape to them.  I then ripped the fabric off so they were just wire frames.  (That was an adventure in itself...)  I bought a threaded metal rod about 3 feet long and some nuts at Home Depot.  I then strung the shades on the rod one at a time and twisted a nut above and below each hole to secure the shades in place.


I had an antique bronze colored urn that the shades fit nicely on and filled the bottom with ornaments.  I didn't bother painting it and just left everything as it was-gold, silver and tarnished metal.  (Although it does look white in the photo.)


I tried two different looks to decorate the tree.  First, I made a chain link garland out of sheet music.


I made a tree topper by rolling sheet music into cone shapes and gluing them onto a cardboard disc.  The glittered letter came from Walmart.


 The first look.


 For the second look I added gold and silver ornaments.


 And an angel topper.


The second look.  Festive with ornaments.  So there you have it--a Christmas tree out of old lampshades. 

Which look do you prefer?

(UPDATE:  I ended up using the sheet music topper with the ornaments and placed the garland inside the urn.  My favorite look.)

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26 comments:

  1. foreverdecoratingNovember 10, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    Oh you spoil sport. I just made one of these but was waiting to post it until after Christmas. I love them too.

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  2. Caitlin @ Hardly HousewivesNovember 10, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Very cute!!

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  3. Rosemary@villabarnesNovember 10, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    It look great. I love the angel topper.

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  4. Sue PinnerNovember 10, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    Hi what a fabulous idea
    You've been pinned on PINTEREST, a great site full of interesting inspirational pictures and 'how to's'
    Thanks for sharing
    Hugs Suz x

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  5. karahNovember 11, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    So cute! I love the idea!
    Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

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  6. Kristel T.M.November 11, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    That is my kind of tree! I don't have to water it and it will stay pretty to the New Year. I am thinking I may have to get some lampshades and make this happen. Thank you for sharing!

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  7. Jenny @ Simcoe StreetNovember 12, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    this is genius!!!

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  8. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art BoutiqueNovember 12, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Oh wow, now that's thinking outside the box. Love it!
    I’d love for you to come link this up at my Simply Christmas Inspiration party at http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com

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  9. KimMalkNovember 13, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    I'm stopping over from FJI. This is so cute. I wasn't "sold" on the look till I saw it with ornaments. So perfectly funky.

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  10. Maggie LamarreNovember 13, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Would luv for my readers to see this awesome idea, will you please join our weekly party at
    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-showcase-tutorial-with.html
    have a great crafting weekend!
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. KathyNovember 13, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    This is a fabulous idea! I started collecting vintage ornaments in pink and silver last year and I have been looking for the perfect little table-top tree to display them. This might be just thing. Thank you for sharing!

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  12. Georgie HornNovember 13, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    I am soooo copying this next year!

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  13. Trish @ UncommonNovember 13, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    So clever! I love the way it turned out! We are hosting a Home for the Holidays link party and we would love for you to join us!

    http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/2011/11/home-for-holidays-link-party_08.html

    ReplyDelete
  14. Shabby chic SandyNovember 13, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    So clever! Some people think of the cutest ideas:) Thanks for sharing!

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  15. RobinNovember 14, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    What a great twist on a Christmas Tree. I think the onrnaments look great. I am a big fan of gold and silver (red and green-not so much!).

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  16. frugal-interior-designNovember 15, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    UGGGG, I LOVE THIS! Please follow me as I'm a big proponent of repurposing old items in new, creative ways as well.

    ReplyDelete
  17. BritNovember 15, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    This is an awesome idea! Love it :) I think both looks are great, a combo between the two I bet rocks!! So glad I found you today ;)
    Britney
    www.jandmseyecandy.blogspot.com

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  18. People Who Know Me Would Say:November 16, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    What an original idea! And so well done! I like both looks, but I prefer the second because it begs the onlooker to pause and truly consider every detail.

    I'm your newest follower. Please stop by and say hi.

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  19. UnknownNovember 16, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    This looks so cool! Very original :)

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  20. The Charm of HomeNovember 16, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    That is very cute! Great repurpose! Thank you for linking up with Home Sweet home!
    Sherry

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  21. Kristine@thefoleyfamNovember 17, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Thank you for sharing and linkin up with us! This is a FABULOUS idea! SO MUCH TALENT :)

    We will be featuring you tomorrow on our blog! Feel free to hop on over and grab a featured button and get your brag on :)

    Have a lovely day!

    Kristine

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  22. Highpoint CircleNovember 17, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    I totally love this and hope I can copy it--Goodwill is probably having a run on old lampshades as I write! Very inventive. highpointcircle.blogspot

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  23. MarilynNovember 21, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    Sooo creative.. I absolutely love this.. I am officially your newest follower.. I have a linky party happening for Christmas ornaments and I will LOVE for you to please share this lovely feature with me and my friends please : )) http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/2011/11/special-christmas-soiree1st-feature.html --lovely blog you have here.. I'm officially happily following ya.. !TY

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  24. AnonymousNovember 21, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    oooo...I like your glitter-letter idea! I'm also loving your old-school sheet music garland. I'm working on a sheet music garland also...but different from yours.

    Thanks for stopping by!
    Maggei at sweetwaterbaby.blogspot

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  25. AnonymousNovember 29, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Love this idea! I included it on my top 10 list of handmade Christmas decor. Feel free to stop by and grab a button or link to show that you have been featured!
    Thanks!

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  26. foreverdecoratingDecember 17, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    Hey, come by and look at my lampshade tree. I hope you like it.

    ReplyDelete