Let me just start by saying that me and stenciling don't get along very well.
I have failed so many times, that it's not even funny.
When we moved into this apartment, the walls were all white. I kindda liked it, because in previous apartments they were all different shades of tan. We rent, but are allowed to paint. I haven't painted anywhere, because
white just felt so refreshing. However, that meant that different
shades of white would look funny. Plus, I was craving some color, so in accessories it went.
So was the case of our bedroom lamps, which I got at a garage sale for $1. It had ugly lampshades and the cheapest replacement shades I could find were at Ikea. If you've ever bought a lamp shade at Ikea and have tried to put it on a non Ikea lamp, then you know that doesn't really work.
I then taped a stripe all around at the height where I wanted my first row of chevron to end.
I created a chevron pattern using ScotchBlue Advanced Delicate Surface Tape. I have used other painters tapes before and have hated any sort of stenciling, because of how much paint seeped through. However, this particular tape works like magic (and no..they didn't pay me to say this, although I would happily welcome that kind of thing, as I already love this product).
I used a small piece of the tape to create spaces that would be of equal size of my painted zig zags. And don't worry if your chevrons aren't perfectly symmetrical. Some of mine were wider than others, but I found that as long that the spacing between the lines was the same, then the result was totally acceptable to me.
For the paint, I decided to go with some Martha Stewart Crafts Paint (I bought a set when it came out and it was all over blogland. Oh...I remember entering numerous giveaways for one of those sets, and never won. I gave in and bought one from Michael's) and rolled the paint with a brush that came in the set, that attaches directly to the paint bottle.
I just squeezed the bottle, and rolled the excess paint on a paper plate. I then rolled the paint on the white space between the tape. I removed the tape immediately after every row I completed. It was amazing. I had crisp lines! I couldn't believe it!
Here's my new lamp in all it's glory!
Have a wonderful week and big hugs,

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Sooooooo cute! I pinned it! You can't stencil.....whatever! I looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mindi. You always know how to lift my spirits.
DeleteIt looks awesome, not I....
ReplyDeleteJust hopped over from a linky party...sooo cute! I will have to remember that tape for the crisp lines!
ReplyDeletethank you for stopping by.
DeleteBeautiful! I might me attempting my own shade makeover soon :) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGo for it. Be not afraid.:)
DeleteI have been hearing so many great things about martha stewart craft paints! where do you buy them? I love how it turned out. so cute. I came over from Hopestudios and I am excited to see what other projects you come up with
ReplyDeleteAw...you're so sweet. Thank you for visiting my lil' blog. I bought the Martha Stewart craft paint from Michael's. They have a whole section with her stuff.
DeleteSOOOO cute! I'm obsessed with chevron! And I need that roller that attaches right to the paint bottle. Genius!
ReplyDeleteyou can find the roller at Michael's.
DeleteLooks like a complete success!
ReplyDeleteOh Kara...I so want you to move here so I can design your new home. Please work some wife magic and convince Nick to persevere Colorado for his next career stop. Seriously, by then I will be hugely successful with my blog (right?) and I will come and remodel and design your whole house with awesome sponsors and such:)
DeleteThink of the fun we could have!!! In the meantime, come visit us!!!! Miss you like crazy!
So cute! Who doesn't love chevron!
ReplyDeleteLove the lamp! Awesome job. I would love it if you would link up to my party that is going on right now. Tip toe thru Tuesday is co-hosted by three different blogs, so you get triple the traffic. I hope we see you there!
ReplyDeletehttp://christyscuties.blogspot.com/2012/09/tip-toe-thru-tuesday-link-pary.html
Very nice. I've been wanting to stencil a lampshade but haven't gotten around to it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Im going to have to give this a try thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJulianne
www.sewfantastic.blogspot.com
We practically have the same name! In fact my family calls me Jewels.
DeleteNo joke, this is the best chevron lamp shade I've seen! I can't believe it's a DIY project!
ReplyDeleteYou really think that? Aww....that's so nice!
DeleteGreat minds think alike!!!! :) Your lamp looks great!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks fanTAStic! Great color choice, and I can't believe you got it so even! I would love for you to stop by and share it here if you get a minute:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.oneartsymama.com/2012/09/shine-on-fridays-45-and-giveaway.html
Love it! It is so cute! Stopping by via Funky Junk Interiors link party.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.the-finishing-touches.net/
I have a serious thing for chevron! This is great! Love the aqua too! Would love for you to share at the Pomp Party! http://www.createcraftlove.com/2012/09/pomp-party-35.html
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! I seriously need to try this. Thanks so much for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteKatie
www.funhomethings.com
I love it! I may try it on my boring lampshades. I'm also going to pin it! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. Chevron is one of my favorite patterns right now!
ReplyDeletehoooly cow this is amazing. Just today I was looking at my sad plain lamp shades wondering how I could spice them up and here's my answer! your lines are Perfect and that color you chose couldn't be cuter. really amazing job!
ReplyDeleteThe House of Shoes
Love this! Pinned it! found ya via MightyCrafty!
ReplyDelete-Amberly!
Love this! I love thrifting too and this is such a great idea! Thanks
ReplyDelete-Domestically Modern
Cuteness, I'm not into chevron but the tutorial will be used for a different pattern, thanks for sharing. I love the blue xo
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - so cute! Loved and pinned. Thanks for sharing at MightyCrafty Mondays...
ReplyDeleteThat came out great! I love how clean and fresh it looks. Thanks for sharing the how-to.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. I follow Maybe Matilda and definitely will stop by Bungalow Boutique as well.
Delete