ProCRAFTination

I have developed the bad habit of proCRAFTination. I have tended to put off starting a project because I'm not sure where to start or because I have a hard time deciding exactly what I want. Well, this year I've been trying to go against my procraftination instincts and just start. And then...just finish. That has also been a challenge for me. I'm leaving that bad habit behind.

 For quite some time, I've been hanging on to a vintage lampshade with the intent of using it with a light kit and hanging it in a dark corner of the studio. I removed the old lampshade with a box cutter until I was left with just the shade frame. Next I grabbed a stack of fabric and decided what patterns and colors were going to work for me. It turns out that smaller patterns work best. so I went with the top 3 in the front pile.

I decided to use one fabric for the top, another for the bottom and a different one for the vertical spokes.

I just ripped the fabric into strips that were about 3/4 inch wide. I used a bit of hot glue to start each strip and just wrapped until I got to the end or ran out of fabric and used some more hot glue to finish up the strip. My two must have tools when using hot glue: a glass of ice water for quick plunging of fingers that accidentally get hot glued and a bone folder that I use exclusively for pressing things into hot glue instead of using my fingers. In case you are wondering, I learned those lessons the way I learn all lessons, the hard way.

When I was all done I realized I wanted to cover the top spokes that lead to the middle as well. I didn't want to see any of the frame.

 I knew the whole time I was working that this project was not going to be done until I figured out a way to attach pompoms. Since my frame was curved, I decided to cut pink and aqua pompoms from my stash and hot glue them in place, alternating colors.

I'm so happy with the way this turned out and I can't wait for my hubby to get it lit up so it will not only be pretty, but will be functional too. I have forced myself to just dive into several projects lately and I feel like every time it gets a little easier to just make myself start. Start somewhere! Anywhere! My hope is that I can retrain my procraftination tendencies and one day I will get to the point where I don't even hesitate but just begin with a can do attitude. I will feel like I have really accomplished something when that day gets here.