How to Decoupage a Lampshade With Fall Leaves

Maple leaf

Bring in the outdoors during the fall by decorating common household items with leaves. One great project that can be completed in about an hour is decoupaging a lampshade with fall leaves. This will give an old and worn out lampshade new life, which can make your home feel more cozy and warm during cold autumn nights.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Assorted fall leaves
• 1 medium bowl
• 2 small bowls
• Tap water
• Paper towel
• White tissue paper
• Paint brush (medium size)
• White craft glue or PVA glue
• Varnish

1. Choose an old lampshade or buy a basic paper lampshade sold in craft stores.

2. Go outside and collect assorted fall leaves. Choose different colors, shapes and sizes. Pick out the ones that have freshly fallen off the trees so that they are not dirty or muddy. When picking leaves from a pile of dried leaves, choose the ones on top instead of the bottom so that they are less soiled.

3. Soak the leaves in a medium sized bowl filled with tap water, so that they will soften up. Brittle leaves are harder to decoupage because they can easily break. Softening the dry leaves keeps their form.

4. Remove the stems from the leaves, then lay them down on some paper towels. Blot off excess water.

5. Rip the white tissue paper into 1 inch pieces.

6. Mix one part glue and one part water in a separate small bowl. This will give your glue a glaze-like consistency, so that it is not too tacky or gooey to work with. Diluting the white glue will also give you enough time to move the leaves around before they completely dry out.

7. Start decoupaging your lampshade by adding the strips of tissue paper one by one. Dip your paintbrush in your glaze, then apply on top of the tissue paper until it sticks on the lampshade. Continue until the lampshade has been fully covered with the strips of tissue paper. Let it dry for 10 minutes.

8. Decoupage the fall leaves on top of the tissues randomly with enough spacing in between, ensuring you leave enough of the tissue showing. You can place different sizes, colors and shapes of leaves at each section. To determine the section of the lampshade, turn the lampshade around as you apply the leaves. Use the same brush and glue glaze to decoupage your leaves. Let it dry for 10 to 15 minute.

9. Mix your finishing glaze in a separate bowl by adding one part glue, one part water and one part varnish.

10. Apply your finishing glaze all over the lampshade in one direction as you turn the lampshade around. Apply a second coat if needed. Let it dry, then place the lampshade on a lamp. Turn on the lamp to enjoy your fall leaf design.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a metallic glaze of bronze or copper color to give your lampshade with an extra sheen.

• Use a low wattage light bulb so that the tissue paper and glue will not burn.