Monday, July 14, 2014

Monday Made: This little lamp of mine

We've been doing up a little reading corner for the boys in our room. The area needed a little lamp to brighten up the corner, so we made this:


Making this was pretty simple, and you probably have the materials in your home. We made this out of a plastic milk carton (which a friend donated to us), LED fairy lights (that you might have in the storeroom with your christmas decorations), and some pretty tapes. 

Here's how to make your own lamp:

1. Decide on the shapes you would like to decorate your lamp. We chose stars, but anything goes, so long it is relatively easy to cut out. Larger shapes are easier to work with. Trace these shapes out on a piece of transparency. 


2. Taking a clean 2 litre plastic milk carton, cut the carton into half. You might need to trim the edges to ensure that the four sides are relatively even, so that the lamp can sit properly later.


3. Start sticking down pieces of tape to decorate the shapes you have drawn.
Key instructions to tell the kids:
- The pieces should overlap and there should not be any gaps.
- They can mix and match patterns, but to avoid very crazy patterns you could restrict them to two to three tapes per shape. We used two types of tapes per shape. 
- They need to tape over the outlines of the shapes drawn. 


4. It would start looking like a colourful crazy mess. Once the kids are done, cut out the shapes following the outline, while cutting inside the lines so that the lines would not show up in the final product.


5. Stick these shapes down onto the plastic carton, using white craft glue (PVA), which dries clear. 

6. After the glue has dried, invert your carton and stuff your fairy lights in. Flip the carton over, and you have your very own little lamp!


Junior J helped me with sticking the bits of tape onto the stars. We used Scotch Expressions Tapes by 3M, which includes various types of decorative tapes such as magic, washi and masking tape. We used their magic tapes, which are made of plastic, and can be torn by hand. Do note that if you are doing this craft with kids, they might need help to cut/tear the magic tapes, as the thinner plastic means that the tapes sometimes might split when you are peeling them. Also, it might be a better option to use washi tape, which is made of paper, since it is easier to tear these tapes. Washi tape is unlikely to split during the peeling process, and is residue-free (it does not leave a sticky residue when you peel it off a sheet of paper) and repositionable. 

I left the hubby to supervise the boys while I went to settle baby J, and came back to see this:


I laughed so hard to see these two boys with all the tape labels all over themselves! It was Lil J's idea, since he was bored while his brother was helping me, and conveniently helped himself to the tapes and peeled off all the labels! 

Labelled boys aside, we are loving our new lamp that cost virtually nothing!


I love the stained glass-like effect of the light shining through the tapes, and how the stars brighten up an otherwise plain little lamp. So if you happen to have some fairy lights collecting dust until Christmas, why not dig them out and try this project?

For more ideas for working with these decorative tapes, try popping by My Activity Room to get some inspiration from the projects posted there. In addition, 3M is organizing a workshop where you get to play with these tapes, and get more ideas on what you could do with them. If you're interested, here are the workshop details:

Scotch Make Amazing Workshop
Date: 2nd August, Saturday
Time: 2 sessions (1000-1200 or 1300-1500)
Cost: $20 per family (you will receive a starter kit of 3M products worth $40 to craft with)
Venue: Food for Thought @ National Museum

You can register for the workshop at this site, and here's a peek at what you'll get to do at the workshop:


A peek at the starter kit that you'll be receiving at the workshop!

~~~~~~~

Oh, and good news! 3M is sponsoring a gift pack of their products (inclusive of some of these Scotch Expressions tapes) worth over $60 to THREE readers of this blog! Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below to enter in the giveaway (please remember to leave your email address in the comments so we can contact you if you win!):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: We received some Scotch Expressions tapes from 3M to craft our project. No monetary compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.

89 comments:

  1. The lamp is lovely! This gives me the idea to try using them to make a lantern for the mid-autumn festival together with the kids. I would also like to use these tapes to decorate my plain ikea cabinets (the stack up white cabinets looked like a fridge for now).
    Chuyan Kwek
    Kwek_ce@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a cool idea, Chuyan! Btw, if you use them as lanterns, just be careful if you use real candles. I'm a little worried about the heat melting the plastic!

      Delete
    2. Thanks for yr advise. I intend to use the fake candle light from Daiso selling 2 for $2 :-)

      Delete
  2. I would like to use these Expressions tapes to decorate the milestone books of my two little ones.

    Cheryl
    cheryl_siew@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ooooh, I would use the tape to jazz up my coffee table. :-) Love the craft and the fact that you used LEDs !

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the final product!

    intheweehours@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. The lamp is nice! I will be using the tapes for kids crafts.
    Jolin
    Babyhappie@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love your home made lamp! I would love to make one for my kids as well!
    chanxgg@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love this homemade lamp and the glass effect of the tape!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would make a lamp like yours for our master bedroom too!

    cmeilim@gmail.com

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  9. oh gosh ... so simple and yet so lovely ... clap clap clap!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great idea and I love that the kids were involved. How fun!

    ReplyDelete
  11. would like to make a 2D map of a town with roads, railway tracks and runways with my boys, woot!

    Robert_sim@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. We'll probably work on some photo craft with it, or maybe your lamp!
    Name: Karen
    Email: heart_ocean03@hotmail.com
    Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Brilliant idea - I love coloured tapes and I'd love to spruce up my craft stash drawers with them.

    Debs G

    4owlswell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. So lovely, both the lamp and the stained glass effect. The two brothers look so identical and the picture of them with peeled stickers is so adorable.

    Satin711@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would use them to personalize my kids sketch books !

    Pm_babe
    pm_sgbrides@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am gonna copy your idea.
    Is your fairy light battery operated?

    moeybb@yahoo.com.sg

    Cheers,
    Shetom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sheron,
      Nope ours plug into an electrical source. Ikea and Daiso have battery operated ones though!

      Delete
  17. A SIMPLY Wonderful idea! Lovely works! And fun-loving kids! It's always exciting to see your ideas. : )

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, you can find me at ang.angelia@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Would like to make this with my boy & hv it on his playroom.

    Eunice
    Nikki_wee@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I bought some of the Expressions tapes and they're wonderful! It's also so easy for kids to use. Now they'll do up their own scribbles and then paste it up themselves wherever they want!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love your creation! Jenniferteo75@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Artistic..n its environment al friendly.
    Thumbs up. Going Oz as a family..hope to win this to decorate our journal with these...

    Marcia Too
    Marcia_267@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. The expression tapes helped me in creating my Phone case in a unique, fun and trendy way.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Such a pretty lamp! Where can we find transparencies now? Can use clear plastic wrapper?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zhen Xin, yes anything that is clear and stiff enough would work. You could try the leftover backings of sticker sheets too!

      Delete
  25. Attended a felt flower making workshop by Bloesem Class (owner of Bloesem started it) at Tiong Bahru and would love to use these tapes for my flowers....particularly the stems! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Would like my kids to use these to decorate cards and send it to their friends/ teachers.
    ker min
    magixn@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Use it to label the kids belonging...one colour for each kid
    Jaime chan
    Chueimei@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'd use the tapes to decorate lots of homemade cards!
    Florence daffodil_garden@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I will let my children use them for their school arts and crafts homework.
    Teo Yee Long
    trantrulla@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Would love to have this to decorate their playroom and for my children artwork!

    Kylie Lim
    yippeewoods@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. A beginner in scrapbooking and these beautiful Scotch Expression Tapes would definitely help me to enrich the designs in my first scrapbook for my girl!

    dorlee_1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Would love to use them to make mid autumn lantern with my kids! I'm sure they would love the process of doing it with these expression tapes!

    Andrew Wong
    Andrew.wong017@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would love to use the tapes for scrapbooking and card making and start my boy with this simple craft work too!

    Wenqi
    casperian05@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thinking to use the tapes to make care packages :)
    tanyingling@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I want to decorate some plain frames I have in the kids' rooms. Something I've been putting off for a while! :)
    Mummybean
    mysmallthings[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  36. just came across your blog and I can't say how much I am inspired, thanks for the sharing and you definitely have won yourself a new reader :)

    and thanks for the giveaway, hope to win the gift pack and get crafty with my little girl too

    cheers
    Janette Tan
    tanmcjanette@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. The lamp looks lovely! Thanks so much for the chance to win the giveaway! :)
    I would love to get crafty with some washi and fancy up some pen pal letters or birthday packages :)

    MJ
    littlepandacrafts@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Wow..this is an awesome article..
    My kids n me love handicrafts...
    Definitely a better choice than Ipads..
    Love to try making this lovely lamps with them...

    Kathy Woon-Tan
    prectitude@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Brilliant idea! I'm not fantastic in crafting but this looks so fun! Would love to try it during the Sept holiday.

    Shirley Yong
    shirley@yong.sg

    ReplyDelete
  40. Such pretty lamps! Would love to try making for my boys too!

    Debra
    Olimomok@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I would like to use these tapes to decorate my daughter's pencil holders!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I would like to use these Expressions tapes to decorate my daughter's pencils holders!
    Lydia
    lydia@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  43. Going to let the girl use the tapes for her craft work!
    Rosalind
    shuyunsky@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I will use it to decorate the chalk board door in our house!

    Ting
    Tinkene@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Love the idea! Probably make one similar to yours.

    Evelyn
    evelynngst@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Love your creativity and idea. I may do the lamp with my kids; they will be feel achievement.

    Keith
    tan.keith@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. My kids have a second hand wooden stool that we love for it's weight and size. Adding some colourful tape to it will definitely give it some needed TLC and new life. Love your lamp!
    Colortypes
    Colortypesink@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I will use the 3M tapes to deco my kid's bunk bed. Now its all plain woody col. I need lots of colourful 3M tapes.

    FB Name: Ace Serene
    Email: liaoserene@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Wow.... great ideas...thanks for sharing!!

    Ailing
    linailing@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thanks for the chance to win. The tapes look lovely and I am tempted to replicate your project to make a bedside table lamp for my girls.

    Lynn Soh
    sohlayleng@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  51. I would love to try my hands at these 3M expression tapes for crafting and teaching the boys to zhng up their own drawers in the play room!

    Cherie
    cherieladie[at]msn[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I will use to decorate my kids wardrobe; which is second hand from previous owners.

    Jess
    jesskoh@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I would use the tapes to decorate some photo frames as gifts, and to display Noah's artwork/doodles.
    Adeline / growingwiththetans@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. We have lots of relatives' and friends' birthdays coming up. I'd use the tapes to add some zest to my gift wrapping, and to DIY some cards!

    ReplyDelete
  55. These makes me feel like getting back to crafting again!
    Really love the tapes! I REALLY don't have enough tapes! ;D

    ReplyDelete
  56. Sorry forgot my name & email!

    Sam
    thepaperholic @ gmail .com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Great idea for kids!
    Rosalind
    Rosalindang@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I will make photo frames for the kids room!

    Kathryn kathrynng(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Love this! The tapes are versatile and good quality!

    ReplyDelete
  60. I will use it to decorate our DIY kite. My kids enjoy flying kite.
    Celyn Huang
    Celyn11@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. My girl loves to decorate will let her use the tape base on her creativity.

    Neo Kwang Hui
    Annhocktpt@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. What a great and fun idea!! Super love all things handmade and DIY!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  63. I would love to try these tapes out for crafting and simple diys!

    Beverly
    beverlywoo.bw@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Wld like to do a calendar board with the tapes!

    marveille@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I would love to use the tapes to add to my current stock for a big project when our new home is completed!

    Estella
    sooddlydreamlike@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Awesome lamp
    hweegee@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  67. would love to use the tapes for a variety of crafts with my boy.

    i can think of making blocks for pattern sequencing and photo photo frames for now.

    Thanks for the chance! :)

    Felicia ffellie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I will use it on my girl's play boxes. let her have the chance of doing it by herself and coming up with something that is creatively done by her.
    Cynthia Lau
    edenie98@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. decorate the photo album and have the boys decorate their own wardrobe and shelfs
    jingxian
    j_xian@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I hope to make a pencil holder using these materials. My email address is dtan445@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  71. Make storage boxes and other cute items. pearlyntan94@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Wow~~~ what a brilliant idea for engaging kids. Very impressive end result.

    Gary
    limleetau@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I would like to create beautiful objects with my 6 year old niece...she loves to do art and Craft and I bet she would be delighted to be able to use them... thanks. My email is "irene.lye@hotmail.com" thanks

    ReplyDelete
  74. I would like to use it to deco my photo frame and vase.
    Bel. email : belwken@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I will use to make nice decorations to place on my office's desk. Email is soastc@yahoo.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  76. Love crafting ideas.

    Poohspree@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I love to do craftwork. It will be a good hobby for me. mingmingng67@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. Awesome idea for using washi & upcycling! Will definitely try this out. :)

    Mariae
    yeesan68@yahoo.com.sg

    ReplyDelete
  79. An awesome giveaway for craft lovers like me.I just cant end my imagination just with a single piece i would create as much i dream.
    I can recycle my old stuffs into new useful gift items.
    Sindhu Mano
    sindmansing@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Making boxes and other stuff for festive decorations and use. 3M products are always the best for DIY craftwork and gives effective results. My email is huihuigoh35@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I love the designs on the tapes! Awesome! Thanks for sharing that tutorial! ;)
    Lynn
    lynnen78@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I would love to use the giveaway and do the same project as what you just did! Never imagined making such a pretty DIY Lamp! Bet my son would love to help just like J!

    Everything seems so fun at your home!

    Cheers and thanks for hosting!

    Audrey
    sweetsweethalo@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I will use the Expression Tapes to decorate on recycled bottles, filled them up with goodies, personalized them as Teacher's Day gifts!
    lohjingrong@yahoo.com.sg
    JingRong

    ReplyDelete
  84. I would like to make fabulous projects just like yours! My gals will surely love it!

    Thanks
    Kris
    krischewng@live.com.sg

    ReplyDelete

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