Easy-to-craft whimsical holiday light shades you can make with ribbons and trims.

So sorry that this is two days late. We had some family stuff going on and it was just impossible to find the time to sit in front of the pc. We were lucky enough to have this same project featured in the January issue of Romantic Homes magazine...which is still on shelves now...page 16. We hope you can find the time to do it...if not now, be sure to save these instructions because these can work for any holiday really.

This easy-to-do project yields dazzling results. Gather all of your favorite ribbons and bits of trim, such as lace, pom-poms, sequins, rick rack, chenille and tinsel. Use a variety of textures, but tie them all together with a specific color theme - and don't just think holiday, as you can make a set for every season. Sure, Christmas is upon us, but these would make a fab project for the brief time between Christmas and New Years. It's so fast and easy and New Years is the perfect time to increase the amount of holiday lighting in your home...for the one last hurrah. Plus, you've got family visiting...kids home from college for the holidays. A simple project like this is a fantastic way to get your craft on and catch up with loved ones at the same time. So look for a spare strand of lights, (we found the perfect length strand for about three dollars at Michaels...maybe in the floral section...just the right length to hang across your mantle... and you'll need to put together no more than ten little shades! We placed ours on every-other bulb.) so... gather round the crafting table and light up the New Year!

What you'll need:
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-strand of Christmas lights
-large size treat cups, found in the baking aisle of your local craft store
-bits of ribbon and trim
-all-purpose glue
-scissors
-x-acto knife

Instructions:
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1. Cut desired ribbon and trim to match the circumference of the treat cup. Apply trim to the cup, gluing about every two inches and pressing down to adhere at each point, securing well at the seam. Using the same seam line, follow the same process for the ribbon.

2. Once the shades are decorated, use and x-acto knife and cut a small X in the center of each cup bottom for the light bulbs to fit through. Then pop shades over bulbs, pushing through until the plastic base emerges through the X.

3. Be creative - for instance, layer rick rack on top of lace, combine pom-poms with satin ribbon, ets. Glue as you go for best results

Have Fun!!!! Happy Happy Holidays!! XOXO Jenny & Aaron