Blissfully Domestic

No-Sew Window Treatment Links

I mentioned Tuesday, that I was looking for cheap, easy ideas for decorating my windows. I'm really looking forward to trying them out. At the moment, all we have on our windows are blinds and for me nothing says "temporary living" like an apartment without draperies.

This is an excerpt from a For Dummies book, but it happens to be the chapter on no (or low)-sew window treatments. How perfect!

The site for the draperies I mentioned on Tuesday (Better Homes and Gardens) has a plethora of cute cute cute ideas for adding flair to your windows.

Check out this fan-tabulous idea from Velcro Co. Using, of course, velcro.

Cute and simple - No-sew drapery ideas from decor8.

Lovely Ideas from PointClickHome.

If you are willing to take a bit more time to make them, try these no-sew directions.

Do you have ideas for covering your windows? Fill us in!

Easy No-Sew Draperies

One of the things that my home has been lacking is window treatments. The main reason is that ready-made treatments are so cost-prohibitive. There is the option of sewing, but my last quilt took me four years to get finished. And it was only a mini-quilt.

Years ago, my mom took a class on no-sew draperies and we created some fun draperies for my room. But without my mom around, I guess I lost my nerve to try it out on my own.

Enter the internet.

I found these pretties, and I am going to give them a whirl.

Technically, these aren't made from scratch. The instructions for this call for ready-made panels. But I think the panels would be easy to create using sheer fabric and adding the ribbon to the top for hanging. Use fabric glue to hem the top and bottom as well.

Velvet ribbon in three sherbet shades turns plain white tab-top curtains into an elegant treatment. To create the look, lay out the panels and attach horizontal bands of ribbon with fabric glue. To make the ties at the top, cut the tabs off, then cut six evenly placed, 1-inch horizontal slits across each panel. Finish by cutting V shapes out of the ends of each tie.
Washable fabric glue will be strong enough to withstand a washing machine and will remain clear and flexible.

Thursday, I will have many links for no-sew drapery options to beautify your home.

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The Perfect Baby Gift

This is my favorite gift to give at a baby shower.  Also, my favorite thing to make.  It's a ragamuffin garland and it's full of scraps of fabric, ribbon, and string.  I made one for my boy's nursery and it now fits nicely in with their big boy room.

The best part about making it is that you can add in just about anything you want.  Look closely and you can see a cuff from one of my husband's dress shirts, a ripped up baby blanket, and some leftover fabric from their window mistreatments amongst other cast offs. Then, just sprinkle in a few clothes pins or ring clips and you have a scrapbook for your wall where you can display ultra sound photos, baby booties, trinkets and all sorts of mementos.

For directions, click here.  Have fun looking for things to add into your garland, there are no rules and it certainly doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!

Links to Freshen your Kitchen

Sometimes small changes make all the difference. Renovate your kitchen in a weekend with these do-it-yourself ideas.                         

1. Brighten up worktops
Mask damaged or stained work surfaces with inexpensive and cheerful cutting boards. Try Jelli Boards, available in four colors: green, orange, pewter and white. They're dishwasher safe and odor-resistant. $9.95; at Crate & Barrel.                         

2. Update old lighting
Spotlight dark areas of your kitchen by changing regular lighting to track or strip lighting. The heads are adjustable so you can position the lights directly where you're working. Lowe's Home Improvement Center, or any other home improvement store has product listings and installation instructions.
* Under-the-cabinet lighting can really change the look of your kitchen and it is practical too.

3. Give your floor a makeover
Replace a well-worn kitchen floor with glueless, click-together laminate flooring, such as Pergo. It's easy to install and can be laid directly over most existing floors including ceramic tile, vinyl and wood.

4. Change your faucets
Update your old, leaky faucets with new, stylish ones.

5. Make the most of your space
Keep your spice jars organized and within reach with a multi-tiered spice rack. It's an ideal space saver, too. Expand-A-Shelf is durable, adjustable and dishwasher safe. Price $8.99 to $11.99. Available online at Stacks & Stacks HomeWares. 

Resources: AllYou.com; photo: This Old House)

Sweet Ribbon Valance

Ribbons are so much fun to decorate with. They are inexpensive and can add a big punch for the cost. That is my kind of decorating!

This is a project that is perfect for springtime, and so easy to make. With windows open for fresh air, the ribbons will be blowing in the breeze. The perfect effect for your princesses' room.

You’ll need a tension rod and about 10 yards each of five different ribbons (the amount will vary depending on window size). Cut the ribbons a few inches longer than you need in order to reach the sill, then tie each length onto the rod in a necktie knot. Alternate colors or patterns. Trim to fit.

You could also do as I did when I made one when my daughter was little, and trim the ribbons in more of a valance length. Vary the lengths. This isn't about precision!

I wish I had other photos of this, because it is really so sweet to look at. I never took any of the one I made for my daughter. I guess that is the perfect excuse for making another one.

Go ahead and make one, then head over to the forums and share your photos!

(basic directions and photo from Good Housekeeping)