diy.roman.shades

So after moving into our new house we realized we had no shades.... I swear there were some hung when we viewed the house, but they were no longer residing in our house once it was ours. Now having lived here for a little over a month, it's come to the point that we NEED shades. I'm not allowing the pictures sitting on the window sills to cut it anymore. So I did my surfing on the web & perusing of pinterest to find some ideas on what to do for window treatments. I like blinds, but I like white wood blinds, and we have wood stained trim throughout the house....white & stain....don't combine for window treatment. And I was truly leaning toward the roman shade look. I found several tutorials on roman shades, some easy, some slightly difficult, some difficult to understand instructions, and others I just didn't want to put in all the effort because of my lack of time anyway. So since I had difficulty understanding some of these diy tutorials, I've decided to make my own. I hope the instructions are easy to understand. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

:: DIY Blinds into Roman Shades ::

Things you'll need:
 - set of blinds
 - fabric of choice
 - fabric-tac glue
 - scissors
 - something heavy
 - iron
 - space
 - & a little bit of time

1. You'll need to measure the length & width of your window. At this step you must decide if you want the shade to hang inside the window frame or on the window frame.

2. Go buy you some blinds. If you can find cheap ones that will work for your window, great! Target has like $4 blinds, and you can pay about the same from some of the dollar stores. Due to the type of windows I had, and the fact I wanted my shades to hang inside the window frame I had to get blinds that hung in a unique fashion....and I will say, if ever I hang blinds or do this tutorial again in another house, these will definitely be the blinds I purchase. I got them from Kmart...Bali Window Solutions.

3. Next pick out some fabric that you like. When purchasing your fabric remember to accomodate for roughly 3 inches extra on each side. [so if your window is 23" x 64", then you would want your fabric to be about 29" x 70"]

4. Release your blinds so they hang as far down as the string allows. Then lay flat on the floor.

5. Now you will want to cut off the strings {outer strings} that hold the blinds in place. Usually there are two sets, unless your blinds are wider, then you may have three. It's easy if you snip from top, lift the top string & continue to cut the mini strings between the blinds from top to bottom. {Be careful no to cut the thicker string that runs through the middle of all the blinds....you cut this...you buy another set of blinds}

6. Deciding point & Using mathematics :: how far apart do you want your folds. Typically they are 6-9". I personally don't see why you can't go up to 12", especially on longer windows. I went with 9". Divide your total inches by wanted fold inches to determine the number of blinds you'll need to keep.

7. Now at this step you have 2 options::

   a) Proceed with cutting off all the individual blinds you do not want to keep.

{Reminder: avoid cutting the thick string through the middle of the blinds}

b) Find the knots at the bottom of the blind. Undo. Remove bottom bar & remove all the blinds you do not need. Then you will need to replace the bottom bar & re-tie the knots.

{ personal preference:: I like option A. because tying those knots back at the exact measurement on both sides is stupid hard & took up too much of my time ..yes I have tried both options--if your windows are shorter than the standard window length, your best option is B....otherwise always choose A & be careful around those middle strings }

[side note: if you go with option B, once you have re-tied the knots, be sure to melt the ends of the string to prevent unraveling]

8. Now your blinds should look something like this.

((please ignore ugly red stain))

9. Cut your fabric to size. Remember to alot about 3 inches extra on each side.

10. Lay your blinds face down on the backside of your fabric. Be sure the curved part of the blind is laying on the fabric.

11. Now you need to spread your blinds apart & measure equal distances between each piece. Since I decided on 9", I kept 6 individual blinds for a 64" shade. Be sure when measuring, to line up the ends of your blinds with a measuring tape on both ends....you  don't want crooked shades.

12. Place a large, flat dot of fabric-tac glue on each end of the blinds, and on top & bottom. Then fold over edges so they are tight against the edge of the blind.

13. Place something heavy over glued areas. This will ensure your fabric will adhere to the top & bottom curves of the blind. { I used my hand weights }

14. Glue down the bottom bar next. Be sure when you glue this down, you glue it as it would hang normally. So the front edge of the bar needs to be glued first, then the edges.

bottom & back edge

placing glue along the front edge

15. To cover the bottom & back edge, I made folds like I was wrapping a present & thoroughly glued down.

16. Glue the front edge of the top bar down to the fabric. Fold & glue fabric across the top as well (optional). The hardware to hang my shades would not allow for me to complete the last part of this step, but for most blind sets you should be able too. Also, be sure not to glue down your pull strings...keep them out of the way.

17. Once everything is dry, iron your edges. This allows for easier folding when you raise the shades.

18. Hang your shades as your directions instruct you.

19. Enjoy your beautiful new 'roman shades'!

I love mine!


Here is one I did with the fabric completely covering both sides of the shade. It turned out looking great, but I do not suggest doing this. It has made the shade too heavy & is difficult to get the shade to stay up due to the weight. The only way it may work is if you use a very lightweight fabric.

new.year.resolutions.&.updates

Throughout the year 2011 I have grown in so many unimaginable ways. I have gained knowledge, understanding, and a clearer vision {though it's still a little blurry}. So for the year 2012 I only hope for all these things and more, for increase, and to build upon all that I already have. I have many things I want to accomplish, and some that have already started to take place.

So these are my New Year Resolutions:
   1. To read at least 12 Christian books (shooting for one per month)
  2. To complete my one year canonical Bible {I started it last year, just
           need to finish by October}.
  3. To make more friends.
  4. To continue to give up less of myself, and be filled with more of
           God-the Holy Spirit.
  5. To get a new job & become more passionate about my work.
  6. To buy a house....renovate & decorate!!
  7. To lose weight; specifically 20+ lbs by May {and keep it off!}.
  8. To love more.
  9. To be less angry & frustrated {aka - not let things get to me so}.
 10. To be a better daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, nurse, etc
           {in every way I can}.

Well thats all I can think of for now...

And just for some updates on things that have already occured::

I have a new job - I haven't started it yet, because at my hospital the policy is that you have to stay in your current role for at least 4 weeks before you transfer or quit. I'm down to a week and a half left before I start my new position. I'll be transitioning from a Cardiac nurse to an Antenatal/Labor & Delivery nurse very soon! I can't wait! My heart leaps for joy just thinking about it!! {My plan is to be a Nurse Midwife one day, and this is a necessary step towards making that possible}.

Jonathan & I have a found a house we both really, REALLY like! We're trying to find a bank that offers the loan we need for it though. The house is a foreclosure, and needs some renovations done before we can move in. Our realtor gave us the name of a broker who works with these types of loans, but it would be better to cut out the middle man. And I've already started designing all the rooms. So I hope know this house will work out for us!

The Lord has blessed me in so many ways already this year, and we're only 3 weeks in. It's amazing, and there's no telling where He'll lead us and what He'll continue to bless us with! Expectant!!

The number one thing I'm expectant for::
  Jonathan to get a job, and it be a great job that he will enjoy!

The number two thing I'm expectant for::
  Is for this house we are currently looking at to follow through with us purchasing it, necessary renovations to be completed, and to close within a reasonable, short time frame.

The number three thing I'm expectant for::
  Collecting enough data and evidence to go to court and Jonathan & I get primary custody of Lilly. {I realize this may take more than a year realistically, but with God's hand in the mix, 1 year is all we'll need!}

And lastly but most certaintly not least, a praise report::
 Last week on Thursday......I was healed! I have had a shorter left leg, and scoliosis (which was probably caused by the shorter leg). Due to these conditions I have back pain, hip pain, knee pain, etc. And I had a very special patient who is a missionary. He prayed for everyone who took care of him. Well I was the last one he prayed for on my shift. And through prayers we prayed together, Jesus healed me. At the time my back and left foot (I have extra bones in my feet too) were hurting. As soon as we started the prayers, both the pains went away, and there was a tingly sensation running through my leg. I went home and looked in the mirror and my knees were of equal height. I had my husband run his finger down my backbone, and far as we could tell, it's straight. Hallelujah! Thanks be to God for my healing. I just pray the same healing for anyone else who may have similar problems.

May you all be expectant. May you all be blessed in unexplained, unimaginable ways. May you be filled with the Holy Spirit and be lead by Him. May you be filled with more knowledge and understanding. I pray all these things over you who are reading this. God is your father & our father, and he wants to love you and bless you if you'll just be more open and receptive to him. Love Him with all your heart! Amen.

merry.Christmas

Christmas Eve has finally come. It's time for families to get together, or prepare to get togther for tomorrow. I hope it's a brisk, cold day for everyeone, just to keep with the wintertime season. And I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas! I'll be praying for everyone. For lives to be changed, for families to be healed, and for negative thoughts and emotions to be broken. May Christ fill your life, and become your joy!

12.days.of.giving.review

o come all ye faithful

joyful and triumphant

Over the past 12 days I have taken time out of my busy schedule to give back to others in all kinds of ways. My giving back has affected some I know, and many I don't know. Today I want to recap on the things I have done to give back. I truely hope that others have been inspired to give back in any way they can. Giving doesn't have to involve money. There are plenty of ways to give to the community and to others, you just have to become creative. But if you're able to give via money, there are plenty of things you can do. And giving doesn't have to happen just during this joyous season, it can, and should occur year round!

Day 1 :: Sent a military care package to Afganistan.
Day 2 :: Gave to Holiday Hope - which sponsors Toys for Tots with the USMC.
Day 3 :: Donated items for winter to the homeless.
Day 4 :: Donated my hair.
Day 5 :: Gave handmade candy canes to my co-workers.
Day 6 :: Donated to a local worship band.
Day 7 :: Gave gift cards to pastors.
Day 8 :: Handed out cookies to everyone in my apartment building.
Day 9 :: Made a large snack basket for a local fire department.
Day 10 :: Bought Toms (one for one) shoes.
Day 11 :: Donated cell phones.
Day 12 :: Had family time with my husband & brother.



Rise up. Be inspired. Give to others. Love everyone. Do something good. Do something special.

And remember :: Jesus loves you, no matter what you do, who you are, or where you've come from.

12th.day.of.giving

on the 12th day of Christmas

:: i gave away these things ::

Today I did something simple & sentimental.  I took my brother and my husband out to eat for a nice lunch.  You may say, "that's nothing special," or "that's not really giving back to others." But it is. I work a full time job as a nurse, doing 12 hour shifts at night, and usually I put in a lot of overtime. And with working at night, I sleep all day. Therefore, I see very, very little of my husband, which isn't easy for newly weds.  It's also not easy on my husband, because right now he doesn't have a job and sometimes feels like he's not fulfilling his role as the head of the household. And for my brother, well, I grew up too quick, and he kinda grew up too slow. There's only a three year difference in our ages, but maturity is a different story. So now we're at the point where we can have a true meaningful sister-brother relationship and understand each other. But now that I'm married, I've been out of my parents house for the past 5 years, and my work schedule, it's hard to find time to spend with him and help him become the person he can be. So I felt like this was a great end to my 12 days of giving; giving back to the ones I love, spending time with them, and letting them know how much I love and care about them!