My Dining Room Curtains

These are my dining room drapery, I made several years ago. I chose a floral fabric to add some color and warmth to the room. Because I had 4 windows and since I wanted to use only one width of fabric (54") per panel, I needed 24 yards. Cutting them approximately 108" long, I hemmed and lined them and hung them on inexpensive rod iron rods from the local hardware store.

Up close you can see how I finished the top area. I pleated them like traditional drapery, but instead of folding them into a three prong fold pleat, I pushed in an empty roll of toilet paper, to give a rounded effect. I also used traditional drapery hooks attached to the back, to hang on the drapery rings.

Wedding Shower Party

I gave a shower to my friend's son and his fiance which turned out really well. These photos show off the flower arrangement I used in the center of my island. Here is how you can get the same look. 

1. Put two smaller bowls in the punch bowl, one to prop up the apples and the other to hold florist foam for the flowers.
2. Arrange flower as desired. 
3. Place apples around the flowers in the center, propped up by the middle bowl.
4. As a filler you may choose to use a bow.

This is how to make a bow:

1. Leaving a tail, loop the ribbon the desired width around in a circular motion approximately 4 or 5 times.
2. Pinch together the center with wire and leave a tail on the other side. If the ribbon is too thick try cutting two small v's (but not cutting all the way through) to be able to pinch the ribbon tightly in the center.
3. Separate & twist each section of the loops as desired and cut the tail the same length of the original tail.
4. Make a smaller bow and wire it to the front of the larger bow.
5. In the middle twist a pearl necklace and secure it with wire to the center.
6. Attach a chopstick to the back of the bow with wire and tape. Prop the bow in the side of the flower arrangement.  

Me with my creation!