These valances were very simple and super cheap to make…and they added just the right touch to my curtains!
I made them out of paper! Yep…that’s right…Paper…pages out of old books to be exact.
All you will need to make these valances/ garlands is:
*one old book. (you will need to measure your window…it will take one 500 to 600 page book to do about 3 feet of space …depending on how full you want your garland to be) (mine are full)
*twine.
* scissors
Once you have chosen your book…begin tearing out the pages making sure none of the glue or binding is still attached. Continue removing the pages until your book cover is empty.
~~Remember that the pages of the book you choose will determine the size of the garland you are making…if you want a “fat” one…use a larger page…if you are wanting to make a “skinny” one, perhaps a paperback or cutting the pages down to your preferred size is an option. I used a reader’s digest condensed book for my valance garlands. ~~
Once all the pages are removed from the book binding…fold each page in half loosely …
…and with your scissors make about a 1 inch long cut in the middle of each page.
You will end up with a slit like this when you have made the cut.
Next…take each page one at a time and crumple them up…throw them on the floor and make a great big mess!!! (The cats at my house were in their glory running and diving in the pile of crumpled pages on the floor…they were EVERYWHERE when they were done playing with them! ha ha!)
When all the papers are crumpled, you will then need to gently un-crumple them, and lay them on the table. Do not smooth them out completely…the rumpled look is what we are going for.
With the paper all ready to go…we need to cut ourselves a piece of twine to string it on. Measure your window and and add about 12 inches or so to the length of your twine. This will allow a bit of room to work with.
Tie the ends of the twine into a loop knot.
Begin to thread the knot through the slits in each page, until you have strung the whole lot.
When you are finished it should look something like this! Now that you have made yourself a nice full garland, you can hang it where ever you like! Use the loops at the end of the string to attach the piece to the wall.
This project was so simple that my 7 year old was helping make another garland…
…we didn’t have a window that needed it left, so we tied it into a circle and hung it on her door.
Just think of all the places you could use this idea! Windows…are just the beginning! If you made them small enough you could have fancy little garlands and decorations for your Christmas tree! The possibilities are as big as your imagination will allow!
I have enjoyed this little project and was very pleased with the results I got…I do hope you will have as much fun and success as I did! Where are you going to use your paper garland??? I’d love to hear from you!
Until Next Time…Happy Crafting / Decorating!
*)*)*) Don't point fingers unless you are sure you have clean hands...just sayin’
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`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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