Kitchen Curtains = Drama

The time had come to put something up on those two big windows in my kitchen. Although I enjoyed having them open, sunlight pouring in....we were starting to feel like a couple of goldfish in an aquarium in a doctor's office waiting room.

I've always loved looking through the Country Curtains catalog. Although so many of their products are either too formal (see below) or too country for me, I always find something I like. And as for the other curtains, I like to sit and imagine what kind of house each one would look best in. I imagine what the room would look like, what the people who order those super formal jacquard and tapestry fabric tailored panels would be like. You don't do that? Okay, moving on...

I spotted these ruffled shades and absolutely loved them. Wasn't so crazy about the price tag so I figured I'd just make them myself. Off I went to Hobby Lobby for some cute ruffle trim and then to Home Depot for roller shades. How simple and cheap was this going to be??? The trim was cheap, the shades were cheap, a little hot glue and voila, instant magic!

After giving my measurements to the lady (measurements which I double checked with hubby so I knew they were right) I went home with my freshly cut shades all ready for an afternoon with my glue gun. Only, wait...they don't fit. Too short. Ugh. Back to Home Depot to see what the problem is. They tell me they've had issues with their machine and will gladly cut me another pair. Phew, that's a relief because I just *knew* I had given the proper measurements. Bring the next batch home, put them up to the window....one is too short and the other one is a different type completely and is also too short. ARGH!

I decide I'm done with Home Depot. Obviously they can't cut a shade properly so I'm off to Lowes! Well now I smarten up and give the measurements as being a little wider. I figure hey, I'm done with short shades. Learned that lesson. I'm having them cut longer so I know they'll fit. Go home with my new shades and wow....their machine works really well because these shades.... are too long. I'm so defeated at this point I debate if I really want these shades. But then I look over at my pretty ruffle trim and decide that yes, they'll look really nice. Back to Lowes and ask if they can cut them down a smidge. She says she'll try and it should work. I'm willing to give it a go at this point. Bring them home, put one up and ohmygosh it fits! At this point I am giddy as I pull the shade down to try it out. It unrolls all right.....it just doesn't stop. You can roll it all day long and when it decides it wants to stop, that's when it stops. The other times it just snaps right back up to the top and the entire shade then falls out of the bracket and onto your head. #^$#@^$^@$%$%$#@$#@!#&*&

About 25 minutes and one small tantrum later where I may or may not have broken the plastic stick that comes with the shade over my thigh and then stomped on it angrily as my horrified hubby looked on......I ran down to the basement, grabbed my bin of castoff curtains and a couple of tension rods and threw up the first white pair of sheers that met my sight.


Now this.....



Is just fine by me. We have privacy, they still let the light come through and no more trips to have shades cut. Yup, I'm one happy camper.

And I did get to order from Country Curtains after all. I bought these holdbacks that I've coveted for months but didn't have a place for. I love the large size and how they sparkle.


Now, what should I do with that ruffle trim? I feel a project coming on. hmmmmmmmmm.....