Traversing hell

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Pennsylvania unexpectedly and arranged a visit to the drapery workroom I have always used. It was so nice to visit with Patty, the owner and friend of mine. She does great work and her prices are good too. I was also dying to have the drape for the poorly dressed sliding glass door in the dining area of my kitchen. It had vertical blinds, which I despise over all other window treatments and they were missing about half of the panels and did not open and close.

I am thrilled with the chinoiserie print on a bark colored cotton/linen blend. I chose a decorative traverse rod from Kirsch and it took a few extra weeks to arrive. We all have been enduring blinding sun through dinner and a few extra degrees in the afternoons so it was great to finally have all of the parts and my husband was unusually willing to put the hardware up.

Ack! I always had installers do this and I've never used a decorative traverse rod. The cryptic directions were little help. It took five, yes five hours to hang. At about four and a half hours in, I consulted the Kirsch website to find completely different and logical instructions.

I am so glad the next round of drapes from PA will stationary panels with a rod pocket, especially since there are four and will be 9 feet up.

Unpacking, birthdays, and a project

I am still unpacking from the move while preparing for two birthday parties and little/big projects that I feel compelled to do now.

I have spent an inordinate amount of time hanging pictures and

curtains. Someday the white walls and horrible mini blinds will go.

I have a bank of four identical windows in the family room, behind the sofa and across from the TV.

They currently have white mini blinds but will be getting these bamboo shades as soon as I finish lining them with blackout lining.

 It is a process that is easy but I have been working on the floor-ouch. First you remove the string from the rings.

I cut the lining to size and using Fabri-tac "hem" the edges, then flip it over and glue in sections sclicing a tiny slit for each ring to pop through.

I thin the Fabri-tac with acetone and use a paint brush to apply a thin, irregular coat to the lining. Once it is dry you restring the shade and hang it.

I have so much work ahead of me in this house including the birthday party for my littlest on Saturday. She is two today and I am off to enjoy my day with her.