OK so you probably think I’m totally nuts but I have an idea that would be great for decorating the windows in a bathroom or kids room in a very unique way. Most people have shades in their bath rooms and kid’s rooms for privacy purposes and to block out morning light. How simply boring are those white and cream colored shades. Here’s a way to brighten them up to blend into your rooms décor.

Using clip art and other graphic objects within the MS Office environment, you can create a colorful collage to be printed on heavy gauge paper then glued to the inside of the shade facing into the room.

Things you will need:
• Scissors
• Clipart or Graphics consistent with your theme
• Crafter’s spray glue
• Construction Paper or other medium gauge paper in a color you would like for your background. Light or pastel colors work best. If you are working with photos, then you might consider photo quality paper.

Measure the shade surface to determine the dimensions that you will need to cover with your design. You should think about your theme in terms of graphics, fonts (if you are incorporating any words), and colors. You will also want to decide whether to layout the designed in blocks (8x8, 8x11) or randomly place cutout objects on the shade.

Next step is to find the graphics to support your theme. MS Office has a large library of clip art and there are hundreds of other sources on the net to search for graphics. I like to sketch out my idea before I search for the graphics that way I have a clear picture of what I want it to look like.

I like to use PowerPoint whenever I am working with graphics within the Office program because it gives you the greatest level of control over your layout. As I am collecting the graphics I want to use, I put them onto a blank PowerPoint slide.

Once you have collected your graphics, lay them out on your slide(s) so that the visually please your eye. If you are going to randomly put the graphics onto the shade, then leave enough room on the slide to cut out each of the figures.

Now you are ready to print and decorate your shade. Cut out the figures, if that is your design choice, or organize the collage blocks on the shade to decide the order in which to place them. Use the crafters spray clue on the surface of the shade. Press the graphics designs onto the shade. Let dry on a flat surface for several hours before hanging your shade. Voila, you now have window shades like no other. Enjoy.

Theme Ideas:
• Family Pictures
• Farm Animals
• Game Animals
• Safari Animals
• Fish
• Penguins
• Frogs
• Disney Princesses
• Geometric Patterns
• Snowflakes
• Cartoon Characters
• Sports
• Flowers
• Cats
• Dogs
• Sports Cars
• Antique Cars
• Names or Words