Your Room
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Do you find your room rather boring? Does it need a little work,
perhaps a splash color here and there? Or maybe you just feel that it
could use a little something extra to finish it off. Every girl dreams
of having a space she can call her own. A special place to dream,
imagine, or simply get away and chill out. And it's best if that
special space expresses her unique style. It's the one place in the
entire house you get to design your way. But
sometimes it can be difficult to create the perfect room on a budget.
Sometimes we need to be creative with what we've got or even make some
decorations ourselves. So here are some fun ideas to get you started on
your dream room without breaking the bank.
Where to Start...
Okay,
first thing's first. Start thinking of your style, personality, etc...,
and quickly jot down a few ideas and things you like. What are your
favorite colors, bands, patterns, books, and music types? What about some simpler
things such as quotes and random words? Try using these interests to create up to 3 main themes. Now
the new question is: how do these themes connect? You wouldn't want to
have a bright, neon bedspread paired with a brick-red Asian rug.
Carefully twist up your themes and find ways they can coordinate
together. Once you're done, use those themes as a guide for how you
want to do your room and what kind of things you want in it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Comfy Throw Pillows -- by iLive4U
Items Needed:
Fabric of your choice ( patterned, fuzzy, whatever you want )
Sewing machine or needle + thread
Yarn ( make sure this goes nicely with your fabric )
Stuffing
Scissors
Okay, I found pillows like this idea in a PB Teen catalog and loved them; but knew I would probably never buy them since they are so expensive. Everything they sell is high in price. I often check out the things they have, but not to consider buying anything. I just look around for things that inspire me and give me new ideas to try out, which is fun and works very well. When I saw these, I thought it would be fun to try and make a pillow that is similar to them. So here's my idea.
Step 1.
Cut out two pieces of fabric of the same size. You can make these in any shape and size you want. (Make sure you cut them about 1/2 inch - 1 inch larger than you want them.)
Step 3.
Sandwich the fabric sheets together, darker (or fuzzy if you used textured fabric) sides facing each other. Using either a sewing machine or a needle and thread (with parental permission), stitch the pieces together along the edges. Leave a 3 to 4 inch opening before closing completely.
Step 3.
Turn your pillow case inside-out. Then stuff your pillow with stuffing and stitch the opening closed.
Step 4. (This step is optional. )
Cut a 6 inch strand of yarn. Then take the rest of your yarn and wrap it 40-50 times around two or three of your fingers. Cut off the end. Carefully pinch the center of your wrapped yarn and slide off your fingers. Don't unwrap this! Take your 6 inch strand and tie it tightly around the center of your little bundle. Cut ends, leaving about 1 inch. Now, your bundle should have multiple loops on both sides. Slide your scissors through the loops and cut them, creating little 1 inch strands. Shape your new pom pom ball until it looks nice and round.
Step 5.
Make as many little pom poms as your want and stitch them onto your new pillow. You can stitch them along the edges, or maybe in a nice pattern on the front.
Step 6.
Place your pillow on your bed, in a comfy reading corner, or wherever you like. :)
Idea: If you want, try this project and decorate your pillow a little differently. Make smaller or larger pom pom balls by wrapping the yarn around more or fewer fingers. ( Make sure you wrap the yarn around more times if you are making a larger ball, and wrap it fewer times if making it smaller. ) Personalize your pillow by using tiny beads or brightly colored thread to stitch your name or a special saying that you like. Stitch a group of pom poms together and thread petals underneath to make flowers. Be creative! Have fun with it! :D
Fabric of your choice ( patterned, fuzzy, whatever you want )
Sewing machine or needle + thread
Yarn ( make sure this goes nicely with your fabric )
Stuffing
Scissors
Okay, I found pillows like this idea in a PB Teen catalog and loved them; but knew I would probably never buy them since they are so expensive. Everything they sell is high in price. I often check out the things they have, but not to consider buying anything. I just look around for things that inspire me and give me new ideas to try out, which is fun and works very well. When I saw these, I thought it would be fun to try and make a pillow that is similar to them. So here's my idea.
Step 1.
Cut out two pieces of fabric of the same size. You can make these in any shape and size you want. (Make sure you cut them about 1/2 inch - 1 inch larger than you want them.)
Step 3.
Sandwich the fabric sheets together, darker (or fuzzy if you used textured fabric) sides facing each other. Using either a sewing machine or a needle and thread (with parental permission), stitch the pieces together along the edges. Leave a 3 to 4 inch opening before closing completely.
Step 3.
Turn your pillow case inside-out. Then stuff your pillow with stuffing and stitch the opening closed.
Step 4. (This step is optional. )
Cut a 6 inch strand of yarn. Then take the rest of your yarn and wrap it 40-50 times around two or three of your fingers. Cut off the end. Carefully pinch the center of your wrapped yarn and slide off your fingers. Don't unwrap this! Take your 6 inch strand and tie it tightly around the center of your little bundle. Cut ends, leaving about 1 inch. Now, your bundle should have multiple loops on both sides. Slide your scissors through the loops and cut them, creating little 1 inch strands. Shape your new pom pom ball until it looks nice and round.
Step 5.
Make as many little pom poms as your want and stitch them onto your new pillow. You can stitch them along the edges, or maybe in a nice pattern on the front.
Step 6.
Place your pillow on your bed, in a comfy reading corner, or wherever you like. :)
Idea: If you want, try this project and decorate your pillow a little differently. Make smaller or larger pom pom balls by wrapping the yarn around more or fewer fingers. ( Make sure you wrap the yarn around more times if you are making a larger ball, and wrap it fewer times if making it smaller. ) Personalize your pillow by using tiny beads or brightly colored thread to stitch your name or a special saying that you like. Stitch a group of pom poms together and thread petals underneath to make flowers. Be creative! Have fun with it! :D
I would like to give full credit to American Girl for the pom pom craft. :)
Every Last Detail -- by iLive4U
Now, let's head into
a few small ideas. Every detail counts, and sometimes it's the little
things that complete a special bedroom. Here is a list of some basic
ideas to touch up your room. ;)
1. Get out those old, dusty candles from the attic and touch 'em up a little! Use glitter paints to create swirly designs; wrap lacy ribbon around the bottom; or try gluing on buttons or tiny seashells.
2. Got a bunch of pens and pencils that need a nice home? Search your house for a small box or can and start decorating it. Use bright paints, soft fabrics, fancy ribbons, patterned paper, colored pencils, etc... After you've decorated your box, try using some of those same items to decorate your pencils.
3. Is your CD holder a little boring? Try using colorful thread to stitch on pretty patterns, patches of fabric, or even your name.
4. For a crazy, funky look, wrap a bright feather boa around the back of your desk chair or hang it around a mirror.
5. Got a cheap bookshelf that could use some attention? Here are a few easy thoughts. First off, make sure it is dusted and the books are all standing up straight. Take a long piece of fabric ( about two feet longer than the bookshelf, and almost as wide ) and lay it across the top of your bookshelf as a runner, letting the ends hang over the edge. Decorate the top of the bookshelf with a few things ( lava lamp, a cute stuffed animal, scented candle, etc... ). Maybe toss a few comfy blankets and pillows nearby to create a nice little reading nook. Use whatever you love to brighten up your reading space.
6. Try decorate that boring, plain cork board. Take four flat-end thumbtacks and pin each corner of a sheet of fabric (of the same size) to the corners of the cork board, covering it completely. If you want, pin ribbons in crisscross patterns on either of the cork boards ( with or without the fabric ). Here, you can slip in photos and other things you don't want to stab holes into. You can also stitch pockets onto the fabric to keep other little thing-a-ma-bobs in order. :)
7. Do you happen to have a bunch of unused mirrors about the size of your hand or even a little rubber ball? Gather them all and arrange them in fun pattens on your wall!
1. Get out those old, dusty candles from the attic and touch 'em up a little! Use glitter paints to create swirly designs; wrap lacy ribbon around the bottom; or try gluing on buttons or tiny seashells.
2. Got a bunch of pens and pencils that need a nice home? Search your house for a small box or can and start decorating it. Use bright paints, soft fabrics, fancy ribbons, patterned paper, colored pencils, etc... After you've decorated your box, try using some of those same items to decorate your pencils.
3. Is your CD holder a little boring? Try using colorful thread to stitch on pretty patterns, patches of fabric, or even your name.
4. For a crazy, funky look, wrap a bright feather boa around the back of your desk chair or hang it around a mirror.
5. Got a cheap bookshelf that could use some attention? Here are a few easy thoughts. First off, make sure it is dusted and the books are all standing up straight. Take a long piece of fabric ( about two feet longer than the bookshelf, and almost as wide ) and lay it across the top of your bookshelf as a runner, letting the ends hang over the edge. Decorate the top of the bookshelf with a few things ( lava lamp, a cute stuffed animal, scented candle, etc... ). Maybe toss a few comfy blankets and pillows nearby to create a nice little reading nook. Use whatever you love to brighten up your reading space.
6. Try decorate that boring, plain cork board. Take four flat-end thumbtacks and pin each corner of a sheet of fabric (of the same size) to the corners of the cork board, covering it completely. If you want, pin ribbons in crisscross patterns on either of the cork boards ( with or without the fabric ). Here, you can slip in photos and other things you don't want to stab holes into. You can also stitch pockets onto the fabric to keep other little thing-a-ma-bobs in order. :)
7. Do you happen to have a bunch of unused mirrors about the size of your hand or even a little rubber ball? Gather them all and arrange them in fun pattens on your wall!