DIY Update & Freebie!

Hey all!

So, I made my bookshelf curtains today!! They didn't take long at all! I didn't follow any specific directions, because I had a pretty good idea of what I needed to do.

I joined the linky over at 4th Grade Frolics for Made it Monday!
So, I bought 2 yards of this ADORABLE fabric ($7). I love it! Rainbow Polka Dots...what could be better?!  And then 5 curtain rods ($14). They're nothing fancy, but they don't need to be. I'm only going to have 4 curtains but decided to get an extra rod, because I'm sure at some point I (or a child) will end up breaking one. So I'll just keep the extra one in the room.
I measured the width of the bookshelf opening and then doubled it so that I would have extra fabric for folding over and sewing the edges as well as having extra to bunch up on the rod! Then I measured the height of the opening and added about 6 inches so that I would have extra fabric for folding over & sewing the bottom edge and folding over & sewing to create the opening on the top for the rod.

Like I said, these actually didn't take much time at all! The 1st one took the most time, since I was making it up as I went, but the other 3 went super fast. Total, it took about an hour and 15 minutes to make 4 of them. I made sure to pin & sew the 2 outsides and then pin and sew the top and bottom. If you make these, make sure you put the rod on the top of the fabric and fold it over to see how much extra you will need before sewing. You may want to pin the fabric with the rod inside and then slide it out when you're ready to sew. You can adjust how big/small the opening is by deciding how far down from the top you make your stitch! This is a picture of me sewing a side. I chose to just use a straight line stitch and back stitched on each end for extra support.

Here is a picture of the hole for the rod as well as the finished edges.
And the finished product!!
I love them! Unfortunately, I went into school last week and the classrooms were still a disaster and being cleaned. So I won't be able to go put these in yet. But I love how they turned out and know they will look great in my room. I'm planning on posting a "classroom tour" once we get closer to the start of school so you will get to see what my classroom looks like with these in there!


I went to Wal-mart a few days ago and they had a sign posted for a "clearance extravaganza" so I obviously had to check that out. Who could pass that up?! Well, I'm glad I stopped in. I was able to get a few things for the classroom. Nothing too exciting, but since they were all cheap, it's a little exciting. haha. I was able to get some random craft supplies to fill up my craft tubs, some pens for writing, some binder dividers (like them because they have rounded tabs!), and then some packs of jacks. They're rubbery and will be fun math manipulatives.
I also made a trip to the Target dollar spot...I have a dollar spot addiction. It's very rare that I'll walk past it and not grab something. Well, I grabbed a lot of somethings this time.
So I started by getting these nice sterilite containers (unfortunately, these weren't part of the dollar spot...they're the only things I purchased that weren't). I plan to use them to store construction paper! My craft cabinet is a disaster and these will make my life easier. I'm thinking something like this, except they won't be hanging.

Next up, the cute pink tub...I don't have a plan for it yet, but I couldn't pass it up. I got a few back to school books and some non-fiction animal books to put in the classroom library. They also had a lot of Wipe-Clean books. My kids love these during station time. The small ones are addition, subtraction, and letter practice. The big ones are alphabet and numbers. There are also some craft supplies in the bottom of this tub...some pipe cleaners, pom poms, googly eyes, etc!
I also got 4 of these cute tubs for supplies (gray, purple, pink, blue). The dollar spot had TONS of Dr. Seuss themed items. Here you see some Dr. Seuss erasers, abc cards, number cards, color & shape cards, and matching cards. Awesome!

Pretty much anything from the Dollar Spot is a "Fabulous Find!" Go link up! :)

Okay, thanks for sticking with me for this long post! As a reward, a freebie! Some divider pages for a daily teacher binder! Enjoy :)
And the last thing that I would like to mention is the MS Walk. In September I will be participating in the MS Walk (along with many family members & friends) in support of my mother-in-law. It would mean so much if you could help support us too! We walk in hopes of finding a cure for MS! Every bit helps! Thanks so much :) 
Join the Movement!
Me & the Hubs at the Walk last year!
 Hunter wearing his MS bandana!



14 comments

  1. I love how your curtains came out!! You make it look so easy!! :) I think I'm going to give it a try. Great job!
    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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    1. Thanks! They really are easy. After getting your measurements, it's just a matter of folding over the fabric & sewing on 3 sides, and folding over the fabric and sewing farther from the edge in order to leave a hole for the rod on the top. If you try, post about it so we can see! Good luck! :)

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  2. I agree with Lisa! They do look easy! :) and I loove the print :) Great job!

    Sarah
    teachingiscolorful.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks! I got the fabric at Wal-mart...it'll be perfect for my polka dot room! :)

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  3. Your curtains are so cute and colorful! I am so glad you are walking for MS. My sister has it and I hope they will find a cure!
    lraines78@gmail.com

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    1. Thanks, Lori! It's hard to watch those you love be affected by things out of their control. But hopefully someday, we will find a cure! :)

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  4. Those curtains are fantastic. Man that Target Dollar spot. We have a love/hate relationship ;)
    Thanks so much for linking up!
    Elizabeth

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  5. Those curtains are super cute! Love the polka dots! I nominated you for an award stop by Hip, Hop Hurray! Tales of the Reading Rascals to check it out.

    Rie
    Hip, Hop Hurray! Tales of the Reading Rascals

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    1. Thank you!! On my way to check out your blog :)

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  6. Those curtains are so cute! WIsh I could sew, but I think I'm going to attempt a no sew option since my one window is currently curtainless. :)

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  7. LOVE THE CURTAINS! I so wish I had a sewing machine! I hit Target last night and stocked up on Dr. Seuss stuff too! Did you see the stress ball light bulbs?? I don't know how I will use them yet, but I bought 5!
    Dana
    www.funin1stgrade.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks!! No, my Target didn't have any stress ball light bulbs :( I saw a light bulb idea here though!: There's No Place Like Second Grade

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  8. Those curtains are adorable! That fabric makes me think of the dots candy that is stuck on paper strips...have you seen that? Too fun:) Also loving all your shopping finds:) Thanks for linking up:)

    4th Grade Frolics

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