Aging Your Blank Tags with Walnut Ink

You can use Walnut Ink Crystals that way you can get them as dark (or light) as you prefer.

• Mix your crystals with warm water until you are
  happy with the color. To this mixture add some Vanilla
  or whatever scent you prefer. If you want them really
  grungy, add some cinnamon!
• Drop your tags into the mixture and let soak about 5 minutes.
• Take them out and spread on paper towels. You can dry them several ways. You can set them outside in the sun, dry in a very low oven, or even faster..in the Microwave. If you choose this method, I do have to warn you though, DO NOT WALK AWAY..
  If you set the time to high, your tags can easily catch on fire.
  
  Now you are ready to dress up your Tags!
  (Tip by Howling Moon Designs)

Tea staining paper

• Mix about 1/2 cup of water and a couple of tablespoons of instant tea.  
• With a foam brush you can brush it onto your paper, let dry, and then turn over and repeat on the other side.  
• To get a darker intense and more antique look, you can press the paper with an iron.  Make the iron really hot and be sure to keep it moving so it does not leave an imprint.  You can do this on material also.  Be sure to clean the iron or use a designated crafting iron on it so that when you press your good clothes they don't get tea stained.
• You can stain wool felt or muslin or paper with this method.
• Not a tea drinker? You can also use instant coffee for this technique as well!

Primitive and Country Style Decorating Tips:

July 2010

Decorating with Prairie Swag Curtains

Country style portrays a rustic and romantic village life and this is the reason that people are more attracted to the rural style of decoration. Country style decorating ideas are now more savvy and sophisticated along with the comfort level they offer, after a hectic day's work. Country-style decorating can draw its inspiration from French, English, Swedish, American, and other cultural influences. However, pieces from different periods and traditions can be blended in one home as long as comfort is the principle ingredient. No country-style room should be too studied, for it is meant to be lived in. While country style decorating has evolved and changed with the times, it remains unchanged in that it still follows the basic principles of the past.

As the seasons change, so change our home interiors. New curtains are hung, accent pillows are added to the sofa, place mats are replaced with the appropriate seasonal design and rugs are added to lend warmth and eye appeal. No matter the season, many homemakers participate in the seasonal ritual of changing their window treatments with enthusiasm and the resolve to "change the scenery." For example, when switching to Fall decorating,choosing or making kitchen curtains to go along with fall decor is all about color or pattern. The style of curtain depends on the size and placement of the window, and the style of the kitchen (country, modern, contemporary). When considering color, notice how much natural light gets into the kitchen through the windows. If natural light is scarce to begin with, do not cover the windows with a dark or thick style curtain. Choose a rich, earthy color that is still bright, like yellow-gold or neutral beige. If a deeper shade like rust, burgundy or brown is a must, choose fabric that is slightly transparent. If the kitchen has windows that allow considerable natural light, choose a rich, earthy color in a dark shade to make the kitchen feel more cozy and warm as the weather gets colder. Using a pattern fabric like plaid or paisley to accent the main curtain can achieve a country-style fall decor.

The minute you do hang up those prairie swag curtains, you will immediately notice a softer and warmer looking room - it is simply the element of the soft fabric that creates that welcoming look.

Mix and Match On A Budget

Call it “country” or call it “provincial” this design style causes most everyone to recall home and hearth. This style of decor borrows from styles considered grander, whether that be “Queen Anne” or “Louis XV." The roots of the country style lay in the commoners’ interpretation of any style which was beyond their financial means. Today however, “country” is anything but cheap.

An inexpensive and effective way to add new interest to your window treatments is to "recycle" your curtains and drapes to another room. When purchasing prairie swag curtains do not buy drapes with a single room in mind. Instead, choose prairie swag curtains and window hardware with an eye to versatility

Plan to use the curtains in more than one room. When we changed our summer curtains to our fall curtains, we took the curtains from our office and hung them in the bedroom and switched the bedroom curtains to our office, creating a totally refreshing new look at no added expense. Interchanging curtains from one room to another works well to eliminate costly purchases of several new window treatments, and becomes a smart investment! Prairie swag curtains can be strategically added to your window to add charm and beauty. This technique worked well in our living room when we hung two lightweight curtains on either side of the window with two sheer panels hung between the lightweight drapes. Across the top, four looped decorative valances of two contrasting colors were hung which added a beautiful accent to the drapes and sheers. Another inexpensive but lovely addition to your window treatment is one window scarf, looped through a drapery pull on one side of the window which gives you another lovely inexpensive window treatment.

The fabrics and materials used for the window curtains are usually multi-colored cotton. If you really want them to have a true old fashioned country look, a fabric in a small gingham print - you know those cute little boxes like on Dorothy's dress from 'The Wizard of Oz' - is the ultimate way to go.

Windows dressed with ticking stripes and tiny florals are one of the building blocks of a country design theme. Flour bags were given eye appeal with ticking stripes and tiny floral designs. These stamped print bags were always recycled by the wives of farmers struggling in an agrarian society. Use fabrics printed with these timeless florals and stripes for curtains, quilts and other home accessories essential to the country style.

Use as much or as little color as you feel comfortable with. Solid colors or prints are refreshing and draw attention to the window. Soft, neutral colors can complement the colors in your carpeting, furniture, or wallpaper. If the window is interesting architecturally, you may want to emphasize that feature through color selection.

Colors used to decorate in the French Country style come from the full spectrum of the color wheel. Sunny yellow and soft gold,firey red and burnt rust, bright grass green and dark hunter green, cobalt blue and soft ocean tones -- all these are found in this wonderful decorating style. The beautiful colors of the French countryside decorate fabrics used in French Country decorating. The traditional fabrics combine well with basic plaids, checks, and stripes in modern homes. Provencal prints combine shades of primary colors with greens, lavenders, and bright orange.

Don't hesitate to experiment with mixing naturals and whites, or prints, stripes and solids. Warm shades of reds and yellows will add life to a room. Cool colors ... blues or whites ... or earth tones like greens and browns ... are restful. Work toward harmony and complementarity in color selection.

Your country style home is just waiting to be created and admired by all of your guests. They will soon be leaving your country house with several thoughts in mind. When can I go back? How can I learn to decorate with country decor? I want my house to look like that! That was such an inviting and relaxing home!!!!

Our affordable window treatments are made with quality and fashion in mind, so they will work with various design motifs. Stop by The Market Place in Tomah today, and browse our selection of Prairie Swag Curtains for your Country, French Country, Primitive, Americana, Rustic and other decorating styles, and we'll help you find just the right selection for your home.

Did you like this month's article? Let us know!

Grab a free "Breakfast & Brunch" recipe booklet by Gooseberry Patch and Post Cereal. There are two other free Gooseberry Patch recipe booklets that you can still request. They are "Fall Favorites" and "Family Favorite Recipes." You can download The Family Favorites Recipe Booklet in Adobe PDF for FREE by clicking here or The Fall Favorites Recipe Booklet by clicking here.

To print a copy of these recipes, Click here for the document. (pdf format, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

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