Stenciled curtains...

My husband was out of town last week, which always puts me in "project mode." It's a productive way to pass the time when the hubs is not around to be the preferred distraction.

A couple of months ago I stenciled our bedroom walls with a gorgeous stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils. I loved the tone on tone of that stencil on our bedroom walls. Last week I decided to use the same stencil in a different way to create some stenciled curtains in our kitchen and nook. As you can tell from the pictures below I have a blue and white kitchen. Along the soffit above my cabinets I have a collection of blue and white plates that loved ones have given me or I've collected. The plates hail from places like Italy, China, Boston, Williamsburg, antique stores and Pier 1 Imports. It's an eclectic bunch that I love -- mostly because of the story behind each plate. Here's a shot of 17 of the 38 blue and white plates that surround our kitchen...

A few years ago I bought some blue and white fabric and made valences {below} to frame the kitchen and nook windows and to compliment the blue and white theme of the rooms. When all was said and done I didn't like the valances. At. All. But, money had been spent so I put up with them for a few years. When my husband skedaddled to Italy to eat ravioli {and work} and left me home, I decided it was high time for a change.

Originally I went to local stores to buy the curtains, but couldn't find anything I loved. Eventually, however, I came upon this tablecloth...

and this kitchen towel...

I snatched them up and knew I'd come upon my inspiration. I thought of using these two items to make the curtains, but instead I decided to use my previously used stencil and some muslin fabric. For less than $15 {that includes fabric, paint and thread!} I made all the curtains for the two windows in my kitchen and the two windows in my nook...

I took down the prehistoric metal blinds that were behind all the valences and I snatched the valences off the walls pronto-like. It felt so good. Then I lowered all the hardware and made the curtains cover the bottom portions of the windows to provide complete privacy, but allow the sun to shine through! I love being able to see the blue sky and the tree tops! If I choose I can part the curtains to see into my backyard.

I love the simple nature of these curtains. I only used the top portion of the stencil that I used for my bedroom on the bottom part of these curtains. I wasn't necessarily looking for a less-expensive option when I decided to find some new curtains. I just wanted something that I loved. It's an added bonus when you get both!

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Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings; Sew Cute Tuesday @ Creative Itch;