Not many folks think of a paper window treatment, but if you are decorating a baby’s room the decorating theme get’s swapped out fairly quick because babies grow up!  This window treatment utilizes baby shower gift wrap and Dollar Tree rubber duckies for an adorable and unexpected theme.

The valance takes about 3 hours to make from start to finish and is an easy project.

Supplies needed include 20 gauge Wire, 16 gauge plastic covered copper wire, wire cutters, needle nose pliers, a regular paper punch, baby shower themed gift wrap ( I got mine at RiteAid), and 12 rubber ducks (to fit a 24″ window.)

# 1. Cut the gift wrap into 12 2″ x 12″ strips.

#2.  Cut 24   4″ pieces of 20 gauge wire and use the needle nose pliers in the center of each wire to make a loop as shown above.

#3.  Fold the ends of each strip  1/2 inch in.  I take a piece of 1/2″ cardstock so it is easy to fold placing on each end of the paper strip and fold over the cardstock then you don’t have to measure it carefully.

Punch a hole at the bottom of each end and tuck the wire loop into the hole.

Cut the ends at each side to be flush with the paper and use a line of hot glue to seal the tab of paper.

This is what the finished strip looks like:

Now it is time to work on the duckies!

It looks a little barbaric to get the wire hanger attached! You need 16 gauge plastic covered copper wire or 16 gauge copper wire in colors.  I had the black wire in my drawer so that is what I used.

The rubber “heals” itself almost immediately so you have to keep track where the puncture marks are.  Run the wire through the bottom hole and punch through the head hole making sure enough wire is sticking out of the head to make a loop.

I recommend the 16 gauge wire because it is the easiest to thread into the hole that is punctured in the head and doesn’t bend when you are poking through.  I put a yellow bead on the duckies bottom to make it look finished.  Leave the loop open on the top so you can hook it into the paper strip bottom.

I used the hooks that I make for valances I sell in my Etsy Shop LittleLaLaOriginals. You can use pinch clip valance rings you can get at any place that sells curtain rods.

I recommend closing the top loop on the rubber duckie wire so they won’t fall off if they are bumped.

I will never forget the fun I had decorating my first nursery.  The theme was Raggedy Ann & Andy!  I remember  redecorating when my son turned one year old to monkeys because that was his favorite toy and I wanted to reflect his personality as I was discovering it.  Alas, all that work on a hand hooked Ann & Andy piece of art!