Drapery School and a Canvas Sale

For years, I dreamed of having my own business.  I investigated starting my own catering business.  I loved to sew and considered becoming a dressmaker.  Oh, how glad I am that didn't get out of my head into actual work.  I have trouble fitting myself!  I thought about decorating children's rooms making all the bedding and painting murals on the walls.  This was more of a fantasy since I can't really draw (ha).  I thought of running a small clothing or home accessories manufacturing firm.  I had plenty of ideas but I never got past some notes, a little research or making a few samples.

Then one day, I came across an ad for a professional drapery school just 2 hours from my home! I couldn't believe it.  I had made many of the window treatments for my own home and was starting to do some things for friends.  Here was a school that could teach me to make things properly.

So I took 4 days of vacation and attending this amazing school, the only one of its kind in the country.  We learned everything from where to buy equipment to making our own patterns to constructing several different types of window treatments. I left knowing I could indeed start my own business and I did.  For 16 years, sometimes part time, sometimes full time, I created professional window treatments.

This layout celebrates that class.  I've used cardstock and stencils for the background and matting.  The video also shares hand stitching the title.  I've mixed purchased chipboard embellishments with memorabilia.  For more techniques like the ones in this video, check out my classes at:  http://www.lisaedesign.com/p/classes.html   I have classes in using creative ways to use Cardstock and Stenciling on your scrapbook pages.

Here's the process video:



And here is the sketch:

And speaking of hand crafted things, I've reduced the prices on all of the handmade canvases in my Etsy shop just in time for the holidays:  Lovely Layers Art

Thanks for taking a trip down memory lane with me.