Simple DIY Window Valance

I have to say, it can be difficult keeping up with a blog!  I commend you all who do it on a daily basis.  With that being said, I introduce to you, a window valance that is so simple yet a very luxurious touch to your home.  I have become an avid "Pinterester".  I'm always looking for new DIY projects.  How do I have time to do a project with a 5 month old you say? I make time!  It's truly an outlet for me, and very fulfilling to say the least.  I have been wanting a valance over my double window in my kitchen for quite some time.  When I came across this Pin on Pinterest, it was exactly the style I was looking for.  She calls it a Pelmet Box.  Obviously I wanted to give this girl credit, so you can go to her site, but I'm going to tell you the basic steps that I took because I did mine over a double window, making it a little different. Here is a pic of the finished product:

What you will need:
Fabric (measure your window, and add 3 inches to each side, then double the length top to bottom)
Staple gun with shallow staples (I used 5/16" 8 mm, but I would recommend 1/4" 6mm) *If you don't have a staple gun, I highly recommend purchasing one.  It is an awesome thing to have!
Glue gun (not totally necessary, but was useful when I didn't want to use any more staples)
Foam board (I had to use 3 pieces, I paid $1.99/each at Hobby Lobby)
Duct tape
Box cutter
Cheap wire curtain rod (length depending on the size of the window you're doing)

You're basically going to measure the width of the window, and apply that to your foam boards.  Each of my boards were 30 inches wide.  This next part may sound confusing, but it will make sense when you're doing it.  The width of my window was 74 inches.  I subtracted 30 inches for my center foam board, because I left that one whole, and that left me with 44 inches (which meant that I had to divide that number by 2, giving me 22 inches for the 2 remaining boards).  I cut the side boards 22 inches each.  As you can see below, I drew an arch on one of the side boards, and traced it onto the second so it would be symmetrical.  I drew a separate arch on the middle one, using a measuring tape to make sure it was even.

Once you have drawn your Pelmet design (you don't have to use this design, get creative!), lay all the pieces out how you want them. 

 As you can see, I used the scrap pieces of foam board for my side panels.  Now you're going to go duct tape crazy!

You can never use too much duct tape...that's what's going to hold this baby together.

The piece of fabric you see on top of the pelmet was just traced and cut out.  This is so if you're looking at the valance from the outside, you don't see foam board with duct tape.  (This is what I used the glue gun for later.)

 

Above, you can see where I put the curtain rod in place, and duct taped it down to make it secure.

Now for the staple part.  You can see how I cut strips so that it would be easier to pull tight to staple.  Make sure you staple the top first, then sides, and bottom last.    Once you have stapled it all, you will put the piece of fabric that you traced and cut earlier over the back of the pelmet to make it look clean from the back.  You can use the staple gun for this part, but this is where I used the glue gun.  The last step is to put in the curtain rod attachments.  Make sure you measure the valance again before screwing them in.  You don't want to make multiple holes in your walls! Hang the completed product and you are finished!    

I hope this was helpful...I'm still a blogger in process, ha!