For sheer romance, add a beautifully decorated mosquito net canopy over your bed. This is easily done in an afternoon and will add a finishing touch to your décor, not to mention a little mystery and adventure to your sleeping quarters. A decorated canopy also makes a very nice personalized gift for couples, teenagers, even pre-teens. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Purchase a white mosquito net or canopy online for about $25 from retailers such as Target or Sears. These also come in blue, pink and lilac so if you are able to match the décor, even better. If you are able to remove the circular tubing, you could dye the netting to better match the room's color scheme.
2. Find decorations. Look at your old jewelry; check out beads at your local craft store, even scout out Christmas decorations. Adorn the net with strings of beads, tiny quartz stones, small mirrors and crystals. Keep in mind the hobbies of the person you are creating this masterpiece for. Are they music buffs? Use colorful CD’s or cutouts of music notes.
3. By incorporating small elements from the recipient's favorite place, you can create a meaningful gift that will be enjoyed for many years. Does the person love the sea? Add some tiny seashells and drape colorful fish netting around the top. This is a chance to think out of the box and get creative.
4. By sewing the ornaments to the outer top circular seam of the canopy, they will have a dangling effect, so even old necklaces with the hooks removed add a touch of elegance. Or you can stack beads on clear nylon thread in a million different combinations. Try to keep hanging ornaments to a maximum length of one or two feet. You could even hang objects inside the top circle of the canopy so that the person is looking up at them while lying in bed.
5. Double the thread and secure all knots tightly.
6. Look at the fabrics used in the room. If you have a theme, incorporate the theme into the canopy. Trim flowers and leaves from leftover fabric to sew as patches onto the canopy. For boys with a sports motif, cut out soccer balls, footballs and baseball bats to sew onto canopy. For a camping feel, draw trees and leaves with fabric paint. It is a great project to involve the kids, giving them an opportunity to creatively express themselves.
7. If you are attaching the canopy by chain to the ceiling, try sewing a narrow sleeve to cover the chain with a matching fabric. Or twist a silk vine down the chain to fall onto the top of the canopy.
Tags: onto canopy, mosquito canopy