If you love to go all out with your Christmas decorating, here

is a whimsical, original idea for your bathroom:

Materials needed:

White shower curtain, canvas, or fabric (a new canvas drop

cloth works great)

Shower curtain liner (to protect curtain from moisture)

Projector*

Permanent black marker, preferably a thick one

Paint pens

Paint

Fiberfill or cotton balls

Santa hat

Black felt (about one yard)

2 red hand towels or red fabric

*If you can draw, you may not need the projector. If you are

not artistically inclined, and do not already own a projector,

see if you can borrow one.

Let's get started!

If you're using fabric instead of a shower curtain, you'll need

to make it standard shower curtain size, which is about 72" x

72". Cut the fabric 73" x 73", fold each side over one half

inch, press into place, and hem each side to make smooth edges.

Purchase plastic rings (usually found near the curtain rods) and

sew them to the top for shower curtain rings. If you don't

already have a second rod, pick up a tension rod. They are

inexpensive and simple to install.

The next step is finding a great picture of Santa Clause. Look

in coloring books, storybooks, or online. Once you find a

picture you like, blow it up on the projector until Santa looks

life-sized. Hang the fabric or shower curtain on the wall or a

door with thumbtacks or straight pins, and project the image

onto it. Santa's knees should be about 6" from the bottom of

the shower curtain. Stop at the knees and do not draw the rest

of the legs (you will see why later).

Next, trace the image with a permanent black marker (put paper

behind the curtain to keep marker from seeping through). Fill

in the details for Santa's face as well as other intricate

areas with the paint pens. Fill in his suit with paint. Nearly

any kind of paint will do, but craft paint is the least

expensive.

In order to create a three dimensional effect, use fiberfill or

stretched out cotton balls for Santa's hair and beard. Apply

with regular school glue or use fabric glue. Use a real Santa

hat instead of painting one. These can be found at dollar

stores and discount stores for very little money. Simply stitch

the hat onto the curtain from the backside, or attach it with

fabric glue.

Add a piece of black felt for Santa's belt. A real buckle makes

a nice touch. You can remove a buckle from an old belt that you

no longer wear and thread the felt through it, or you can

purchase a used belt at a thrift store and simply remove the

buckle to use it for this project. Stitch the felt into place

or apply with fabric glue.

Hang the curtain and tuck the bottom edge inside the tub.

Santa's knees should line up closely with the edge of the tub.

Here's the really fun part: Fold the red towels in half

lengthwise and stitch or glue the sides together. If using

fabric, cut to the size of regular hand towels (not fingertip

towels) and proceed as directed above. Next, arrange the towels

so that the attached edges are in the middle instead of along

the side then press into place with a warm iron. This seam

should face the shower curtain so it won't show. Stitch or glue

the towels to Santa's knees. Santa now has three-dimensional

legs that swing when the curtain moves!

Make mittens and boots from the leftover black felt. Attach the

mittens to the curtain and the boots to the towels. Another neat

idea is to set a pair of boots outside the tub and tuck the

"legs" into the boots. This looks terrific and makes the effect

even more dimensional. This idea is best used in the guest

bathroom or on the day company is coming, after everyone has

showered, if used in the main bathroom (otherwise, you'll have

to keep moving the boots each time the tub is needed).

To make your shower curtain even more festive, wrap small empty

boxes to look like gifts and attach them to the curtain, or sew

on tiny plastic ornaments or candy canes. Just use your

imagination.

This is a fun, yet fairly simple project to complete, and you

will get lots of compliments on this unique, whimsical

decorating idea.