What is it?:

It's a set of window curtains made from photos and plastic sheet protectors.

Usefulness factor:

If you've been itching to drape your room with a touch of creativity, block a little UV light or create a unique way to display your favorite photographs, then this might be the craft for you.

When the Snapshot Shades are hung on a window, sunlight will illuminate your photos.

Items needed:

• About 9 plastic sheet protectors (This number will vary depending on how big your room window is or how many curtains you want to make.)

• About 60 photographs (CD covers can also be used)

• A pair of scissors

• Rubber cement or glue

• A spool of string or yarn

Get started:

1. Gather a collection of your favorite photographs or CD album covers.

2. Arrange the plastic sheet protectors on the floor into rows and columns to create a rectangular pattern. (We made one curtain with a three-by-three plastic sheet pattern.)

3. Select two or three pictures to place into each plastic sleeve. Generally, each sleeve fits two vertical and one horizontal picture.

4. Secure the placement of each photo with rubber cement or glue.

5. Repeat the last two steps until all sleeves have been filled with photos.

6. Glue the tops and ends of the plastic sleeves together to form the curtains.

7. With the scissors, poke small holes in the top of the first rows of plastic sleeves. Next, cut the string into small segments, thread them through the holes and tie them at the ends.

8. Once the curtain has been assembled, use the string to tie or hang them on a window.

Total cost: The plastic sheet protectors cost $1.50 for a package of 30 .

Challenge level:

On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the ultimate Martha Stewart Challenge, this craft is a 2. It only required about 10 minutes of free time to create the Snapshot Shades and get them up on a window for display.

Our thoughts: The Snapshot Shades will add a touch of sentiment and personality to your room.