Spring clean!: Throw open the windows, let some fresh air in, and color your room with perfect pastels. Think, "Goodbye, dust bunnies. Hello, Easter bunny!" - My Room

Girls' Life, April, 2002 by Alecia Handers

Mad plaid

Dress up your drawers the criss-cross way with this simple painting technique. Jessi, 11, scored this dresser at a yard sale for $15 and worked wonders with it. First, paint the whole piece with two coats of white primer, letting dry completely between coats. Next, line pieces of wide masking tape horizontally in one direction on each surface, leaving spaces the same width as the tape between each piece. Coat with yellow paint, and let dry completely before removing the tape. Now, do the same, lining tape in the opposite direction. Repeat the process, using blue paint between the yellow lines. To get a thinner stripe, place the tape closer together. Oh, and a piece of fencing from the home improvement store makes a killer headboard for your bed. The one shown here was just 10 bucks! Go to www.girlslife.com for the nitty-gritty.

Snazz up your space

Time to toss that tired flannel comforter--it's spring, sister! If you're lookin' for some bedroom loot, Sears has a new site just for you at www.roomforkids.com. That's where we got all our nsazzy seasonal stuff: butterfly lamp, $30; flower alarm clock, $40; wrinkle shade lamp, $35; floral-print pictures, $25; insect string lights, $25; butterfly pillow, $18; vintage patch full comforter, $55, sheet set, $35, and pillow shams, $17 each; solid pink bed ruffle, $25.

Butterflies Are

This one sure is! We're giving away butterfly lamps to 10 fab readers. Just send your name and address to Free Butterfly, Girl's Life, 4517 Harford Road, Bltimore, MD 21214 by May 18.