French Inspiration

Hello dear readers, today's post is about my most recent crafting activities. In between Christmas and New Year I decided to indulge myself in some special crafting projects just for me, before making a start on re-stocking my stall in Marlborough. I wanted to make things that looked like they might have come out of the pages of this book.

(Pub: Lark Books (NC) (28 Oct 2006) ISBN-10: 1579909965 ISBN-13: 978-1579909963)

First up, something quick and easy. I had a couple of frames which I had been meaning to do something with for some time. I love the idea of putting vintage fabrics in frames and had a small precious piece of french toile fabric which would be ideal. When the frames are wide and/or quite ornate, I think that the fabric on it's own is all that is needed. My frames were neither, so I added some other embellishments.
In one frame I added a vintage postcard of a pretty girl, the red roses she is holding echo the fabric colour perfectly. Snippets of ribbon and lace add the finishing touches.

Next I had a smaller gilt frame in which I put just the fabric with dash of red ribbon, lace and a tiny velvet flower. Any more would have been too much, I think.

I had small piece from a vintage quilt that was just begging to be made into something beautiful. I really enjoyed making this cushion, I hand stiched all the trimmings imagining myself to be a Victorian lady of leisure who did this all the time.

I think these projects all turned out so well because of the fabrics I used. Sadly I don't have many french fabrics like these, they are so difficult to find and I do agonise over what to make in case I ruin them, but I am very pleased with these results. I just have a tiny square of the french toile left now (boo-hoo) which I think I will make into a lavender sachet. But I'm going to save that pleasure for another time.

Another long-overdue project were these candle shades. They sit on a glass cup which fits inside a candlestick and holds a tea-light candle. I had this lovely fabric trim which was the ideal width for this project.

I finished them off with some pearly flower braid - much more to my liking now.

Finally, a lavender sachet made from the crochet coasters I picked up in the Laura Ashley sale before Christmas. I made a separate linen bag and then attached the coaster on the top. This didn't need any embellishment really, just a small mother-of-pearl button in the centre.

I arranged everything to photograph and I quite like how it looks together so I might just leave it like this for a while. Hang on a minute - would you believe it - another darn bunny has sneaked into the picture! I shall have to have words with those cheeky bunnies.

And now to some unfinished business. I have decided to nominate the following blogs for the "I -less-than-three your Blog" award that I received in my last post.

1. Clare of Vintage Home because of her beautiful Clock House to which I keep going back for another peek.

2. Catherine of Alchamillamolly for making me realise that I never want to move house again - never, ever, ever, never ever, ever, never!!!....well until next time, anyway!

3. Louise of Home is Where the Heart Is, simply for being such a dear, sweet you!

Ladies, you may pick up the the award from here (copy and paste should do it),

and pass it on if you so wish, but you are under no obligation (from me anyway) to do so. And thank you for writing Blogs I Love!

Wishing you all a weekend filled with what you love best.

x Lucy Bloom x