Friday 28 March 2008

Precious Paper

Last year I bought some beautiful vintage french wallpaper from Sue at Vintage to Victorian. I was so pleased to have got them, as vintage wallpaper is virtually impossible to find (well, round my parts, anyway). Since that time Sue had enquired on a few occassions whether I'd done anything with it yet, and I always had to say no. Not that I didn't want to, but partly I couldn't bear the thought of cutting into it - you know how it is. I would periodically get it out and carfully unroll it and just gaze, then carfully put it away. The colours are just amazing, not faded but just the right amount of aged-look to them.

I had bought the beige floral one to line the back of my china cabinet, that's been done now. It was quite painless as I only had to cut one piece and I've blue-tacked it to the back of the cabinet, so I can easily remove it if I change my mind. You can see it in the background here. I still have some left which is earmarked for another cabinet.

I didn't have anything in particular in mind for the blue, I just got it because it was so lovely, but a recent puchase of this old chocolate box gave me the perfect opportunity to use some. The box has a nice shape but a lot of water damage to the paper and not really pretty enough for me.

Now it is... I carefully removed the top, repadded and covered it, then replaced the red bow which I thought went well with the colours. It still looks old and battered but now very pretty too, just how I like it.

Another piece was used as a mount for a vintage postcard with some lace and a few flowers added for decoration. I did actually paint the frame cream, but it didn't look nice at all so I quickly scrubbed the paint off before it dried. At least I know that now!

Some smaller pieces were left over so I prettied up a rather plain glass cruet set. I don't think I'll be using it any more!

Even the tiniest little scaps were used to make this flower:

Which now adorns an old index card box. The box itself I covered in a scapbooking paper which I gave a wash with a wet tea bag and added some lace and trim.

I love these 'new' things and I'm glad I finally got around to using some of the paper - and happily I still have a lot left for plenty more projects.

With a wet and windy weekend in store it looks like there might be more crafting on the agenda.


Hope yours is good!

Lucy x

25 comments:

  1. Hi Lucy,
    You have done your wonderful purchase from Sue proud!! The chocolate box looks amazing - like one of those old French fabric boxes.
    And the bottles are too adorable! How lovely everything looks grouped together....
    Have a lovely crafting weekend,
    Niki x

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  2. Hi Lucy,
    The paper is so lovely, I think it is beautifull. You are so good, clever & creative with all the things you think to do!. The chocolate box looks lovely, as do all the other creations too.
    You have a lovely weekend
    X Dominique

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  3. Hi Lucy

    Everything looks wonderful. I am constantly amazed by your talent and the way you've used the wallpaper in so many different ways is brilliant. I'd forgotten about the one you used for the cabinet. That looks good, and what a clever idea to use bluetack so you can re-use it if you change your mind!

    Thanks for the link!

    Sue x

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  4. Hi, what gorgeous things you have done with the wallpaper, those little bottles are just lovely.
    Chat soon, Liz

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  5. I love what you've done Lucy, you are very talented. Enjoy your crafty weekend,(might do some of the same myself)
    Gill x

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  6. I think they all look so nice. Clever girl.

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  7. I especially like the cruet set-- very brave for cutting into the paper
    Lisa x

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  8. Oh Lucy, they all look gorgeous, how clever you are,I love all the different things you have thought of doing from wallpaper. I wish I had your skill and imagination, but am more than happy to admire yours, so thanks for sharing those pictures with us. Have a great crafting weekend. Love Jackie Mx

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  9. You are amazing!!

    Have a great weekend ♥

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  10. Hi Lucy

    What a great use of the papers. I still have my purchase from Sue rolled up. I too am scared to cut it but now I have seen your beautiful creations I may well think again :-)

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  11. Lucy you are special...I do love the things that you make...it takes me to an era that was more feminine and gentle.
    Carol x

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  12. Hi Lucy,ooh a whole bunch of beautiful photos as usual.. your handmade items are gorgeous, I love that chocolate box..absolutely beautiful!

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  13. What a fabulous transformation you've given your treasures! Those wallpapers are beautiful, and you've definitely done them justice!!!

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  14. There are some lovely ideas here Lucy. Your head must be buzzing most days with all of them whirring around inside. I can imagine the vintage wallpaper is precious and I am sure hard to come by now. I wish I still had a roll of the 1970s wallpaper my mum put up in our sitting room, huge bright orange flowers, looked lovely with our immitation leather three-piece suite! x

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  15. Hi Lucy, that was so worth waiting for to use your paper, everything is stunning!!! I love pink but now I am converted to that blue...love love love it and with the red bow on the box..just beautiful!!
    Hope your weekeknd wasn't too yeuky! Kiss noises Linda Lilly Cottage.

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  16. Hi Lucy, I love all your creations, they're so pretty and suit the wallpaper so well. I particularly like the chocolate box, it looks perfect with the bow! Hope you had a good weekend
    Kimx

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  17. Hi there..I love what you have done with the paper!All so beautiful..Sal;-)

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  18. What lovely, lovely ideas! Such creative uses of the beautiful papers - thanks for sharing them with us!

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  19. Oh, Lucy....I love all your beautiful crafting! You are sooo good at what you do!
    hugs, bj

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  20. Lucy you're such a talented thing! What a wonderful use you've put these beautiful papers too, now you can enjoy them all them time.
    Thankd for your lovely message, we loved the dance but didn't dance a step, just sat back and drank it all in as you said. Its well worth going to one if you can. Blimey if my husband had a whale of a time it must be fun! It was such a treat to get properly dolled up too.
    Have a lovely week. Looking forward to see what you create next.
    Stephx

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  21. Wow, these treasures are such a creative and inspirational use of those lovely wallpaper designs. I especially love the bottles. Beautiful. Karen

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  22. I love everything you did with your paper! They are all beautiful projects!

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  23. dear Lucy, as usual, you are so very creative...everything is real pretty :)

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  24. WOW! That chocolate box is beautiful, and the cruet set... I'm lost for words. Bring on the rain, I can't wait to see what bright idea you have next! Fi x

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  25. Your projects are just amazingly beautiful! Thank you for sharing them:>)

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Thank you for your comments - I am not always able to reply but they are always appreciated.
Lucy x