Cartonnage

Cartonnage is the art of making boxes, originated in France but very popular in the whole of northern Europe in the late C18th particularly as a pastime for wealthier ladies. They were usually made from card and covered in pretty floral or striped fabric which originally was not glued but hand-stiched in place with tiny stiches. These French fabric covered boxes are very covetable these days. Not just boxes were made but other items such as trays and pictures frames.

One of my favourite craft books - The Cartonnage Kit by Heather Luke (ISBN 0-316-91390-1) gives excellent instructions and inspiration for making these kind of items.

There are lots of ideas for things to make - I particularly like the fabric-covered trays - so handy for all sorts of bits and bobs.

Whilst the book gives detailed instructions on constructing boxes, why make work for yourself when you have a ready stash of sturdy boxes just waiting to be transformed!

The sturdiest boxes are those in which you get perfume gift sets, I never throw them away and I have quite a few stashed away. They provide a good base for the box, I make the lid myself and then get going with the fabric, glue and trimmings.

For this one I used a beautiful vintage french toile fabric lace.

The inside is lined with a complimentary french floral.

This casket style box uses a european toile style fabric, originally used for bedding, I remember having a quilt cover and pillowcases from this type of fabric when I was a child.

Another box made from 'vintage' Cath Kidston fabric, I picked up a small piece of this at a Car Boot a few years ago, before I even knew who she was!

This box uses a vintage cartouche pattern fabric, lined with Laura Ashley's red toile wallpaper.

Apart from a box and some fabric the other main ingredients are glue and patience. I love 'sticking' whether it's paper or fabric, though your hands do get quite messy.

For quick results you can't beat cards, these are great for filling an odd few moments if you need a crafting 'fix'.

I have been doing some sewing too - these cheeky Scottie dogs. I have been making two-dimensional versions of these, filled with lavender, for my stall in Marlborough for a few years now. I decided to have a go at a 3-dimensional version so that they could stand up on their own. I'm quite pleased with the result.

All these items are available in my shop which I have updated today.

I've been out in the garden investigating what the slugs have been up to - quite a lot as it turn out. It's been my kind of weather today, warm with a nice breeze. I don't tolerate very hot days well, Mr. Blooms loves them - choosing holiday destinations can be tricky!

Hope you've been enjoying the week.

Lucy x