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Vintage brooch – Bird

16/11/2014 ♦

Accessories, All Projects, Clothing Accessories, Gifts, Sewing Projects

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Gorgeous Vintage brooch - Just like my flower brooch, I wear this on my coat, hat, bag, etc. Like the other brooch, I used wide lace and stuck to just one colourway for the vintage look I love. This time, I used broken jewellery in place of a button. The flower turned…

Shabby-chic curtains – Add lace to transform plain curtains

18/09/2014 ♦

All Projects, Sewing Projects, Soft Furnishings

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Want shabby-chic curtains? Easy! I pinned these lace panels to the front of our bedroom curtains many moons ago. Christmases and birthdays have passed but they remained pinned, not sewn. Now this hasn’t bothered me – not one little bit – but my husband will insist on finding the pins…

Scented shabby-chic style Bookmark

15/09/2014 ♦

All Projects, Gifts, Sewing Projects

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A great alternative to the usual piece of scrap card I usually use, this bookmark is scented so I get the odd whiff of lavender. If you love books, birds or just love shabby-chic style, this is a great little item to make and give (or keep...!). I never find…

Shabby chic lamp

02/09/2014 ♦

All Projects, Painted Furniture, Soft Furnishings

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You know how sometimes you come across something which goes in virtually every room of your house? I have two of these shabby chic lamps, originally pine, which I swap from room to room around the cottage as the mood takes me. With such neutral colours, the shades can be…

Lloyd Loom Style Chair

02/09/2014 ♦

All Projects, Painted Furniture

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While chairs like this can cost a pretty penny new, if you're lucky, they can still be picked up second hand. When I first saw this chair it was quite a vision – it had been painted a striking dark blue with a matching cushion. I imagine it was used…

Fabric wreath – shabby chic style

02/09/2014 ♦

All Projects, Soft Furnishings

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What I love about this wreath is its versatility - this one will be used in our little cottage here in Cornwall continually. I decorate it at Easter with checked ribbon & eggs, in the autumn with pine cones, at Christmas with red ribbon and baubles ... you get the…

Painted Picture Frame shabby chic

02/09/2014 ♦

All Projects, Painted Furniture, Picture Frames, Sewing Projects, Soft Furnishings

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The most difficult decision for me, was what not to do with it. This could look great as a painted photo frame, of course, but what about a chalkboard, memo board, jewellery board, pin board...? If I'm lucky enough to pick up more of these, I’m sure they could all be different,…

Jewellery Board

02/09/2014 ♦

All Projects, Gifts, Painted Furniture, Picture Frames, Sewing Projects

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Is the board showing off the jewellery or the jewellery showing off the board?! I had been saving this fabric (a favourite shirt which I had torn - very sad about that!) for something special - with its floaty/romantic feel I think it looks great in the worn-look frame, propped…

Linen Heart shabby chic Cushion

01/09/2014 ♦

All Projects, Sewing Projects, Soft Furnishings

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This cushion sits quietly on the bed; it has no practical use at all, but I think it’s so pretty. I used an existing (sqaure) cushion pad with small pieces of foam, fabric to make cover and a lovely daisy trimming (thanks Mum!) I cut the cushion pad open, emptied the…

Old linen Cushion

01/09/2014 ♦

All Projects, Sewing Projects, Soft Furnishings

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Reminiscent of those settee protectors your Gran used to use, this is a great way to use a small piece of fabric you’ve fallen in love with – or an old piece you can’t bear to part with. I haven’t added a zip but if your cushion is going to…

Button Jars – recycle your old jars in a couple of minutes!

26/08/2014 ♦

Accessories, All Projects, Projects with Children, Sewing Projects

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Well, these came about because I couldn’t bear to throw or recycle such pretty old jars as much as anything else. I may not have been keen on the relish they contained but my husband made short work of that and I got to keep the jars for myself! The…

Painted Bookcase DIY

15/08/2014 ♦

All Projects, Painted Furniture

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Scruffy, tea-stained, missing its glass doors and even a little bit puppy-chewed... What a sad little thing this bookcase was when I first saw it. Its redeeming features were that it was hard-wearing natural wood (teak), the right size for my kitchen, and anything I did could only improve it!…

Painted Wire Baskets

25/07/2014 ♦

Accessories, All Projects, Gifts, Painted Furniture

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I have several of these around the cottage and they serve different uses. I like to use them as cutlery trays on the table (especially when it’s warm enough to eat in the garden), to hold soaps and other toiletries, and also to hold jewellery in the bedroom. One, of…

Ditsy Floral Home Made Cushion

27/06/2014 ♦

All Projects, Soft Furnishings

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I just couldn’t resist this fabric. I fell for its ditsy floral print and natural colours and I just knew it wanted to come home with me. I haven’t added a zip but if your cushion is paler in colour or is going to subject to frequent use, you may…

Framed Bird Picture

15/06/2014 ♦

All Projects, Picture Frames, Spring

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If, like me, you have a heap of frames gathering dust while waiting for the perfect pictures to come along to fill them, look for inspiration in of your favourite in books. If you are making the picture for someone else, pick up a second hand book on their hobby/interest or…