Sunday, February 18, 2007

I am totally obsessed with fabric! In fact, I can't get enough of vintage fabric and will always be found rummaging through the wonderful old textiles that turn up at the flea markets and antique fairs. I do enjoy being creative and armed with a glue gun, pins and a hammer, I have covered all manner of everyday objects around the cottage.


I have many old books which have lost their paper covers, these are ideal for covering with fabrics. When I couldn't find the right vintage fabric I even used a new (but vintage style!) material covered with pretty little roses. The old painted step table originally had a piece of plain vinyl on the top so I replaced it with this pretty rosebud and oak leaf fabric which compliments they soft grey paint.


I found this old hatbox which was very plain in appearance and covered it in this delicate old roses fabric. I finished the edge of the lid with a length of dusky pink velvet ribbon. I may add some embellishment to the top when I find the right fabric flowers!




These are very quick but very effective ways of revamping items. I have also covered stools and chair seats etc., but I will save those photos for another day!

36 comments:

  1. Clare, as usual your photos are lovely, as are your projects! I so enjoy your blog.

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  2. I simply adore all your "flowery" items. You are so clever making ordenary things into vintage dreams. I love alle the rosy fabrics you have used and the especially the covered old books. An idea I might try out one day.

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  3. It never ceases to amaze me how you put together a selection of items and end up with an incredibly co-ordinated display.

    Nice quilt by the way!

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  4. How very lovely, Clare! You are very clever, finding the perfect fabric for the perfect item. I love what you've done to the hatbox especially.

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  5. LOVE the store as well, Clare!
    holly

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  6. Everyone everywhere compares themselves to Niki! (She's that good!) You are very talented and I love your fabric choices.

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  7. Very pretty. Love those flower prints.

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  8. *sigh* This is soooo pretty, Clare!

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  9. Everything so nice and feminine.

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  10. This entry, makes my heart sing!!!

    You are so lucky to be easily able to find vintage fabrics near you. I so love the idea of covering things, with vintage {or even vintage looking new} fabrics!

    But so far, I'm just a 'scardy-cat' about doing it. -sigh- I've never tried to use a glue-gun. Even though my husband has wanted to get me one. He knows I'd _love_ to try these things. He's a life-long wood worker and very talented with many things. And he encourages me. But... So far, I've just been that 'ol' scardy-cat.'

    Perhaps this beeeeeeeeeeeutiful entry of yours, will embolden me to try. To try. To try. Oh thank you so much!!!!!

    'MN'

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  11. Lovely pictures and really pretty ideas. I have an old hatbox that I initially painted but it's now looking a bit shabby. Seeing yours has made me think it's time to give it a fabric re-vamp.

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  12. Wonderful ideas and pictures..I have hatbox that is very ordinary and would look lovely covered in fabric....inspirational!

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  13. That's the beauty of fabric, it's so versatile. I love all of your make-overs Clare. I think I may pinch the covered table top idea!

    Have a great week,
    Niki. x

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  14. Clare these are all just gorgeous. I espeically love the hat box. I found a pretty cloth-covered book with blank pages at the thrift store last week for a quarter. It has roses on the cover. I was just sitting here trying to decide what I'll do with it. I think I'll make it a wish book and fill it with magazine cut-outs, ribbons, lace, and fabric swatches, of all the things I love and would like in my home.

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  15. What a lovely idea to cover your old books with lovely paper ! And it looks great. I like the hatbox too..The lamp is adoriable. Hug, Aina

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  16. Such pretty fabrics, Clare, and I LOVE the hatbox.

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  17. I am sooooo sorry that i dont write it in english, i think i should. at least a little part of it. Hmmm i think i should. But i just forget it, and you remind me again.The last post contains photos of a favourite shop i regulary visit.I love old and historic materials, and i get inspired everytime i get there. I wish i lived at the countryside with lots of greens around the house, with a dog, some cheeps and maybe a horse. I love the countryside, and i love the countryside style. Specially the Nostalgic look.But now i live in a modern house, middle of a concreat city in a packed Holland. I cant wait to go back to Norway, with more nature, space and less people.
    In the meantime i continue dreaming and get inspired of people like you. The photo of you, i just love. The country woman, Thats me :)

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  18. You surround yourself with the worlds delight..the rose!

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  19. You have some wonderful fabric, made even better by covering plain objects to make them pretty. Thank you for the great ideas!

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  20. Oh so many pretty things, lovely.

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  21. Everything is just so lovely! Really really love your blog!

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  22. This is lovely and I can see that this is very "you"...very nice...your signature

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  23. What a fun place to come visit! You like a lot of the same things I do. Will def. be back soon! cherry

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  24. This is my first visit to your lovely blog...I've really enjoyed it! I certainly will return again for a visit.

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  25. Hallo Clare :) Yes you`re right. 'Home is Where The Heart is!' And my heart, well it is in Norway, and i am her. But, i wont sound ungreatful, because im not.Its not that bad, but i am just, oh so homesick.I have lived her now for 4 1/2 years, and now it is time for me to go home. I have tried it, but i really dont feel home. I always feel like an foreigner, or like someone on holiday. The culture is kind of, cold, if i could say so. I miss the warmth and the cozy feeling, and not at least the close connection people in Norway have to another. Her they are to bussy with themselfs, with work and just sitting in the traffic. The Netherlands is a very small country with a lot of people. I have to make appoinments with people to see them at all. They work longer, that means they dont have that much speartime.In Norway they go home around 3 or 5 in the afternoon, her between 5-8. Thats a big difference. Its just to unpersonal and bussy for me. However, i am not the only one who feel that, because a lot of them emigrate to other countries because of the fact that they cant breathe her. So now we have decided to go home,and luckily that`s not a problem for my boyfriend. (he`s a Dutch boy)We planned to go home 1 year from now. And the last 2 years we have tried to save enough money, so that we can rent an appartement, buy a car and buy what we need without a problem.Because it is very expensive to move, i am shure you know. Well, thats enough for now. Have a beautiful day and nice wishes from me her in Holland, hug Aina :)

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  26. Wow! You did an amazing job covering these books and hatbox. I would love to see more!

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  27. I think the precious vintage fabric loves YOU just as much Clare! A perfect match for the creation of beautiful things!
    xo,
    Kim

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  28. What a nice idea to cover the books with nice fabric!

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  29. Hello Clare, nice to 'meet' you & visit your lovely blog! Louise :)

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  30. Gorgeous!

    Sigh...I love fabric, too!

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  31. Clare,
    Love your on-line shop. Found you via. NIKI. So many cute things, I will be watching.
    NANCY JO

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  32. Hi Clare! I'm like the bull in the china shop that, once a week or so, visits your lovely blog, turns his head left, then right, blows out a puff of exhalation, and then gallops for the door.

    But, seriously, this stuff is beautiful, and I'm man enough to admit it. But I hope my wife never gets the address of your blog because she's going to want all of this and we'll both end up in the poorhouse!

    Happy weekend Clare! Hugs and kisses.

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  33. Oh Clare,
    I LOVE EVERYTHING you have done with the fabric. SO much EYE CANDY...SO LITTLE TIME!!!
    Your website is such a pleasure to go through as I think it is just divine!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing so much with all of us...
    A BIG FAN from the USA,
    Amy (Mom to the Four Sisters)
    PS...I am adding you as one of my FAVORITE BLOGS to read....

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  34. Thank you to everyone who has left a comment! I have had such a busy week I feel I have neglected you all but I hope to spend some time perusing your lovely blogs over the weekend!

    Dan, I think you should direct your wife to our 'vintage' blogs - she will be made very welcome!

    Clare x

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  35. From another fabric obsessed person - your things are lovely!

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  36. Lovely blogg!!! My english i not good, but i want you to link to me. I love roses!!

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