Friday, June 4, 2010

pretty easy: hankies + clips



I decided to spray-paint the curtain clips of my hankie-valance. While everything was taken apart, I thought this easy-peasy idea would make a nice how-to post.



These curtain clips are from Ikea (left over from the no-sew valance I made for the boys' room). They were silver and needed to fade into the background so they received a few light coats of white spray paint out at the ol' picnic table.



Next I lined up my favorite vintage hankies (every single one received from blogging friends through swaps or gifts), folded them in half . . .



and clipped their folded ends to the clips now hanging from a tension rod.



If I ever compile a Top 10 of Home Decor Useful Faves, tension rods will surely make the list. (These handy clips just might make the list, too.)




I placed the tension rod so that my hankies fall around cafe-curtain-length, roughly half-way down the window over my kitchen sink.



Easy to do and easy to change!

(Imagine this handkerchief trick with colorful bandanas or patterned napkins? Presto!)

Thank you so much to everyone for your happy cheers about my Fifi news! This is just the bestest place to share.

xo
elyse

Note:
{I found the cup & saucer at HomeGoods. Interesting because the back of the saucer reads: Blue Vintage Rose, Peppertree Tabletops, Coastline Imports. I later bought a matching teapot that simply says Cath Kidston.}

62 comments:

Angela said...

So sweet...I love that look!!

Jeanne said...

Your hanky valance is super cute Elyse. I did something similar in my studio, but didn't think to use the little clips. You can see mine here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19893506@N00/2476357054/in/set-72157600337573824/

Love that cup and saucer too! What china patter is that?
xo
jeanne

Hearts Turned said...

What a fabulous idea, Elyse! You make everything look so charming...and so easy! Love the way they look in your kitchen window...perfectly cottage!

Hope you're having a wonderful night!

Julie

Free Pretty Things For You said...

i am going to do this one day!!
just have to start collecting pretty hankies :) love it!

Jill said...

I love your idea! I have been wanting to do a vintage hanky valance for a while, but really couldn't picture how to do it. Your "how-to" really helped! Thanks for the great idea!
Hugs,
Jill

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love, your hankies. I think this looks so pretty!
Thanks for sharing. :)

Char

A Whimsical Girl Named Debbie said...

I just adore your blog! The design is so sweet! I have a hankie valance too (in my bedroom), but my hankies are not folded; they're clipped on the ends hanging freely. I'll have to try them folded for a different look. And, I like the spray paint idea for the clips. Mine are an iron black (yuck!), so spraying them white (why did I not think of that)will give them a fresh, shabby chic look. Thank you for sharing your project!

http://girlwhimsy.blogspot.com
http://closetfullofgoodies.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

What a sweet sweet valance Elyse!! I love it also that they all came from swaps and bloggers. I am always getting plant starts and seeds from friends and everytime I see the plant it makes me think of them and smile!

bee blessed
mary

koralee said...

So adorable...your ideas always inspire and make me so happy..hugs!

Melinda said...

Very cute valance. Bet it looks great over your kitchen window!

Have a great weekend.

Melinda

Diane Mars said...

Very cute, I had the same thing going on in my pretty girl room, but had to take them down while the tenant rents that room for 4 months. But I sure love the way they looked! I miss them ): Yours are delightful!

Beedeebabee said...

Elyse, this is so charming! xo

Bethany said...

I love your sweet vintage hankies! What a creative way to enjoy them! Mine are hidden away in a box.
Bethany ♥

Unknown said...

Oh so beautiful, so nice and clever idea!

Hugs
Charo

Seams to Sew and Quilt said...

What a good idea and so so cute... Love how it looks.

Karen said...

Elyse! I'm still so excited about your magazine layout. you did good!
And this post - very cute idea! It looks very, very cottagey indeed!
Have a wonderful weekend! Karen

stefanie said...

I love easy...and cute, thanks!

Barbara Jean said...

so sweet!!

Blessings

barbara jean

P. said...

Beautiful things.
Alfazema

P. said...

Beautiful things.
Alfazema

Lisa said...

Such a cute idea!!! I love no-sew!

Anonymous said...

Sweet & simple - love it, Elyse!!!
:)

birdie blue said...

love the vintage hankies. how pretty over your kitchen window!

have the loveliest of weekends!
~molly

Sandi said...

CUTE as cute can be Elyse! I have hung hankies with those type of clips too! Have a beautiful day!
Blessings~

Alison said...

Super cute! What a great idea!

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

That is the sweetest idea, I love it!

I just read your Fifi post, that is so exciting! It must have been so surreal. Those two sound like a couple of fun people to hang with for the day.
~Michelle

Cathy said...

Hi Elyse,

Love, love, love the hankies hanging. There is nothing like display simple beauty, especially vintage hankies.

Have a wonderful weekend.

xo Cathy

Dragonlady said...

I love it, thanks for sharing this easy way to do a hanky valance....It is adorable....love your blog but am a bit of a lurker..
hugs
Brenda

Heather - Speckled Egg said...

cute, cute, cute!

Rebecca @ Belle Blog said...

HI Elyse!! Happy weekend, Hope you are enjoying it!! I love that teacup and your valance. I should make one like that for my kitchen windows and the little window in the kitchen door.
Rebecca

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Oh cute idea. Very creative!

Claudia said...

I love curtain clips - they are so quick and easy. I have them on my little valance in the studio. Hmmm. Maybe I will spray paint them.

I like seeing the hankies. I believe I recognize one or two of them. Let me know if you want more. That teacup and saucer are beautiful! My favorite colors.

xo
Claudia

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Hi Elyse! Your hankie valance is so sweet and springy. Have a great weekend! Twyla

Theresa said...

Cute, Elyse! I love tension rods too and use them for lots of things! Enjoy your weekend! HUGS!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Elyse, how adorable and easy this is! I shall have to dig out the hankies and think up something similar!
Brenda

Katy Noelle said...

I wish that you could see me right now. Then you would know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I LOVE this. It's just brilliantly adorable - beautiful - sweet - awesomely creative. I love the cath kidston cup, too. I'd never even heard of her until this past Jan. when I started to blog. I have GOT to check it out more closely!

Thanks for your comments. My front door color is Benjamin Moore "Nantucket Fog". What a name - eh? Can't wait to see what you come up with, eventually!

Love, Katy

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Hi :) I love this idea using vintage hankies as a valance! So sweet :)

Warmest, Brenda

Tanza said...

LoVe this valance of hankies .. very sweet, and just love the look .. Thanks for sharing pretty !! Have yourself a wonderful week-end ~
HuGs ~tea~ xo

Elsie said...

I love your hanky valance. My girlfriend has one in her spare
bedroom made with hankies from
her 96yr old Mom. I love the way
you painted your hooks so your
hankies show up better.:O)

debi said...

Oh, I love that! What a super sweet and pretty valance that makes!

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

I LOVE your beautiful hankies in the window Elyse... such a perfect summer addition too. ;)

Hope you are having a lovely summer so far. I read your post below about your photo shoot. How exciting for you! I would have been nervous too... it is so nice that your nerves were put to rest when they arrived.

Xoxoxo

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

oh and I checked out your gray walls.... so lovely!! Your home is just beautiful. ;)) xoxo

Bring Pretty Back said...

Elyse, This is just what I have been looking for. I fought a bunch of old and soooo pretty hankies last year at a garage sale and have had no idea what to do with them. This will be perfect!
Have a pretty day,
Kristin

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Very cute and clever! I love it!!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Cute, Cute, Cute!!!

p.s. I was looking at your pictures of the Fifi shoot both on your blog and the ones you sent to Fifi....Dan is taking a picture of your desk and I noticed the birdhouse....I would be thrilled if they used that picture!
xo
Penny

sandy said...

I love your sweet ideas! And the fact that this is sooo easy is a BONUS!

I have occasional sales with many sweet hankies for sale but people don't seem to buy them anymore. I'll refer them here for another use for them!

Lisa said...

I really love it! I need some of those clips! Your valance is great!! The tea cup is too cute. Your Home Goods is so much better than ours! Congrats on Fifi!
Hugs, Lisa

Anonymous said...

oh how wonderful!
this looks adorable and this idea will take shape with my own crochet doilies over my kitchen window!

thanks so much for the inspiration!

hopefully I can do this soon...before I forget...i'd better write it down in my idea book!

ciao bella
creative carmelina

Ann at the Handley Bungalow said...

What a darling idea!!! You can find those clips in silver or bronze at Target, too. Your blog is wonderful. Can't wait to see your house in Fifi's magazine!

Gracefully Vintage said...

Oh My- I just found your blog-how i missed it-no clue- Im in love ,so beautiful, i love the hankie idea, and i love your tea cups so pretty. What great -inspiring ideas you have-share.
Just became an excited new follower- cant wait to check back for much more-
Thanks For Sharing
Karryann

Nishant said...

I love that look!!
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beachvintage.com said...

This is just so delictae and i love the results. Tjose hankies are all beautiful.

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

LOVE your new valance Elyse!!!! xox

Lori said...

your valence is darling Elyse!!! i am so loving your tea cup and saucer...the pattern is so delicate and feminine and the colors are gorgeous!!!

Scrap for Joy said...

Hi Elyse...Queen of Spray Paint~
Anything photographed by you is above 10 on the attractive scale! You make everything look so yummy...and of course it is yummy. I love HomeGoods and I'm sure if there was one within 30 miles of me I would have to find a full-time job to support my spending there! Your hankie valance is adorable. I use lots of tension rods, too. I will hang a lacy valance on one and then arrange it underneath an exsisiting valnce so it looks like a lacy petticoat hanging below. The clips are genius for those of us who change our minds and our decorating often. Have a great week!
xoxo
Joyce

Unknown said...

That is so cute and I have to have some of those clips. I can think of a few things to use them for.

Adorable.

Terri said...

I just love it Elyse! I have always wanted to make a small table cover with hankies for a tea party! Thanks for the idea for the valance over a sink. Your the best! Terri

Vicki said...

Hello, dear friend,
You always have the best ideas!! Love your vintage hankie idea for a curtain topper. I, too, love tension rods, so, so easy to hang things with them. Congratulations on being featured in Romantic Country!! I love that magazine, and your home is perfect for it. Have a happy week, Elyse~ Vicki

Bethany said...

oh my gosh, that is the cutest idea ever, so pretty and colorful. you astound me. i've been dreamy about a new cottage bedroom, Elyse style and i'm really more of a modern girl, but you've got me hooked.

Mercedes Spencer @ Liberty Biberty said...

That looks GORGEOUS!!!
Mercedes

Pamela said...

I love it and I also always love stopping by y our blog! It gives me my dose of girly stuff that I need being in a house of all men.

Unknown said...


you have done good work on this post

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