Happy New Year! A project list is beginning to form in my mind and blogging about projects is sometimes a better motivator for me than a Post-it note on the fridge. One project for 2011 is to finally do something with the seriously lovely fabric (pictured above) that I received from fabulous Fifi.
Here is the piece of fabric stretched across my bed
When Fifi was at my home in May (still feels unreal), my enthusiasm over Cabbages & Roses fabric and goods was apparent and generous Fifi offered to send me some fabric leftover from a shoot upon her return home ... and she did ... right away! I have treated this piece of Hatley, cerise like spun gold -- it's been folded, bagged and tucked away lovingly.
But it's time that the fabric gets used for something and appreciated every day. So I am borrowing the beautiful At Home with Country by Cabbages & Roses' Christina Strutt, from my library.
Fifi receives a giant thank you from Christina in the book's Author's Acknowledgements:
The entire idea was the brainchild of my dear friend Francoise O'Neill who, as creator of this project, has also encouraged us along the way, alongside editing magazines, filming television programs, and entertaining a million people on her blog.Christina's book is filled with page after page of swoon-inducing ideas, most showcasing Cabbages & Roses' fabrics.
Okay, so back to my linen ...
Page 136
Should the fabric stay in the bedroom in the form of pillows or a quilt?
Page 9
Should it be draped over the dining room table (when the boys are not drinking chocolate milk)? Become a runner or lampshade covers? Used somehow in the living room?
Photo source: Fashion-Editor
Transformed into something I can wear or use?
Sure, I'd eventually figure something out myself but since I am fortunate enough to have some of the most creative minds visiting my blog, why not put the question out there? Oh, yeah, and Shellie, if you're reading this (and are willing) ... what do you think, my dear seamstress (treats! treats!)?
xo
elyse
ps
Check out your library system's interlibrary loan program. It rocks!
38 comments:
This is such a beautiful piece of fabric! I'm really no help in deciding what to do, because I'd be full of indecision too :-) It does match very well with your bedroom, but little splashes of red look pretty anywhere. I often keep clear plastic over my tablecloths to protect them from spills :-)I hope you show us when you decide.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Blessings,
Marcia
Oh my! I vote for the bedroom- unless of course you'd like to have a blog give away! Hee-hee! ♥
Oh my wouldnt that look great in your kitchen too? But I think I will vote for pillows. You could use them in either your living room or bedroom. Love that fabric too, its so cottage charming!
I hate to use beautiful fabric LOL. When I do, I use it for small projects so I can use it many times! I am having a giveaway, stop over if you give a chance, it is a broken china mosaic shoe. Happy New Years!
Carol
My vote is to stay in the bedroom, It is so gorgeous!
★ Happy New Year ! ★
I'm all about spreading the love. I say pillows, a table runner and a tote! Then if you have any scraps left, tinker with them! Huh? Huh? Brilliant, right?
I'm probably just going to confuse you, but as soon as I saw the fabric on the bed I thought it would make a beautiful bag. No matter what you decide, it will be lovely.
Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
Oh this is such a pretty piece of fabric Elyse! I am wondering if there is a way to make it multi- functional. Could you hem or make casings at the ends and use it at the bottom of your bed with a fluffy comforter tucked in under then it could go to the table for a runner and could even get folded and displayed on a hood as a towel or on a rod as curtain. I love the look of a little curtain under the sink area too. I don't know I just love to have as many possibilities with some things like this that are so special like this.
Hope you have a wonderfully and creative 2011 dear friend!
bee blessed
mary
Did you ever see Strutt's book Romantic Home Sewing?? I have the book and she uses that fabric in so many wonderful ways. One thing I noticed, you do not have a headboard, so if you have enough, how about fabric covered headboard?? You also have another book by Strutt, that you won in my giveaway =D.
That fabric was also used for bunting and that looked pretty too. Or a bolster for your bed!? I look forward to see what you decide on.
Happy New Year to you sweet friend!!
Hugs!
Sonia
What fun! I like the idea of making a multifunctional piece that you can enjoy and photograph everywhere, and am also not sure how much fabric you have, so my first thought is of a throw that you could take from bedroom to livingroom to dining room (over a bigger table cloth). The backing for it could be anything from a natural linen or a red ticking striped cotton, to to a pretty white on white striped chenille. You have such nice memories associated with the piece, so no matter what you make, it will be treasured.
I like Mary Ellen's idea. But definitely try to use it in a couple of ways. Pillows always work because they can be moved around and the bag idea is good because you can carry it with you always. Or maybe a coin/credit card purse so you have happy feelings every time you spend money ;) Good luck with your decisions.
I have to tell you that my first thought was it would look wonderful shirred on a rod as a "headboard" for your bed. It is just such a gorgeous piece of fabric and I'll bet you are just dreading cutting into it? Because...as we all know..once you cut there is no going back!
Best of luck and please let us know what you do with it- Hugs- Diana
Wear it, Elyse! I love the purse. But then, I would love it on your bed, too. I can see how you can't decide. It makes me want to change the entire color scheme of my house!
Hugs,
Suz
Oh, what a beautiful piece of fabric. And so many possibilities!
I love the way it looks draped over your bed, with the red and white pillows. I think I would make a quilt with it.
Can't wait to see what you do with it!
OH, what gorgeous fabric! If you use it on your table, more people would be able to enjoy it, than if you used it in a private room, like a bedroom. Can't wait to see what you do with it!!
I love cabbage roses and the red/white! It actually looks fabulous on your bed and would be great in a small quilt laid on the bottom. Can we say heirloom? :)
Ha! Okay, I am with Jan Kerschner. I was gonna say spread the love too. A tote and pillows! Get as much out of it as you can! Why ever would you fold it and store it away not to be seen? I hope Shellie is ready willing and able! Will look forward to seeing what you decide. Best wishes, Tammy
You know a quilt would be my first suggestion (LOL)- something to place at the foot of your bed perhaps that you can snuggle up with on cold, wet days. I have some ideas we can chat about at our next monthly bagel breakfast :)
PS Don't forget about "scraps"!! You can make more than one thing with that beautiful piece my love!
Such beautiful fabric! I can't make up my mind whether it should stay in the bedroom or make something for yourself ~ that tote is adorable
Marianne
So, I am having a hard time deciding:) Perhaps pillows where everyone can see them and a table runner for the coffee table? It looks beautiful on the bed but it is needs to be viewed by guests! Have a blessed day dear Elyse! HUGS!
Love the fabric....oh, but don't you hate to cut fabric you just love...whatever you do, I am sure it will be beautiful. smiles, Linda
I LOVE Cabbages and Roses fabric and that piece you have is one of my favorite patterns!!! I vote for a lampshade and pillow if you have enough for both. As a mom with three boys myself, I would advise against ever having it anywhere near the kitchen. :) Enjoy! I know whatever you choose to do with that amazing fabric will look fabulous!
Hugs,
Michelle
My vote would be for pillows~ Overtime, you can move them around the house or out on the patio! When they have made the rounds then you can throw them in the car and keep them there to take on picnics and lie down and gaze at the sky ! Sweet fabric you acquired ~ Have fun creating. Happy New Year!
Oh my friend...how amazingly lovely is this fabric...whatever you create from it ...it will be magical...how can it not be?
xoxoxo Sunday hugs to you.
i LOVE the page 136 bunk bed cubby! see...i always see wood paneling and immediately think ...PAINT IT WHITE...but I am smitten by the juxtaposition in this photo!
thanks for sharing!
shell
gypsylemonade.blogspot.com
I think it would look great as a valance, a bag or a ruuner for your table.
Happy New Year.
Melinda
Oh, good Lord that is fabulous! I say all of the above! A pillow, a lamp shade {small}...a rosette that can be pinned on a sweater, hairband, purse...a table runner{small}...come on..you can eeeek all that out with your Yankee know-how!
m ^..^
Elyse, wishing you and family a very hapyy and blessed 2011, and this year brings much love to your lives.
cariños
I think pillows, because they're so easy to move from room to room whenever the mood strikes. Or a tote bag that you could use every day. Can't really go wrong with such great fabric! :)
Happy New Year!
Alison
the linen caught me immediately... as you will see... i love all textiles.. i think they will work anywhere! so happy to have found you... will love following along..
happy new year! xx pam
I say pillows since the pattern repeat is far apart. You could get a lot of bang for the buck there. Market bags would be nice too.
What a beautiful dilemma, Elyse! Whatever you decide to do with that sumptuous stuff, it will be wonderful!
Julie
Krásné...
This year I'm a bit sad :-( perhaps because my birthday is coming.Another year has gone away..
But :-) I gave you a little virtual prize for your blog,please come to drop it in my blog!.
Your photos are beautiful,I love flowers and red and white fantasy!.
Bye.
Very gorgeous fabric, I can see why you're fighting with yourself over what to do with it!
I always enjoy your blog!
Carole
Hello. I just found your blog through C & R and what do you know? You have my favourite fabric of all time! I think a headboard or pillows would be great. But as we both know, that fabric is soooo gorgeous, you just can't go wrong!
Hugs,
B x
YOU are my inspiration Elyse! Looking forward to seeing what ideas you have brewing up for 2011. How wonderful Fifi is! The fabric is beautiful!
As always, thinking of you my dear...
Love,
Maryjane
xox
I love that fabric! Is there a place in your home where you want to smile more often? If you made something for that space it would be so fun. I am partial to pillows. But also I suggest you make some small thing, like eyeglass case or business/calling card case that you have have in your purse and always with you.
I love the inter-library loan shout out! While in Library School, I worked in the ILL dept at BPL, wonderful system. You really can get any book out there (unless it's really, really rare).
xo
~Marilee
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