a banner day

Another snowfall has me craving a bit of bold, cheerful color so I gathered a few trusty supplies:



wallpaper scraps and samples, note cards, twine, scissors and glue.



I made a template from construction paper.



I folded and cut



and glued



and folded again and dabbed off excess glue;




then clamped



and let dry.





Then I admired



and hung



and then headed back outside to shovel.

This project was quick 'n easy to make and the perfect infusion of some British Country flavor into my dining area.

(And much more fun than shoveling snow)

xo
elyse

c&r giveaway winner announced

Thank you to everyone for entering my Cabbages & Roses giveaway. Thanks also to Cabbages & Roses for providing such a lovely giveaway prize.

Using random.org the winning number came up for Diana at Nana Diana Takes a Break! In her entry comment Diane said she plans to use the Elgin blue fabric to make decorative throw pillows. How lovely!

Thanks again and congrats to Diana!

xo
elyse

cabbages & roses giveaway!

What would you do with Cabbages & Roses Elgin blue fabric?



In my recent post entitled linen indecision I discuss a lovely piece of fabric from Cabbages & Roses received as a gift from the Fabulous Fifi and my hesitation to use it. I was delighted with everyone's wonderful suggestions and of course noticed how so many of you are also smitten with the English company's pretty fabric. So you know what I did? I contacted Cabbages & Roses and asked to host one of their giveaways. They happily agreed and now you can have the chance to win some beautiful Cabbages & Roses fabric!



How does a meter of Elgin blue fabric sound? It is one of Cabbages & Roses' most recent prints.



To enter please leave a comment on this post describing what you would do with your own meter of Elgin blue fabric.

For additional entries share news of this giveaway on Twitter, your blog, and/or Facebook and leave a separate comment for each, letting me know you have done so.

A winner will be selected at random on January 20, 2011.

Can't get enough Cabbages & Roses? Visit their blog and website.

Good luck!

xo
elyse

"go to the mattresses"?

The Godfather is the I-ching. The Godfather is the sum of all wisdom. The Godfather is the answer to any question.

Joe Fox, You've Got Mail

Well, in my book, You've Got Mail is the sum of all wisdom and I needed some when my heart sank a bit upon seeing a line called Treasures at Michaels, which features a line of floral clothespins. It might sound silly but I felt a bit like the film's The Shop Around the Corner after Fox Books opened its doors.


Their clothespin and my clothespin

Oh, I won't be going "to the mattresses" and as I walked around Michaels, I noticed many new versions of decorated clothespins.



Of course, the Treasures line is lovely and inexpensive. It's Shabby Chic! I did purchase a few things ... for my ... research and analysis.


My hanger and their hanger

My shop Tinkered Treasures is temporarily closed for organizing; it will re-open soon.



I am a lone reed.

Well, probably not.

I'm noticing lots of mass-produced stuff lately that resembles copies of handmade art; I suppose this is nothing new and ... nothing can take away the blissful enjoyment of creating.

xo
elyse

linen indecision

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!

good fortune 2 you

As I am commenting on as many New Year's wishes on blogs as possible while waiting for hubby to arrive with our traditional 12/31 dinner of Chinese take-out, I thought I'd write a speedy post to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2011.



May the New Year bring wonderful possibilities and dreams come true for all of us.



With adoration and admiration from my cottage to yours ... and a virtual order of fortune cookies, too.

Happiest New Year!

xo
elyse

fun finds: holiday clearance

If you are in the mood to brave the post-holiday-shopping crowd, there are some good deals to be found on seasonal items that can be used on crafts and gifts all year long. Especially if you are a fan of the bright reds and cheerful patterns that bring to mind Cath Kidston and Serena of the Farm Chicks. The baker's twine pictured above caught my eye at Crate&Barrel and was just $3.95 for a 1/2 lb. cone.



I had been keeping an eye on this ribbon from good ol' Target which was just reduced by 50% to $1.50. In the cart it went!



Also from Target, this can of 50 chipboard gift tags was too cute to pass at $2.50.



And, this ornament from Crate&Barrel which was just 98 cents. She'll have a quick stay on the Christmas tree (we generally leave it up just past New Year's) and then be packed away for next year.



So, if you're looking for some crafty bargains: have a bite to eat, wear something comfy, take a deep breath, see what's for sale and explore the possibilities . . .

xo
elyse

s'mitten

There is snow in the forecast! Time to dig out the mittens, scarves and hats.



Time to fasten a twine "clothesline" to pegs above the radiator near the back door. (Rhode Islanders hardly ever use the front door. Do you?)



At first I hung plain clothespins but then thought, that's just wrong for a clothespin tinkerer like myself! So, I spray-painted a handful of clothespins white and looked for inspiration from a Cath Kidston catalog.



I cut up favorite fabric images ...



and decoupaged cut strips to the clothespins. (Sorry for dark photos -- this was a p.m. project)



Now, we are ready for snow. I think!

xo
elyse