Shabby Chic Thread?

Ches

LizD wrote: »

Unfortunately, Croft Mill is in the process of winding down the mail order business, as the guy who runs it is retiring. At the moment they're not taking orders til next week as they're so busy, but If anyone wants anything I can PM them details from the last catalogue.

I am really sad to learn of that as Croft Mill has been part of my life on and off for years. I used to buy lots of material to make my kids clothes when they were small and they are 44,42 and 39 now.

Ches

vintagepleasure wrote: »

Try mentioning to the people who work there what you are looking for.Everytime you go in make sure you cheerfully ask and try and strike up a converstaion with them so they remember you! Sometimes they just throw stuff out that they think won't sell but will happily keep a hold of things for you.They just have to know that you are serious and worth pleasing! I struggled for ages to get one of my charity shops to keep hold of tablecloths etc that were slightly damaged.I had to show them what I would use it for so they understood what I was after.It's still hit and miss though as alot of charity shops have such a high turnover of staff and the stuff that goes on sale is very dependant on their opinion of what has value and what doesn't. You might be better volunteering with a charity shop for a while.It helps them and it helps you. I am definitely going to when I have time./quote]

This is very true. I help out in one of my local shops once a fornight so it isn't too much of a tie but does mean I get to see things before they go on sale at least on the day I work.

rose_sparky

Stas, gorgeous bits of material. Depending on how many you have you could make cushions, small quilt or I would use them as contrast "pockets" for tote bags!

needmoney

DanceInThe_Dark wrote: »

When we had our cottage we had a small amount of active woodworm in one of the attic beams and it was found by the surveyor when we were selling the house. Being a local man (we lived on Anglesey) he gave us some advice on how to treat it. We bought a can of anti-woodworm stuff from the local shop (farm/diy) and painted it on the live holes. You dont need to treat dead worm holes, just fill and/or paint over them.

Can I just say that I love this thread and come here every day for my daily "fix". Well done to everyone posting their finds and projects:T Please keep posting pics as I love coming to the board and lookin at everyones fab stuff.

Thanks Dance, we're having a look at the moment I will post a before pic, it's in the garden at the moment along with a cane settee and chair that I have posted on freecycle as I have finally decided they take too much room.

[Deleted User]

Hi - we went to the charity shops today and I found these for my dresser. Also some lovely bright farmyard place mats which I forgot to photograph lol

Lesley

[Deleted User]

stas4949 wrote: »

Ok I have finally got a flickr account..... :T :rotfl: :eek: Took me long enough..... Now I can show you all the lovely things I have bought from the charity shop and my bathroom makeover in progress lol

By the time I'm finished you will all be bored of my pics


Ok for starters this is the bag I made following the tutorial I posted the other day http://flickr.com/photos/25726575@N04/2422261899/ ...... do try and make one they are sssoooooo easy.....


My bag (other pics on there so feel free to browse!)
http://flickr.com/photos/25726575@N04/2422261899/

My bathroom pics, I love them..... They are on the wall straight I'm just not very handy with my camera lol
http://flickr.com/photos/25726575@N04/2423070062/

My lovely wire work frame lamp shade, I couldn't believe it when I saw it as it ties in perfectly.....
http://flickr.com/photos/25726575@N04/2422258917/


The bathroom is still in progress....
The walls are painted in Crown easyclean Soft White (trade)....
I have taken all the pine accessories of the wall and am in the process of painting them all Duck Egg Blue (Laura Ashley)
I don't have any before pics as it really was disgusting and I would be far too embarassed! I will keep posting pics on my flickr as the work goes on!!!!!

That really is a lovely bag - well done. I will have to try that tutorial when I have finished my other FOUR projects! LOL

Lesley

[Deleted User]

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

here are some photos.. sorry if there is too many but i have been meaning to post photos but been sooo busy...

first one is the dumb waiter, not finished yet, as i am waiting for a sample of cath kidston wall paper to see if its the right colour so i can line it

apart from the blue spotted vase which i paid a £1 for everything else has come into work, in the rag bags....

the material is a white bed sheet with lovely roses... the other 2 are pillow cases.... the sheet i am going to cut up and have chic cleaning rags:D the pillow cases i am either going to make 'fake t towels' for decoration only, or make a rag bag and plastic bag holder

the other things are some teddies etc which i just fell in love with as soon as i seen them, then there are 2 beautifull 1950's pj/nightie cases. then the thing i REALLY love is the retro sew'ers thing with the measuring pape and detachable scissors.... and a cushion part to put your pins etc.... soooooo retro chic....

They are Beautiful :T The dumb waiter will look fantastic when lined. What lovely teddies too.

Lesley

COOLTRIKERCHICK

budgeteer wrote: »

They are Beautiful :T The dumb waiter will look fantastic when lined. What lovely teddies too.

Lesley

thanks i felt sooooo sorry for the dog one as his paw needs re-defining so to speak, and the 'bunny girl teddy' her hat has gone a bit pair shaped due to the stuffy being all out of shape...and the ribbon holding the hat on is a bit bedraggled.. so a nice evening in front of the telly doing some little repairs to them, will make them as good as new....as long as the dog dont get hold of them and pull all the stuffing out of them, that's his usual trick:rolleyes:

got some more projects to do.... i have georgan wooden tray, which i was using on my craft table ( used the tray so it was easy to put all the mess in the bin from the tray) which i am going to paint up and line, also managed to get hold of a little corner wall shelf thing.... so will paint that up too.

i know i am not really shabby chic as such.... i am more country/retro chic...

but what ever you want to call it...as i have said in an earlier post... this thread has inspired me to clean and vamp my house up, on a very tight shoestring.... plus it has now started me taking pride in my house...where i hated it before....

and it sounds silly but also started taking pride in myself....and it is also building my confidence up in what decisions i make..

[Deleted User]

COOLTRIKERCHICK wrote: »

thanks i felt sooooo sorry for the dog one as his paw needs re-defining so to speak, and the 'bunny girl teddy' her hat has gone a bit pair shaped due to the stuffy being all out of shape...and the ribbon holding the hat on is a bit bedraggled.. so a nice evening in front of the telly doing some little repairs to them, will make them as good as new....as long as the dog dont get hold of them and pull all the stuffing out of them, that's his usual trick:rolleyes:

got some more projects to do.... i have georgan wooden tray, which i was using on my craft table ( used the tray so it was easy to put all the mess in the bin from the tray) which i am going to paint up and line, also managed to get hold of a little corner wall shelf thing.... so will paint that up too.

i know i am not really shabby chic as such.... i am more country/retro chic...

but what ever you want to call it...as i have said in an earlier post... this thread has inspired me to clean and vamp my house up, on a very tight shoestring.... plus it has now started me taking pride in my house...where i hated it before....

and it sounds silly but also started taking pride in myself....and it is also building my confidence up in what decisions i make..

I know exactly what you mean. Suddenly my house has become a pleasure to live in - and we are on a shoestring very long-term. I feel proud too and much more confident in my decisions. A lot of this is thanks to the lovely people here encouraging and sharing photos and ideas.

vintagepleasure

rose_sparky wrote: »

Oh damn, there's so many messages on here this morning I can't keep up or remember who wrote them. Anyway, love seeing them all but especially curious about the damaged tableclothes and what you do with them?

PS....IceCream, yes yes yes please keep us updated on your chair. Maybe it's a childs chair under all the layers!

This isn't an advert as I'm not making them at the minute.Hope I don't get in trouble!
I use the damaged tablecloths to make my Simplies a soft toy that I designed and sell when I have the time! I don't mean to sound harsh but please don't copy them.

I have a set on Flickr showing some others that I have made http://flickr.com/photos/vintage_pleasure/sets/72157594222539800/
I also use them for lavender pouches and book covers etc.I have an idea in my head to make a tablecloth quilt for picnics.So many ideas so little time!