Heeeheeee!!!!! I am smiling and laughing to myself here, pootling about in my own little world today, thinking my own little thoughts, dreaming my own little dreams, planning little projects, gathering ideas, images, inspirations and generally being sort of quietly, mentally, hugely creative, do you know? Lots going on with me inwardly right now, so very, very much I wish to do, create, achieve, make happen, I am bursting at the seams with it all. Its exciting beyond words sometimes, living life in such a creative, colourful way as I do, and with a mind and imagination as ditzy as mine.
Last night, do you know what my dreams were filled with?
Can you guess?
Patchwork!! Lots and lots and lots of colourful, crazy, wacky patchwork!! hahaha yes, sadly it's true...my mind has turned into a big, messy piece of Patchwork.
Ahhh I was SO hyped writing yesterday's post, so hugely pleased to show you my Chair, and I thank you enormously for sharing in my enthusiasm over it. Your comments mean so much to me, most especially as my family, as lovely as they are, just do not get it. J has not really commented on the Chair :: I think he said something along the lines of "hmmmm very good", in an absent minded sort of way like you talk to a keepy-on, pestery child when you are trying to concentrate on something else and they are interrupting you with nonsense.
But somehow, the Chair has turned out to be hugely important for me personally. For one thing it has started me out on the Patchwork Highway (even in my dreams!) and I can't tell you how excited I am about that, don't know why it's taken me so long to be honest. And for another thing, it has kind of opened my mind to the whole delicious concept of breathing life into old abandoned objects, of Re-purposing, Recycling, Revamping, Restoring, whatever you like to call it. Of course this is not a new concept by any means, but in the present climate, this style sure is having a huge revival, and I for one think its Fantastic.
You know I am a Magazine-o-holic, right? Yeah, week after week, page after page, magazines continue to inspire me enormously. This mag I'm sharing with you today is BBC Good Homes (June issue) :: not one of my Must-haves but one that I always flick through and will buy if anything grabs my attention. And being as the words Thrifty chic were on the front cover in bright magenta letters, it caught my eye right away.
I just LOVE that phrase *Thrifty Chic* it really tickles me!
This magazine spread is actually a decorating article and is all about livening up rooms by making and transforming things on the cheap. I find the overall style is a bit full-on, but there are some lovely ideas in amongst it all. By the way, you can click on any image on my blog and it should pop up larger and in a separate window so you can see it better.
I really, really like the above image, that slightly battered but oh-so-gorgeous turquoise shelf is right up my street. The idea here is to cover old boxes with gift wrap or fabric remnants to make pretty storage :: oooooooo I SO want to do that! In my cellar, accompanying my stash of empty Bonne Mamman jam jars, I have a collection of empty cardboard shoe boxes. Yes, tis true. I am a Grade A hoarder, no doubt about it.
The ideas on the above page are to do with revamping old furniture with bright paint and wallpaper samples (YEs, i can do that!), making slip covers for dining chairs (yes yes!) and sticking bobble trim along the bottom of a plain blind (why of course, a bobble trim makeover, how fabulous!)
And the above page is my favourite of the lot. ahhhhhhh yes, I am really all of a flutter now, because all on the same page there is a stripy tea towel, patchwork seat covers and those melamine tumblers which I love!! All of my favourite things! In fact I love the idea of using giftwrap to stick up behind shelves or on cupboard doors. In fact, I think I might have found a new avenue of Retail Therapy to join my paper napkin and tea towel buying addiction :: Giftwrap! Yes yes yes!!!!
The magazine also came with a little booklet called "Make it Yourself!" with an assortment of projects to make and do.
I love the painted chest of drawers...
...and the repurposed old enamel containers used as plant pots.
Yes, I think I could really get into Thrifty Chic style.
It really appeals to me.
I think I might need to buy this book too, you know, just to be really sure.
Then me and Chair can cosy up together, browse the pages and dream and plan and get inspired.
Have a great weekend one and all, hope it's an inspiring and dreamy one!
xxxxxxxxxxxx
I was sucked into buying the same magazine for the same reason two weeks ago. Now I have lost the little booklet and I really wanted to keep the picture of the blue crochet throw!
Buy the book! it is lovely x
Posted by: The Antidote | May 22, 2009 at 02:20 PM
Your chair would go beautifully in those magazine pages!!
Posted by: Alice | May 22, 2009 at 02:31 PM
Lucy, you go for it!! All dreamy and patchwork'ee' sounds like a rather good plan to me!!
Have a lovely weekend,
Nina x
Posted by: Nina - Tabiboo | May 22, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Oh gee, I wonder if they have that magazine here in the U.S.??? I'll check with Barnes&Noble speedy-quick! You enjoy your patchworky patchiness...beautiful compliment to your crochet lovlies...reminder to self...need to start my circle pillow this weekend!
~Vicki
Posted by: Vicki | May 22, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Hi Lucy
It was another day of working late at the office so I missed yesterday's blog (shame on me!).
The Chair.
OMG.
Wow!
I'm completely blown away by it - it is perfect. I ADORE the patchwork and it just so works with the cushion and blanket. It is magnificent!
I'm going to love your patchwork as much as your crochet, I can tell. Maybe I'll start thinking that I'll learn to patchwork one day, like I think I'll learn to crochet one day!
lots of love
Ange
x
Posted by: Angela | May 22, 2009 at 03:19 PM
OMGoodness.....I'm over the moon about that blue shelf, all the blue vases and those fabric covered boxes. I've had covered boxes floating in my head for quite some time, but this pulls it together for me. THANK YOU again Lucy. You and your patchwork, me and my fabric boxes. We are on a roll! And not to mention those flower covered dining chair covers and the stripy curtain!!!!. Yikes....hold me down!!!! Those enameled pots for flowers......I think I'm going to swoon.
My sweetie and I have been refubishing and repurposing whole houses for 25 years. No kidding - with our own hands. We are officially Junk Yard Dawgs! Ha! No, actually, we haunt the estate and yard sales and we re-do everything. It's certainly a way of life and a huge creative outlet. Today I will keep all thse pictures in mind as we peruse the sales.
Have a happy day and wonderful dreams as sugar plum fairies dance in your head! :D
Moonie
Posted by: Moonie | May 22, 2009 at 03:52 PM
I love those cheap, thrifty ideas. They are my fav! Love all the pics from the mags, so bright and cheery. Lovely inspiration they are.
Have a grand day Luce! Keep on dreaming up all that wonderful creativity!
xxxx
Posted by: Kar | May 22, 2009 at 04:08 PM
I wish, I had that magazine! Have a nice weekend.
Posted by: Mette | May 22, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Ooooh, so exciting to have a new patchwork convert among us!!! Can't wait to see how you interpret this wonderful magazine's inspirations.
Posted by: Vera | May 22, 2009 at 05:07 PM
That ain't no chair! That's a work of art!! t.x
Posted by: kitschen pink | May 22, 2009 at 05:08 PM
Did you see I commented on the wrong post! But hey! It's still a work of art! I was reading that mag last night - thought of you when I saw all those colours! t.x
Posted by: kitschen pink | May 22, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Hey Lucy
I think lots of boys just don't get the whole excitement of having created something yourself. I made a dress earlier in the year (a lovely bright red corduroy dress) and got the exact same reaction from my own J - "hummmm very good". His mother, who happened to be with us at the time, thought the thriftyness of it all was very commendable (either that or that I was a very cheap girlfriend to run).
But I was delighted with myself. I used to be a crafty person - went to "Young Embroiderers Society" when I was a little girl, and learned dressmaking from my Mother as I grew up. But then I started to work for an evil bullying person, who made me rather ill and I stopped all the creative, handmade things and was very sad. But now that I'm not working for the nasty person anymore, the creativeness is sneaking back in, with lashings of assistance from your gorgeous colourful and creative blog and I am feeling heaps better. So stuff the boys and their lack of enthusiasm and up the girls and lovely women who write such uplifting and complimentary things to you! Hurrah!
Posted by: Jules | May 22, 2009 at 05:26 PM
I am addicted to magazines as well though currently mostly gardening ones as we have a still fairly new allotment so most of my energy creative wise is going there.. The Thrifty chic article looks great, I have done many of those things in the past but it's good to be reminded of them.. I love covering boxes and must get round to do some myself.
Posted by: Esther | May 22, 2009 at 05:36 PM
What a colourful thrifty chick! Small canges to a room do make a BIG difference without spending tooooooo many pennies. Thanks so much Lucy!
Posted by: Margaret | May 22, 2009 at 05:39 PM
The chair is fantastic by the way :-)
blogland is responsible for my love affair with creating and im enjoying my new found hobby !!! made all the more special by being able to see everyone elses creations on their blogs and get comments on mine :-D
Lesley x
Posted by: Lesley | May 22, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Just wanted to leave a comment about your last post...the chair has really turned into a real Lucy-Chair !!!! It's FANTASTIC, great job. Greetings, Janneke.
Posted by: Janneke | May 22, 2009 at 06:00 PM
OMG I have a doppelgänger in the U.K.!
I have 12 years worth of empty jam jars, oatmeal tins, biscuit tins, the odd bottle, and every carton or box that has ever come my way.......all squirreled away in the basement. (much to my husbands amuzement and occassional dismay).
Finally, a plan of what to do with them. I can't wait to see what interesting lovlies you create! I knew there was a reason I could not bear to toss any of them away.
Posted by: Rita RC | May 22, 2009 at 06:18 PM
That's a great idea with the wrapping paper. I already have it as a poster on my bathroom door. I love those blue and cream bowls on the shelves too. mmmm, bowls!
Posted by: Heather | May 22, 2009 at 06:21 PM
I hoard gift wrap and pretty paper just to look at! I have to pretend it's there for emergency present wrapping, you know when you've forgotten a relatives birthday and are desprately (is that spelt right?!) searching round the house just to keep the men folk happy!!
I love your patchwork I fancy doing hexagons by hand, xx
Posted by: Felicity | May 22, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Thrifty Chic style has everything to do with your magical and colorful life!!! You should submit some pictures! They'd love it!
Take care and keep smiling!
Kisses on your cheeks!
Posted by: Kenia Cris | May 22, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Right, I'm definitely going to paint my tired old chest of drawers bright blue. Who needs new furniture?
I completely sympathise with you over unenthusiastic husbands. My husband says exactly the same thing when I've been creative. I understand your excitement totally-just wish I'd made something so delicious.
Thank you for your lovely blog Lucy and for all the lovely ideas you have given me.
Posted by: Sue | May 22, 2009 at 07:02 PM
I love gift wrap too ... have found all sorts like Cath Kidston, Emma Bridgewater ... a kid myself it's cheaper than a fabric fix! Photo copier paper boxes are great for covering - takes 2 sheets of paper to cover them and they store lots of useful 'junk'!
Enjoy your new fix
Posted by: Emma - Dotty Mays | May 22, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Thankyou I stood in the shop today and couldn't decide on my weekend magazine, (it so annoys me when they are wrapped in plastic and I can't peek inside)I shall go back tomorrow for this it looks perfect.
Melamine cups eh? you and me both! In fact I'm popping back to Marylebone High St next week with my two girls and just may have to pop in for another cup for me, maybe red I think.
Have a great weekend, suns still shining!
Louise x
Posted by: louise | May 22, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Oh, I have one of those, "That's nice, dear," husbands. I'm sure he loves the chair. Who wouldn't? It's simply lovely. Have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: Giselle | May 22, 2009 at 07:53 PM
I am sure men don't appreciate us women when we do something amazing, like your chair. They don't tick the same as us. However mine does comment on things without been asked so I suppose thats something. have a good weekend catch you next week.
Posted by: Judith | May 22, 2009 at 08:46 PM