Monday 10 August 2009

Lavender and Linen

It's back to work today after a relaxing week off and the sun seems to be coming out ! Yesterday I dug out all my old linens and following a tip from Niki Fretwell's lovely book 'Living With Nostalgia' Vintage At The Stonehouse, I boiled all the linens in a large saucepan with a washing tablet. I then got them all dry on the washing line  amazing ! They certainly came up lovely and white with only a few tea stains remaining. My kitchen reminded me of my Grandma's on wash day when I was a child. I remember her putting the copper on and fishing out the steaming linens with her wooden tongs. Anyway I sorted the linens out in to those to keep, those to sell at the Vintage fair, those to lend to Lesley for the vintage tea room at the fair and those that are damaged to cut up an make in to lavender bags. I then cut the remaining lavender ready to dry, there seemed to be mountains of lavender on my kitchen table and the whole house smelt wonderful.Saturday was spent trying to be creative which doesn't come naturally to me, my friends would tell you I am probably the least artistic person they know ! Anyway inspired by The Crafty Trundler's posting at Clover Cottage I went to Focus and purchased a roll of the lovely blue CK inspired wallpaper. I then used it to line an old brown suitcase I had picked up the previous week at a car boot sale. As a finishing touch I hand sewed a little heart lavender bag with the remains of some lovely CK fabric I used to make a curtain for my utility room. I am quite pleased with the result, the lining could have been better as the insides of the case weren't flat. I will probably take it along the Vintage fair in Nov if I don't use it myself.

13 comments:

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Ann

What a super transformation of the suitcase!

I'd love to have had a stall at your Fair but sadly it's too close to the Vintage and Handmade Fair at Chipping Sodbury. I can't afford 2 Saturdays in a row away from Dairy House.

Sue x

Unknown said...

Hiya hun!

Love the suitcase!!! what do ya mean you're not creative? You just turned something ordinary to extraordinary!!! Gotta get me some of that wallpaper. We dont have a focus in Luton, but think theres one in Bedford...might have to take a trip up there!!
I also remember my Gran doing washing day too...the smell of it boiling takes me back!!
~Have spoken to Mum about the fair and we want to do it but we have been put on a waiting list for a craft market in hitchin on the last Saturday in October which is the 31st...Our worry is that If by chance we sell a lot of our stock..we only have a week to replenish it which might be a bit of a tall order....I'm gonna try and make some extra to put aside anyway to be honest..I really want to do it!!
Sent Laura from my vintage party your way too as she lives up that way...would be nice to meet you all!!!
Annie x

Hen said...

It looks lovely, well done, great wallpaper that, isn't it? You're so lucky with that lavender. Do you grow it yourself? One thing I seem unable to grow is lavender. We once picked some from a farm in Cheshire, 1p a stem, it was such a lovely thing to do.
Hen x

MelMel said...

What a beautiful suitcase....I'm new to your blog, thought I'd pop in and say hi...x

MelMel said...

Thank you!x

Thecraftytrundler said...

That paper looks great lining the suitcase!! Glad it helped you out!!
I love Lavender too!! I can't understand people who have loads of it, & just prune it, and throw it away!! I would take it off their hands, I'd even prune it for them!!
Have a great week : )

Sharon xx

Anonymous said...

What a great idea, the suitcase looks lovely.
Adele

VintageWantsNotNeeds said...

Wow - I never knew you had it in you. Love the paper, can see me taking a trip to Focus to get some for handmade items for the fair. As for boiling I have my Nan's old wooden tongs hanging up in my utility room. Must cut my lavender too the neighbours are having trouble getting past it on the front pathway, trouble is the bees love it so - quandry....

Country Cottage Chic said...

I love the relined suitcase!
When I was at primary school we used cases like that for our school books etc & I still have mine - complete with my name, class & various doodlings inside.

Jayne

Shirl said...

Your suitcase looks lovely. Very Enid Blyton lol!

Sal said...

Hi there! I bought a very small suitcase on Sunday at the booty!
I might try your brilliant idea (when I have time!)
;-)

THISNTHAT said...

That lined case looks beautiful. I sell cases in the shop and have often muttered to Mr Fixit that we should re-line but somehow it doesn't happen. You've inspired me!
Lesley X

myvintageparty said...

Hiya!
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. The wallpaper looks great in the suitcase... I've got a couple of old brown suitcases which I bought from a flea market in France. Hmmm, I may have to copy you if you don't mind!
Also, sorry for not getting back to you yet re the vintage fair, I'm debating whether or not to do it and if i'll have time to get stock together. We are actually moving to Warwickshire in the next few weeks so its all a bit hectic at the mo! When do you need to know by and are you getting busy? If i don't have a stall, i will DEFINATELY be there to have a mooch around!
Laura x