Here at Lucy Loves Fabric we would like to learn about our clients and readers. Let us know what you love, if it’s anything in the design and haberdashery world we will see what we can do to provide your ‘love’ in our shop. But also in general.. you as an individual person, even if its something like ‘I love Aliens’… :-/ We don’t know, each to their own… We are always talking about being individual after all!
The word ‘love’ is used in some people’s eyes, a little loosely. But I am of the opinion that when I feel passionately about something then I decide ‘I love it’. Different forms of love of course, the love I have for my wonderful husband isn’t like the love I have for fabrics. Thankfully. I don’t think he’d be best pleased if I started trying to cut him up and sewing him into a cushion for me to lounge against.
I think peoples first instinct would be ‘I love my family’, now I would agree with that but a lot of who I class as family are my friends and not blood related at all. But still, family they are. Now with design, we can use the topic of family wonderfully. A classic example would be that when a child is born to dip his/her hand into colourful paint and print it onto paper that people either frame or keep in that special box full of memories.
It’s a lovely idea. So why not do one big print with the whole family’s hands on? Even print onto fabric, you can pick up fabric paints from John Lewis, have a different colour for each person. You can print on a simple white cotton fabric, or even onto a patterned fabric for a different effect. As long as you choose paint colours that are more vibrant than the fabric. If you stretch the fabric into a frame or over a canvas the effects can be fantastic, and great fun for all the family.
Frame those cherished black and white photos. Creating a ‘memory wall’, something that is very popular of late.
Another idea to create a striking effect against the black and white photo would be to get a slightly larger frame, stick in an off cut of your favourite fabric and slip the photo into the centre, creating an extra vibrant border around the photo and before the frame itself. You can play and form lots of combinations.
Something I love to do most with my spare time is to put together piles and piles of fabrics. All different colours, textures, it gives me inspiration and opens my mind to the possibilities of the things you can create with those fabrics. And helps with planning colour schemes because you can find colours that do go together that you thought wouldn’t. The lovely thing that comes with collecting vintage and antique fabrics is that when creating these piles you can imagine all of their stories mixing with each other. Imagining some of the sights those fabrics have ‘seen’ when they could have been curtains hanging in a large Edwardian family house. Or an old tablecloth that has entertained lots of lavish tea parties. The thoughts are endless…. And hopefully there were people before you that ‘loved’ that fabric too.
(PHOTO by fabric designer Sandi Henderson)
What else do we love? Here are some ideas for things that we ‘love’ at Lucy Loves Fabric.
- Books. Cover these in inspiring wrapping paper, fabric or vintage wallpaper to protect them for life.
- Our homes. Enrich your home with your own style, using fabrics, paint, things you collect from your travels and past.
- Travel. Keep a scrapbook of your travels, make them as creative as possible. It’s always something great to look back on and to show your creative flair to friends.
- History. Bring history into your home, find a style that you like. Choose an era, 50’s, 60’s.. etc. Research and collect.
- Sunshine. When the sun is shining get out in the fresh air and enjoy. It’s best to take photos in the natural sunlight too – so try your hand at that.
- Meeting friends. Get creative with your friends, share you inspiration. Encourage others.
This is a list that could go on forever and we would love to hear your additions and thoughts.
What do you love?
Love Life.
Lucy
x