The French Cupboard

Voila! ... French Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:25:00 +0000

Hello and happy Thursday everyone!

Welcome to Voila! where we share all and anything French that inspires us ...

Today I'm sharing more pics of my flea market basket that I'm working on.

Before and after ...

What do you think?

I'm thinking I can NOT wait for the beginning of the outdoor market season !!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ... please link up and share anything "French" that inspires you.

Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

The New Old

noreply@blogger.com (Counting Your Blessings) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:38:00 +0000

Because book pages aren't just for putting on the bathroom walls =)
Affordable vintage dressforms are getting harder and harder to find. I'm a huge lover of an authentic sweet old form but Mr. Blessing and I have also purchased forms whether they are new, old, male, female... and make them into the tattered, vintage ladies that we prefer (hmm... maybe that's why Steve picked ME). This is a newer child size dressform that I worked on last weekend (because I don't have enough projects already). Although it can be made into adult height, it needed some curves. So I used some heavier kraft paper to create a petticoat layer for the skirt. That gave the book pages some "fluff". Then I layered the crumpled pages to fashion a dress. She really "blossomed" with the paper roses. But a stuffed bra under the outfit is a simple solution too (I know, it's not very "blessing-ish" to talk about bras but sometimes the blessing is in the affordable).

Almost any new dressform can be made to look old by removing the fabric exterior. If the body is a hard plastic or styrofoam, it can easily be covered with old wallpaper, paper bags or tea dyed fabric. I've made many a good messes spraying tea on dressforms. My walls are so thankful for Magic Eraser!

Here's something I never thought I'd say... Consider a blow-up doll. Seriously. Yes, you can purchase inflatable dressforms (with a stand and everything). I don't have a completed one here right now but I'll try to share next week how we transform "vintage" blow-up dressforms.
We've all been working for years on making something that is old new-again. But sometimes it's more cost effective to make something new into something old!

Posted by: Polly ~ Counting Your Blessings

Linking today with:

White Wednesday

Vintage Inspired Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:32:00 +0000

Okay ... I'm detecting a pattern here.

I have been teasing y'all with my not-so-quite-complete projects ...

Well, today will be no exception !!

I have what I believe to be creative brain ADD.

...and I know for a fact I am NOT the only one that suffers ...

I see this all the time out here in blogland : )

I can be working on one project ... get an idea for another ... and start a new one while it's fresh in my mind ... the cycle continues ... and eventually I'll end up with half a dozen "almost there" projects !!

So here is what distracted me this week from finishing my slipcovered chairs I promised to finish and feature this week. A real find!! This vintage folding cart ... for $2.90 at my favorite thrift store.

It even has a touch 'o rust !!

and here is where I rationalize jumping from one project to another ...

I did finish the actual sewing of my slip covers, but didn't any graphics to them ... yet.

so ..... I thought making a basket liner for my new cart would be the perfect opportunity to practice stenciling the canvas {the same canvas I used for the slipcovers}

I am VERY pleased with the results and feel confident to move forward with the chairs.

See ... makes sense, right?

Look ... here is a portion of the slipcover ... I can't show you all of it, that would totally take away the "WOW" factor for the reveal {smiles}

How about you? did you finish anything this week? See anything that inspired your creative train of thought? If so, you know what to do ... I'm back to finishing up my loose ends!

xo
Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

L'amour

noreply@blogger.com (Counting Your Blessings) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:01:00 +0000

Even if your Valentines Day doesn't look quite this passionate...

We hope your day will be filled with loveliness!
Here are a few things that I found to love (if I did it right, you should be able to click on the image to view details)...

Voila! ... French Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:12:00 +0000

Another side of France.

The French Alps.

When we pull up a mental image of France I think it's safe to say a lot of us see Paris ...

Do you ever envision the French Alps?

{source}

Sweet Villages nestled in a valley below the mountains?

{source}

Sleepy chalets covered in snow?

{source}

Lakeside?

{source}

I'm missing our snow this winter ... I feel like I am in the minority, but I miss the peaceful and cozy feeling a good snowfall brings ... since it's about 50 degrees, I guess my winter dreams will just have to be inspired by the alps ... the French alps!!

What's inspiring you today?

Please share below

Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

PS. THANK YOU for all the input on my slipcovers last week ... I'll be featuring them next week ; )

Voila! ... French Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:29:00 +0000

A call for HELP!!

Earlier this week I started to work on my project for today ...

I have two chairs that I picked up at Habitat for Humanity for the super low price of $5 each.

I also have on hand some canvas, paint,and upholstery tacks.

I assembled all my supplies {including five books on how to re-upholster} and then proceeded to spend the next three days trying to figure out what the heck TO DO EXACTLY!!

That brings me to today ...

What to do?

Go to Pinterest for inspiration .....

click above for all links to photos

Click here to see more examples of the direction I'm headed.

Now .. I'm on inspiration overload!! Have you ever felt this way?? You get so many ideas buzzing around in your head you just end up freezing?

Happens to me A LOT!!

I want my new/old chairs to be FANTASTIC, but I'm afraid they are not going to turn out okay ..... should I plow forward or buy a slip cover?

{source}

Maybe have someone else do the work?

Not really an option ... that would totally work against all the money I saved in the first place.

So what would you do?

Tell me ....... please ; )

and while you're at it ... link on up below what you did this past week, or what has inspired you lately!

Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

White Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Counting Your Blessings) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:08:00 +0000

It's February!

It's time for love letters.

May your Wednesday be filled with love!

Love Letter Journal & Pen Sets - Available HERE

Posted by: Polly ~ Counting Your Blessings

Linked today with White Wednesday

Half Off Memberships--2 days

noreply@blogger.com (Counting Your Blessings) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:54:00 +0000

photo via

It's been three years since French Cupboard opened it's doors here in this wonderful world of online friends. I can hardly believe it. The time has gone by lickty-split! We love that we get to work with so many talented, refreshing, unique, amazing people!! I'd love to tell you all the history about how the Friday Flea Market grew into the French Cupboard, but I know you're really wondering if we are seriously offering 50% off our memberships.

YEP, until midnight on 1/31/12 (that's tomorrow!), we are saying "Thank You" to all the boutiques out there in blogland for helping us make French Cupboard the uncommon place that it is. So we are offering 50% off our six or twelve month memberships! If you have been thinking about opening a website, currently have an online shoppe or have wondered about French Cupboard, this is a great time to dive in!. Just pop over HERE and checkout the details.

Voila! ... French Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:17:00 +0000

Romance is in the air ...

With all the Valentine projects I've been noticing lately

really 'put me in the mood'

for some French inspired LOVE.

What things French are stirring your heart lately?

Link on up and share the love!

See you next week,

Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

White Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Counting Your Blessings) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:26:00 +0000

Sharing a bit of the vintage whites that are on my studio table this week.

I also spent a little time adding our Cupboard boutiques to the sidebar over there on the right. Now you can shop and blog at the same time. Go ahead, take a peek...

Posted by: Polly ~ Counting Your Blessings

Linking with White Wednesday

Voila! ... French Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:08:00 +0000

Bonjour all ... welcome to Voila! ... our weekly party where we share and inspire all things French!

Last week I gave you a peek of what was going into my preparation for the Philadelphia Home Show ... well, this week I want to show you how it turned out. If you remember, we were going for a "Parisian Boho" vibe .......

Hand painted French signage is surrounded by a few pieces of French hotel silver ...

A pretty French Provencal style desk painted in a dusky gray and blue combo pairs nicely with the French postal stamped burlap.

I LOVE these vintage canvas bags, each one with a little French accent on them.

If you want to see more of our display and a little behind the scenes video of us setting up click HERE.

... and if you have something you wish to share this week click below and link on up to the party!!

See you next week!

Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

White Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Counting Your Blessings) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:19:00 +0000

Just a few bits of white around the farmhouse...

My quirky throw

The new vintage cabinet that Mr. Blessing has been working on. It used to be part of a florist shop.

Hope your day is filled with lovely whites!

Posted by: Polly ~ Counting Your Blessings
Linking with White Wednesday

Voila! French Inspiration ...

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:57:00 +0000

Today is a pretty exciting day for me ... in about 2 hours I'll be heading over to Philadelphia to set-up a booth for the yearly home show. My partner, Beth, and I will will be selling our gypsy wares there for the next two weekends.

Over the past month we have been pulling together the "look" we are going for and found our inspiration in a French oil painting and some French furniture ... here's a peek of what we have in mind ...

Above is the French oil painting that started our minds a twirling ...

French gypsy ... Parisian boho ....

A funky gold velvet chair ......

A silk and tassel trimmed ottoman ......

A french desk painted in "French Blue" - of course!

So ..... last night we started loading up the truck ...... the first piece in? The French Desk!

We will spend the entire next 2 days setting up our French inspired vignette ... wish us luck ; )

What's going on in your French inspired world? Link on up below.

Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:12:00 +0000

Bonne Annee ... and welcome to the first

Voila! party of the new year !!

{source}

Have you completed a French inspired project already in this new year of 2012?

If not, do you have one planned?

If so, what will it be?

I haven't completed mine yet, but have started one ... a little re-do of my sun porch. well, mainly just the furniture.

Here is the "before" shot of the sofa I'm tackling:

And this is as far as I've come to date ... I've managed to remove 80% of the old fabric while keeping the "innards" intact that I can re-use and cover over.

and while I was at it, I figured why not pull apart the seat cushions on the wrought iron chairs that sit opposite the sofa ..

... and that my dear friends is as far as I've made it!!

There is no heat out on the porch and yesterday it was a bone numbing 12 degrees outside. This project may be waiting for completion until spring!

Well, if you've been ambitious and have some inspiration to share ... we would LOVE to see it ... link it on up below ; )

Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

Voila! ... French Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Bonjour!

Can you believe another year is about to pass?

I spent this morning cruising through Voila! posts from this past year ... revisiting links and finding an abundance of French inspiration!

Here are a dozen that grabbed my eye {again!} this morning ...

Confessions of a Plate Addict

The Gilded Pear

The Decorating Diaries

I could have posted HUNDREDS of images today ..... I am overwhelmed by ALL of the projects you gals have linked up to our little Thursday blog party!

I hope you have more up your sleeves for next year, 2012 ... and bring them all to the party to share.

I have enjoyed them all ; )

Voila! Will be taking a break next Thursday, but will be back in the New Year on Thursday, January 5th, 2012.

Wishing you the brightest and merriest of holidays,

Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

Voila - French Angels

noreply@blogger.com (Counting Your Blessings) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:56:00 +0000

I just adore the old French angels image that we are using this year for French Cupboard's Holiday Market! I love it so much that I've been making all kinds of little holiday gifts with it. This was a super simple and cheap gift. Vanilla candles from the dollar store, old sheet music, a bit of glass glitter and some twine. I used hot glue to put it all together (because I'm a glutton for having at least one finger burned everyday) but a glue stick would work just as well.

Our sweet angel, Jill (Gypsy Brocante) isn't able to be our hostess today but she will be back! In the meantime, I hope that you'll join us this week as we begin the countdown to Christmas and enjoy some French Inspiration.
Posted by: Polly ~ Counting Your Blessings

Voila!

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:06:00 +0000

Hello all and welcome to Voila!
This week I have a French inspired burlap stocking to share with you...

I found this burlap already stamped with French script, post marks, and stamps at my local JoAnne fabric store ... lucky me had a 50% off coupon and bought the whole bolt of burlap for 1/2 price!!

I washed the burlap several times to soften it ..... made a simple stocking pattern .......

Then embellished it with vintage lace .........

Filled with some fresh greens cut from my yard and Voila! ...

another French inspired Christmas decoration.

What have you been up to this week?

Please share with all of us below ; )

See you next week ....

Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

Linking today with Funky Junk

Voila! .. French inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:42:00 +0000

Okay ... will someone please tell me what today is?!
I have just spent half of my morning thinking it was WEDNESDAY!!
Not until I was bringing in the trash cans a few moments ago did the light bulb go off ... wait, trash day, Thursday, VOILA! .... and so here I am late with this week's post and my apologies.
I guess taking off last Thursday for Thanksgiving really messed up my inner alarm clock ; )

I've been excited to show all of y'all my little French inspired skate girls!!
I've "dolled" up some second hand ice-skates into romantic Christmas decor ...

A little glitter, moss, burlap and twine ....

And ... VOILA! ..... a sweet French inspired decoration for my mantel.

Joyeux noel!!
Link up below to share your latest inspiration ....

xo
Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

Cyber Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Counting Your Blessings) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:31:00 +0000

It's Cyber Monday!

Pop on over and take a look at the unique, handmade gifts at the French Cupboard Holiday Market.

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:58:00 +0000

Hello everyone! I've been reviewing the last month's worth of french inspired projects again and I have to say WOW! ... they are ALL impressive ... I'm amazed at the never ending stream of inspiration found here!

Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving? Not only does that mean giving thanks but also a reminder to me that it's coming time to send out Christmas cards to family and friends that I'm thankful for. I like to make my own cards for the holidays {no surprise!} and thought why not go for a little French theme this year. My "go to" place for inspiration is always Etsy ... and here are a few examples that caught my attention.

{click on photo for more info}

I know, I know ... me too!
I'm ready to get the card stock, my glue and glitter out!!
How about you? Will you be making any French inspired holiday cards, wrap or tags?
You know we would love to see them if you do.
In the mean time link on up what inspirations you have to share for this week.

xo
Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

Handmade Holiday Market is Open!

noreply@blogger.com (Counting Your Blessings) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:02:00 +0000

French Cupboard's Holiday Market is open!

This year we are putting the focus on having a handmade holiday and we're adding new items every week.

We'll be open 24/7 from now until the end of the year so you can shop anytime you like!

Come on over and take peek around...

Click here to visit the Holiday Market

Voila! ... French inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:23:00 +0000

Running, running, and more running.
That seems to be all I've been doing lately.
I want to sit.
Just for a minute.
Okay, maybe an hour .... or two.
Right here ...

In this pretty little French chair I spied during last week's running.
What have you been up to?
Have you had time to create or be inspired?
Please tell ; )

Okay, ...... gotta run ..... another holiday show to do tonight!

xo
Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

Voila! ... French Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:53:00 +0000

Hand lettering my French inspired sign ... part deux ......
Today I'm posting a bunch of pictures to show you my progress on last week's project.
I'm happy to say it's DONE!!
...and...
really wasn't as bad/hard as I thought it would be.
I thank all of you kind ladies who encouraged me to keep going!!

Here's where she resides as of today ... waiting for a new home!
Link on up to share your French inspired lovelies and have a sweet weekend!!

xo
Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

Voila! ... French Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:25:00 +0000

Incomplete.
If You were grading me on my progress this week ...
this is the grade you would have to award me.
Incomplete.
But, I would LOVE to show you my progress to date !!

Last week I gathered all the salvaged boards I'd been storing up for this project.
French inspired shop signs.
I was able to get them all painted and distressed ... ready to go ...

I went to my copy center and had all my images blown up to fit the various boards.
My thought was to use "old fashioned" carbon paper to transfer my designs onto the boards.
Well, that didn't work out so well ...
For some reason {maybe the softness of the paint} I couldn't get the transfer to take ...
But I was determined ...
and started the process of hand lettering.
I hate working on hand lettering!

So ..... this is as far as I've come this week ... it's slow going but I WILL finish these boards by hand, like it or not!

I will also share their completion in a future post ...... I'll be anxious to see what my final grade is ; )
Now, get busy and link on up all your fabulousness below!

xo
Jill {Gypsy Brocante}

Voila! ... French Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Gypsy Brocante) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:28:00 +0000

Welcome everyone ... This past weekend I was selling my wares at a local Philadelphia market, Clover Market ... with my friend/partner/fellow FC member, Beth ... we always manage to work a little "French" into our displays.

Above is a little vignette I managed to snap a photo of before it was ransacked by hungry customers!

I made about eight faux French grain sack pillows the week before and they were a hit, each one sold ... I'm working on more for this week's upcoming show. Do you recognize the chalkboard from a previous Voila! post?

Beth has these new purses in her fall line ....... they are to-die-for! Vintage canvas, hand stamped and just so ohh-la-la French inspired. Beth's promised me one for Christmas ... can't wait!

Did you find any French inspiration on your travels this week?
Did you create any?
Please share with us all ... link on up!

xo
Jill {Gypsy Brocante}