Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.
I wanted to show this cute little shelf set actually on the wall…and I was going to hang them up myself, but the places that are supposed to catch on the nail were in odd places (different heights on the back), and I thought I’d better wait for my husband.
These were on sale at My Rose Retreat in connection with Pink Friday a couple of weeks ago. I can’t wait to get them up!
I also wanted to show the progress on my cross stitch piece:
The area that comprises the shine in the window was 1 thread in only a half cross stitch. That certainly goes a lot faster! But I have never done that and wasn’t sure I’d like it –but I do.
I also wanted to ask for some opinions. I found fabric for my family room curtains months ago, but I’ve been held up starting them because I couldn’t find any trim here in town. Then just a few weeks ago I got some at a place going out of business, but I am not quite sure about it and haven’t had a chance yet to go to another town and explore. I am almost of a mind to skip the trim altogether.
Here are the two fabrics:
The pattern has long straight curtains panels topped by a valance which is done in such a way that you see a little bit of the lining. I was going to use the checked fabric as the main fabric for the curtains and valance and the toile as the lining of the valance that will show in places. But I thought it was too pretty to have so much of it hidden. But I don’t like using it as the main fabric for the valance (I am positioning these according to what I am trying to describe, though of course it would be gathered and cut to a pattern):
I thought about making a double valance instead, one with the toile, and a shorter one with the checked fabric over the checked panels, so that more of the toile could be seen all the way across:
And then I have thought about just using the checked fabric for the valance and panels and saving the toile for pillows. The place I bought the toile from had just enough for the valance and I was going to need more for the pillows anyway: this would solve that problem.
The trim shown is what I bought at the going-out-of-business place. It’s about the color of the couches in that room. If I don’t use it on the valance I can use it on pillows.
So — if any of my descriptions have made sense — what do you think? Trim, no trim, a different trim? Toile lining, toile valance, no toile?
And thanks for sharing. It is these kinds of (in)decisions that hold me up in getting projects done.
Stray Thoughts 
I am not very good at curtain making so cannot help, but I love the toile fabric. Please post the finished curtains for us to see.
Love the rose shelf set, the fabric is gorgeous, and even though the trim is really beautiful I think I would would skip it too. The toile is so lovely it doesn’t need anything! Just my opinion and I’m sure your drapes will be gorgeous with or without the trim. Can’t wait to see the finished project!
Kathy
I love the toile fabric! It is so pretty. I’m sure however you decide to use it will be lovely. I’m thinking double valance? But I’m not that great at decorating so go with your gut on this one.
Personally, I think the trim is great! And it would be a perfect addition…it’s sets the pattern of the material [the checkered] for a great contrast and effect if you ask me.
Whatever you decide, I know it’ll be good…and I hope you’ll share them again when all finished for another show n tell in the future.
[Love the wall roses too!!!!!]
My show n tell is a bit of my own pencil sketches this week. Stop by if you can…and, have a super weekend.
Lovely material. I have a pattern similar in a bedroom I’ve posted in the past.
I think it would be fine to use the toile to line the valance where it would show and if you have enough left of the toile make accent pillows with it. I used my excess for pillows as well.
If you’re definitely going to make the pillows, then I’d go with the double valance or the toile as lining — that way it would connect with the pillows. Having the toile as a whole valance by itself I think would be too large a contrast with the checked fabric. I like the trim.
Personally, and since you asked for my opinion, I would do the valance in the toile. I think the check for both would be overdone. And by all means, do use the trim.
Mama Bear
I love the trim, but would love it equally as much on pillows as on curtains. And I like the way the two fabrics complement each other; curtains that use both would be beautiful, in my opinion.
Hi Barbara,
Nice progress on the cross-stitch! 🙂 I always am anxious to see what’s going to pop up next on people’s cross-stitch as they show their progress from time to time! 🙂
That blue Toile fabric is just to die for….
Blessings!
I love the check and the toile together. Using them on the windows as you orgianally planned or keeping the toile as pillows will be fine.
Beautiful shelves.
Both fabrics and nice together, so I would suggest using as much of the toile for the valance so it can have impact. If there was more of the toile, I would use it for tiebacks and pillows. The trim is very nice and should enhance the valance and the pillows.
Oh, very nice! I’m afraid I can’t help you with your decision. I’m bad at decorating! But it looks lovely. :}
I love the toile it would be beautiful as the valance or however you use it. Love the rose shelfs to.
Thanks for stopping by and saying hi. I love those rose shelves. Very pretty. I love toile.
Your cross stitch is very pretty. I hope we get to see it when it’s finished.
I like the two fabrics together for the valance, and I think I’d use the trim on pillows. I’m sure it will look lovely no matter which way you decide to do it.
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Love the rose shelf set and the cross-stitch! Both fabrics are lovely, too. Have you thought about using eyelet lace as a trim?
Lovely shelf set, and your cross-stitch is coming on really well. (I love those quicker half-stitch bits!)
As you to yoru curtain question. When we lived in England for a year, our rental house had curtains totally with the toile, and I loved it! I would definitely keep as much of it showing as you can manage, and use it elsewhere in the room too (pillows etc). Not a huge fan of the trim, seems a bit dull in comparison to the crisp fabrics – but just my opinion!
Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂
I very much-ly like your shelves-and the choices for curtains material, AND seeing the progress of your needlework!
Thank you for sharing
I love the combination you’ve come up with, but I’d have to play with it to figure out how to put them together effectively.
Nancy
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