Come see my coastal cloche! This was such a fun little craft project. Turning a hideous vintage cloche into this nautical beauty.
Hello sweet ladies of the flock. I hope you are all okay and enjoying Spring. Over here the weather is crazy, one day it feels like going to the beach, the next it is hot chocolate and scarves time. But I have started doing the rounds in the garden and things are looking better by the day. Well actually they are looking pretty bare, now that the weeds are gone. And quite a few of my favorite plants too I think. Seems like if I don’t watch out I am left with a few hardy, adventurous ones and a lot of weeds. Anyway. My garden is not why I dropped in with you today. Instead I want to show you a little decorating craft I did.
You may have caught this recent flea market find before (I posted it on Instagram and on Facebook).
Well they are looking a lot different now.
It was a very wet, very cold morning when I ventured out across the border for some flea market shopping. These two cloches (otherwise known as bell jars or domes), were my most treasured finds. Although you wouldn’t tell from just looking at them.
I started out with the one that is hosting that lovely pastoral scene. It took all but ten seconds to rip that lose from the base (it was attached to floral foam) and to remove the rather ghastly green felt.
I had had ideas of painting the base, but once it was freed from its ‘decorations’ it turned out it wasn’t really wood but rather this pressed wood that doesn’t paint very well.
So plan B it was.
Of to the store to buy some marble contact paper and iron-on edge ribbon.
10 minutes later I had this:
A nice base for my cloche. I must say I love that marble contact paper. I think I am going to stick it in lots of places. It really looks remarkably much like the real deal.
I also replaced that cord that was held together by some medical tape, for crying out loud. I opted for twine instead for my new cord.
I seared the edges in a flame and then attached both ends together with white twine. Much better.
And then I got to play…..
Here she is showing off a bit of beach decor. I must say this coastal cloche is really doing it for me. Funny how even the most mundane thing looks like a million bucks as soon as you put it under a glass bell jar.
Speaking of a million bucks. As you can see I fell victim to another blog trend. I saw these pretty diptyque candles everywhere and I must confess I became pretty obsessed. They are ridiculously overpriced but I must admit they do smell heavenly. Of course the only place where you could smell them in real life in the Netherlands is in one store in Amsterdam. But Euro region to the rescue, just over the border in Germany they were selling them too. So one afternoon while my love was craving a German bratwurst, I took the chance to go sniff out the candles. In the end I treated myself big time and came home with not one, but two of these seriously posh candles. But I convinced myself that I had earned it, and I am sticking to that 🙂
My ‘new’ little cloche and beach corner inspired me to change out the pillows and start moving my living room into summer mood. Although I definitely am not packing the plaids away just yet. I still need them in the evenings to cozy up and be warm.
So as I sit here talking to you, while the rain is gushing down outside I am feeling quite content. A little crafty bit under my belt and a little new decor added to my home is after all, all it takes to make this gal happy.
So what have you been up to? It is well and truly beach time where you are, or is Spring being flaky too?
Ok, I am off to make myself another cup of hot tea and cozy it up with a magazine.
CU
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Melanie says
May 19, 2015 at 7:31 pmVery pretty!
Marianne@Songbird says
May 19, 2015 at 8:00 pmThank you!
Marilyn says
May 20, 2015 at 11:15 pmSpring is being flaky here in Southern California, too. But I can’t complain, since we are getting much needed rain, which is unusual for May here. Summer will be here soon enough!
I always enjoy your posts, Marianne–and I love cloches. What a fun find! We have a flea market coming up this weekend in our small town. I’m looking forward to it
This weekend in the States is Memorial Day weekend, where we remember those who have died in the armed forces in service to our country. I know you must be looking forward to your weekend too. Enjoy!
Marianne@Songbird says
May 21, 2015 at 9:12 amI know about memorial weekend. We have a huge US cemetery close by. There is always a ceremony there too and events leading up to it. I have visited it several times on memorial day, maybe I’ll go this year too. We owe our freedom to those US and Canadian soldiers, so we do remember them too.
Gwen says
May 21, 2015 at 12:22 amYes Marilyn, we are remembering….my Dad served in WWII. Four years. I must say one of my life’s most inspirational persons is Betsy, the sister to Corrie Ten Boom. When life gets tough and it does for everyone, I think of her…and her positive and uplifting attitude in a German Holocaust camp. If you have not read Corries story Tramp for the Lord, it is very good.
Now back to coastal charm. I’m always amazed…ooh this does not paint so I just picked up marble contact paper!!! I giggle for that was me in my youth!! I contact papered even old Pringles cans for my popcorn in college and something else…I ate healthy so it wasn’t Pringles!! Probably colored pencils!! And to know where iron on ribbon is sold!!!! I’m impressed. Now I will have to check these items out just for fun!!! But the biggest inspiration is your arrangement of items. Looks soo good. I’m enjoying spring. I’m lazy. I have spring things out. My China is displayed. My Grandmas platter. I’m too tired to get my vivid colored things out yet!!! I’ll definitely copy this display–I have to use my apothecary jar upside down as my cloche and use my dried baby’s breath instead of your airy seaweed stuff—and I know just where to go for my decadent wonderful candle. Inspiring!! That’s you. Please take time to read of your country’s most inspirational woman of the world to me…who looked for good and God in the evil…who was so willing to risk all…despite her poor health. She is a woman your country should honor for Memorial Day for all she and her Dad and sister Corrie did. But Betsy. My personal example when I think I’ve got it rough…..
Marilyn says
May 21, 2015 at 4:34 amGwen, I love Corrie and Betsy ten Boom! I pointed out their town (Haarlem) to my children from the train when we were in the Netherlands, regretting that we didn’t have time to stop there. We did visit the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. Two “old” American ladies asked me to take their picture with the statue of Anne Frank. They said they were born the same year as she was. It was so odd! To me, Anne is perpetually young. But yes, The Hiding Place and Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom are wonderful stories.
Marianne@Songbird says
May 21, 2015 at 9:17 amI never heard of Betsy or Corrie ten Boom, I’ll look them up and see if I can find that book.
I love that you are inspired by my little decor. That dried out stuff underneath the cloche is no fancy seaweed by the way but a leftover bit of my Christmas decoration. I forgot to water that outdoor arrangement and everything died. I thought the messy grey bit looked nice, so I reused it. And the edge ribbon is found at the hardware store. It is used to finish the edges of shelves, usually comes in white and in wood pattern.
So happy your posting comments again. I always worry about you when you have been quiet for some time, but I understand, don’t fret over it. I hardly comment on blogs myself anymore, so no need to feel obligated or anything.
Ans says
June 14, 2015 at 10:40 pmSorry, beetje laat met mijn reaktie, maar alweer een heel mooi project dat ik ook moet gaan na-apen. Groetjes, Ans
Joann says
March 19, 2016 at 2:48 pmI am loving this coastal cloche of yours! Your vision always amazes me! You can just see something old & completely not very useful & turn it into a wonderful creation…what a wonderful gift that is!~
Joann says
March 19, 2016 at 2:50 pmBy the way, I forgot to ask, did you make or redo your table/chest you are using as your bedside table? I love it!