Challenge 49 - What is Shabby Chic???

We have a special week for you this week, we are doing something a little bit different. We're doing a ...

...Team Tutorial...

on...

What is Shabby Chic?

Therefore this week's Challenge will be

...Shabby Chic...

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So.......What exactly is Shabby Chic???

This tutorial is a little different to our usual offerings - Each member of the playing team this week has written a few words and added an inspirational picture of what THEY envisage Shabby Chic to be.

The theory behind this is that unless you are familiar with the term, Shabby Chic can be a little confusing....

We want to show that there are no definate 'rules' as there often are with other styles - we all know that Vintage is old, Retro is not quite as old and CAS is minimalistic - but what on earth does Shabby Chic mean...

Here are some thoughts and inspirational pictures from the TTT DT...



Carol
To me the words 'Shabby Chic' evoke the feeling of a warm breezy Summer evening, floral patterned cushions on a wicker sofa on a whitewashed wooden veranda. It makes me think of an old fashioned cluttered kitchen with lots of white and pale blue crockery. To me 'Shabby Chic' is just that - something that's a little worn around the edges but you'd die to have it!
I'd express this in my card making with...distressing, crackle effects. whitewashed effects, charms, pastel colours, vintage........... 







Elaine
Shabby Chic conjures up a rustic romantic feel to me.

Janette

To me Shabby Chic is Blues and Pinks with the loads of White; it is very clean and crisp; with a touch of romance.

Lisa

Shabby Chic, to me, is like opening an old family chest of heirlooms

and spending the day in my great-grandmother's memories.

Samantha

 Shabby Chic to me is taking something old and revamping it into something new,
distressing and floral and things tied with string.

Annette
To me shabby chic is romance, soft subtle pinks and lots of white.  Slightly old looking (pre-loved) white-washed wooden furniture, and pretty pastel florals, pearls and lace.





Katrina
To me Shabby Chic is plain and subtle, its not a plain white, its an off white blended with subtle pinks and greens, it flows, its warm and welcoming. 

Here are a couple of extracts I found that will hopefully fill a few voids...

'Popularized by its founder Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic conjures up images of time-worn objects, imperfection, and comfortable living.  It mirrors the idea of the English cottage; casual, romantic, and hand-crafted.  According to Ashwell, "Shabby Chic is a style that is versatile and boundary free." '
 Borrowed from: Laura Buhrer Designs


"Shabby Chic® is a comfortable, casual decorating style with a look that uses vintage accessories, pastels, and comfortable furniture. While people have been living with old lace tablecloths, dreamy soft floral fabrics, light painted furniture, wrought iron curtain rods with filmy sheer curtains, and colorful fresh flowers for a long time, Rachel Ashwell identified this style of decorating and named it Shabby Chic®.
Think of visiting with your grandmother, snuggled in comfortable soft furniture. Fresh flowers look beautiful and the soft scent of candles fills the room. A home decorated in the Shabby Chic® style can provide the same sensation for your own home." 
Borrowed from: Mulberry Moon

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This week some us have used images given from one of our sponsors - Digital Delights - follow the links to find them in the shop.

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Now our Shabby Chic offerings, mirroring our own 'take' on the style and using our pictures above as inspiration........

Carol

Using 'Time To Clean'

Samantha

Elaine

Annette

Using 'Madison The Bride' AND 'Brady The Groom'

Janette

Using 'Princess Shona'

Katrina

Lisa

We hope you found this Team Tutorial interesting are are now inspired to create your own Shabby Chic creation.


We would love you to give us your thoughts on Shabby Chic and what inspires you, we will give a few mentions next week to those of you who shared your Shabby Chic thoughts.

Don't forget the rules - tab at top of page - most importantly...

...add (TIP) after your name 

WHEN YOU ADD A TIP IN YOUR POST WRITE-UP (write it as a tip to avoid confusion).

Voting is now closed for our Birthday Bash Challenge!
Thanks to the 200 people who voted...what will the challenge be???


Make sure you join us next week
- September 6th -
for our 1st Birthday.

We have LOADS of Birthday Presents to give away!
.....I'm sure there's something wrong there! lol!