My Etsy shop has gone the way of the glampers ever since I read Glamping with Mary Jane Butters. Oilcloth seems to be the perfect glamping fabric because it is water proof and washable. And so many perfect accessories can be made from oilcloth!

I did my research by visiting some of the popular glamping websites. Elle Magazine did a photo story last summer, which assures me that glamour + camping = cool. The Glamping.com website allows travelers to make reservations at ready-made luxury retreats all over the world. Much closer to home, the Inspired Camping website gave me some ideas after reading about their Back Garden Camping suggestions for frugal families. Staking out a back yard campsite requires some colorful oilcloth pennants hung between trees.

I sewed these double sided triangles with a machine cross stitch that almost looks hand sewn.

So what else does the backyard retreat need? Assuming there will be eating and drinking – how about some Glamping placemats? This laminated cotton fabric was designed by the queen of glampers, Mary Jane Butters.

Colorful tents, little airstreams and tear drop trailers glamped out with campfires, claw foot tubs and pink bloomers a-flying are shown with phrases like “camp like a girl” and “cowgirls go to heaven – glampers go everywhere else” in vintage typewriter font label the images. For your beverages – how about drinks in little mason jars kept cool with a flowered oilcloth cozie!

I made up this little pattern using scraps of leftover oilcloth with a layer of Insul-brite insulation sandwiched in between. They have a little strap at the bottom to keep the glass jar stable inside the sleeve.

Once the sun sets, light up the night with a string of little oilcloth lantern lights. I started with a 10 bulb string of clear glass globe bulbs from World Market and made little flower shades from bright
oilcloth scraps.

Each shade has five petals that are perforated along the edge for additional light. I love the way they add a festive touch during the day -

As well as at night -

If more sophisticated accessories are needed, check out The Glamour Camping Company where many treasures await.