Linens and Other Things

Still working on getting "to done", as I sit here in the waning sunlight, listening to the sound of a chainsaw outside my living room window. It's getting later in the afternoon, but the weather is just beautiful today - probably in the upper 60's, lower 70's or so. I can hear the frogs chirping in my potted plants.

This morning I managed to clean out my 1/2 bath - I figured I'd start small, with something that doesn't appear to need that much work anyway. I've only got one day and I'd like to make sure I actually get something accomplished today. Mostly, I use the 1/2 bath as a linen closet for my tablescapes. I emptied out all of my drawers and cabinets and laid down new liner - it's a black and white tole print. Very sweet. As I was cleaning, I could see mouse sign - fortunately for the little rodents they didn't decide to nest in my linens. I don't think they've been there for a while, but you know I'll be keeping a closer eye on things.

I managed to get all of my linens refolded and took some pix along the way. I don't know what it is about the vintage prints, but I just love them - the more color the better. Or throw in some hand embroidery and I'm all gushy. I love the way the embroiderer on this one used a variegated pink in all of her perfect lazy daisies. And then, don't get me started on checks. Evidently, I have a thing for them. (I think I'm missing one or two in this picture!)

I need to remember that I have quite a few pieces of copper tucked into a cupboard - they would make great vases for flowers once in a while.

I boxed up a whole bunch of rejects - ready for donation to Goodwill or the like. I'll make sure they get out of the house this week - or maybe next weekend. And then I can look for additions to my collection - wahoo!!

Check one thing off my list!

One Quilt Top

So this is what happens when I go into a (or several) fabric store(s) and arm myself with a rotary cutter. It's so sad really. And the thing just keeps growing and growing. I've got the last of the borders put on and it's gonna be plenty big to cover the MIL's toes and ears. She's always cold, so I thought she would appreciate this. The hubster says "it looks like her".

I have no desire to quilt, really. I just like putting the fabrics together. So this will be ready to send to a quilter next week. I'll have to show you the pillowcases I made to go with it. I just love them.

Pink Lemonade

While I've been unemployed, I've been trying to work on some projects - both creative and home maintenance - that have been niggling at me for some time.

The stack of fabric has very nearly been turned into a quilt top for the MIL in GA. Her favorite color is pink, but that is just too much for me. So I paired it up with green - ooh preppy - and then some yellow to make it all pop. For whatever reason, this makes me think of pink lemonade - so that's what I'm going to call it. My original intention was to make a Chinese coins quilt - simple strips of fabric put together in stacks. But, then I picked up a stack and cut quilt book, and I couldn't resist the off-kilter cutting.

I think I ended up using about 25 different fabrics in the top. I tried very hard to use fabrics with a floral or polka-dot theme, and mostly succeeded - I think there's one yellow with a grid pattern on it. In a way, the top looks like a cutting garden of pink, yellow and green flowers. All that remains to get this quilt top on the way to someone for quilting is a double border, and for me to sew the backing together. I think I will try to get that done today so I can have a nice photo shoot tomorrow.