jennifer, Author at Hopeful Homemaker

Vintage Sailboat Quilt

March 20, 2010 jennifer Linens

In honor of National Quilt Day today, I thought I’d post pictures of my favorite vintage quilt.

This quilt is my favorite for so many reasons! I purchased it about 3 1/2 years ago on Ebay. It was one of those love at first sight moments. It’s made with my favorite colors: red, white and blue (two shades of blue!) and depicts one of my favorite scenes, sailboats on open water. I love the symmetry of it and how the overall composition of the quilt works together so beautifully.

There are also many little details that I appreciate about it. I love the applique work that makes up each sailboat, and how there are little white waves or ripples in the water embroidered in white on the dark blue.

I also love the quilting on this quilt. Done by hand, it is quilted in squares set on their corners with some gorgeous little floral medallions inset in the light blue panels.

The borders are also fun. The white border is quilted to be a rope.

This quilt is lovely, but is also worn. It is also very thin. As you can see from the pictures of the entire quilt, there are sailboats that are almost completely detached (I guess I should mend them!) and places where the fabric, particularly the white fabric is threadbare or worn with small holes. Still, I love it so much. It’s a piece that makes me feel both happy and calm when I see it. It reminds me of trips to the ocean, of my favorite holiday (4th of July) and of cool breezes. Truly, it’s one of a kind, and I’m so happy that it lives at my house!

P. S. Thanks to my helpers who held this for the pictures, and wanted to be in one!

Simple pleasures

March 19, 2010 jennifer Color, Musings on Life and Beauty

I’ve always found it interesting how much comfort can be found in feeling grateful for simple things.

Today I’m thankful for the gift of fresh fruit, oranges to be exact.

They looked so beautiful with juicy sections glistening in the sunlight. I love the many shades of color. Things like this seem so simple, but when you really look at them you realize what a composition they are in themselves.

They tasted as sweet as they looked. Mmm. Not many things better than a sweet, juicy orange in the winter.

What simple thing are you thankful for today?

2 comments beauty, Color

Spring Porch

March 18, 2010 jennifer Decorating

Inspired by the spring weather we’ve had this week, I took the little ones on a walk and when we got home I decided to give my front porch a little attention. It started out simply, but somehow became a project that involved moving everything that was on the porch somewhere else, and bringing pieces from other porches to use in front.

My parents gave me this cabinet that they picked up at a community yard sale in Colorado. The large drawer is made for storing bulbs. I bought the “dirt” bin years ago because it made me laugh. It still makes me laugh, and it’s a great place to keep dirt.

I grabbed my old “spring” sign from the basement, along with a white lantern to sit on my old red bench. I love that bench. I could use it in 10 different places at the same time.

My old blue milk jug found a new location as well, along with a planter I hope to fill with flowers soon.

The porch looks more open than it did. More colorful, yet simpler at the same time.

Zero cost. A bit of time. Entirely new look on my front porch. I like it.

I’d love to add a rug. What do you think?

This post linked to The Inspired Room .

5 comments Decorating, porch

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