Category: Favorite Things

Vintage Sailboat Quilt

Linens

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

vintage sailboat 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.

applique sailboats on vintage quilt
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.

flower medallion quilted on vintage quilt
The borders are also fun.  The white border is quilted to be a rope.

rope border on vintage quilt
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!

vintage sailboat quilt 2
P. S.  Thanks to my helpers who held this for the pictures, and wanted to be in one!

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Simple pleasures

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.

sliced oranges
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.

orange slice
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?

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Verna and Kate Spain

Color, Dishes, Quilting and Sewing

Earlier today I posted pictures of the quilt top I’m putting together.  It’s made with Kate Spain’s new collection for Moda, titled Verna .

Well, about an hour later, Kate left a comment on the post, which was so kind of her, and although I have absolutely no idea how she found her way to my post, I do know that her comment led me directly to her website .

And I think I can say that I now have a new favorite designer to watch.

Let me back up.  A few weeks ago a new Crate & Barrel catalog came in the mail, and I devoured all the pictures, as usual.  One in particular was torn out of the catalog and kept for 2 reasons:  1.  I want these!  2.  Inspiration.

Did you see these too?  And do you like them like I do?
Loire plates
I mean, I’d like several in each color, but if I had to choose, I’d take the aqua ones.  They’re beautiful and affordable.  You can buy them individually or in sets of four.   Hello!  Can they get any cuter?

Back to Kate Spain.  You see, not only is she responsible for the gorgeous quilting fabric that I’m currently in love with, but imagine my delight when I read a few posts on her blog and discovered that SHE is the designer of those lovely Loire plates, the very plates I tore out of the catalog,  from Crate & Barrel!  She also designed these awesome melamine plates .

Wow!  I was so excited to discover that two different products which I’m so drawn to are designed by the same person.  Cute stuff!

Well, it gets even better than that.  She’s currently giving away one layer cake from the Verna collection, and some totally cute gift bags and takeout boxes for a second winner.  So hurry on over here and get in on the fun.  You have until March 20th to enter.

And thank you, thank you Kate for sharing your awesome designs!  I love them.

Hopeful Homemaker

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