Remember my Cotton post? I happened upon a cotton field while in Kansas and braved the stickery cotton plants to wade through the field, gleaning the leftover cotton the picker had left behind. Ever walked through a cotton field? You would not believe how unforgiving those plants can be on a skirt and pair of tights. Next time I’m wearing my jeans.
So would you like to see what I did with the cotton that made its way from Kansas to Ohio?
I may have gone a bit overboard with placing the cotton around my house but it was just so fun. I kept the same glassware on my kitchen window sill that I had there for Christmas. I had vintage red ornaments in them – you can see them here. I packed the ornaments away and replaced them with cotton.
Lots of cotton. I have decided if you have decorators block just go find something from nature and start placing it around your home. Your decor will come together almost magically. Which shouldn’t be so amazing really – how can we improve on God’s creation?
My teenager was enthralled with the cotton and has now de-seeded quite a bit of it. I’m thinking if I got her some carding tools and a spinning wheel and a loom we could start making our own fabric. But on second thought where would I put a spinning wheel and loom?
I love the seed pods almost more empty than with cotton in them. My kids think I’m nuts. Perhaps someday they will understand my need to decorate and fluff and straighten and create 🙂
Vintage pedestal glass is one of my very favorite things right now. Would you believe there was a big wolf spider in it when I found it at the shop I bought if from? I picked it up and turned it over to see the price, which was on the bottom. I felt something brush my hand, as I had picked it up with my hand over the top of it. I didn’t think much of it and set it back down. Then I saw the spider. And I did NOT scream. There were quite a few other people in the shop and the shop was small. No need to terrorize everyone. I simply shook the spider out on the floor and stomped on him. Quietly. No one else even knew it happened. Honest. It happened just like that. Even if you can’t believe I can be that quiet 😉
I love my Starbucks measuring cup – clear glass with a tint of green, and it says Starbucks. I’m a complete and total fan of Starbucks. Have you had their new Blonde roast coffee? Best. Stuff. Ever. Add a little half-n-half and a teaspoon of maple syrup and you have a drink worth getting out in the cold for.
I found my little flower frog at an estate sale and I quite like it. The industrial, worn patina suits me just fine.
I tucked a stem of empty cotton bolls in with my vintage post cards. Do you recognize this metal card holder?
Do you subscribe to Decor Steals? They offered these several months ago and I didn’t get one. I wished I had so when they offered them again before Christmas I grabbed one. So glad I did, it’s really a great display piece. I think it would be great to tuck a fun menu in it for a dinner party or print a number for a birthday party. And of course, it will be great to display Christmas cards next Christmas season. I also think it would be a great way to organize the stack of business cards I’ve accumulated over the years. Always nice to have a spot to go to find them when you need to contact someone.
My dining room nook got some cotton accessories too. And I added a little quirkiness by writing 100% cotton on the vintage photo plate turned chalkboard that I bought from Miss Mustard Seed.
I added some pieces of cotton to my china cupboard too.
My living room shelf also acquired some cotton – of course. And this antler is new. My brother found it last summer while he was swathing and he saved it for me! Isn’t he sweet? He’s single – anyone want to play matchmaker??
I think my vintage trophy cup stuffed full of cotton is about my favorite.
So that’s what I did with my cotton. What do you think?
Sew a Fine Seam
Living in Kansas, I see these fields all the time. I even have one a half mile from my house… it never occurred to me to pick some of the leftovers. I will now though! It’s so wonderfully textured and homey! Thanks for the inspiration to look at my surroundings with new eyes!!
Get yourself to that field and get some cotton Jeannine! I’m wishing the stuff would grow in Ohio! Maybe I should try to baby a plant or two in my herb garden!
It’s beautiful, Jill! I can tell you had a great time fluffing your nest with it ~ the trophy is my favorite, too!
It looks awesome! I like to go cut heads of milo from our fields in the fall and bring in for fall decor. I know you would make it look so much cuter though! 😉
I like the clear glasses on your window sill. I love clear glassware. And the Starbucks cup is too neat. And I love, love the pedestal glass. I think I would’ve screamed though. I do ok if I see the spider without too much surprise, but if it surprises me the scream usually escapes, EVEN while I’m knowing that it does no good and it’s silly!! And I don’t like any kind of bug on me. Yuck!
Very, very fun 100% cotton post! Love the chalkboard.
Milo would be fun too. i’m finding I love using all things natural in decor! Never know, maybe in a few months I’ll find a cute way to use dandelions 😉 Though I doubt it.
Your raw cotton is beautiful and I LOVE the glassware on your window sill. My favorite thing, however, is your really cool metal card holder…I wish that I had seen it on Decor Steals…maybe they’ll bring them back again…(she says, crossing her fingers). Happy Friday! xo
Thank you Kimberly. Email decor steals and see if they still have one – I did that once and they sent me a link that enabled me to buy the rug I wanted!
Jill, You weren’t kidding, you put it everywhere… and it’s gorgeous! How fun to go cotton picking yourself. Your glassware and silver are great accompaniments. You always do everything with such flare!
Liz
Once I got started Liz it just looked so cute everywhere!
I live outside of Phoenix where there are still farming fields. Arizona is credited with inventing Long Staple Egyptian cotton. At Christmas yards contain cotton men instead of snow men.
I love it.
That is awesome! Next Christmas post some pics of them!
I just love them Jill – how beautiful – and I love how they’re peaking out here and there and everywhere – great accessorizing too!
XOX
Thanks Suzan!
The cotton is so pretty! I can see why you spread it around your home! I can’t believe you didn’t scream when you found the wolf spider at the thrift store! You have such self control. I wanted to scream just reading about it! 🙂
Thanks Lisa – and I’m not always so self-controlled but sometimes I’m just so petrified I keep quiet!! LOL!
Hi Jill!
Such a cozy winter harvest that you have tucked around your lovely home!
Since I am from the home of Starbucks, I am particularly smitten with the image of the measuring cup!
I am glad that you caught my post about the Eiffel scissors! {So perfect for a girl who sews a fine seam!}
Speaking of that! The camera strap that you sewed for Kim is AMAZING!
~Lynne
w/L.
Thank you Lynne! And it makes me so happy that you liked Kim’s camera strap – it was fun to create for her!
What a funny post. You really did get a lot of cotton, didn’t you. I think it looks great decorated all around your house. Thanks for sharing your spider story, you brave woman, you made me laugh.
Not really so brave Amy – I just don’t like to make a commotion with other people around! It was still in the glass too – if it had been on my hand I may have screamed!
All your cotton looks so good in your home.
Blessings,
Linda
Thank you Linda!
I think pretty fabulous! I love that last shot too! Cotton is beautiful!!! Love what you did with it.
Thank you Jacqueline!
I have never seen cotton used as a decor accent when it is in its natural state! It looks gorgeous all over your house, and worth the effort to pick the bugs out of it!
Thanks Karen – I have enjoyed having it!
My first time visiting your blog… a sewer and lover of vintage~ YAH!!! The first time I saw cotton like that was years ago when we lived in Virginia. For a New England girl, that was some eye opening. I couldn’t imagine the back breaking work that had to be. And tough on your hands! I’ll be back to visit you again!!
We used to live by cotton fields….so I enjoyed seeing your display!
Thank you Ceekay! I love the look of cotton!
very pretty in all its locations!
Thank you Meg!
I am just imagining you wading through the cotton fields picking the beautiful pieces for your home. I always love what you do and how you style everything. And yes, I probably would have gone out in my tights too! 🙂
🙂 We’ll do about anything for a great decor find won’t we Taryn?!! Thanks for your sweet comment!
What a cute & creative idea! I love it. ….and yes, cotton is no joke if it gets ahold of you! Ouch. Being from Arkansas..it’s everywhere!
Feel free to stop by for a visit @ The Honeysuckle Bus Stop!
~Amber~
Thank you Amber! And yes, you gotta watch those cotton plants – LOL!
Jill, I love how you decorated with the cotton. The loving cup and cute sign stand are my favorite. Thanks for joining the Open House party.
xx, Sherry
Thank you Sherry! I’ve had lots of fun with the cotton 🙂
I love all of the cotton. It’s fabulous. Such wonderful creamy colors and texture. You have incorporated it so well in your decor. Fabulous!!
Ruth
Just love this post, Jill! And I love cotton blossoms, too! I tried keeping some that I took the cotton out of, and they got squooshed! Meh! Oh well. We are always up in cotton territory,and I can get some more! It looks so charming dotted around your home! Thanks so much for sharing and linking up to Blissful Whites Wednesday!!
Hugs,
Becky
Thanks Becky! It was fun to have something to link up with you!
so gorgeous and fun fun styling!
smiles to you.
michele
Thank you Michelle!