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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Summer Laundry


Laundry is one of my favorite subjects. . . When it's done like this. We're lucky enough to have fresh air and sunshine and a clothesline. Later in the season the air will be as hot as an automatic dryer.



But on a mild day like this I can strip a bed at 8:30 and have it washed, hung, damp dry, and all ironed by 10:30 with plenty of time in-between to read a few blogs! The trick is to catch the linens damp for ironing so that the pressing is a breeze. It's a bit like cooking. You just have to stay with it (or at least have it in mind) until it's done. For those of you who hate ironing, all I can say is I feel that way about cooking! 




I have grandkiddos coming in a few days, so my guest room nursery, which is also my linen room, needs a bit of clearing out. That always gets me messing with some pretty linens and laces. All in all, not a bad way for me to spend a morning.











































































I hope you're loving some Summer air!
Ciao! for now!

Jacqueline

*P.S. I hope you'll follow me over to

43 comments:

  1. So much beautiful inspiration here today! I love all of your gorgeous whites!! :)

    Happy Summer day!

    xoxo...Gloria

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  2. How do you get your battenburg lace to curl and crinkle up?? Is is because you are ironing them damp?? Please let me know your secret. I have beautiful placemats that I haven't used in years because the lace is all curled. Thanks!!!

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  3. Once I start ironing I am happy with it. I also enjoy the results with starting with slightly damp linens.

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  4. Jacqueline, Oh how I wish I could hang my laundry out on the line then stand outside and iron! I miss the dry New Mexico air! The humidity here has been horrific and it is all I can do to not keep dabbing at a wet brow! LOL
    Love the shot of your laundry basket against the adobe wall and the sage. Another thing I miss seeing. I'll get back one day....
    ~ Sue

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  5. Dear Bloggymom: I've passed on most of my battenburg lace because it is so tricky and time consuming to iron! The effect you see here is just a quick pass of the iron over the lace trim of a runner. I pressed the main piece flat though. And yes. Always damp dry. If I don't get to my linens before they are completely dry, I have to spray them with water later. Takes a lot longer! Good luck!

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  6. Hi J,
    I love seeing all your pretty linens and laces!!! LOVE the first shots of the pins in the jar, very nice!!! and I have never seen those cloths pins with the curved pinchers, great goodies!! Enjoy that sunshine:-)
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  7. Thank you for the beautiful pictures and tips...I love your pretty linens!

    XO,
    Jane

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  8. Wonderful photos! I LOVE the pictures of the clothespins.

    Cindy

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  9. Sooooo beautiful. I just love laundry pictures like this. Lovely setting...even the clothespins are pretty! How did you do that? Hahahahah....
    great post once again.
    blessings,
    Debbie

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  10. LOVE LOVE LOVE your photos above! I adore ironstone and "mason" jars too. I would love to sit and watch you do laundry outside.. hehehe!!
    Thanks so much for sharing, one of my favorite posts right here!

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  11. Aaaah!! This post was like a breath of fresh air. All so lovely. Nothing smells better than freshly ironed linens that have been spritzed with lavender water and I am sure yours smell and feel wonderful, Kathysue

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  12. So many lovely linens ,I just love piles and piles of fresh white linens.

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  13. I could smell the crisp, hot linen under the iron and fresh from the sun... I helped my mom and gramma with line laundry. There is nothing to compare.... Your post made me happy and homesick... in a good way. I just found your pretty blog! Love it!

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  14. Jacqueline, you have such pretty linens. I don't mind ironing linens, but I hate ironing clothes. I also don't like to cook!

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  15. You have taken laundry to an art form! Who would not want to be out in the dappled sunshine with those gorgeous linens and generous baskets!
    Stunning... and practical too! I'll trade you, you do my laundry and I'll do your cooking?
    Yvonne

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  16. Oh, my goodness! Only you could make laundry look and sound romantic! What gorgeous linens and I'm in love with those olden clothes pins!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  17. you make it look so romantic and fun... sadly my life is so NOT LIKE THIS!

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  18. What a gorgeous post! I love all the whites and the touches of natural wood in the clothes pins, basket and bench. Simply beautiful!

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  19. Gee whiz - who knew that an article about laundry could be so delightful? All your photos are romantic and dreamy AND delightful!

    Hope you're having a fabulous week.

    Hugs,
    Marie

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  20. Jacqueline ~ you are a woman after my own heart. I LOVE doing laundry ~ vintage clothes pins are my favourite too. Freshly laundered sheets snapping in the wind bring a smile to my face ;-)

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  21. All so pretty. I'm curious - do you actually use those linens on your bed?

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  22. I loved seeing your pretty pictures and especially your clothespins!!

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  23. Dear Joyce: Absolutely! I use tons of linens on my bed. Two Euro shams and six pillows plus sheets etc. I held out the colored items because I wanted the post to be all white. In addition, I use dresser scarves for my furniture in a lot of places in my house because I don't like to dust. I use cloth napkins and towels. I also have three other beds that always need changing. We have had three guests on two occasions already this week. All family. Folks don't always get ironed SHEETS though. I forgot to mention tablecloths. Easy to clean up after a meal!

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  24. Gee, there is something about freshly pressed linens folded ever so neatly that just makes my knees go week. Your photos are wonderful.
    Kathy

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  25. Gorgeous photos of all those pretty linens and baskets Jacqueline! I love the photo toward the end of the whole scene. Makes me want to launder linens like these.
    Enjoy time with your grandkids and happy WW,
    - Susan

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  26. Lovely, lovely linens! Could you share how your linens are washed (especially the vintage ones with lace and embroidery)? Any advice would be appreciated. Are the linens washed in the washing machine on the delicate cycle or should they be handwashed?

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  27. What pretty things you have! Love the great photos you took!

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  28. Dear L'Heure Bleue: Most cotton/linen vintage linens are sturdy unless they are so worn or old that they are thin and frail and coming apart . The condition is usually fairly apparent. Sturdy vintage linens are easier to launder than modern blends. Frail linens should be hand washed. Everything in my post was washed in the machine regular cycle, with the exception of the featured grape motif lace edged towel. I bought it new in Italy. The machine made lace separated from the fabric with the first washing I am sorry to say. I have a set of three which I have to treat with care.

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  29. Beautiful! Nothing more calming and refreshing than looking at fresh white linen and dappled sunlight. I can smell the freshness.

    xx

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  30. ...now this,
    i simply adore!!!
    just beautiful Jacqueline!
    you have truly captured the romance in something ordinary :)
    xo, Rosemary

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  31. I'm just loving this entire post. Gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration! ;)

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  32. great photos...you make laundry look beautiful...now, if only it was....thx for sharing...Mariaelena

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  33. Laundry day never looked so beautiful!!!

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  34. Only you could make laundry look so beautiful and inviting...I love your photos...Nothing like fresh white linens and brown woven baskets.

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  35. You make doing laundry look so fun....not the case at my home. Lovely photos of all your linens and I bet they smell heavenly after being hung outside to dry:-)

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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  36. This post made ma want to do laundry! What beautiful pictures! And all those whites, just lovely!
    Have a great Wednesday!
    XXX Ido

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  37. I thought I was your follower but didn't find your blog on my list, now you have been added to my sidebar, can't wait for the next post!
    XXX Ido

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  38. lovely!!! I can just smell those fresh linens now!!! (I feel the same way about ironing and cooking!!)

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  39. Beautiful Vignettes, Fresh White Linens are So Inspiring....

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  40. Beautifully Styled and photographed

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  41. Gorgeous theme and photos! I love to cook but ironing is not something I do anymore. I admire that you iron your sheets...lucky guests.

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  42. It's just not possible to take a bad photo of beautiful linens, is it? Absolutely gorgeous laundry!

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