Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

My Happy Ironing Board

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Normally, I would not dream of sharing a glimpse of my laundry room with you.  It is pretty much a shambles with lingerie hanging everywhere, car washing towels waiting to be put away, baskets full of dirty clothes waiting to be washed, clean clothes waiting to be folded.  But here is something I am proud of.

When Lisa came to visit, she came bearing gifts.  Lots of generous gifts.  This cheerful ironing board cover being one of them.  Isn’t it adorable?  Why on earth would anyone want a boring generic ironing board cover when there are covers like this available?  It makes me so happy just to walk by the open door and see it sitting there so perkily.

Here is another little someone she brought me.  Her name is Nettie.

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Nettie was made by a talented woman named Nicole Ellison.  There is a funny story about the fabric Nettie’s dress is made of.  Last summer when Lisa and I were shopping at the Buggy Barn in Reardan, Washington, I spied this fabulous fabric with a black background, rust floral design and pastoral sheep.  I was exclaiming how lucky I was to find this fabric and noticed that Lisa was being uncharacteristically silent. "What?" I asked.  "Don’t you like it?"  Pause.   "Why would you want fabric with sheep butts on it?" replied Lisa.  Oh.  Well.  Yes, there was that.  "I don’t care.  I am buying it!", I answered, thinking to myself:  "Don’t hold back Lisa, tell me how you really feel about this ugly fabric."

Of course once I got it home, every time I brought out this fabric to audition it for a quilt or a border, I recalled our conversation and Lisa’s reaction to the fabric.  The seed of doubt had been planted.  I ended up making napkins out of it and giving them to a dear friend in Carmel Valley.  I must say, I have never noticed her using the napkins.  Maybe she felt the same way about the sheep and their nether regions.  Perhaps not the best choice for something you use to blot your lips.

I can’t remember how Lisa got hold of a piece of this fabric, but she did, and commissioned this Nettie doll to be made for me.  Isn’t friendship wonderful?  It was such a funny moment when we were shopping, and now I will laugh in recollection every time I look at little Nettie.

Speaking of a certain friend, that being Lisa, today is her birthday!  Go on over to her blog and wish her the best!  She deserves it! 

26 responses to “My Happy Ironing Board”

  1. I just love it every time I get a new ironing board cover. I must say, though, that none of mine have ever been that beautiful. Aren’t good friends wonderful?

  2. I just love it every time I get a new ironing board cover. I must say, though, that none of mine have ever been that beautiful. Aren’t good friends wonderful?

  3. BEAUTIFUL ironing board cover! BTW – our local shop hop featured that sheep fabric for the block kits given out by each shop. All I can say is that I fussy cut around the sheep to make it work!

  4. BEAUTIFUL ironing board cover! BTW – our local shop hop featured that sheep fabric for the block kits given out by each shop. All I can say is that I fussy cut around the sheep to make it work!

  5. What a beautiful ironing board cover. Everyone tells me it’s easy to make them, but I’m not that talented. I wish I was, I’d have one for every month! Cute Annie, I like the fabric for her dress, sheep and all!

  6. What a beautiful ironing board cover. Everyone tells me it’s easy to make them, but I’m not that talented. I wish I was, I’d have one for every month! Cute Annie, I like the fabric for her dress, sheep and all!

  7. Look though I might, I can’t see any sheep butts on Nettie’s dress. And she’s a sweet little girl. I also love that ironing board cover. Wonder where Lisa got it.

  8. Look though I might, I can’t see any sheep butts on Nettie’s dress. And she’s a sweet little girl. I also love that ironing board cover. Wonder where Lisa got it.

  9. I always loved that sheep fabric and now all I see is what you see…..darn that Lisa! Love your ironing board cover. Nancy in WI

  10. I always loved that sheep fabric and now all I see is what you see…..darn that Lisa! Love your ironing board cover. Nancy in WI

  11. All I can think of is a very proper lady using her elegant cloth napkins to dab at her dainty lips . . . with a SHEEP butt *s*

  12. All I can think of is a very proper lady using her elegant cloth napkins to dab at her dainty lips . . . with a SHEEP butt *s*

  13. OMG what a funny post, Nicole, and Libby’s comment above has me rolling. I’m glad you liked your gifts and shared the story of the sheep butt fabric. I always smile when I remember how much fun we had at the Buggy Barn and when I came down in April. You’re a dear friend. Thanks for the birthday wishes and sending your readers to come over and send me birthday wishes as well – what fun!

  14. OMG what a funny post, Nicole, and Libby’s comment above has me rolling. I’m glad you liked your gifts and shared the story of the sheep butt fabric. I always smile when I remember how much fun we had at the Buggy Barn and when I came down in April. You’re a dear friend. Thanks for the birthday wishes and sending your readers to come over and send me birthday wishes as well – what fun!

  15. My ironing board is now cowering in a corner in shame at it’s disgusting state. Only yesterday I thought must treat it to a new one.

  16. My ironing board is now cowering in a corner in shame at it’s disgusting state. Only yesterday I thought must treat it to a new one.

  17. What a fun story you share here. Not that Sisterschoice isn’t filled with fun stories but this one is EXTRA. 😉
    I totally dig that ironing board cover. Makes a gal happy, doesn’t it?
    Counting Sheep for Love, *karendianne.

  18. What a fun story you share here. Not that Sisterschoice isn’t filled with fun stories but this one is EXTRA. 😉
    I totally dig that ironing board cover. Makes a gal happy, doesn’t it?
    Counting Sheep for Love, *karendianne.

  21. Love it! Can you please share where we can get one that pretty. Never have seen anything come close to that fabric on an ironing board. Happy May! Lulu

  22. Love it! Can you please share where we can get one that pretty. Never have seen anything come close to that fabric on an ironing board. Happy May! Lulu