Thursday, September 8, 2011

Cotton Pickin' Good

Here in the state of Alabama cotton fields are very easy to find, you can even see them on your way to the beach and I'm not kidding. Just 10 miles north of our pure white sandy beaches, you can find fields of beautiful white cotton. Now don't get me wrong our cotton does not grow in the sand...the soil where these fields are located are good ole Alabama dirt!!! I never really thought I would like the idea of decorating with cotton here in my coastal nest, but I LOVE it!!! I was a tad bit late last year getting some and mine does not look that great, but I plan on getting some fresh cotton in it's prime this fall...until then...I will just make the best out of what I already have. Take a look and just maybe you will love it too...if so...go cotton pickin' soon...it will be here before we know it.
                                       Thanks y'all for coming,
                                                      Linda 
                                        

                                          You can find this old
                                            bucket of southern
                                            cotton in my dining
                                                      room.
                                     We all love shabby, but this
                                    is just too shabby for this gal!
                                       Fresh cotton coming soon!
                                      This great old bucket came in
                                      handy at Haley's wedding...I
                                       used it to hold the birdseed
                                       that we all had so much fun
                                            throwing at the couple
                                             as they left the party.

                         This wide burlap ribbon is wonderful to use,but
                                  I'm looking for some that is smaller
                                  and has wire in it...anybody know
                                         where I can find some?


The following info was found at Alfaframers.com

Did You Know?

*In 2005, Alabama farmers picked 545,000 acres of cotton, producing 850,000 bales with an estimated value of $212 million, and an average yield of 749 pounds per acre

*Cotton is grown in 59 of Alabama's 67 counties

*Alabama ranks 9th in the US in cotton production

*Record acreage was 3.8 million in l911 and the record yield was 795 pounds per acre in 1985

*Alabama's top producing counties are Limestone, Madison, Lawrence, Monroe, Colbert, and Escambia

*For every $40 pair of denim jeans sold, the farmer gets $1.46. He gets 41 cents for a $35 men's shirt, and 45 cents for a $14 terry bath towel

*One bale of cotton can produce 8,000 men's woven handkerchiefs, 850 ladies blouses and shirts, 3,000 diapers, and 1,200 pillowcases

NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY is still going on...you can click here to join in on the fun!

Linking up here...
Open House Thursday
Strut Your Stuff
Vintage Thingie Thursday
Potpourri Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Inspiration Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Flaunt Your Fall Party
Wow Us Wednesday

24 comments:

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

There is cotton growing not too far from where we live in South Carolina. It has not occurred to me to use it in decorating. My grandfather was a cotton farmer. You've given me such a great idea, Linda.

Unknown said...

I love the look of the cotton in your bucket. We also grow cotton here in Kern County California so now all I have to do is figure out how to get some for myself.
Thanks
Traci

Town and Country Gals said...

Linda,
Your cotton is fabulous! We had a dealer in our old store that brought in a large bucket with a cotton arrangement and we sold it for a lot of money! As per your comment, all I can say is "great minds think alike"! Love my baskets, they are all filled with lots of goodies!
Rebecca

Jane said...

That cotton makes a wonderful decorative accent. I love it in that bucket with the burlap...who knew (well you did of course!)
Jane

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

This southern gal relates to the cotton! Love your little white bucket full!

LV said...

I am a expert when it comes to cotton and picking it I was raised in East Texas and we had plenty of it. I had to start picking it when I could bardly drag a sack. I try to not remember some of those days. It is pretty to look at when the cotton has popped out. The way you are using it is very nice.

Tina´s PicStory said...

Lovely pics :)

Toni said...

As a southern gal , love to see the cotton bursting in the fields. Thankfully never had to pick it, it can really tear up your hands.

laxsupermom said...

That's so rustic & pretty! Thanks for sharing.

Honey at 2805 said...

I like the look of your cotton in the pail, as well as liking the way it looks in the field! In looking at your cotton facts I must say, I do wish all those cotton goods were still produced in the U.S. It's hard to find a teeshirt that doesn't itch, and I could go on.

Thanks for linking to Potpourri Friday. Your participation made for a more successful party. I appreciate you, Linda!

Vicki said...

I love how this looks. It has such a great texture. The antique store in our town will bring some in from time to time.

Charlene said...

GREAT post & photos! I went to The Cotton Festival in Burton, TX & I will tell you it was facinating. Cotton growing is HARD WORK! Did you know the cotton plant is related to okra? Yep it is... I really enjoyed my visit here. It's a first but, not a last.
Charlene

Sue said...

I have always loved to see the cotton fields when we drive through the south. I've often wished I could stop and pick some (and not get arrested) but I always heard it was full of bugs and you can't bring it in the house. Not true? Maybe I'll have to sneak into a field in October as we pass through your state!

LindyLouMac said...

Calling by to visit your blog for the first time as I am also a participant in 2805 Potpourri Friday. I have enjoyed your post today, as I learnt something about cotton.

Ellen said...

What a beautiful plant. And thank you for the wonderful lesson on cotton. I would love to have a vase of this for fall. Thank you for enlighening me to cotton.
Hugs,
Ellen

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

This is so cool. Great texture and so unique. Love the bucket too! Thanks for linking up to Open House Party!

At The Picket Fence said...

What a fun post Linda! I love how it looks in the bucket and it was so neat to hear more about the industry. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Inspiration Friday this week!
Vanessa

Unknown said...

Love your cotton Linda. But with a blog name like mine "Cotton Pickin Cute", you probably already knew I would. I live in N.E. Florida and everytime we would head to the mountains in the fall I would love to find a little left over in the fields of GA to bring home. I love seeing a white field of cotton.

Have a fun weekend...Tracy :)

Anonymous said...

This is cool! Alabama- reminds me of the Lynard Skynard song :) I surely would want to visit once.

Debra@CommonGround said...

Really pretty, Linda. Love it in that wonderful enamel bucket!! Thanks for sharing the inspiration here at VIF, xo Debra

Unknown said...

Beautiful, actually!!
Thanks for sharing.
Michele

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Love the cotton filled bucket! I just recently moved to Beaufort, SC and did see some cotton in their gift shops. I use to have a cotton wreath, and it was so beautiful!

AntiqueChase said...

Love that cotton! What a great look!!

Unknown said...

great and interesting post my son grew a cotton plant from a seed this summer it was just for fun It grew very well and we got one puff of cotton on it LOL we live in Ohio

- KAT -

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