Visiting Pendleton

Rarely do I make it to Southwest Portland to visit this store. It's a treat for woolen fabric lovers. Visitors are greeted by this well dressed sheep on the porch. Her personal blanket gives a forecast of what one will see inside.
A design you will see in many of their fabrics is also painted on the floor.

Long rows of blankets in dozens of patterns and colors are displayed.This international company started in Pendleton, Oregon. Most people know Pendleton for their wool clothing. In the beginning, the company made and sold blankets to the Indians in the area. Many of the motifs remind me of the Southwest, but they are designs from the tribes in this area. This location has a wonderful museum of tapestries, depicting many Northwest Native American scenes. They also sell finely woven light weight woven throws, and....

Stacks of wool remnants, any of their wool fabric by the yard.
Wool yard for weaving or knitting.
And ....what I came for. I know it doesn't look inspiring. These are trimming off the looms, where they have been weaving the heavy blankets. They are called worms. Weavers use then to weave rag rugs.
My loom is treaded and ready to go. Hopefully it won't be too long before I can show you a new rag rug.

More Weekend Memories

I had a GREAT weekend! I hope you did too. One daughter and cousin came to visit. My youngest daughter asked one of her older sisters to come down and take her to see the Prince Caspian movie that came out this weekend. When that happens, the family in the area come home also. It's a rather festive time when a bunch of us get together. We spend lots of time just talking catching up on whats happening in each others lives in greater detail, and revisiting memories. Friday we girls hnd lunch in Portland at St. Honore Boulangeris. It's a French bakery and deli.
They make all this wonderful handcrafted bread. The aroma is fantastic! It's all made in the French manner. They even have French newspapers, for people who know French, to read.
Bread and pastries are baked in this huge brick oven. You can sit and watch them make everything.

The pastries were very tempting........but.....They have a large verity of salads and other lunch items to chose. We ate our lunch at tables outside in the bright sun. Of course, we couldn't leave without buying some bread. The girls said the bread was the size and weight of carrying a baby around.
After, we went to Anthropology's to browse. They have so much to for the senses.
I really wanted to bring this sofa home with me. The pillows would be fun too. It looks like people have already been sitting on it in our home.
A fun weekend making more memories.

Ribbons, Buttons, and Trim

I love places like this. One of a kind places. They are small, have unique items and lots of personality. Service is great. They usually have a passion for their product, and give knowledgeable tips in using their product.
Sorry about the reflection the window. I wanted
you to see what kind of place this is.
The Button Emporium & Ribbonry
is amazing! I think I could spend all day looking at everything. It's a long drive from my home,
so it's a treat when I get to go. I can't think of what they don't have. From all the usual to the
one of a kind vintage.

So much eye candy!


There are racks and racks of different kinds of trim. Here are a few beaded trims.

They have examples of what you can do with ribbon, like make many different kinds of flowers. I'd love to see these in my garden.


And more.

This case is full of vintage.

They have feathers, braids, and buckles.
This Is the back of a vintage dress. Why didn't I take a picture of the whole dress? I don't know....I was so amazed at the crocheted button cover, and the handmade pin tucks. They are so perfect!

Then the buttons. The many, many buttons. Every shape and size.
I know I sound like an ad for this place, but The Ribbon Emporium is truly amazing, go visit.