Janet's House

Pillow Party

In celebration of Small Business Saturday, as promised, I’m sharing a coupon code to purchase pillows from my Etsy shop at 20% OFF! The code “giving” is good now through Sunday, December 2nd.

Follow the new link…see the little pillow box over on the sidebar. Click it and you’re there. How easy can it get??

 

Here’s a little picture of the Etsy screen. Just look for the ‘Apply shop coupon code’ at check out and pop the word giving right there.  If you have any trouble at all, please let me know. Thanks so much for shopping, and yes, you can tell your friends to use the coupon code too.  Happy shopping!

Knitted Throws and Blankets

As the weather begins to cool down in the evenings here in the northwest, it’s time to bring out the coverings. Our home is old enough that it’s not always evenly heated or cooled. Our downstairs stays cool year round which is great in the summer, but during the other seasons we need a little something in the evening to keep the chill away. I’ve always got blankets around but it’s nice to have a place for them when they’re not needed. Everything in its place.

I found this great, well made basket at Schoolhouse Electric in the old industrial part of Portland. It’s a great shop with wonderful home furnishings and thanks to a little snippet in Sunset Magazine this summer I found it.  The shop is full of lighting, bedding, office needs, upholstery and accessories. The flagship store is in Portland with one other showroom in New Yorks Tribeca neighborhood. The old warehouse setting gives the shop an urban chic with an industrial edge feeling. Everything in the store looks to be of high quality and well made. A bonus of a small florist and a not Starbucks coffee bar makes the  surroundings most appealing. You’re encouraged to get a latte and take your time strolling around the store.

I like the way my throws are rolled so the beautiful shades of yarn are on display, yet they are out of the way and contained in this sturdy basket with very cool braided leather handles. I love finding a new spot to shop!

One Kings Lane

I just received my first purchase from One Kings Lane online shopping site. I’ve been checking it out often, as their announcement shows up in my email each morning. For those of you who don’t yet know, One Kings Lane  is a new way to shop online. They invite designers, decorators and curators to bring a selections of goods to sell.  There’s everything from antiques and vintage to new and contemporary.  There are multiple sales going at the same time so there’s plenty to look at. Sales are launched at 8am (PT) and items are available  for just 72 hours, or as they sell out. The prices are better than expected, up to 70% off is the claim. You join, but there’s no charge and no obligation, you just sign in with your email and a password much like other shopping sites. 

Things come from all over the world and it’s fun because since sales change daily there’s obviously always something new. I purchased this big beverage dispenser. I love the classic yet contemporary look  and it worked perfectly for the open house we had over the weekend for my son and his friends. At $19 I knew it was a steal and even with postage it was still only $25. All purchased with a click.  I try not to buy items that are too bulky that I have to store, but with this one I made an exception.  Filled with raspberry lemonade on a warm summer day I think it  readily earns its keep in my pantry.

Check out One Kings Lane. It’s fun and a quick shop each morning. You never know what’s waiting for you!

Diggin the Soap

I am diggin’ this garden soap. I bought it at a shop called Dig,  located in downtown Portland in the popular, hip Pearl District. It’s fun to step into a garden shop in an urban environment. No plants or flowers, but décor and art for your yard. The shop is full of contemporary sculptures, planters, fountains and garden art but it was the Mandarin Lemon with organic poppy seeds soap that caught my eye, or I guess my nose. It smells wonderful and at $20 a log I’ll get about 8-10 bars of soap.  It’s ingredients are all natural, even vegan and there are several other scents including mint & lavender. The owner of Dig buys them from a Portland woman who hand makes each one.  Good things all around! They’re pretty, thrifty and would make a fun gift. If you order one, let Thomas know I sent you his way.  And yes, they do smell good enough to eat!

Projects in Motion

As I’m sorting, tidying, cleaning and generally trying to give everything its place I keep coming across unfinished projects. Of course!! Most creative people are guilty of cupboards and baskets full of half finished or non started creations. I think it’s part of the enthusiasm of wanting to make things.

Yesterday I was sorting yarns and remembered my (still great, I think) idea of making a baby sweater then finding a wonderful fabric for a skirt or romper. I panicked when I also remembered that my favorite fabric shop for bright fun prints was closing at the end of the month. I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my yarns and headed to Fibers in Motion. I had great fun picking out fabrics to go with the yarns.

 

I have one sweater started and now with the print fabric I’m eager to complete the sweater and get on with the skirt.

 

 

 

 

 

This is my favorite. I can just picture a little girl all decked out in this happy color combination.

 

 

As I revisit my “projects in process” (much better than unfinished projects), I’m becoming enthused again. I was afraid that taking the time to organize would take me away from creating. Quite the opposite I’m finding. Instead, I’m having fun revisiting projects long buried and feel inspired and ready to jump back into knitting, sewing and creating.

If you live in the Portland area, be sure to drop by Fibers in Motion before LuAnn moves on to the next creative phase of her life. There are still a lot of beautiful fabrics available.

Sock Dreams-Holiday Gift Idea #7

We were looking for fun socks for Christmas gifts. My daughter checked the local stores. Nothing fun, especially for men’s socks.  We got on the internet and checked the typical department stores. Zero!  She decided to type in ‘crazy sock stores in Portland Oregon.’  Up popped this fun shop just a few miles from our house.  Every kind of sock from crazy to cashmere.

 

 

Who doesn’t need a pair of socks as a gift or for their own holiday wardrobe fun? You really can find something for everyone in one fun shopping spree.

 

 

 

 

There are boot socks, over the knee socks, lacy socks and warm socks. There are socks with robots, socks with fish, socks with frogs and socks with chickens. There are socks with all ten toes and socks with no toes. Socks for dancers and socks for walkers.

My apologies to Dr. Seuss; I couldn’t help myself. Check out Sock Dreams when you’re doing your Christmas shopping. They ship all over the world, so even if you don’t live in Portland, you can still get your crazy socks. If you do live in Portland you’ll be shopping local, Yay!!

And don’t forget, tomorrow is Small Business Saturday! A great idea!!

 

                           Really…something for everyone! (hint)