The Button Emporium

One day while strolling through downtown Portland I ran across a small little shop, you know the kind, with the little bay windows exhibiting gorgeous displays.  Well, of course I had to stop in and check it out.  Much to my delight this adorable place is jam packed with the coolest buttons, ribbons, and what not that you can imagine.  I was particularly drawn to the handmade ribbon flowers.  Aren't they beautiful.  (Yes, it's on my list of things to try!)

They also have an amazing selection of standard buttons as well as hand-crafted unique buttons.

The amount of color in this place is mind boggling.  Who knew there were this many way cool buttons around?  Not to mention the drop-dead must-have ribbons.

So, if you are ever in the market for some unique buttons or hand-dyed ribbons be sure and check them out!  Or better yet, just drop in for a quick stroll and soak in the colors.  I've been back several times since discovering this little gem.  Their web site doesn't do them justice but here it is none-the-less,  http://www.buttonemporium.com/.

Little Brown Riding Hood

In preparation for the holidays I vowed I would make as many Christmas gifts as possible this year without stressing myself too much.  Towards this endeavor I picked up my crochet needle and made ruffle scarves for some of the ladies in the family and skull caps for the guys.  Once all was said and done I didn't have anything for myself!  Well of course that had to be corrected!  I found a free pattern at http://www.favecrafts.com/ for a cowl hood, picked up four skeins of awesome Alpaca yarn and went to work.  This was the result.

I'm really happy with it although Ken had some comments about how I looked once I have the hood actually on.

Ah well, I like it and it keeps me warm and that's the important thing right?  This pattern was really easy and believe me when I say that I'm no pro at crochet.  If I can do this anyone can!

The Promise of a New Year

To me January always signifies a new beginning, when we shake off the previous year and look longingly ahead to better days. There just seems to be an air of freshness at the beginning of the year. Some of us are busy deciding what our New Year resolutions will be (not me, just don’t do them) and some of us are busy revisiting our goals and setting new ones (that would be me). Still others say, “woo hoo now let’s get on with it” and don’t look back. Since for me it’s a time for new beginnings I am determined to get off my duff and begin this blog that I’ve wanted to do for quite a long time now.

At this point I don’t have any particular intention other than to see where the blog path leads. There are so many things I want to write about and pictures I want to take; things like creating and crafting, my family, adventures, friendships, food, shopping, decorating. Too many things happening in daily life for me to pick just one…..plus that’s just not how my mind works. If you were to take a journey through the rooms of my mind you would probably leave the back door perplexed, amused, and little bit worried about me, but I would hope you enjoyed the visit.