If the neighborhoods weren't so darned adorable in Portland, I might have a lot to whine about it, as I was the designated driver...It seemed like everywhere we went in the first three days, we got lost. Fortunately, there were oodles charming Victorian, Bungalow and Craftsman style homes built from the late 1800's to the 1940's...lush gardens, arbors, rickety picket fences, "true light" windows (the ones with the real window panes)...it was like being transported into the pages of Cottage Living magazine.
I only wish I had more time to take more pictures...
Meanwhile, for years Penny & I had been hearing about a "Fabric Mecca" in Portland called Fabric Depot. With directions from Marc Hickok over at our distributor EE Schenck (thanks for everything, Marc!), we set out...Fair warning to you, dear reader: NO matter what your google maps say, and however many miles a road seems to go on indefinitely under the same name on your map...don't believe your eyes! Streets, avenues and roads will stop on a whim and you will be doubling back, joggling left and right (and many times!) before you reach your final destination in Portland, so allow extra time and bring your camera...there are a lot of inspiring things to see.
Our Fabric Depot "story" is a funny one. Penny and I arrive, and boom the minute you walk in it's like "QUILT FABRIC NIRVANA". It seemed like every collection from every company who show at quilt market was represented at this store, or so I thought...We walked up and down the aisles marveling at the amount of fabrics, but wait, no LakeHouse ;( "quel horreur" It got almost comical as we walked up and down and down and up the aisles..."Wee Wo, NO LakeHouse" (mild anxiety)...Then, when we got almost to the middle of the store (which took us a good ten minutes of looking), near the cash registers...to our surprise and delight, A SPECIAL LAKEHOUSE DISPLAY...Just in time for all of the out-of-towners making their pilgrimage to Spring Quilt Market. Wee hoo!
Here's me checking out patterns made with our fabric that I never even knew existed...
The Fabric Depot display gals even got the Copperplate font right for our name. That gave us a chuckle when we saw it...What a treat! So in case you haven't guessed already, Fabric Depot should be put on your "must see" list whenever you get to Portland. Big Hint: It's not far from the airport!
There's still lots more to show and tell...
I'm going to make it up to you for the last 5 months if it breaks me! ;)
Back in two shakes...H2
PS Our NEW LakeHouse Spring 2008 fabric introductions are now live on our site!
