We've been adopted...

...into the family of Jessica (of Almie Designs) and Shannon of We Heart Yarn.  Their parents, J and A, moved here a couple of years ago and are my sister and brother-in-law's closest neighbors.  We lucked out the day they all moved into the same "neighborhood" and then eventually we them met, too, because over the course of the past couple of years, we've become family.  They've adopted us and we've adopted them.  They're some of the nicest people I've ever met in my life...every stinkin' one of them!  ; )

I've been eyeing Jessica's work ever since last summer when I saw one that she'd made, and then more on her site online this fall.  When she came for a visit in November, we sat around the table browsing through the Boden Kids catalog.  Little did I know that she was taking mental notes as I lamented that nobody makes clothes for adults like the ones they make for kids.  Little did I know that C asked her to make a skirt for me as his Christmas present for me!  I had never mentioned to him how much I wished for one of Jessica's skirts.   Not only did I unwrap the one above (in reverse in the mirror on the left, above) from C and the boys on Christmas morning but then that night I opened another gift to find this one, a shorter, summery skirt, a gift from Jessica herself:

These are so well made, lined and everything.

!!! And she knit these for the boys, modifying a pattern from Weekend Knitting:

!!! And she brought her sewing machine and supplies along with her from Portland and had all sorts of great projects going.  She showed the boys how to use her sewing machine and helped R make a hotpad for me and E make an ornament for his uncle.  She had a bag full of felt and other goodies and everyone made superhero masks, kids and adults alike.  She designed and sewed all sorts of different shirts for her family, all perfectly fitted.  All the boys (and us) are just crazy in love with her and E even kinda-sorta asked her to be his girlfriend when he grows up.   

So, here is my question:  How is it statistically possible that there are SO MANY talented and creative people all living in and around the Portland, Oregon area?  The place must be postitively buzzing with inspiration.  I'd list and link all the ones I know here but likely you all know those I'm talking about already.

Thank you again and again, Jessica!  You're amazing!  Now I just need to get it together and find a better way to wear and honor your designs than with an old, grubby, polarfleece hoody, long underwear, and clunky winter boots....or pajama bottoms, like on Christmas day.

We miss you Shannon and S, too!  Thanks again for making the holidays such fun for us.  It was all such a blur at the time.  See you in Portland sometime soon, I hope?  Enjoy the snow out your way.

Comments

[celeste pinheiro]

HI! I love circles, and those colors are great, all very outdoorsy. Hello from McMinnville(near Portland, sort of)...and I think it looks great with the longjohns and boots!

[Rebecca]

Your skirts are lovely, funnily enough I am sitting here working on a skirt at the moment which is based on Mini-Boden!! And I just had to de-lurk to say yes, yes, yes, I want to know the answer to that question too!! So many of the creative people I admire seem to live there or come from there. Is there magic in the water?

[Charity]

That is a truly awesome skirt! How sweet of your hubby - that was a wonderful gift! And Jessica sounds like a sweetheart. :0)

[k]

i've been wondering the same thing about "p-town" myself. i'm a half-resident now, will be full-time resident there later this year, and i have to say that one possibility is great sources of products--i am referring to the incredible number of yarn shops and great little fabric stores. i think it's a snowball effect--people move there for that reason, and then more of it follows. you know, there's not a shortage of creative-minded folks in the flathead area where you are--fewer of course, but as a population. so many of my husband's classmates who grew up there all turned out to be these amazing creative and artistic people. you're definitely one of them my dear. :-)

[lady]

I thought you might like to see this jacket in
light of your new skirts
http://knittingincolor.blogspot.com/
see Jan. 16th entry

[TheAmpuT]

I absolutely adore the first skirt with the circles. Yay for fun adult clothes!!

I think it is so cool that a friend would show up with a sewing maching and get the entire crowd making stuff. People like that you just never want to leave.

[Peg]

So nice to see those 'fun' skirts! I think it is wonderful when a DH conspires to get just the right thing for his DW! I know you will enjoy both skirts!
The boys will enjoy those 'mitts' with their initials. I can see why E wants to have Jessica for a girlfriend! She would brighten up the dullest of days!
I love it when adults do fun things with children and makes them feel honoured by an adult human being!

[julia fc]

How adorable. I too long for a little whimsey in my wardrobe. I continue to promise myself that I will make myself a skirt like that, or applique a t-shirt, or make one of JuJu's necklaces (You know her blog?). Maybe I', still just 9 at heart. Your friend is very generous, how lucky you are.