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Pendleton Blankets: What's behind this famous functional art

by: Patricia Bowlin

Pendleton blankets are top quality in every way and oh so soft and beautiful. When you snuggle under a Pendleton product, you can see and feel the quality. Using 100% pure virgin wool, these blankets are lightweight yet soft and warm.

For over 140 years this family-owned business has been producing products in the Northwest; for the past 96 years, Pendleton has been known for weaving world class wool. The Pendleton blanket comes from a long tradition.

In 1863, Thomas Kay, a young English weaver made a four-month trip down the Atlantic seaboard, through the Isthmus of Panama by burro and up the Pacific coast by sailing vessel. He was headed to a place where the conditions for raising the best wool-producing sheep were just right ? Oregon. The moderate weather and ready supply of water were perfect for obtaining the best wool available in the emerging Northwest of America.

Thomas Kay organized a second woolen mill in the Oregon town of Brownsville, where he supervised the weaving operation and later became supervisor of the company. In 1889, he chose Salem, Oregon to open a mill of his own. His story is truly a story of the American dream come true.

Thomas Kay's oldest daughter, Fannie, assisted her father and learned every aspect of the mill operation. She married C.P. Bishop who was an expert with merchandising and manufacturing, firming a solid foundation for what was to become Pendleton Woolen Mills. Their three sons grew into this heritage and, in 1909, with the support of the family and town, the Bishop sons restarted an idle mill in Pendleton, Oregon. Located at a major railhead, the town was a wool center for the sheep growers in the region. The Bishops constructed a more efficient mill building and in September of 1909, the first products left the finishing department. This is the saga of the tradition of quality that is available only from Pendleton.

Pendleton produced quality Indian blankets using the distinctive designs and colors of the Southwest Native Americans. These vivid colors and intricate patterns included in the blankets made by Pendleton became sought after. Trade included the Nez Perce nation, expanding to include the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni nations.

Used as wearing apparel, the Pendleton made blankets became the standard for trading among the Native Americans and they were highly prized for tribal ceremonial use. Today, these ceremonial blankets by Pendleton are highly coveted collector's items.

Pendleton thrives today and the Bishop family still directs the operations. There are now eight facilities and many Pendleton stores. Even today, Native American designs are created in blankets woven by Pendleton but many other beautiful, soft and cozy blankets are also part of the Pendleton line. Anyone who owns a Pendleton made blanket is proud of their fine blanket, whether it be a vintage collector's item or a new blanket with modern styling. Let's look at some of a blankets made today by the renowned Pendleton factories more closely.

Pendleton's Textured Weave Summer Dreams Blanket is made of Merino wool, the finest wool available. This wool has the most loft and creates a blanket that is cool enough for spring and summer use. The 100% virgin Merino wool feels soft, smooth and silky against your skin when you need a light blanket. The Pendleton selection is available in awning stripe, plaid and eight colors. This blanket by Pendleton must be dry cleaned; you'll only want the best treatment for your fine blanket.

Pendleton Solid Easy Care Blanket is a great choice because it is made of 100% virgin wool that is machine washable! Yes, laundering this blanket by Pendleton is simple and easy. The hand of this blanket is particularly lush and with six solid colors to choose from, you'll find one just right to blend with your bedding.

The All Season Blanket is Pendleton's mid-weight 100% virgin wool blanket woven in basket weave to add texture. The small waffled pockets resulting from the basket weave causes air to be trapped in winter, keeping you toasty warm. You'll find yourself pulling this Pendleton wool blanket out as soon as the crispy fall air begins to cool. Available colors are green, white and tan and this blanket must be dry cleaned.

From the Native American collection, Pendleton presents the Courting Robe blanket. Designed by Laurie Jacobie and based on an original drawing made by a Kiowa warrior, this blanket captures the courting custom of the Plains Indians. A young brave would wrap a young woman in a blanket and spend hours talking together are their courting ritual. Red, yellow, green, black, brown and camel make this 82% virgin wool / 18% cotton blanket beautiful. The blanket measures 80 X 64 inches and should be dry cleaned.

There are many other blankets in the Pendleton collection. Blankets for your bed in classic styles, novelty throws and many Native American designs are produced today, using the same top quality that began with Thomas Kay's daughter and her husband back in 1909. You'll love these blankets so much, you'll want to be the proud owner of several, both vintage and modern.

About the author:
Patricia Bowlin makes it easy to create a bedroom with flair! Find countless Free tips, ideas and information here on choosing all of your bedding by visiting now

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Things You Should Know About Gardening
by: Gerardas Norkus

Gardens come in different varieties like the plants you find in them. There are several gardening tips that can be used for all type of gardens.

1.Mulching protects your garden topsoil from being blown away. It also provides nutrients as it decomposes and improves the appearance of your gardens. Mulching has other benefits and is one of the most recommended gardening tips by gardeners and farmers alike.

2.Healthy plants are more disease resistant. Plant are like people, a person with a strong immune system can combat diseases. A healthy plant does the same.

3. Pests can be eradicated by cleaning the plant with a watery solution of soap. Just make sure to rinse after. This gardening tip is best heeded for fruit bearing trees or edible plants.

4. Using compost fertilizers are a great way to have healthy plants. It is also a great way to save money on expensive fertilizers. Non -organic fertilizers also tend to leave chemical residues that can accumulate in garden soils and harm not only the plants but the gardeners as well. They cause toxins to go to the water supplies. Another gardening tip recommended not just by farmers and gardeners but also by environmentalists.

5. There are several plants that are only suitable for a specified climate, a certain kind of soil or can only grow with certain plants. You have to know what plant grow in the conditions you have in your area this is for you to avoid unnecessary purchases. This is a money saving gardening tip.

6.Landscaping is a good investment which can double the value of your home. This is one gardening tip that can earn you money.

7. Growing grass on bare ground is an easy way to make your home look better and appreciate in value. This is one gardening tip that promotes earning money while growing grass legally.

8. Aside from looking great in your home, trees also provide some sort of protection from direct sunlight exposure and strong winds.

9. Vines on the walls, fences and overhead structures also would offer some protection and would also look great.

10.Flowers are beautiful, but they are also expensive. Get one that is resistant to many elements. Flowers from your local community already have developed resistance to conditions present in your area.

11.For most gardens plants, their roots go only as deep as 6 inches. Putting fertilizer deeper than that would be a waste of money. Put them shallower as they seep down when the plants are being watered.

12.Earthworms are important to plants. They till and aerate the soil for the roots to breathe. Non-organic fertilizers can kill them. This gardening tip dates back to the old days of gardening.

13. Having several kinds of insects that are beneficial to your garden would be good. These insects can be encouraged to stay by having diverse plants in your garden.

14. Spot spraying weeds with household vinegar, instead of using commercial weed-killers, can eradicate them. This is another environment friendly gardening tip.

15. Avoid putting too much mulch on tree trunks, this would encourage unwanted pests to reside on them.

16. Use plant varieties that are common to your area or have been taken from an area with similar conditions.

17. Be sure to know the plants that are poisonous. If you are intent on growing them, make sure to have the necessary cure available in your household. Take note of this gardening tip, it can save your life.

18. The best time to water plants is during mornings.

19. Before planting a new plant in your garden, you must consider its height and size when it matures. This garden tip can help you save money in the future.

20. Newly transplanted plants may require special attention during its first week. This is to reduce the stress and shock it got during transplantation.

And last but not the least of the gardening tips...

21.Plants are living entities. If you want them to grow in your garden you have to treat them as such. They need to be taken care of. They are like your pets, you look out for them. In return you get that feeling of contentment watching them thrive.

A good way to take care of them is to consider that plants might have some feelings too.

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