Lisa's linens

There is a company in California called Mimi the Sardine that makes it their business to produce eco-friendly childrens kitchen accessories.  All of Mimi’s products are treated front and back with a water-based acrylic coating that is 100% eco-friendly for easy clean-up.  The Mimi the Sardine Bib has a crumb-catching pocket in front, because learning how to eat by yourself is fun, but messy!  It has an adjustable velcro closure at the neck.  All of Mimi’s items are made of 100% organic cotton and are machine washable with low dry.   The fabric patterns are fun, colorful and inventive!  Mimi also makes aprons, tablecloths, backpacks and lunchbugs (lunch bags) for children.  They continue their eco-friendly line with tablecloths, aprons and lunch bags for adults too.  These bright-colored kitchen linens will add fun to your food preparation and enjoyment.  I wish I had thought to name my sardines!  LOL, Lisa

When we were children, most of us had a favorite stuffed animal or security blanket that went everywhere with us.  I found a great product called the Lovies Security Plush Blanket that combines both plush (stuffed) animals and a security blanket.  Lovies are made of soft, huggable fabric with a satin heart and two inch trim that is perfect for embroidery personnalizing.  They are machine washable and low dry.  But the best feature about Lovies is that this product is safety tested for children of all ages.  As a parent, it is so important to know that the items our children play with are safe.  And these have to be the sweetest plush I have ever seen!  Every parent I know who’s child has a Lovie adores them and it goes everywhere with them!  In fact, they have more than one so when one needs to be washed, they have a spare!  And they come in a variety of animal friends.  So if you are looking for a special gift for a special little one, consider a Lovie!  Sleep tight, Lovie.  Zzzz, Lisa

Growing up in an agricultural state you gain respect for the farmer.  Recently I was befriended by a group of small family farmers who raise their sheep on the green pastures of northern Michigan and use the wool to make beautiful virgin wool blankets.  Lake Superior Woolen Company raises three breeds of sheep:  Polypays, Suffolk, and Corriedale.  The wool from each of these breeds is combined so their attributes produce a high quality blanket.  Wool is a renewable resource, it’s cruelty free, it’s fire resistant, odor resistant, non-allergenic, and resistant to dust mites.  It has air pockets to trap warmth and wicks moisture.  Blankets come in lap, full, and queen sizes.  Eventhough these blankets provide warmth, they are lightweight.  Wool blankets are an investment, since wool is almost indestructable, they last forever!  I feel very proud to carry these products because they are of excellent quality and it supports the American farmer.  Also, if you have allergies, like I do, being able to sleep without itching from synthetic fibers is a plus!  For your money, wool is an excellent investment.  I wonder if I could help with the shearing?  Lisa

I first fell in love with Marjolein Bastin’s artwork at a Hallmark store.  Being a biologist, I could appreciate her eye for detail and use of color.  I started collecting her greeting cards and stationery and using them as decoration in my home.  You may also recognize her artwork from the children’s book series  ”Vera the Mouse”.  In addition to a partnership with Hallmark, she also lends her designs to another company in America, Fiddler’s Elbow.  I am very proud to carry Marjolein Bastin designs at Linedriedlinens.  These teatowel and potholder sets are beautifully silk-screened in the USA with her designs.  The cotton teatowel measures 18 x 31 inches and is lint-free and very absorbent.  The potholder, with matching design, mesures 8.5 x 9.5 inches and is backed with a heat-resistant silver cloth.  Linedriedlinens also carries doormats and apron sets with Marjolein Bastin designs.  These teatowel and potholder sets are really a work of art and will add beauty to any home.  That reminds me, I have dishes to do!  Lisa

If you have read my blog before, you know how I love the retro linens.  I found the perfect gift for the holiday collector, vintage Christmas design tablecloths by Moda Home.  The tablecloth entitled Snowbuddies is actually a reproduction of an original 1950′s design.  In snowbuddies tablecloth, snowmen line the border in bold Christmas green and red and snowflakes fill in the middle of the linen.  It measures 52 x 65 inches, is 100% cotton, and machine washable.  It comes in a matching re-usable fabric pouch, which is a darling touch of sentiment.  The pattern is also available in a kitchen towel set, that matches the snowmen with the famous Moda Home Santa design.  The Santa tablecloth is also available in 52 x 52 inches.  These patterns will take you back to your childhood and brighten any home for the holidays.  Don’t forget to leave Santa some cookies, Lisa

Of all the natural fiber products available to the public, I was least familiar with bamboo.   After trying the Weathered Stone brand bamboo towel collection, I found this product altra luxurious.  Made from pure natural bamboo fiber and cotton, they are velvety soft to the touch.  The Wall Street Journal’s Catalog Critic chose this towel collection as “best overall” in its category.  Additionally, these towels have unique properties such as the antibacterial qualities characteristic of bamboo fibers.  This collection weighs 700 grams per square meter and the loops are comprised of 60% bamboo and 40% combed cotton.  Another quality of the bamboo fiber is its high absorbency; bamboo fibers absorb substantially more moisture than cotton.  For best results, the manufacturer suggests not use fabric softener.  Fabric softener reacts with the pile or “fluff” of the towel, flattening it.  For the price and quality, this bamboo/cotton blend towel is an extraordinary value.   Think it’s time for a bath, Lisa

Are you asking yourself, where did 2009 go?  Whether you are ready for Christmas or not, it’s coming!  I have 6, 22 gallon totes of Christmas decorations and every year, I aquire more items.  I keep a small Christmas tree on my mantle all year long (pink glitter).  I guess  the reason I feel we should keep Christmas in our hearts all year long  is because that is when people have love and hope.  I try to do a little something special for people who add joy to my life and make it easier.  But what do you get for the special neighbor or relative that you have NO idea what they would like or need?  Well I found a company that carries woven Christmas throws made in the USA and they are darling!  We have at least four throws we keep on the couch and loveseat to snuggle with while watching television.  It’s a unique gift and one that will not be exchanged in a white elephant party!  I have several cotton throws from this manufacturer and they are oversized and thick.  Very cozy.  It is also important to my family to buy American whenever possible.  This holiday woven throw is the perfect gift to surround that special someone with your love and warmth this season.  Don’t forget to leave Santa some milk and cookies, Lisa

The house I grew up in had hardwood floors in the living room covered with a large braided rug.  My brother and I sat on this rug while we watched television.  We had picnics on that rug when the weather was too bad to go outside.  I remember stringing cranberries and popcorn for our Christmas tree on while sitting on that rug.  Having so many fond memories of that room, I was excited to find these braided hand-hooked 100% cotton rugs.  The rug patterns range from folk art Americana to nautical motif to hints of country Amish to outdoor fall scenes.  These 100% cotton braided hand-hooked rugs also have matching braided chair pads. The rugs measure 36 inches in diameter so they are perfect for a hearth, kitchen, or under a small lamp table.  It always surprises me how even the smallest accessory really adds a personal touch to your home.  I wish the rug I remember had been cotton; wool isn’t very forgiving on your bum!  Make some family memories of your own, Lisa

Who among us hasn’t pretended as a child that a broom or stick was our beloved steed?  Or played cowboys and indians?  You can tell I’m from a different generation.  When I saw this “Lil’ Cow Pokie” hooded bath towel, it brought back memories.  The towel fabric is soft and cuddly and comes in sweet pink or sky blue, and is trimmed in a cow hide pattern.  The hood is complete with friendly face and ears and on the backside, a tail!  The hooded towel measures 28 x 52 inches so it gives your lil’ cow pokie room to grow.  Great for the swimming pool or bath tub, it’s sure to be a big hit.  There is also a matching child size throw available in both colors.  A great idea for a baby shower or birthday.  Well, time to hit the dusty trail, Lisa

A good pillow is essential to long-term health. Poor quality pillows do not provide proper support of the head and neck, and worn pillows lack support entirely. An estimated 4 out of 5 pillows in our homes need replacing. A friend of mind is a side sleeper and asked which pillow I would recommend for her.  I told her the Double Down Around Pillow by Pacific Coast®.  Pacific Coast®, carried by linedriedlinens.com, offers a wide range of pillow options to meet varying individual needs and improve sleep quality. The Double Down Around has a “pillow-in-a-pillow” design.  It features a feather-filled inner pillow for resilient support, surrounded by an outer pillow of fluffy down for irresistible softness and comfort (made of Hyperclean® 95% natural feather / 5% natural down core, grey duck down outer compartments).  It is covered by a 300 thread count, 100% cotton, AlleRest® fabric.  Pacific Coast® pillows also carry a limited warranty.  When you get a restful night’s sleep, you are a happy, healthier person.  Invest in your health with a Double Down Around Pillow today!  No more cricks in the neck, awwww, Lisa