Oh Bamboo

Today's post is all about bamboo, batting that is. I picked up a package of this stuff a while back and have finally found some time to give it a try. I have to say, I really like it. I tried another environmentally friendly batting back in January. Remember? That one was made of corn. It was alright, but ended up very thin after ironing and washing.

Lately I've been using either 100% cotton or a cotton/polyester blend. I like all cotton batting, but this bamboo batting is going to be taking 100% cotton's place at my house.

Bamboo is naturally antibacterial, a plus for many folks who suffer from allergies & such. The bamboo batting is made from 50% bamboo fiber and 50% organic cotton. I feel better using a renewable resource and a portion of the proceeds go to help support environmental and ecological initiatives. That's pretty cool. Check out the poly-fil website to read more.

It's hard to tell this apart from the 100% cotton batting. It looks and feels very similar, just softer and a tiny bit thinner.

And after washing this new quilt in the machine, I'm super happy with the weight and look. I'm a big fan of those wrinkles you get with washing and this batting offers an estimated shrinkage rate of 2-3%. I'd say that's accurate.

You can get bamboo batting online in lots of places. I believe the 60x60in. pack I bought retails for about $14. I got mine 40% off with a coupon at JoAnn.

p.s. While I'm on the subject of environmental awareness, let's wish our Canadian friends a Happy Canada Day! The environment is one of the top 3 priorities at election time in Canada. Awesome.

Honeymoon in Canada

Hey there. Nick & I are having a great time on our little honeymoon trip. We arrived in Seattle on Tuesday morning and quickly drove up to Vancouver.

We spent all morning in Stanley Park, had a lovely lunch and enjoyed the cool, sunny weather (it's supposed to be rainy & horrible, but someone obviously didn't get the memo). Now we're in beautiful Victoria, BC. We haven't made it out to the harbour yet as we have discovered the wireless internet connection, haha. We're staying at a beautiful Bed & Breakfast right next to Government House with a view of the sea and the Olympic Mountains, just gorgeous. Our host is a wonderful cook and is going to be making Nick's breakfast on TV today in Vancouver. She even wrote a cookbook!

Okay, we really need to go do some sightseeing. I need to work up an appetite for more scones. Yummy!

I'm a bit rubbish

Okay, so I've been reading blogs all morning. I have to apologize to everyone for not commenting lately. I've been so busy with, well, everything. I finally reorganized my blog links into something I can read. I think I've said it before, but I'm truly an organized person. I swear! I don't know what's wrong with me these days. I need a vacation.
And just so I'm sure to include a photo with every post, here is where I wish I was right now. (Note the lack of cute dotted border? That's how bad it is for me right now.)If only Canada wanted me. Sigh. It's the Blomidon Inn of Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The town I wanted to move to. If you ask me, Nova Scotia is heaven. Oh well. Marin County's not so bad.