Janell has been with us since the beginning of Harmony! Not only is she great at all of her managerial duties, but she is also a wonderful maker and friend. Janell is the queen of tried and true makes and loves to create for comfort, whether it's in her clothing or her home.

What role has creating played in your life?

Something Janell strives for in her creative practice is bringing comfort to herself and others. One form of creating that has played a big role in Janell's life has been creating welcoming spaces in her home.

"Whether it's something I've made and I'm wearing, or something that I've curated with furniture or plants, just creating spaces or things that I am comfortable in brings me joy."

Where do you find creative energy?

"Honestly from Harmony... it's such a beautiful spot to feel inspiration. I love talking to customers about what they're creating, it really fuels my thoughts about what I want to make. So definitely Harmony, but I think also nature. Being outside, even just in my yard but especially in the mountains or in the foothills, just being in nature gives me inspiration as well."

What is your favorite thing you've made?

"I won't steal Shauna's answer which is her boys..."  😉

When Janell finds a pattern she likes, she likes to make multiple different versions. Some of these favorite patterns of hers are the Wilder Gown, Camber Set, Cielo Top/ Dress, and the Wiksten Shift.

"One of the first items of clothing that I made when I started sewing again was the Merchant and Mills Camber Set. I made it out of a Brussels Washer and I probably made it 7 years ago. I still wear it because it is one of the most comfortable things I own. I've made multiple versions, but that first one is still my favorite of that pattern."

Janell made the Wilder Gown for our most recent Harmony Fashion Show, and it was a pattern she had been wanting to make for a long time (see image above!). In addition to her gorgeous version made for the fashion show, she also made a test version out of an eyelet fabric that she's going to use as a swimsuit cover up, as well as another version out of fabric from the House that Lars Built Swedish Holiday collection.

One modification Janell will always make is adding pockets!

✨ "If it doesn't have pockets and can't have pockets- I won't make it! If I can add pockets, I'm golden!" ✨

What project are you most excited about?

In the Spring, Janell knit the Lumme sweater in a colorwork class taught by Mel. She is going to steek it into a cardigan! She is now working on a second one for her youngest son, Benj.

"My boys, I've always wanted to knit them something and they've never been interested. They didn't want sweaters, they didn't want vests, especially my youngest. When he saw me working on the Lumme he was like 'Wow, will you make me one for Christmas?' So I'm excited for that and that one of my boys wants it and is excited about it."

Janell is also excited for another project- a quilt for her other son, Henry! She has helped her mother make many quilts, but has never made one on her own.

"I told my oldest son Henry that I would make him a quilt, and just this morning he texted me and asked me when we could go to Harmony and pick out fabric!"

She says, "I'm excited for both of those especially because they're for my boys."

Where do your creative roots lie?

Janell has a deep history of creativity on both her mother's and father's sides.

Featured in the photo above is Janell's great- grandmother's crochet hook.

"A couple months ago my mom gave me a big bag of knitting and crochet supplies, and in that bag was my great grandmother's crochet hook. I haven't used it at all yet but I love that I have it. Her hands touched this! I think it's so great!"

Both of Janell's grandmothers were avid knitters and crocheters. Her grandmother Harriet had her right hand disfigured at birth and still was always working on something. She mostly did crochet as that was easier to do with one hand, but she knit as well.

Janell's mother is also a maker. She says, "My mother has always made things. She used to make all of my clothes when I was little and my sisters' as well, to the point where when I was in fourth grade I rebelled. I was like 'No! I do not want any more homemade clothes!' I remember my second grade picture, it was all things she had made. I think it was a little vest, and a plaid shirt underneath and I think there was a skirt that went with it. I really wish that I had that interest when I was younger, to spend time with her and have her show me those skills."

Janell's mother now has a goal to make 100 blankets a year to donate to charity.

Where have you been finding comfort recently?

"I do enjoy just being outside especially now that it's not so hot. I think fall is my favorite season and October could very well be my favorite month. So just being outside brings me some comfort. Also being in my kitchen and cooking. I enjoy having time to sew and knit which sometimes comes easier than other times. I'm such an anglophile, I love all the English shows and books and the older stuff. I just finished listening to Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, and that brought me joy! I just finished that this morning and I've already downloaded another Elizabeth Gaskell book!"