While out to lunch today with the family my son played around with the sugars and I saw this one while cleaning up. I can not tell you what it is about it but I really like the layout and colors of this logo. I love finding inspiration from everyday things that are around us and we deal with on a regular basis.
What have you noticed in a different light that you might not have noticed before? Is there something in your life that inspires but others just might take for granted?
On Monday I planed to attend the LA Textile Show and needed to have some business cards. So this past weekend I decided to build some. I really enjoyed the process of building them and seeing the final product. Being my first go at it I think there are a few things that need to be reworked but I am pleased with how they turned out. They reflect the feeling of what Redcrow is about.
While recently jumping around the 'ol intro-net I became inspired by a post at Luci and I about getting a new dress form, among other things. That got me thinking back to how excited I was on my first dress form. It was nothing great, in fact it was a very cheap adjustable number that was super flimsy and not very accurate shape wise, but it was mine. I had recently graduated high school and just started to get real interested in fashion and design as a possible career choice and so I was super excited. Never being completely happy with what I had, I longed to have a 'real' dress form that you see designers using in the glossy magazines. Several years later I got a 'real' dress form from the closing of Utah Tailoring. It was a mess of a form that had been used and put to work for many, many years. Oh but I was on a high bringing her home. I had to completely remake the outside covering cause she was a tattered mess. She now stands alone unused with my books as I have been doing menswear for the last seven or so years, but I still love my dress form.
That gets me thinking even more about the 'tools of the trade' and how much they mean to me as things I longed to have when I was younger and just starting out trying to be a Designer of clothing. They are simple things but hold so much nostalgia and pride. Each piece I obtained used so it had a previous life before coming into mine. What stories they have I can only guess but to me when I use them it is something special.....
These shears also came from the closing of Utah Tailoring. They were purchased for me by my Grandmother. They are long fat and heavy but the sound they make while cutting fabric is like music. I have wanted to get an industrial sewing machine ever since I started making my own clothing back in High School. It is what the pros use and I wanted one. When I started attending FIDM here in LA I was surrounded by shops that sold used industrial machines and I had to have one. A dream come true. I don't think it is the best one out there and I have broken a lot of needles with her but it is mine. And when you turn the power on the hum of the moter brings chills. When I started making patterns at school I was introduced to the "Rabbit Punch", a super heavy industrial hole puch that sat at the end of our pattern tables. I kind of fell onto this one by chance a few years back and have used it regularly the last few months. It has become a good friend as not only punching holes for my pattern hooks but to hold down fabric while marking it to be cut. And the tailors thimble.... It actualy takes some getting use to useing. I love it.
While doing research the last few days for design ideas and inspiration I recently discovered India Flint. She is an amazing artist from, as she states on her blog, the big island west of New Zealand. She works with natural dyes on fabric and her work is amazing. Well I am in love at least. She has a book called Eco colour: botanical dyes for beautiful textiles. I founda nice write up about her book here. This is definitely going on my 'wish list' for Christmas.
Here are a few more amazing examples of her work that I found on her web site.
I have a few books that I got last year that are all about plant dye and what plants to grow in your garden to get what colors. Unfortunately I do not have a good place to grow plants but as I write this I feel like it is a poor excuse. I just need to do it. You never know unless you try, right. Look how much fun this would be!image from window on white
There is something about natural dyes and the look of the colors and fabric that makes me happy. Also being able to take a plain piece of fabric and make it come alive through the work of your own hands and the uncertainty of not knowing exactly what you are going to get. Amazing.
It has been a while since my last post. I have been very busy with trying to update and 'refresh' my portfolio. It has been over three months now since I was blessed (?) with being laid off from my design job at Vans. It has been a bigger challenge in finding work than I originally thought. I knew that it would take a while, just....
Since I have been spending most of my day on the computer working on the updates for my portfolio I have found that I miss building plaids. Yesterday I spent the whole day researching ideas for my 'little' project that I have been developing to help get income and fulfill a goal and decided, at 11:30pm last night, that I wanted to mock up a few plaids. Here is a sample of the nights labors.
Now if I only had access to a fabric mill that would let me make them for free that would be amazing. I can dream... Till then I will use them for swatches to use as a 'guide' to help me while searching for fabric to use in the development of the designs and ideas for the project.
If any one else is in the same boat as I, working on finding work, or just need a boost, I found this today while reading. "Talent doesn't have everything to do with it. Knowing just what to do, how to it, when to do it, and then doing it are the keys." Sean Moore, 'How to Make Money as an Artist' Now go and DO!!!!
Last Saturday was the first 'real' feeling fall day of the year. It was nice and overcast through most of the day and the air had a nice chill to it. We had a nice dinner of 'Sweet 'N Sour Meatballs' over rice and that got me thinking of comfort food. This is my new favorite fall/Autumn meal. It just felt right and was a great meal for the day.
Unfortunately being in SoCal the weather has climbed back up to the hot days....*sigh* But what is your comfort food? Or what meal brings back the best memories?
Here is a sneak peak at the latest project(s) that I have been working on. I have been developing the look and feel and am very excited about it and how it is turning out. The image above is a mock up of how the hang tag will look. I am not quite ready for the big launch of it yet so I will share more when it comes into being. So excited!
While perusing some of my favorite designers sites today I went and had a look through Burfitt and her Fall'08 collection. I love the fotography! it is dark but something about it really intrigues me and draws me in. I like foto shoots that tell a story and that are a little dark and aged in look and feel. It is so fitting for fall. I love fall!
I love fall cause it is the change of seasons, the change of light, and cooler weather. In the fall season I just get so happy. Some people love heat, I like cold, some like spring and the new flowers, I like changing leaves and fall harvest... Though living in LA you do not get the full effect of fall... it is just another sun filled day no cloud in sight same same same. Blaaa.... well, even here you can feel there is a different energy and the light it is different. That is what has kept me sane while being 'stuck' here. *SIGH*
One day I do hope that my back yard looks like this in the fall.... one day.
something like this would be awesom! Dreams....(image found on terragalleria.com)
I have been working on a 'little' project as of late and plan to focus on it for a while. Since being without a full time job I have found that no one is in a real hurry to hire so I wait. But I am not able to sit idle, so I create. Will keep posting every now and then to share the details when they happen.
I have not visited the Earnest Cut & Sewn site in a long time and was pleased to find that it had been updated. (probably way back in January, I said I have not been there in a while) I love the shop and the look and feel of the goods found within the walls. If I open a shop one day I hope that it has the same look and feel as this, one of an old general & dry goods store. A place were you want to not only visit but linger.
They recently opened a shop here in LA that I have not gone to visit yet and I guess another one just opened in August in Malibu... I really need to get out. There are so many new shops that I have not visited as well as the regulars that I have not been to in such a long time. Next week I will try and get out, we will see. Along with the shops look and feel I also really strongly believe in the same aesthetics as the founder, Scott Morrison. (watch this video on Martha about his company and the process)The focus on vintage Americana and Japanese Wabi-Sabi (perfection is found in the imperfect) Each of his garments are made by one person on a single needle sewing machine to show the imperfections of the human hand. There is something truly beautiful about that imperfection. This is what also drew me to Margaret Kilgallen and her work, that love and focus of the imperfect human hand. No matter how hard we try, anything we do by hand will not be perfect.
Here is a video from PBS's Art:21 with Margaret. There is just something about her work...
I began the day fixing the leaky bathroom faucet. Yes I did. It is actually very easy to do and like most things in life you just need to do it.
On to my day. Blackbird, in Seattle, I visit their blog often as noted on the side bar under Daily Read. Well upon my visit today I drifted over to check out some older posts of Diet Butcher Slim Skin, a Japanese brand... um, from japan. Anyway, I like shoes that are not just another sneaker/tennis shoe/athletic/slip-on/you get the point. A sneaker head I am not, I guess would have been easier to say. But I am a fan of hand made leather, I guess would be called dress shoes, though I do not think the ones I like are so much 'dress' as in they are just awesome. (as some of my older posts would point out) Enough, just look at these! Awesome!
But my favorite part is the nailed sole and insole.
Down side to all this is hand made shoes are not cheep which is why I want to make shoes, so I can aford them. If you know me you know that I want to do a lot of things but shoes, no hand made shoes, intrigue me for some reason. Found this on the ol' youtube (might have posted this before...?)
Moving on: After blackbird went over to We Are The Market for a little browsing and was thrilled that they have a few posts. They have been gone to shows for a bit so not a lot of updates. Got hooked up with men's online mag Valet and found a nice article about Steven Alan.(here) I like his work, good shirts. I like learning about other people and how and why they do things. Also at WATM they had a little tid bit with a brand Deerdana. I am not fan persay but I like her style of doing hand drawn grafx and just doing black on white. Keep it simple. Must be the hand drawn style but kind of reminds me of kendi, the new york tie maker/photo dude.
I finally finished the shirt pattern tonight that i started way back in the end of July... That took a whole month to do.... I do not know what it is but i have not been on top of getting things done since coming home from Utah. The month of August is almost over and i do not know what i did. I must have taken the month off or something.
Now that i finished the shirt pattern i now have a pant, a shirt, a hat, and a tie pattern. Tomorrow i will start (and hopefully finish) a cardigan pattern.
*job update* Nothing! i did just send a resume over to Zumiez... ya i don't know. I decided today that i need to come up with a back-up plan for life that i will put into play at the start of October if no job prospects come along... like starting a ranch or being a camp cook for some hunting outfitters in Alaska or something.... Or maybe i will start designing/makeing little boys clothes and sell them on the ol' intronet... I like that idea, or better yet just finish what i started and see where that takes me. ???? I did go and shoot my bow the other day. It has been well over 10 years since i last shot and now i can not feel the tip of my middle finger.(?) Just found this amazing web site oldpictures.com that is why you see the Native American with the bow and not me.
Still no major prospects for future employment..... I was looking through a few old pics that i took back in '007 of my last trip to NYC and found these i shot of a few old tailors in their shop. Working. I think playing the waiting game is the hardest part, just not knowing not able to make any long term plans.... I have started to lag a bit as well with working on projects i find that i just do nothing really and then the day is over and i start a new one. Oh well time to revamp, pick myself up and keep on going... something will happen.
While in Utah about a week ago we went and visited with Grandma Walker up in South Ogden and while there i shot this pic of her with Liam. i love this foto, just how simple and peaceful it makes me feel. Generations of time and family...
As mentioned on the family page i made a chicken pot pie. I was stoked to eat it in Utah and decided that it needed a little something different (like not use frozen veggies, i do not like frozen veggies) So here it is.....
2 cans cream of potato 2-3 cups chicken or 1 rotisserie chicken (I used two 12.5oz. cans of chicken in water) 1/2 cup milk 1/8 t. thyme 1/3 t. pepper and this is were you add the veggies i decided to use 1 can corn, 1 can green beans, diced carrots, diced celery. I added a touch of secret spice as well as a pinch of rosemary... so spice to flavor.
Mix it all together in a bowl and place into pie crust and then add the pie top. (i used a pre made pie crust that is found in the grocers fridge by the croissants)
pre heat oven at 350 and then bake at 40-45 min or until golden brown. eat and be stoked simple huh? Note: since the carrots and celery are fresh they have a bit of a crunch, which Meg. said she liked. Next time I want to try all fresh veg. so will have to soak them to soften them up.
It is finally here! The Table Tennis competition at the Beijing Olympic games! i am so excited! What i am even more stoked on is the fact that i can watch the matches. In the good ol' days before this high speed intro-net stuff you had to watch on tv and only the things that the producers thought would bring in the most viewers.(gymnastics, track and field, and diving) Now i go here and watch whatever event i want.... and i have. Not only am i stoked on table tennis action but i have been watching the battle for archery gold.
It was awesome to see korea women and men win gold for the team event. Korea women team archery have won gold every single Olympics since 1988 when they changed the rules! Now that is a feat!
Along with archery and table tennis I have been keeping up with field hockey, shooting, (what the... can anyone tell me why shooting an air rifle you need to dress like that all padded up?)
and badmitin. good times now go watch to your hearts content.
This morning as i began my day starting with email checking i received notification that Scoute, an online fashion and style magazine, had a new issue out. So clicked over and started to check it out. By so doing i ended up at blackbird in Seattle and at Stephan Schneider in Antwerp. It is amazing how you can travel the world within seconds all with your finger tips.....
While cruzing around at blackbird i found shoes by Rachel Comey that i like, cause i like shoes.
And then over at Stephan Schneider. i have never heard of him but upon visiting i found that i like his work so added him to the ol' bookmarks. Nice clean and very wearable almost classic goods. i like that.
It was a mess of a form that had been used and put to work for many, many years. Oh but I was on a high bringing her home. I had to completely remake the outside covering cause she was a tattered mess. She now stands alone unused with my books as I have been doing menswear for the last seven or so years, but I still love my dress form.
image from window on white
While perusing some of my favorite designers sites today I went and had a look through Burfitt and her Fall'08 collection. I love the fotography! it is dark but something about it really intrigues me and draws me in. I like foto shoots that tell a story and that are a little dark and aged in look and feel. It is so fitting for fall. I love fall!
(image found on terragalleria.com)
I have not visited the Earnest Cut & Sewn site in a long time and was pleased to find that it had been updated. (probably way back in January, I said I have not been there in a while) I love the shop and the look and feel of the goods found within the walls. If I open a shop one day I hope that it has the same look and feel as this, one of an old general & dry goods store. A place were you want to not only visit but linger.
They recently opened a shop here in LA that I have not gone to visit yet and I guess another one just opened in August in Malibu... I really need to get out. There are so many new shops that I have not visited as well as the regulars that I have not been to in such a long time. Next week I will try and get out, we will see.
I began the day fixing the leaky bathroom faucet. Yes I did. It is actually very easy to do and like most things in life you just need to do it.
But my favorite part is the nailed sole and insole.
I finally finished the shirt pattern tonight that i started way back in the end of July... That took a whole month to do.... I do not know what it is but i have not been on top of getting things done since coming home from Utah. The month of August is almost over and i do not know what i did. I must have taken the month off or something.
I did go and shoot my bow the other day. It has been well over 10 years since i last shot and now i can not feel the tip of my middle finger.(?) Just found this amazing web site oldpictures.com that is why you see the Native American with the bow and not me.
Note: since the carrots and celery are fresh they have a bit of a crunch, which Meg. said she liked. Next time I want to try all fresh veg. so will have to soak them to soften them up.
It is finally here! The Table Tennis competition at the Beijing Olympic games! i am so excited!
It was awesome to see korea women and men win gold for the team event. Korea women team archery have won gold every single Olympics since 1988 when they changed the rules! Now that is a feat!
(what the... can anyone tell me why shooting an air rifle you need to dress like that all padded up?)
This morning as i began my day starting with email checking i received notification that Scoute, an online fashion and style magazine, had a new issue out. So clicked over and started to check it out. By so doing i ended up at blackbird in Seattle and at Stephan Schneider in Antwerp. It is amazing how you can travel the world within seconds all with your finger tips.....
