Want: Red Barn

I dream of one day of having a place to call our own. Nothing to big and fancy just a nice little home to hang my single. And with that I would love to have a barn. I know kind of strange but it is something that I have wanted for a long time. Now I don't really care for it to be a working barn per say, with cows and hay and all that but more of my own little workshop. Wood working tools on the ground level and my studio / design space above. I can hear it now, "Love, I am going to work" as I walk across the property to the barn....
When we moved into our current residence we quickly discovered our dream home was across the way and it has the barn! So now each and every day as I walk out to my car to head off to the 9/5 I sigh and think of the 'One Day'. It is good to have a vision of the future right.....

What are you dreaming about?

Cheers.

A Bunch of Hot Air.

A few weekends ago the family and I headed east in this fine state of Washington to engage in the festivities of a hot air balloon rally. It was a fun time filled with early mornings, excitement, high energy and sudden calm. Here are a few images from our adventure of colorful balloons and signage from town.

Bellow are a few shots of a Really great mural on the side of an ol antique shop in downtown Prosser of it's history as a town.


Cheers.

Pull the Needle Through.

Just building things.... A little here and a little there.
More details later.
Till then,

Cheers.

Chop, Chop...

While I work on trying to build REDCROW and create pieces and a collection that I want to have and wear I feel that it is the small details and focus on craftsmanship that can, and do, set one apart form others out there and graphics and labeling play a big part in that. But since I do not have a large budget or access to major factories or suppliers I find that I have to make do with what I've got on hand or that I can pick up at the local hardware store, which is my favorite place to go for supplies.
Now I know that screen printing is a very simple way of doing a lot of graphics, and I own several screens, but for some reason I have this desire to try and do things that are in a way not simple, such as block printing and stencils for my graphic needs. Now there is a reason that no one uses block prints for the main purpose of labels and brand ID and that is because it is way more time consuming and tedious to build and cut a wood or linoleum block than to burn a screen and pull some ink.
Not only that but a block print is not as consistent in printing, especially on fabric, as a screen. But the look that a block creates, to me, is awesome and very unique. So that is what I have been playing with, building myself various block prints.I have been using MDF as well as soft rubber cutting blocksas my main material for cutting and have started to play with different inks and dyes to find what will work best for my needs.

Here is a finished cut block of a plaid pattern that I hope to use on a few ideas I have brewing. I made the block using MDF.

And here is the first go on a scrap of fabric. For the test I used watered down acrylic paint, I know not the best 'ink' choice but I just wanted to see if I needed to fix any spots... and it was right there so I just grabbed it.
I still plan to burn a few screens to get smaller and cleaner detail than what I can with a block or stencil but till then I am enjoying the discovery of playing with 'alternative' printing.

Now go build something fun yourself.
Cheers.

First Round: REDCROW Denim II

About a month or so ago I built a couple pairs of denim trousers. I did a little post up on one of the pairs but have never gotten around to sharing about the other, the R4001, till now.

This pair I used a few navy bandannas for the pocket bags with a reinforced inside lining. Also used the bandanna as an inside waist band trim. They are a full button fly with hand sewn brass 4 hole buttons. They are a rigid unwashed denim and the fit is a standard or straight fit.
As mentioned before, they are still not exactly were I want them to be in regards to fit so doing a little reworking of the pattern. Will share more when complete. I also plan to use the final pattern and build a pair of twill khaki trousers since the fit I am working on is something that I want to have as a khaki as well.

What fun things are you working on?
Cheers.

A Gathering of Images: Los Angeles.

At the end of Aug I was able to go down to LA for a few days for work and do a little shopping and exploration of my old stomping grounds. Here are few random images that I gathered when I was down there. In a way there is kind of a theme.... Well, if nothing more I was inspired for sure. Just wanted to share...Enjoy.












What a great end of the 3 days, a nice sun set to ride off into...

Cheers.

Push Push..

At the end of Aug. I took a trip with my little family and we went over to Spokane Wa. to hang with family for the weekend. While driving around town I cough a glimpse out of the corner of my eye something that looked familiar and had a kind of child like feeling. Something old. Something that every little boy dreams of having... if they are into cars that is.
Slamming on the brakes and in the middle of the busy street I could not help myself.....
Unfortunately the joint was not open so I could not talk shop with the owner of the place so I spent a few minutes and shot all that I could through the glare of the large windows that faced the street. It is funny that I wanted stuff like this before I had children now that I have two boys who both show interest in cars I want them even more!















Have a good weekend and hope you have some fun adventures even if it is discovering a random shop, alley, or trail in your neighborhood. Remember only you can 'make it fun'.

Cheers.