holidays – Crafted in Carhartt

In All Things, Big or Small, Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving from the tiniest of Carhartt fans.
Like Joe’s outfit? Take a look at it here.

(if you have a Carhartt fan photo you’d like to share, submit it to craftedincarhartt@carhartt.com)

Things to Consider About Your Food This Holiday Season

The Knapp family farm, Cobblestone Valley, has been passed down 4 generations. To preserve, conserve, and rebuild is the driving force behind this beautifully maintained estate in Preble, New York. The Knapps see it as their mission to treat land, animals, and people well.

This certified organic farm specializes in dairy. That in turn fuels the other enterprises that thrive there: such as poultry, beef, pork, strawberries, and compost. Maureen Knapp introduced me to their gang of turkeys. With the holidays right around the corner, it’s a good time of year to consider where your food comes from.

Local and organic products are the building blocks of a more sustainable food structure. To quote the mindful family, “In organic farming we use nature as our teacher and we believe that all health begins with the soil. As such our soils are our most precious resource. Healthy soils grow healthy plants, which produce healthy animals and, in turn, healthy people.” With all the feasting that happens with loved ones during this season, wouldn’t it be nice to spread the consideration that you are what you eat? Challenge your household to eat local and organic products this year, and support farmer owned organizations.

Maureen is wearing: Carhartt Women’s Clarksburg Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt, Cascade Jacket, & Relaxed-Fit Denim Jasper Jean.

DIY: Paint Strip Christmas Garland

Happy Eve of Christmas Eve, everyone! Hope you’re having a great time with friends and family. If you’re looking for a last minute DIY decoration project that will only take a few minutes, you’re in luck! This simple Christmas tree garland is really easy to put together. It could be a fun project to do with loved ones. Have fun and stay warm! Time to cozy up in your favorite Carhartt sweatshirt.

DIY Using Nature in Holiday Decorations

For last minute decorations this holiday season, just step outside and integrate aspects of nature into your trimming. This is a great activity to do with kids. It will get the wheels turing in their heads and keep them active. What do you have lying around the house that can add to the festivities? Maybe some ornaments, ribbon for wrapping gifts, and pine cones collected from the backyard can do the trick. Use thin string or wire to tie your found objects onto the wreath. Check out Ellen and Elle’s creation. Decorating is fun for the whole family. Get outside and enjoy the season with the ones you love.

Ellen’s outfit: Carhartt Women’s Active Jac, Women’s Clarksburg Sweatshirt, Original Fit Canvas Crawford Dungaree, & Watch Hat / Elle’s outfit: Girl’s Redwood Jacket, Girl’s Brushed Fleece Sweatshirt, Girl’s Micro-Washed Canvas Pant, & Kid’s Watch Hat

A Simpler, More Sustainable Life

This is the time of year for recollecting and being with loved ones. It’s the season for taking a look at your life and feeling grateful. Perhaps it’s just the right time to rethink your approach to everyday. Maybe we don’t need all the odds and ends we wrap up and give to each other. Maybe we just need to take a deep breath, enjoy the nature around us, and connect with the people that mean the most to us.

Last week, I drove through snow and ice to meet up with Suzy Clark at her winter paradise. She and her husband run a 10 acre plot of field and forest called Sterling Homestead. They grow organic fruits and veggies, which they sell through CSA and local markets, and preserve their harvest during the winter months. Suzy and Joseph live almost entirely off the grid with solar power, wood heat, and no running water in their charming cabin.

Without the distractions of television, internet, and cell phones, there is a sense of peace that exudes from warmth of their home. Over a cup of coffee and the smell of baking bread, Suzy and I chatted about the ins and outs of leading a more sustainable life. Their interest in permaculture practices (that’s environmental design that develops sustainable agriculture modeled after natural ecosystems) has taught them so much. What can you learn from taking a peak into Suzy’s everyday? Maybe we all could take some time to disconnect with technology for a bit and really link in to the immediate world around us.

Check out the winter work outfit that keeps Suzy warm during the bone chilling Wisconsin winter: Carhartt Women’s Sandstone Kenai Parka, Women’s Series 1989 Slim Double Front Dungaree, Force Performance Quarter-Zip Shirt, & Women’s Quilt’s Glove.

DIY: Apple Votive

Thanksgiving is almost here! Are you looking for some last minute decorating ideas but don’t have time to go to the store? Give these apple votives a try. You most likely have all the supplies at home already. It adds a great touch of fall to any centerpiece. While you’re getting festive, the Carhartt Women’s Monatou Sweater is one of my favorite fall items! So warm and snuggly!

my fall outfit: Carhartt Women’s Monatou Sweater & Straight Fit Jeans

DIY: St. Patty’s Day Potato Stamp

Don’t forget to wear green this weekend for St. Patrick’s Day! Maybe switch things up a bit. Instead of wearing a typical green shirt, try potato stamping a light colored Tee with four leaf clovers. Don’t be intimidated, this is a super easy craft. Once you’ve made the potato stamp, think of all the other things you could cover in four leaf clovers!