Hamilton Flannel

It’s finally the season for plaids! Celebrate with the Carhartt Hamilton Flannel.

The Hamilton Flannel

One of our favorite cowgirls, Joette Donell, wears Carhartt regularly. Something you have to appreciate about a solid work shirt is that it can be soft to the touch, yet tough enough to stand up to wear. The Hamilton Flannel does just that. It’s 97% cotton so it’s cozy, and 3% spandex so it can flex with you as your move. That’s ideal when you’re riding and roping. Take it from cowgirl expert herself.

 

Take a closer look at The Hamilton Flannel for yourself here:

 

 

Ellen Suarez of Global Landscape in Syracuse

With all the yard makeover shows and reality TV programs portraying outdoor spaces magically transformed overnight, it’s easy to be fooled into thinking that landscaping is a quick and simple process. Don’t be misled, it’s a tough job. Ellen Suarez of Global Landscape in Syracuse, NY can attest to that first hand. She’s been in the business for 16 years.

If you’re the type that avoids working in a cubicle at all costs, this vocation may be right up your alley. You’re in for a fine dusting of dirt all over, saws buzzing the background, the smell of freshly cut grass, engulfed in the peacefulness of nature. Each day engaged hand in hand with the environment, you create a work of art that’s both practical and enticing.

Ellen’s advice to anyone hoping to break into the landscaping business is:



“Don’t take yourself too seriously! Enjoy every moment, even the tough ones. Drink lots of water and eat your veggies!”

Ellen’s wearing: Carhartt Women’s Amoret Vest, Belton Shirt, & 1889 Slim Double-Front Dungaree.

What to Wear, Yard Work Edition

Comfortable and sturdy are exactly what you need when you’re hard at work in the yard. This is my favorite fall chore outfit. Both the Carhartt Women’s Hamilton Flannel Shirt II and the Original-Fit Canvas Dungarees are constructed of soft, yet strong cotton with a hint of spandex, making it easy to move around without being constricted. The mid-rise cut of the Original-Fit Dungarees allow you bend over without a care. The contoured waistline prevents gapping in the back.

Free Fall DIY-ing

There is so much to appreciate about fall: crisp air and crunchy footsteps, soft earthy tones and speckled foliage. It marks the start of bonfire season and cuddle-up in-warm-blankets season. I’m a big proponent of surrounding oneself with the great outdoors. That being said, it feels natural to pluck up a few flowers from the yard and put them in a vase, but what about leaves? They can be just as lovely, with free flowing branches and freshly turned hues. Why not give it a try? It’s a free way to decorate for the season and it challenges you to see the beauty in what most consider mundane.

what I wore: Carhartt Women’s Belton Shirt & Carhartt Women’s Series 1889 Sim-Fit Double Front Denim Dungaree 

 

 

 

Carhartt Woodsman

Exciting news on the Carhartt front: New Holland Brewing in Michigan created a beer just for us! It’s crafted from locally grown Cascade hops and barrel aged into an American pale ale, with a hint of malty sweetness and toasted oak. The Carhartt team took a road trip all the way from Dearborn, MI to the Great American Beer Festival in Colorado. The photos above are from their pit stop at Subterranean in Chicago for a night of live music, good beer, and beer art. Let’s all raise a frothy glass to the 125 years that Carhartt has gratefully served the hard working men and women across the US; forged by sweat, grit, and sturdy gear.

what I wore: Carhartt Women’s Belton Shirt & Carhartt Women’s Series 1889 Sim-Fit Double Front Denim Dungaree (tune in for tomorrow’s post to see this outfit in action) 

Bukola, MFA Applied Craft + Design Student

Walking into Bukola’s studio space at the MFA Applied Craft + Design Program in Portland is like crossing the doormat into a treasured family room. Memories and swatches of inspiration dangle from the walls. Every bit of art is handcrafted with care and intent. You get the feeling that a story is begging to be unraveled. Many of the photographs displayed in Bukola’s workspace are of her family. It was clear to me that she draws much of her inspiration from them. Read from Bukola’s perspective how her path led her to this point:

“I come from a close and wonderful family. I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria with my parents, Adeyinka and Kolawole Koiki, and I am the oldest of my mother’s four children. I was always the arty kid growing up, always in a corner drawing pictures or making things. My parents didn’t quite know what to make of me I think, and while it was highly unlikely the kid of middle class Nigerians would end up being an artist, I was suddenly given the opportunity to come to the USA and attend school here to pursue that path. While it must have been hard to send your teenager off across the world on her own, I think my parents must have been relieved frankly, that I would finally get an outlet for my interests. They and my siblings have been nothing but supportive and I get so much inspiration from them because they are all creative in their own right.

My mother has a tailoring business and can make sewing patterns from scratch in minutes. My father is land surveyor and I’m pretty sure I got my eye for detail from him. My immediate younger brother, Tunde has fulfilled his long held dream of becoming a sportscaster on both radio and TV and is a hilarious mimic. The brother after him, Yemi, is currently pursing writing, producing, and performing music as a rap artist. Last but not least, the baby of our family, Busola, is a lawyer whose aptitude for leadership and problem solving is inspiring and is currently pursuing work in international law. I was raised by wonderful parents who managed to provide us with an interesting upbringing and a fantastic education from the little they had. It is my goal in life to honor their sacrifices for my siblings and myself by living the best and most successful life I can.

I originally landed in Texas straight from Nigeria. That was some culture shock I tell you! I first attended community college in Houston, and then transferred to the University of North Texas in Denton to attend their challenging Communication Design Program. I graduated with a BFA in 2006, worked in advertising for a while, but like many people, got laid off with the economic downturn.

I took the opportunity to go back to Nigeria for three whole months and fell in love with the tactility of life there all over again. While the Western notion of fast fashion and disposable commodities is slowly creeping in, there are still a lot of things that people make by hand in Nigeria. While at home, I renewed my deep appreciation for Nigerian textiles such as our wax prints, hand woven strip cloth (Aso Oke) and our indigo dyed cloth (Adire). I enjoy the tactile subtleties of different types of cloth and the graphic designer in me is obsessed with the color and patterns of surface designs.

When I came back to the US, I immediately started taking classes in sewing and bookbinding. In between freelance gigs I also worked at a paper goods store where I learned a lot about handmade paper from around the world. Thus my love for my other passion paper was born. I came to the Applied Craft+Design program because frankly I was not happy being another person pushing pixels around in an office.”

What a story indeed. Bukola and her family have made sacrifice after sacrifice so she could chase her dreams. That’s what we all want, isn’t it? We’re all driven by something: be it textiles and paper, crafting with our hands, or fueling that creative fire that burns in our minds. Muster together the courage to take the steps that get you just a bit closer to your goals. Like Bukola, maybe you can find a path to self-discovery mirrored in your roots and heritage.

Take a look at the photos above to see Bukola lead us through Momigami. This Japanese technique of kneading paper to create a pliable sheet of paper that can be used to make paper clothing, book covers, textile art and much more. Depending on the characteristics of the original paper, you can get a range of lovely end textures: everything from a soft cloth like feel to textures akin to leather.

What you need: newspapers (the more illustrations, diagrams, or patterns—the better), olive oil, a plastic sheet to protect your work area, a small brush, and PVA Glue (that’s an archival glue used in bookbinding and paper projects you can find at your local craft store)

DIY MOMIGAMI:
With your surface protected, pour some olive oil into a small bowl and scoop up enough to evenly coat your palms when you rub your hands together. Take your chosen sheet of paper and fold the four corners into the center, crumpling the dry sheet gently first into a loose ball and then slowly squeezing and wrinkly it carefully but firmly into a tighter ball.

To accelerate the distressing, you can use the slickness of the protective plastic to  “knead” the paper ball against your work surface. Unfold the sheet and repeat the wrinkling, crumpling and knead processor up to three or four minutes, stopping to coat your hand in more olive oil as needed. Open the sheet up and then rub it between your palms or flatten it out onto the work surface while rubbing the sheet down by applying pressure with your hands in an outward direction from the center of the sheet.

The crumpling, rubbing and stretching may be repeated as many times as you would like until you have achieved your preferred texture. Embrace any tears in the paper as opportunities for creativity. Individual sheets can be incorporated into textile art projects by machine sewing, hand stitching or using them in decoupage.

To create a large wall hanging piece instead, using a little brush, apply a thin layer of PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue to the edge of your paper and adhere them together in a pleasing configuration. You can hang your creation from a wooden dowel rod or explore other creative hanging solutions like use vintage pant hangers.

*Please note that the kneaded paper will still be oily for a long while after, so you should hang your finished piece out and away from the wall to avoid oil stains.

Bukola’s work wear: Carhartt Women’s Huron Shirt, Calumet V-Neck T-Shirt, Slim-Fit Nyona Jean, & Acrylic Watch Hat

DIY: Valentines Under $10

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re all scrambling to figure out what to do for our loved ones. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, handmade gifts are the best. Here are a few quirky and inexpensive ideas to show someone you care. Be creative and put your own spin on whatever you’re making. Each personal touch will make your craft more heartfelt.

take a look at my crafting outfit here: Sandstone Berkley Vest, Carhartt Women’s Flannel, & 1889 Slim Double Front Dungaree

The Fall Line Is Here

Let the rejoicing begin! Carhartt fall styles are here. (take a peek for yourself) I went to the Carhartt store in downtown Chicago and came away with a bag full of goodies. There are some really great new plaids, pant fits, and warm jackets. Stay tuned in the next few weeks as I highlight some of my favorite fall items.

Carhartt Women’s Annapolis Shirt

Fall and plaid go hand in hand. Check out the new fall line on Carhartt.com and grab some items. The Annapolis Long-Sleeve Shirt is one of my favorite pieces this season. It’s slightly fitted so it has a bit of flex. (perfect for moving around while you’re working) From the adjustable button cuffs to the pockets on the front, you’ll be dressed comfortably and practically for whatever task is at hand.
Check out the whole outfit here: Annapolis Shirt, Straight-Fit Slim Straight Jean, Dearborn Belt, & Wellington Boot.