Man Bag

Mike carries a lot back and forth to work each day. Cables, computer parts, a laptop, gym clothes and the always accumulated garbage. His backpacks get a lot of use and it was obvious he needed a new one when his current backpack was looking quite sorry with rips and coffee stains.

I have for some time been dreaming of making a backpack and this summer was the perfect time to do that. Of course I have a few admires in the business, one being a local artist named Garrett Kautz of Strawfoot. Garrett makes awesome bags and backpacks and I often joke that I wish he was hiring. He is a huge inspiration of mine and was while making Mike's backpack.

The backpack came together well with little complications. It's been in use for two months and holding up! Soon I would like to make another using different colored fabric and leather.  

Zip it

I have finally come up with a zipper design that I am happy with! This zipper has taken some time, but I was put to the challenge after an Etsy customer asked if he could get a specific bag with a zipper, so he kindly gave me a month to do it. I am super happy with the way this bag came together that I now look forward to incorporating more zippers into my bags! Here are a few pictures of the process.

A New Season!

Wow! It's been months.... a full and fun summer sucked the life away from the sewing machine. Having the kids home day after day, and short trips away from home left little time to sew. One thing I did continue to do during summer was visit fabric shops during my travels! One happen to be in Chicago and was huge, oh how I wish it was just down the street, this way I could visit it everyday! So here I am, It's October, I have a pile of fabric, some new ideas, Halloween costumes to make and I am excited to get busy again. 

While visiting family I often walk Contra Loma Regional Park 

Labels, Names & Logos

I chose the name blackcap to represent my bags after the Eurasian blackcap bird. Blackcap rolls pretty well with bags too! Recently my cousin gave me the idea to put a hat on the c in blackcap, so we played around with it a bit and settled on this simplistic label. I'm sure with time this may change and take new shape as I come across new ideas.

Poor Dog Farm

I came across an Artist named Sam Georgieff of Poor Dog Farm from Pennsylvania. Sam does watercolor painting of beautiful landscapes and animals wearing hats and other accessories. What perfect then a bird wearing a black hat! His painting are great. I look forward to enjoying them on the walls of my sewing room. Thanks Sam!

Sam paints under the Etsy shop, Poor Dog Farm named after his Southern Pennsylvania farm and studio. 

A Walk in the Woods

It's a bit drizzly here today, but that didn't stop the kids and I from walking the Henry Cowell Redwood Grove Loop Trail! 

Good times

 We took a short walk in the neighborhood this morning. There is the smell of camp fires in the air.... sweet memories of childhood camping trips!  

Father's Day

 For Father's Day I made Mike a Vanilla Bean Mint ice cream sweeten with honey to pair with one of his favorites, the brownie! Turned out Mike didn't like the ice cream, but everyone else did! The ice cream had a subtle sweetness and a more savory flavor that was very cleansing to the palate.  Loved it!   

Nourished Kitchen recipe

Sometime ago I contemplated buying fabric napkins for everyday use, but was a bit shocked by the price so didn't get any. A few weeks ago I made my own from cotton linen. They absorb well and it feels nice to use something you've made. I hope to make more in the near future and place some in my Etsy shop!

We used our napkins for the first time yesterday during our Father's Day celebration

After dinner we took Mike to the park to get his wiggles out!

Happy Father's Day ~ Michele