Kids Alright.

I have been away from working on.... well even doing anything with Littlecrow as we have been trying to get settled into our new home, new job, and just a whole new environment here in the Pacific Northwest of these here United States. I do hope that once the dust settles to ramp up and clean off the ol machines and start building the many ideas that have been flooding the idea pond.

While doing the regular internet searching and keeping touch came upon a nice feature over at A Time To Get about Trico Field. Now these are some well designed childrens wear for sure. Check out their site here. And if you get a chance jump over to A Time To Get and drop and post up a comment or to on his well done blog.

Be back soon, promise.
Till then.
Cheers,
'Mr.Ray'
& the Littlecrow family

A Class of Insperation.

As mentioned before 'Mr. Ray's' grandfather is the main inspiration for the next coming seasons. Recently while digging around in a few of the image artifacts of his we came upon some old photographs of his grandfathers school classes. They are not dated so we are not sure what years they are. We are thinking sometime in the late 1920's or 1930's. So much fun!

The top one is of an older class, while the ones shown below are probably 1st or 2nd grade. This one is one of much excitement and inspiration! So we wanted to show you a few close ups. Love the mix of dressing up yet still being a child in 'work wear' such as the young fella on the lower left who has a white shirt and tie with his overalls. Or the little bow ties. This is something that is lost today, especially on children. Why do they not get dressed up? Why not put on a tie? Yes they may muck it up but that is why it needs to be washable.


Anyway we hope you enjoy. Maybe your grand parents have old fotos of their childhood, or even your parents that may inspire a new look to try on yourself. You never know what fun things you might discover in old family fotos and some of the stories that come with them.

Cheers,
Mr. Ray &
The Littlecrow Family

Look'n Back to go Forward.

The past few days have been very busy here at Littlecrow. We have been researching ideas for the coming seasons, Spring/Summer '009 as well as Autumn/Winter '009. Research has to be 'Mr.Ray's' favorite part of design. It is a chance to start fresh with a blank page and just start adding whatever comes to mind or catches the eye. As it builds you start to find a thread that runs through it all and a feeling that just feels right, like a favorite jumper on a chilly night.


The page is starting to be filled but it is not there yet, still a work in progress at this point especially for Autumn/Winter '009 so we will keep sharing more of the 'drawing' as it happens.

As mentioned over at Redcrow 'Mr. Ray' loves to work on building plaids. Here are a few that he did for inspiration and a guide for what he wants to look for for Autumn/Winter '009. While working for a large corporation he was able to build plaids like these and actually have them made by a fabric mill, but since The Littlecrow Collection is a very small 'home grown' clothier he has to find fabric that is already made to use for the collection. But he has a few ideas that he might try to make some fabric special and only available from us.... Autumn/Winter '009 is still a long time out so we shall have to wait and see. One 'thread' that is running through all of the '009 seasons is very special and close to 'Mr. Ray' It is his Grandfather Mr. G. Andersen. 'Mr.Ray's' Grandparents passed away when he was very young, only a few years old, so he did not get the chance to really know them. But he loves them from the stories that have been told about them and the lives that they lived. Here is some images and a hint of the main inspiration for Spring / Summer '009
'Mr.Ray's' Grandfather joined the U.S. Navy, during WWII, and was training to be an airman. He was blessed to not have to fight because the War ended before he graduated Officer Training and was then Honorably Discharged.

We love history and are very influenced by the details of the past for our designs. But Family history is even more special because it brings that past to life and a great way to find out more about ourselves by learning of those in our family who lived before us. What a great place to find inspiration. If you do not know anything about your own family history start by asking your parents and Grandparents about their childhoods and what things they liked to do when they were young. You might discover something fun to try or do that we don't do much today.

Make it fun.
Cheers,
Mr. Ray &
The Littlecrow Family

Helpers

As the development of ideas are coming together I find that not only are the little cubs the main inspiration but they are very active in making it all come together.

'Little Stampede' at the machines

'Screaming Eagle' working the shirt pattern.

Cheers,
Mr. Ray &
The Littlecrow Family

In the Morning.

Some people are morning people and some are not. I think that I am 'middle' morning person. when the alarm is sounding hitting snooze a million times is my way of waking up. It use to drive Mama Bear mad crazy when I did this and the bed was against the wall cause I would hit her to hit snooze.... *Sorry*.
Anyway, I hate getting up, so not morning person. But once I am up and at the breakfast table or in the shower my mind perks up and I get all excited about the day or a new idea pops in the 'ol thinker and I am full of energy, a morning person. Actually now that I think of it I would be more of an 'almost morning person' in that not only once the mind is going I am rearing to go but I love early morning light and the crisp morning air that is something I just love. It really is inspirational to me. What kind of person do you think you are?

I thought I would share the morning with you.
Alarm goes off at 5:55am and I hit snooze till about 6:30am or so. Then out of bed I roll. I use to them jump in the tub and awake with the splash of water but lately been doing a brisk morning walk so that now comes after the walk. Down the stairs I head for a bowl of yum and a little 'spiritual food' with some scripture reading to start my day off right. Then I plan my day while it is still just me awake in the morning silence.
At around 8am I am joined by my little buddy 'Grizzly Stampede'. We get food in him and when the rest of the gang is up we go out for the brisk walk and the day is off doing it's thing after that.

I know not real exciting but it has become a special part of my day that I actually look forward to. When I had a 'normal' job I missed a lot cause it was more of a rush to get up and out and then I was really not a 'morning person'.

So look over your day and the routines that you do and ask yourself 'why do I do that' and you might just find a small part of joy that you normally just take for granted.

Cheers,
Mr. Ray &
The Littlecrow Family