ditch the tie, give a hat this father's day

We gave my dad plenty of neckties. Now he's retired. He never wears them. Yet it remains this stock image for father's day gifts, cards and clever crafts.

Is the necktie really a meaningful motif for Father's Day anymore?

Shifting gender roles and economics mean both parents are likely working. And while most fathers I know do still work outside the home, few wear ties.  For those who do, is giving them a piece of their work uniform really a way to celebrate a bond with their children?

Going to a job to pay bills is not the most fun or rewarding part of parenthood. The modern dad is more than just a guy who puts on a tie and goes to work. Therefore,

I declare the hat should be the new clothing symbol of father's day.

Steeb and Andy: two dads not at work, wearing hats.

Whether a fedora or a baseball cap, these days wearing a hat usually symbolizes being OFF work and (potentially) spending quality time with your kids. For yard work or fishing, going out to a concert or just hanging out with a frosty beverage, most guys have a go-to hat they put on when the work day is done. If the tie is what men wear to leave their children for the office, then the hat is what they wear to come back home. The hat is what they wear when they are most themselves, most relaxed and most connected.

If your dad's a guy who appreciates one of a kind American made goods, consider giving these styles from moth and squirrel this year instead of a necktie to celebrate the whole man:

The Harlow.

This hat was designed for my friend Harlow Friday (read this old post about how awesome he is.)

The Harlow hat is classic and masculine. I wear one myself, but it really is the one I make for the gents. When the right guy tries on the right one it is like he has owned it forever. I've just made some in wool tweeds as well as the popular cotton plaid.

Harlow Friday offers this tip for working dads: Always go to work when you are sick so you can use your sick days for your real life.


Summer Weight Johnny Cap.

If your dad likes cycling or camping, the classic cotton johnny cap would be a great one to toss in the bag for adventures. Keeps a little sun and sweat out of his eyes, tames wild hairs or protects the scalp. Made from reclaimed t-shirts, it is breathable and machine washable. I just stitched up some larger men's sizes. This one with the bass fishing image is just waiting to be someone's Father's Day gift. seriously.

Pick up a hat this Saturday at the Bellingham Farmer's market to get it in the mail in time,
Take a day trip to Edison with your old man and try one on at the Lucky Dumpster,
Or be your own father figure and get a hat for yourself.

Simplify your life by giving this same gift three times this month.

Just when you are ready to relax and enjoy a few potluck cocktail picnic barbeques, you realize some of these events are actually stressful. Not only do you need to figure out an appropriate dish to bring for each situation (gluten free? vegan? peanut allergy?only grown in a 25 mile radius?) and how to dress (quirky fancy? overcast? bonfire? by the water in the evening?) you might also need to bring A GIFT.

To help you simplify the gift giving part of your life, I have just stitched up a fresh batch of key rings.

Each design is individually machine stitched on felt and backed with reclaimed leather. Sturdy yet supple, they make a classy gift:

for the graduate

 Leaving home for the first time, starting at a new office or just heading out into the world for new adventures, send them off with style or let them know they always have a way to come back home. Depending on how you present this one, it can be extremely poetic and sentimental or just a casual congrats for that co-worker or nephew who has finished studying.

for dad 

 

Nothing says Father's Day like leather and metal, something practical and sturdy that won't clutter up his zone. He'll think of you every day as he goes off to do whatever he does. (I'll have some more thoughts on father's day in my next post...)

for a guest you want to stay a little longer

Have a nice set of keys for summer visitors to make themselves at home. Or perhaps you want to make sure that special friend always has a place to park. (Did you like the movie Singles as much as I did in high school? If you missed this 90s romcom taking place in the Seattle music scene, just know that having a place to park was major romantic commitment innuendo...)Giving someone a key to your place really is a big deal, do it with some flair.

Buy a key ring or three at the market this weekend for $15 each and you will be ready with a remarkable little token for whatever situations June may bring.

5 remarkable ways to give mom flowers that last

Flowers for mothers day is a no brainer. But what if you want to show your mom you love her all year long? When you think about all the diapers, dishes, and drama she has dealt with through the years, she probably deserves more than one day of blooms.

vest detail

Five remarkable ways to give your mama flowers this year

1. Flower CSA or subscription. So many farms with community supported agriculture programs offer bouquets as add ons in their crates and some farms specialize in flowers. Do a google search in your mom's area to see if you can hook her up with a weekly bouquet that is fresh, seasonal and shows off the beauty of her region.

2. Plant a flower garden together.  A window box or planter for her patio can be sweet for mom's with limited space.  If your mom is an established gardener, offer a day of weeding, a packet of interesting annuals or special variety of one of her favorites. Think outside the box and delight her with gorgeous edibles like herbs, beans, peas, or even grains.

I think its best to buy seeds from companies that specialize in your climate. Around here (as in down the street)I love Uprising Organics. Don't overlook your farmers market for growers who may offer seeds, starts and bulbs perfectly suited for her backyard.

3. Don't want to get dirt under your nails?  Go cyber blossoms.

Erin {Floret} april 23 arrangement from seasonal bouquet project

 I just fell in love with the seasonal bouquet project. It's a weekly blog kept by two farmers with an amazing sense of style on opposite coasts posting a bouquet they created with local flowers. Here's how to make it a gift: You and your mom each bookmark the blog and share which bouquet you liked best in a text, email or phone call each week. Stay connected and always have as a beautiful conversation starter.

4. Never too old to create art. I find myself sending Franklin's scribbles these days but not taking the time to make a sketch or watercolor myself. Wouldn't your mom be delighted to open an envelope bursting with tissue paper and glitter, stickers and paint. Recreate a favorite elementary school craft or use it as an excuse to have a creative playdate with whatever art supplies you have around the home or office.

5. A felt flower from moth and squirrel will last throughout the years. A pin is a great option for dressing up jackets, hats or bags. She can even just pin it to a bulletin board. Or if your mama has a bit more flair, flowers for the hair will make her feel super special.

(click here to shop etsy)

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3 ways plastic eggs help you keep easter fun while avoiding a total sugar melt down

Let's face it, even if you only celebrate equinox on your commune with other nature loving families, eventually your child will be exposed to the joy of plastic and candy. Holidays can be tough as we navigate our own desires and values and the changing world while blocking out the whining and pleading of our tiny loved ones. Somewhere between cycnicism and guilt there is a sweet spot where traditional holidays can be fun. Really fun. Please don't worry about being crafty or green or healthy or wealthy or conscious enough. Take a deep breath and remember some simple  childhood magic.

Sometimes I just love what I remember from my childhood, even if it wasn't that spectacular. Or what I wanted as a kid. 

I always wanted these eggs. And today I bought a dozen of them for less than a dollar and I will reuse them every year. I promise.

So take a moment to check in with yourself and your kids ages and the influence of friends, neighbors, pinterest and cousins and grandparents. Think about what is actually important for you to do as you welcome spring and what you can relax about.

Here are are three ways that plastic eggs can help you influence your child's easter experience while still being fun. Bright! PLastic! Eggs!

• Fill them with a non sugary snack item. Cheddar bunnies are a favorite around here and make an obvious choice for easter. Nuts and berries, dehydrated fruit, frozen peas, whatever your kid likes

•  Buy candy in bulk and fill eggs appropriately for your child's age and sugar handling capabilities. These jelly beans happen to be from Trader Joe's and are dyed with beets and tumeric and other natural dyestuffs.

•  Fill eggs with non food items. Tiny toys, even ones from your existing toy pile, make a fun surprise at the end of a hunt. Other ideas include writing out jokes or fortunes, moth and squirrel pins, stickers or good old fashioned coins.

Stay tuned for more spring celebrations. And REMEMBER the Bellingham Farmer's MArket is THIS SATURDAY MARCH 16, 10am-3pm. I have bunnies and chickens and sheep and flowers to fill your baskets with remarkable recycled goodies.

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bunny video

bunny's helper from Libby Chenault on Vimeo.

Deep gratitude to James Krause who inspired this short video in so many ways. He commissioned a bunny suit from me years ago. (I am wearing the prototype hood in this clip.)And then he not only shot amazing photographs of gorgeous humans in the suit, but also recorded a whole promo video in it. His videos and photography are so much more professional than mine, because, you know, that's actually his job.

President's Day gift guide

Yes, we are days away from Valentine's Day, but why not distinguish yourself by celebrating something a little different this year... Anyone can buy a box of chocolates, only a nerd would think of serving hoecakes* in bed wearing a stovepipe hat...Make President's Day one to remember with this inaugural moth and squirrel gift guide.

*Years ago I started making hoecakes on presidents day after reading a well researched and ridiculously detailed  article in Martha Stewart Living. I still have the smudged pages in my cookbook to reference how much cornmeal to stir in to these hearty pancakes that Lincoln could eat "twice as fast as anyone could cook 'em."

one of a kind Abe Lincoln doll from moth and squirrel. Available online! This doll is my ode not only to the president but to the tradition of depicting Lincoln in folk art.

Heirloom seeds like Jefferson planted at Monticello. Perfect for a gardeners interested in living (and eating) history.

Maira Kalman books, Looking at Lincoln and In pursuit of happiness. I would recommend any of her books for children or adults since she is my favorite artist, but these two are especially appropriate for celebrating American history with color and style.

Something inspired by Presidential pets. Through the years there have been some truly wild animals at the white house (like when dignitaries gave tiger cubs or baby hippopotamuses upon visiting.) Lately its been dogs and cats making their home in our capital, but why not remind your loved ones about the sheep kept on the white house lawn by Woodrow Wilson with a lovely sheep pin?

Don't forget to stop by the Bellingham Farmers Market February 16 for your President's Day gifts. Be sure to pick up a dozen farm fresh eggs while you are there so you can entertain like the Roosevelts. (Eleanor was famous for scrambling a mess of eggs for dinner right at the table in a chaffing dish while Franklin was fond of serving martinis...)