Pewter and Cobalt

Another Park Photo Shoot (outtakes)

Ali and Ashley crack up.

Our staging area.

A nice shot.

Penninsula Pug

Father's Day Peonies

Until this year, I can't remember the last time I was in my hometown of Rochester, NY to celebrate Father's Day. Here is a vase of peonies that my Dad cut from his garden last Sunday. Since I was a little kid, I can remember how much he's loved the voluminous flower.

Soapbox

There is a shop in the same neighborhood as our store that sells puppies. Sometimes they put the puppies on sale for 20% off. They tell customers that the puppies come from "breeders." I have talked to several people who have purchased animals from this shop, only to have their new dog suffer from congenital defects and serious health problems.

No reputable breeder would sell their dogs through a pet store. I try to keep this blog positive, but each day I drive by this store I become more and more angry. I want to tell everyone I know that these cute puppies come from ugly origins and buying them only perpetuates animal cruelty. Buying them creates demand for puppy mill dogs.

I hope that you will understand why I am placing this information here on my blog. I love dogs so much, I want to urge everyone to support the Humane Society's effort to fight back against puppy mills.

If you are thinking of getting a puppy, read their helpful tips on selecting your dog. Make it a policy not to buy from pet stores or from online "breeders." Your new best friend will love you for it.

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website


True stories about Puppy Mill dogs as told by the Humane Society.

Shop Dog: Johnny Cash

Light on his feet and on the move, he was a tough dog to photograph. Still, Johnny Cash, resident Man in Black and shop dog at History, this little guy is a charmer. He has the sleek build of a Miniature Pinscher with the whiskers and ears of a Jack Russell.

Rescued more than four years ago from a shelter in Boston, Cash has a great dog mom in Rachel and a hipster hangout at History.

Do you know a great shop dog? Send us the pooch's picture and story. We'll post them here for all to see.

Sew Low Fabrics - Cambridge, MA

Short Walk in Sommerville, MA

12-12 with Green Door

Pink Labels with Trash Cans

Open Door with Yellow Wall

Madonna Statue with Blue Paint

Lavender Wall at Mexican Restaurant


Irish Products Sign on Brick Red wall

Chop Suey at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts

I've always loved this painting: Chop Suey by Edward Hopper. In my college dorm room I had a postcard of the image taped above my desk. Today I had the chance to see it in person. Brighter and larger than I expected, I was surprised how fresh and new the women looked to me despite their familiarity.

Edward Hopper has long been a favorite of mine. Some of his 20th century paintings have legendary status for good reason. (Nighthawks for example.) This is New York Movie, painted in the 1940s. What do you supposed the usherette is thinking about, alone in the dark?

Garment District, Cambridge MA

I'm in Boston visiting my sister Susannah so we hit the local vintage clothing institution Garment District. When Sus busted out her LBD coin purse, we noticed that it perfectly matched the changing room area decor.


Plus, her outfit perfectly coordinated too. Luckily we both had cameras on hand for an impromptu photo shoot.

After the Show

Puppy Love (A recent order)

First Attempt

Be kind, this is my first ever movie (using still images).

Ringbearers

Snack Hound

So far we've sold sixteen of the 'Happy Dog Zipper Cases,' so that's $240 that we'll donate to Seattle Pug Rescue.

As you can see above, the snack hound is still offering the bags for sale, both here and on our website through the end of June. That means there's still time to get one for your favorite dog lover!

Thanks to all of you near (Ballard) and far (Massachsetts) who've supported our cause! We're excited to help the pugsters in need.

Scoop!

That's Ashley helping a customer up there in the newspaper. This article appeared last Saturday on the business section of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.



That's me sewing a custom order in black and white. You can read the text of the article here.

A June Wedding (in Michigan)

Gold Accents

Playground Morning

Though it was a bit damp and dreary this morning, Ashley and I headed up to the neighborhood playground to shoot some pictures. We're working on some fall bags and preparing images for a new website.


Here's an Amy bag that's available in the shop now. It's a good example of an interesting way to combine brown and black in your accessories.

Buttons and Chocolate

I brought my new 1.25" button making equipment along with me to Adams Elementary School last week. It was the annual Arts in Career day, and I was back for the second time talking to the kids about design, handbags, and creativity in the workplace.

Of course, making buttons was the hit of the day. I gave each student a blank template to color, and they helped me with the button pressing process too. I wanted to give them a chance to make their own 'customized accessory.'

(To thank us for our time, the Adams crew gave each speaker a yummy See's Candy truffle. How sweet.)