Although it’s mid week for most, today is the first day back in the shop. I took Monday off and managed to get some vitamin D in me. Thanks to Karen and Stan for the use of their cottage for a day.
Tuesday I spent most of the day on the road, picking up much needed hardware, leather for belts and straps and sporrans. Also went to Toronto for more hardware and leather, returned home late in the afternoon to a shipment of hemp.
The shop is full of supplies and I have to get crackin.
Did my morning walk this morning, got a little wet, but the leather kilt repels the water so only my head is still damp.
The view outside my window this morning.

The white spots are a result of the rain.

Stay dry

It’s been a rarity, but it’s time to spend a day away from the shop. It’s been a good week and I managed to complete a number of kilts. A few in Army Green Hemp as well as a Black leather. Some will be picked up and others I will have to ship.

The town was ringing with Morris Dancers today. It is also the annual Garden Party at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
Monday will mark the opening week of a number of shows the Festival will have on offer this season. To my fellow Artists I wish them all much success. Break a leg, Merde.
I have some more leather shopping to do as I have sold a few of the limited edition Mach V LE leather kilts. (which reminds me I have to get that up on the website)
To further assist in a greener world I have ordered three more solar panels to generate green energy for the operation. Which will get me 460 kw/h at peak.
The next Highland Games I’m prepping for will be held in Embro Ontario just south of Stratford on July 1st. If you’re in the area I look forward to meeting you.
In the meantime, Have a great week
Cheers

There are days I rush to the store, plan my day, and start sewing.
Well this morning I looked around, and enjoyed the serenity of the town in the early morning, before the bus tours and school trips of folk arrive. The mist was just burning off as I got to the shop, the light through the tree’s and the reflections on the water were similar to a dutch painting of the canals.

Yesterday I took advantage of a major sale at the local fabric store and purchased new cutting boards. I’ve been wanting to replace my old ones for sometime. This kit pretty much covers the whole cutting table, making it easier to deal with some of the leather projects I’m currently working on.

Taking a few breathes before starting on today’s projects. Army Green Hemp is the flavour for the weekend.
Enjoy

I went for a softer look of bronze leather to go with the Madura though black might be a better option. But this bike is a little more laid back than a Buell, however, it still has a lot of attitude much like the Bronze leather RKilt.

This week brought the arrival of more kilt hose, and I have a good selection to choose from.

I also filled up the belt and sporran section. I have a few in stock to choose from.

All in All it’s been turning out to be a rather good week.
The weather is superb! Great riding weather….well that’s the plan later this evening.

This past weekend I attended the Sudbury and District Celtic Festival. It was a fun weekend the weather co-operated for the most part.
I closed up the shop for the weekend and hitched up my portable shop and headed north. I didn’t get too far out of Stratford when I blew a tire on the trailer. I installed the spare, but I didn’t trust it so headed back to Stratford for a replacement. An hour and a half later I was back on the road and had a pleasant drive up north.
I set up on Friday worked out the bugs of the set-up. The solar panels were generating electricity and I was able to do a bit of sewing.
Saturday the festival started, a little slow at first, but my product generated a lot of interest.
A number of bands came out to play.



I was located right next to the heavy events, I regret not taking pictures but I was rather busy throughout the day.

It was mostly warm and sunny for the better part of the day but dark clouds and strong winds appeared in the late afternoon prompting me to batten down the hatches. It cleared up for the Ashley MacIsaac concert which was well received. The Mudmen were playing in town that evening too, but I was knackered and decided to call it an early night.
Sunday also started off slow, wonderful weather and a number of people came up to me to discuss the leather kilt I was wearing that day and about the ensemble I wore the day before.
Late in the afternoon I packed up and headed back to Stratford, with loads of emails to answer as well as new orders.
The sales for the Limited Edition black leather Mach V LE are going rather well as a couple of them have been sold and a few spoken for.
All in all it’s been a good weekend.
More later this week.

The Disclaimer! Don’t do this at home. Professional riders were used in this photo.
When one buys a leather RKilt, it pretty much has all the things you need. It has pockets for all your stuff that you carry on a day to day basis. You know, keys wallets cell phones ipods, tool kit.
To compliment the look you might get some solid boots chunky socks, black tee shirt, you’re pretty much rockin’.
Now I know for some that just may not be enough and you just might need some more candy to really give it that “I mean business” look!
So Buelling a black leather RKilt is OK in my books!

Way to go Doug!

My inventory of sporrans is getting low, so all this weekend I will be making the RKilts sporran as well as the Tassie model.
I’m in the process of getting all the parts together. I’ve stamped out the body, pockets. card holders, belt loops. I’ve just completed gluing the thicker leather backings to facilitate the belt loops on the outside. edge coated some of the pieces.

I’ve been away for a week, attending Rocky Roegers wedding. He operates USA Kilts . Then did a mini tour of some other states.
Over the next few days I will be prepping for the Sudbury and District Celtic Festival. I have to get my trailer ready get the solar system operating to charge batteries. This will be the first event of the season for me, should be fun.

The weather was just grand today so I took the opportunity to have some photos taken of the soon to be released leather Mach V LE.
This kilt is made from supple lambs touch cow hide. It features 24 pleats just under an inch wide in a reverse kingussie pleating style. This has been a dream to wear. I wore this to the theatre last night and all day today at the shop where I spent most of the time sitting building kilts.


There’s 8 yds of leather that flow nicely as the pleats are fanned.

You can also order slash pockets.


The kilt is extremely comfortable to wear, great swish and has garnered many favourable comments.
I’m not sure I’m prepared to take it off!!!

One of my customers requested black straps and chrome hardware on the Army Green Hemp kilt that they ordered.
In this picture I have two kilts one with black straps and chrome hardware the other with brown straps and brass hardware. The kilt has a different feel depending on the choice. Brass and the brown straps tends to soften the look while the black and chrome has a bit more attitude.

Proof of purchase required.
I’m preparing to ship a number of kilts out this coming week. Five are heading to Tasmania, One to Michigan, another to Southern Ontario. Depending how things go this week New Zealand may be in the mix. The bottom line is I will need to make some room in the shop as it’s getting a little crowded.
There are a few belts to make, adding some buckles to a couple of kilts.

Later in the week I’ll be doing a batch of Taupe, then leather.

I’ve added a Highland Game to the mix. In May I will be heading up to Sudbury For their Celtic Festival. If you’re in the are please stop by and say hello. I’ll show you my portable solar powered shop.