{Fabric Friday} Fresh & Modern textiles...

I first became enamored with tikoli 's fresh and modern textiles when I saw them at Fawn & Forest awhile back. I have been continuously drawn to them over time but could never make a decision about which tea towels that I liked the best. I think there is a design for my every mood. However, I could never go wrong with any of them when it comes to fitting into the palette of our home- they all work beautifully. 

{images via here & here}

But for me,  when I have a face and name to the textile, it makes it more fun purchase. Which leads me again to a wonderful twitter connection. I have been enjoying Maja Brugos (ie tikoli designer)  via her tweets for a little while now and it makes me happy to think of her when I see her lovely designs. I recently discovered that these towels are carried in a local store in Bellingham,  called  Digs and snatched up all that I could find.

While I do have one towel in the kitchen, I couldn't let the other two end up crumpled on the counter. I wanted to see these towels in a different way. So I played with them, stared at them, and let them hang out in my studio for a bit. 

From tea towel to klt:plush... it seemed like a perfect combination to me. Happy Fabric Friday!

{Good Read} Pop Up...

There are pop up books on pretty much every book shelf in our house. Chris and I really love them - for a number of reasons. I had a nice little collection started for Sayer before he was old enough to really enjoy them and have been eagerly waiting for the day that he would discover how cool pop up books are. Well, the day is here and I thought since I started the week with the wonderful Lisa Hannigan pop up book video on Monday, that it would be nice time to share some of Sayer's recent book discoveries. 

One Red Dot, by David A Carter has become one of Sayer's favorite books. I love watching how he really studies the construction of the paper objects. It holds his attention for quite awhile at a time and has become part of our before nap routine. Even though he has looked through the book a number of times, the pop of the page turning still gets a smile and a surprised look now and then. I wonder how long it will be before he will try to make these sort of shapes from paper. 

The ABC3D by Marion Bataille is another new favorite of Sayer's these days. He is particularly interested in the alphabet so this is right up his alley and also a part of his bed/ nap routine. I had actually pre-ordered this book before it was released because I thought the video was so cool. We actually have 2 - one in Sayer's room and one in the living room. One of my good friends (the one that gave Sayer the cool, "There was an Old Lady" book) gave Sayer the ABC3D book for Christmas - funny because I had gotten it for her too. Can't have too much of a good thing... 

This book is a real beauty - so clever and smart. I think Sayer's favorite page is "S" - both for his name, and because it has wheels. For now these are the pop up stand outs in our house. I can't wait for him to discover the other little treasures we have scattered throughout our shelves. I am sure there will be a pop up part two in the near future. Have you enjoyed a pop up book lately? Do you have a favorite?  I would love to hear....

{Store Feature} Babybot

My path seems to continuously cross great visionaries who open wonderfully inspired stores. I am excited to tell you about a store that a few of those visionaries created called Babybot. Michael & Renee are the brains behind the Canadian (out of Calgary) store but there seem to be a lot of extremely talented people working to make it a real stand out. Michael contacted me in February 2009 about carrying my products in their store. Babybot was just in the planning stages, but I could tell that there was so much love and thought being put into every little detail. So of course I was overjoyed to have my work be included in their vision. Once they had opened, I was immediately taken with their website and the lovely klt:works designer page. I have to say, that when you  talk with Michael and Renee about Babybot (for me it was via email) you can almost see them beaming with pride. But most importantly, they are extremely respectful, knowledgeable, and appreciative- which only adds to their stellar design aesthetic.

When a store supports me, it is really important to me to support them right back (which is why I wanted to do these reviews). I would love to buy things from all of my favorite people that I work with. However, interests and taste always exceed my wallet so I have to be patient, creative, and pick my items carefully- so that I can spread the love. The minute Babybot opened, I knew what I wanted to buy there. Now I really didn't know it was going to work out like this, but Babybot does these great facebook discounts (if you aren't a fan, I highly recommend it). As luck would have it, these discounts allowed me to splurge a bit and order the Eames Elephant that I have been drooling over every time I scan through their shop. I could tell you why that elephant is so special to me, but that is a whole different post. But as I have mentioned before, Ray & Charles Eames are my art/design idols. Ok, so I said it was for Sayer and don't get me wrong, it is, and he really loves it. But it isn't going to stay in his room, it's going to be hanging out in the living room. After all, who am I kidding? I think the elephant is secretly mine. Renee is the woman that made it all happen and for that I am really grateful! After all, I believe she said it best when she mentioned that, "every designer needed an Eames Elephant". Oh, she is good, isn't she?

Now I can officially endorse Babybot as a truly special store. Not only is it great to work with Renee & Michael from a designer standpoint, but it is great to be a customer too. So pop by and give Babybot a visit- I guarantee you will have a really positive experience (not to mention, want to hum the little babybot tune). Thanks for the elephant Renee- don't worry, it will be loved!

{Music Monday} Art & Music...

{image via here}

It is such a bonus when the the music that you love is paired with creative videos that feature gorgeous art. I have been enjoying Lisa Hannigan's voice since her days singing with Damien Rice and I was quick to snatch up her solo album, Sea Sew, last February. While the music is nice to work to in the studio, the videos are just as artistically inspiring! I love everything about them.  The work of Maeve Clancy was expertly used in both videos.

Wouldn't you say that this is another successful artistic collaboration? Art & music aside, I would love to sit down and chat over a cup of tea with Lisa. I have a feeling that she would be just as inspiring as her music and videos. Happy Music Monday!  

{Stretch} Morning Yoga...

Kiddo enjoys his yoga! 
A little morning stretch for me - then off to the studio I go... (oh boy, I have the day to myself)!