{Store Feature} Ideal

Ideal- carefully curated goods, is a very special store to me. It encompasses all that I love- great design, smart & wonderful owners (who are moms to children & one to a dog), & cool books. This store is about 30 minutes away from my house & I have been lucky enough to have them carry my work for the last two years. Most of the stores that I work with are either online stores or out of the state/country. So I don't often get the opportunity to visit in person and see how my work looks in the their shops

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I usually deliver my goodies in person because I love the chance to browse & visit with the owners of ideal. They know design and how to be great moms so I could chat with these ladies for hours. Not to mention, I never walk out of that store empty handed. There is always something unique & cool to discover. They have a very keen sense of what they like and it all flows together seamlessly. We share a love of Marimekko, books, letterpress, and clean lines. They also have a gorgeous selection of jewelry too. There is always a lot to look at for Sayer and Chris as well. 

Last night they hosted a klt:trunk show that coincided with the local art walk. It was so much fun to stand back and watch the hustle & bustle in their store. I have to say, I love to observe little kids. But when they are wearing something that I made & playing with klt:plush, my heart melts. Lisa (one of the ideal owners) brought her two children to the event, Hank & Lulu.  They are the sweetest kids and Lisa is all smiles in their presence.

Both Lisa & Kathleen were calm, cool, and collected all night, sporting their gorgeous Marimekko attire, while talking passionately about design. I loved how Kathleen was so nurturing to Lisa's kid's too. You can tell these ladies are really good friends which just makes the store feel great to be in and visit. Every time Sayer has come with me to ideal, Lisa & Kathleen have been so sweet with him, showing him the newest toys that they have found. Safe to say, he loves visiting too. 

This is not a stuffy design store by any stretch of the imagination. It is friendly, smart, & beautifully curated. I had a wonderful evening last night and am really proud to be one of the designers who's goods they carry. So if you are local, stop by - you will be really glad you did! 

{Fabric Friday} vintage fabric ~ from pile to plush...

A few weeks ago, I posted some of my vintage fabric finds for Fabric Friday. Well, I thought it would be fun to show you how those fabrics translated into some klt:plush and a retro mobile. Sometimes I know right when I see a fabric, what klt:character or product will be made from it. This vintage stack was no exception- I had specific plans for all of the fabric and it was just a matter of finding time to make them. 

I bought most of these fabrics from Frecklewonder (in different batches), but there are 2 fabrics that were given to me from Heather, at 3ringcircus. She included some fabrics for me with an order that I had made from her shop. The sweetest thing about it, is that one of the fabrics had been used by her mother to make Heather a dress when she was little. She had mentioned awhile back in a comment on a post, that she liked my slugs the best- so Miss H Slug was born using Heather's fabric (blue with red butterflies). 

That '60's floral fabric (in pinks & purples) was once some kind of curtain or drape and I have a lot of it. I still have some more plans -but the slug and the mobile were the first things to come to mind when I saw this beautiful textile.

I love finding vintage textiles and then giving them a whole new life. It sort of spices things up in the studio for me. I have found a few more cool fabrics that are on their way- so expect to see more vintage critters in the future.... In the meantime, Happy Fabric Friday! I'm on my way to my first trunk show in a few minutes. What are you doing tonight? 

{Fun} the trunk is full...

The sewing machine has been going at full speed lately! But I took a break today and  delivered an overflowing amount of klt:goodies to one of my favorite designs stores called, ideal: carefully curated goods. Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month which means... Bellingham Art Walk. During the Art Walk, there will be a klt:works trunk show at ideal from 6pm-9pm & all of my designs will be 20% off! I will actually be there on and off during the show, so if you are local, come on by and say hello! 

This store is truly special - the ladies who own it know their design!  You will find tons of cool things including wonderful design books for both kids & adults. They share my love of Marimekko too and have a stellar selection to boot! So, I decided to make them some thread drawing plush with Marimekko fabrics that will also be at the shop tomorrow night. Don't worry if you can't make it, but still want to see this awesome store. I will be posting pictures soon.

{Everyday Inspiration} simple smiles...

Am I the only one that thinks these things are funny? Every time I drive by them, I giggle... really- every time. I could be in the grumpiest mood & these dudes dancing around can always make me smile. I  drive by them often - this first one not as frequently, but it is my favorite in the valley. He isn't blown up so tight so he can really boogie. He just seems free, and happy to be moving. I now have Sayer watching for them too. I think he shares my sense of amusement.

This pink guy is on my way to ship klt:packages so it's always a good stress reliever to be greeted by the loopy wave. Today, on my way back from shipping, I decided to pull over and give proper documentation to the goofy site that makes me smile almost everyday. It made me laugh just shooting the photos. I'm usually moving, so I don't always get to see the full dance. I just thought that if it puts a smile on my face, that it might just put one on someone else's. It's just those simple things - in a day of a life, that can make all of the difference- or maybe I am just easily amused. Do you have something you see often, that gives you a chuckle?

{Vintage Inspiration} Fisher Price love....

I have a source... a cool, local spot where I am in nostalgic heaven. There is an antique store downtown where Chris and I go to find treasures & inspiration. Chris searches out interesting items for the whirly gigs that he makes for hutch studio & I  head straight  back to the vendor that carries vintage toys & books. This Spring, I found Sayer a Fisher Price TV and that is how it all started. I had such a strong reaction to it. I know my brother must have had one - or maybe a friend of mine did. But, I knew I wanted Sayer to have it and he loved it!

Since then, my collection has grown. I found a cash register (like the one my brother had), a very cool camera (so Sayer can assist me on klt:photoshoots), a little clock radio,.... and one that I couldn't resist- the Jack-in-the-Box. The cash register is set up for Sayer to play "milkshake stand" (& he is also the klt:cashier). I think it's one of his favorite toys. The radio & TV are are fun music boxes too - the handles are a just a bonus. 

I admit it, the Jack-in-the-Box was really for me. I thought about it for awhile and bought it for myself today with the thought that it would serve as inspiration in the studio. However, Sayer latched right on to it. It appears to crack him up as much as it does me. One of the funniest things about it, you will have to take my word for it,  is the very odd squeeeaaaak that comes out of the little Jack's mouth.

It is a toss up as to who enjoys these toys more, me or Sayer. It is fun for me to watch him play with these pieces of history. Not to mention, I get a lot of inspiration from them. Most of these treasures were under $6 each - so really, how could I go wrong? I have to mention as well, that not only did I find the awesome Jack this week, but I have a stash of cool books to share with you soon too. Also, did you notice that sweet little plaid jacket? That was delivered yesterday- another fun vintage find from one of my Etsy favs, 3ringcircus. Sounds like the milkshake store is in full swing, better go order one now... 

{Music Monday} wash your jeans like real people...

One of my first blog posts ever, was about my appreciation of Imogene & Willie's concept & style. I fell in love immediately with their first branding video that played on their website. John Moessner made that video & did a wonderful job capturing an aesthetic that I really respond strongly to. He has made a new video for Imogene & Willie called, Wash Your Jeans Like Real People, made to the sounds of Patty Griffin singing "Wade in the Water". 

Wash Your Jeans from John Moessner on Vimeo.

I like the way that these guys roll- true Americana. I know from following them on Twitter, that they have concerts & happy hours at their retro fitted gas station (shop/studio) frequently. Too bad I don't live down the street. Happy Music Monday! I am off to wash some jeans now....  
{photo via here}

{giveaway} gazing at the birds...

The new thread drawing mobiles debuted this summer and I am so excited to be giving one away! You can enter to win an "all about birds" mobile over at the Baby Space blog- but be sure to enter before September 30th. 

I love to do giveaways, but quickly realized that I get too involved with the comments and feel badly that I can't give everyone something. So, it's better that I have others do klt:giveaways- that way, I'm not directly involved. Bron, from Baby Space once did such a lovely post about Sayer's room, that I was happy that she would be hosting this mobile giveaway. If you love interior spaces for children, you have to check out her blog. She is always revealing beautiful spaces and things to fill them.  

If you like the idea of gazing at the birds while falling asleep, stop by Baby Space soon.... 

In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying your weekend!