klt:sketchbook

{Inspiration} "Take your pleasure seriously"...

2012-01-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I've been a big Ray & Charles Eames fan for a long time - so I was really happy to finally see the documentary film, The Architect and the Painter on Thursday night. As expected, I've been thinking about it ever since. It was the goose bump kind of documentary for me - where I was grinning & nodding without even knowing it. I found that I was immediately on the computer looking up old pictures & searching for more information when it was over. While I am completely smitten with the Eames furniture & textiles, it's the games, playful exploration & process in the studio, & love of the circus that really speaks to me. When looking up some of their toys, I found these great black & white photos taken in 1951 by Allan Grant, for Life Magazine, of some children playing with masks & colored panels made by Charles Eames. I just love them.

via

"Take your pleasure seriously." - Charles Eames

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If you have an opportunity to see the film, I highly recommend it. It did leave me searching for more information & wanting to know a lot more about Ray in particular - but that is also a sign of a good film. I think sometimes, because of the their dynamic image as a couple, it's really hard to remember the time in which most of their amazing work was created. Equality for women was still so far away & their working relationship was so different than the norm of the day. Maybe it's because I'm a painter who loves design, or because I'm a woman, or because I've read tons of art history, but I really found that I was constantly frustrated by Ray getting overshadowed. I guess it's the old cliche' that we hear about so often concerning female artists that are married to creative men - I find it so annoying & I wanted to believe it was really different for them. However, it was no real fault of Charles- but again, more about the time. As an example, he gave a luncheon speech to a national assembly of the AIA, in which he said:

“My wife is a painter, and a very good one...and we’ve been working together for, oh, twelve years now, I guess...and at first I used to help and criticize things she was doing, and then she would help and criticize things I was doing, and we would … pitch in and do all the jiggering for each other and get it as people do...and then, gradually, things begin to sort of, you know, entropy...things began to get shuffled, and pretty soon you didn’t know, sort of, where one started and the other ended, and anything that we’ve looked at or talked about here, you know, I say that I’m doing it, but actually, she’s doing it just as much as I am, only she sort of goes under the same corporate type name…”

They were a brilliant duo nonetheless & the documentary was fantastic! It really was a perfect thing to watch in the first month of the new year.

Who do you find inspiring? Or better yet, what do you do to get inspired?

Music & Shadow Puppets...

2012-01-25T14:49:00.000-08:00

It probably doesn't need to be said that I'm fond of shadow puppets- but I love everything about them. So, I was glad to have stumbled across this video for the new Kate Bush song,"Eider Falls at Lake Tahoe. The shadow puppets were created by Robert Allsopp - I think they're just lovely & wanted to share. Hope you are having a great week!

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{Fun} a new year...

2012-01-22T21:01:00.000-08:00

When I saw these recycled letterpress paper chain kits by Something's Hiding In Here, I was immediately smitten with the packaging & the idea. It inspired me to make a "New Year" treasury of images, textures, & colors that I'm drawn to in 2012. Happy Chinese New Year - bring on the dragon!

View Etsy Treasury live here

Winter Wonderland Part II

2012-01-19T20:19:00.000-08:00

Yep, it's still snowing....

Winter Wonderland...

2012-01-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

It doesn't snow that much in the NW. But boy, in the last few day it's been a winter wonderland around here! It's just gorgeous white as far as the eye can see - with schools & many businesses shutting down. Unfortunately, I've been sick, so I haven't been able go out & play. However, I snuck out a few days ago & took these first two photos. Chris made this train whirligig for Sayer for Christmas & he got it up in the backyard just in time for a snowy ride - just like the Polar Express, according to Sayer.

These last photos were taken by Eddie Gordon for Gordon Skagit Farms facebook page. You can see more photos of this farm from one of our corn maze excursions here. I've been visiting since I was a young kid & take Sayer there for cider & pumpkins. It's about 10 minutes away from our house, on the way to my parents house & hutch studio.

Do you have snow where you live?

www.GordonSkagitFarms.com

{courtneycourtney} #4 love...

2012-01-15T22:51:00.000-08:00

You've heard me say it before, but I will say it again- I love sending Courtney (courtneycourtney) my prints. The last batch I sent her, I snuck in an extra special tee. I wanted to have a courtneycourtney tee made for Sayer's 4th birthday & I included his favorite owl tee that he had outgrown. Courtney worked her magic & made the coolest tee ever! Sayer just loves it. His birthday was on Wednesday & he has worn it everyday since! It has been in the wash a number of times already & has even survived a big glop of blue frosting on the front.

This is what a happy courtneycourtney customer looks like in case you wondered (& a brand new 4 year old). Her tees & dresses inspire dancing & fits of giggles.

The latest 3 dresses using KLT prints are so adorable as well! If you are interested in purchasing some of her creations, make sure you sign up for Courtney's emails here so you can see fun new photoshoots & all of the new courtneycourtney dresses that are available for purchase.

Courtney, thanks for sharing your vision- you are an inspiration! You made my 4 year old so happy & proud! I think he choreographed that dance for you.

* View other courtneycourtney creations with KLT prints here & here

Art & Ferry Rides...

2012-01-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, Chris met a really interesting couple- they became regular visitors at hutch studio & fans of Chris' "fine art" as well as his fun creations for hutch. This couple recently opened up an art gallery called Simon Mace Gallery in a small, coastal town about 2 hours away- which includes a ferry ride. The Simon Mace Gallery now represents Chris' work & hosted an art opening this last weekend for a new show called, Tasting Menu: Second Course. This show included 4 of Chris' pieces along with featuring 5 additional Simon Mace artists. We were lucky enough to be able to sneak away for the day to attend the opening in person- while our kiddo enjoyed a sleep over with his grandparents. Admittedly, I turned into a shutterbug- wanting to capture Chris, his work, & the day. Here are some highlights...

Chris had 2 of his ceramic/ sgraffito pieces & 2 of his gesso on paper pieces. From a distance, you couldn't really tell the difference between the medium used & all of them really engaged viewers. I loved being behind the camera & listening people's conversations & trying to capture their delight in the visual adventure Chris' interior spaces took them on. The gallery was hoppin' all day & into the evening- the town was also buzzing. There was a "first Saturday" art walk scheduled for the evening & you could tell people took the ferry over from Seattle just to participate. After we hung out at the gallery a bit in the afternoon, we had a chance to cruise the town before the opening.

We lingered in an underground coffee shop & spent time in a very cool, used & out of print bookstore. I was in heaven... I really could've spent all day there. Oh, did I find some treasures... but that's a different post.

Back to the Simon Mace Gallery - the flow of people was constant & the energy was infectious. It was a really fun end to a fantastic day. We then hopped on the ferry and headed home. I'd say it was a pretty great way to start the new year...

{Music Monday} cool collaboration...

2012-01-09T12:07:00.000-08:00

I've been enjoying this First Listen: Kathleen Edwards, Voyageur over at npr music today. Justin Vernon's (Bon Iver) presence on the album seem like a perfect fit. Happy Music Monday!

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{Vintage Finds} 50's Red & Blue...

2012-01-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

It seems I've been drawn to the same palette & time frame when it comes to vintage treasures lately. It's all about the 50's/ 60's & - I'm lovin' the reds & blues. I think it all started with this cool little jacket that I found at the fuzzymama's Etsy Shop. It has a great Rockabilly feel to it. Then these vintage toys followed...

{Queen Buzzy Bee 1959, Humpty Dumpty 1957, Perky Pot 1958, Sports Car 1959}

I'm such a sucker for the old, wood, Fisher Price toys. I found all but the Perky Pot for the hutch etsy shop. I need the Perky Pot in my studio- particularly today! What are some of your favorite toys from the past? Do you have a palette or time period you gravitate towards?

{Fun} Vintage Muppet Love ...

2012-01-04T23:08:00.000-08:00

I'm a such a big muppet fan & when Sayer was a baby, I couldn't wait to I introduce him to all of the vintage Muppet Show episodes that I loved as a kid. It's really no surprise that he's a Muppet fan too- it was inevitable. This fall, I was so excited to take him to the Muppet movie in the theater. He declared his love for Gonzo with loud enthusiasm during the movie & from that point on, I knew I wanted to find him a Gonzo plush for Christmas. I lucked out & found a vintage plush in great condition on ebay- it washed up nicely. But the outfit he came in was hideous & obviously not the original outfit- it was so... not Gonzo. I was really looking forward to making the goofy Muppet a special little outfit. However, I don't make doll clothes- or any clothes for that matter, & I was really under the wire as far as time because of the holidays & klt:works. So I was a little nervous about how my vision would be realized. On Christmas Eve, I was frantically working away until the wee hours making Gonzo's outfit out of 2 of my old sweaters (because I felt Gonzo needed to be cozy & to wear argyle) - picturing Sayer's face when he saw his new friend the whole time. I felt like the procrastinator elf in Santa's workshop. The outfit is a funky to say the least & not symmetrical at all- but I do think Gonzo is comfortable in his wool suit. It all worked out ok- I got the reaction I was hoping for on Christmas morning...

Color + Stickers = Colorful 2012

2012-01-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

Today is the first Monday of 2012 & it's a day off for a lot of people- but I'm trying to get into a rhythm of production today. When I was cruising the web this morning (procrastinating but also in search of some inspiration) this work by Lionel Esteve caught my attention. It was posted on facebook & I immediately looked the artist up. It's bright, cheerful, & it helped me ignore the rainy weather outside. The artist used self adhesive dots.

Then this afternoon, I saw a post on the Colossal Art & Design blog that you really should check out. At the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane this December, there was an installation by the artist Yayoi Kusama that was such a cool experiment. Read, "This is What Happens When You Give Thousands of Stickers to Thousands of Kids" here. You may have already seen this because it spread like wildfire on blogs & facebook today. But I couldn't help but post it as well. These two artists are very different, but I find it interesting that I saw both of their work today. Regardless, it sure cheered me up. Looks like the new year is full of color & dot stickers!

If you are looking for a little music this Monday, here is one of my favorite Music Monday posts from last year that I think fits this post perfectly.

{Happy New Year} Bye Bye Rabbit...

2012-01-01T00:52:00.000-08:00

The year of the rabbit was good... a blur really. But I'm ready for the dragon- bring on 2012! Every year I get quiet, contemplative, a little nostalgic, & ooze with extra gratitude the last week of December. This year was no different except for that I was hit with an overwhelming sense of burnout. More than usual - so I slowed down & enjoyed some time off with my little family. It felt good...

My normal routine on New Year's Eve is trying to rearrange the whole house- room by room. I can't tell you how many New Year Eve's Chris & I got ourselves wedged in between furniture trying to make our spaces "bigger" while trying to effectively achieve high levels of feng shui. Not today. Although we fiddled with Sayer's room a bit - it was nothing like the past years of my needing to change everything. I feel a little more content these days. I think due in large part to connecting with so many of you over the year. It really fills me up. So, I thank you - for stopping by here now & then & leaving comments. I appreciate it beyond words. I'm raising my glass (that's now empty) & wishing everyone a very happy new year! CHEERS! In Sayer style, I'm going to groove my way into 2012, won't you join me?

{SALE} a little birdie told me so...

2011-12-27T23:52:00.000-08:00

A little birdie told me that there is an end of the year sale at the klt:works shop! It's true, as a thank you for your support & kindness, everything in the shop is 30% off until the last minute of 2011 & the confetti is thrown! Just enter {YEARSEND} at checkout -www.kltworks.etsy.com.Hope everyone is enjoying the last week of the year. CHEERS!

Holiday wishes...

2011-12-23T23:34:00.000-08:00

My mom just gave me this photo of myself at Christmas time, (circa1975) very close to Sayer's age & it makes me smile. What ever happened to Mrs. Claus & her cool Go-Go boots? You never see her these days. It's really not that hard to remember the feelings I had about Christmas as a child. It was magical. But if I do ever forget... Sayer's here to remind me. Having him around sure does make Christmas a whole lot more fun. The kid's excitement is infectious! We aren't going anywhere faraway, but I do hope to chill out, relax, & take in the festivities a bit- so it might be a bit quiet here on the klt:sketchbook in the next few days. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday full of peace, joy & some yummy cookies!

Click Merry Christmas for a Theiss Family Dance...

{Hutch Demos} A thread drawing for you...

2011-12-20T20:28:00.000-08:00

On November 5th, Chris & I both did demos at hutch studio. We spent the day working together in the same space- Chris worked on various whirligigs & I drew with thread by using free-motion on the sewing machine. My parents actually live on the other side of the fence from hutch studio & Sayer was hanging out with them while we were at the studio, but he did come over to watch a bit & was our first visitor. I know he really enjoys watching us work & being in that creative space. Maybe someday all three of us can do demos together.

It was such a pretty, sunny day & I thoroughly enjoyed working next to Chris & chatting with the occasion visitor. There were two teenagers that hung out watching me for the longest time & I got a real kick out them. My brain usually works fast - plus I had consumed my share of coffee that afternoon & even I couldn't keep up with their constant banter.

My friend Chantale edited some footage we had of the afternoon & gave me this video for an early Christmas gift (I know, she is the sweetest!). You can sort of get a feel of the space & the way that I create my drawings that I use for my klt:works tees & plushies. I hope you enjoy it!

One of the things that Chris & I try to instill in Sayer is the importance of making things by hand & how special a drawing or piece of art is. He has been drawing like crazy lately & we are encouraging him to give everyone a special drawing for Christmas. With that in mind, I thought I would "walk the walk" & do a special giveaway that comes from my hands & my heart. I'm actually not really sure how it will be received, but I thought I would give it a whirl. It's not meant for any other reason than to say "thank you" for sharing your time & comments with me. So... during this demo at hutch, I did quite a few little owl drawings - they are fairly quick & on small pieces of canvas. I would love to give them away to people who would enjoy them. If you would like one, just leave me a comment (& a way to reach you). If necessary, I will draw names & announce it here on Friday. Thanks again for reading this blog & for reaching out. I truly value the connections & people I meet here! Hope you are having a great week! Happy Holidays!

{Music Monday} Shine...

2011-12-19T12:33:00.001-08:00

This new song from Benjamin Francis Leftwich feels good to me today. I always love the imagery & lighting in his videos - they calm me down & fuel my imagination. I'm trying to chill out before I brave the post office - I think this did the trick. Besides, it's a good holiday wish, don't you think? Happy Music Monday!

{photo via}

{Cup of Cheer SALE} Top 5 KLT Holiday Picks...

2011-12-17T16:24:00.000-08:00

Oh wow does December fly by! There is a only a week left before Christmas & the shopping scurry has begun. Chris & I actually took yesterday off & shopped at our favorite local design shop & now I feel a little more relaxed & ready to enjoy some family time. However, I admit, I'm a BIG online shopper. So for those of you that are hitting the web this weekend for some special holiday gifts, here is a list of my top 5 KLT "ready to ship" items.

Sweater Slugs ~ These little critters love to cuddle up under the tree, crawl into the nearest stocking or hang out with their favorite kiddos.

Owl Cardigan (for adults) ~ This Cardigan is as cozy as it is classic.

Letterpress Prints ~ These are great gifts for friends (rabbit, fox, & hedgehog not pictured)...

Jolly Jimmy Bluebird- Jolly Jimmy is looking to be someone's best pal...

Owl Cardigan (for toddlers) ~ A perfect layering piece for your stylish kiddo that will keep them warm & cool at the same time!

These are just 5 favorites from the shop - there are many items that would make wonderful gifts. To make it even easier on your wallet, here's a discount code "11HOLIDAY30" to use at checkout here - that will give you 30% off your order until Monday (anything you fancy)!

Whether you are shopping or just hanging out with loved ones, I hope you are enjoying yourself this weekend!

{Vintage Fun} Toys at Hutch...

2011-12-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

It's no surprise that Sayer loves visiting his dad at hutch studio. The space is full of all sorts of creations, projects, & games that Chris dreams up but it also has lots of vintage toys around to marvel at & play with. I wonder how he will remember his visits to hutch when he is older.

Along with the DIY kits, lights, whirligigs, tees, & books, there are so many cool vintage toys in the hutch shop right now! It's definitely a fun place to find a unique & special holiday gift this season.

Until December 24th, enjoy free US shipping on all of your hutch etsy shop purchases. Use code {HUTCHFREESHIP} in the note to seller during checkout. What was your favorite toy growing up?

{Music Monday} A Holiday Kick...

2011-12-12T22:25:00.000-08:00

How's that for a little holiday spirit pick me up? Oh man can Vera Ellen dance!! This is just what I needed to start off the week. Happy Music Monday!

{photo via}

{Vintage Inspiration} chenille bedspread goodness...

2011-12-07T21:44:00.001-08:00

When I got my hands on these vintage chenille bedspreads, I knew right away what I wanted to do with them. I really liked the idea of playing with texture & pattern in my plush critters. This particular floral bedspread made me think of my owl plush. Given that art imitates life & this was a bedspread that I was working with, I felt it appropriate to make my owl a bit sleepy. So meet Sleepy Olivia Owl.... (she's Ollie Owl's sister).

The other three chenille bedspreads seemed perfect for some fancy slugs & I made these for hutch studio. The textures are so fun to work with... I think I'm hooked. Did your grandma have a chenille bedspread? Or did you have one growing up?

{Design} studio visitors & some cool jewelry...

2011-12-06T19:36:00.001-08:00

It's really no secret that I adore design & love learning about designers & their process. Which is really why I enjoy visiting Ideal: Carefully Curated Goods whenever I can (plus, the ladies that own it are awesome & I like to visit them too). This last Friday night, the three of us went up to visit Ideal (Bellingham) & to take in the "First Friday" art walk. One of our stops was the Path- WWU IDSA fundraiser (Western Washington University Industrial Design Students). I met one of the WWU ID students a while back- he works at Ideal- & wanted to see what he was up to. Incidentally, Ideal has had a really supportive relationship with the ID department ever since they opened- which is also another reason I think they are so wonderful.

The ID students were showing & selling "Path - Kinetic Jewelry" for their fundraiser. They used a process to make rings & a necklace, called 3D printing. The jewelry was designed & constructed by the ID students on the WWU campus, with materials sourced from US manufacturers.

The Path Series of jewelry benefits the students in their pursuit of design education. Each peice represents the concept of an impossible object. They are constructed layer by layer to permit the presence of the ball within the track. ~WWU IDS

The energy & enthusiasm of the students showing & explaining their jewelry line was infectious & the fundraiser was buzzing. The really cool thing is that even though the fundraiser is over, you can still purchase all of the jewelry at Ideal & 100% proceeds of the jewelry go to the WWW IDsa! So when you are thinking about gifts this holiday season, don't forget about your local design & art departments. Most likely they are making some innovative things that could make a special gift.

As I have mentioned before, I've taught in the art dept. at a local college for about 12 years. I think teaching is sort of something that is in your blood. I haven't taught since Sayer was born & I miss it sometimes. I particularly like being a creative sounding board & support when creative minds are spinning. The ID student that I previously mentioned, Samuel asked me if I had time to answer some sewing questions that had come up during his most recent design project. Of course I made time... although I wasn't sure if I could help much. Samuel & his friend Spencer, lugged all of their materials & sewing machines to my studio on Sunday. It was great to get some different energy in there. They were constructing life jackets- a little different then the plush & mobiles that I normally make. I absolutely enjoyed the creative hum & buzz bursting out of the walls of my tiny studio. They are terrific, hardworking guys (with busily beeping iphones- which means they are very popular too) & I look forward to seeing what designs they come up with in the future. I can't help but wish they would come to work in my studio all of the time...helping me.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the Path- Kinetic Jewelry you can contact Ideal - I'm sure they would be happy to help you out.

My studio seems so quiet now. Although I do have my little Christmas elf working next to me in his "office" now & then- so it isn't too quiet. Hope you are having a nice week. What are you up to?

{Holiday Cheer} the tree...

2011-12-04T14:50:00.001-08:00

It was a gorgeous day - we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather for our traditional tree search. I've been going to the same place to search out a Christmas tree since I was in grade school & Sayer has been a part of this tradition since he was born. We all cram into my parent's car & drive out to this multiple level, family run tree farm. I have lots of pictures, but the light quality in these, I really liked. You can see pictures from our tree search last year, here. So, a visit to Santa on Saturday & a tree adventure today- I think we are officially ready. Bring on the holidays!

{Holiday Cheer} Sweater Slugs & Santa...

2011-12-03T13:32:00.001-08:00

December brings out cozy sweaters, velour slippers, peppermint candy canes, & snowy blues. All of which inspired these sweater slugs to make their way to the KLT shop late last night. Oh, & to answer your question, yes they do fit nicely in a stocking...

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Sayer visited Santa this morning & was happy to learn that Santa liked legos a lot when he was a kid too. Our weekend is full of traditions- we are on our way to the tree farm to find a tree tomorrow. What are your holiday traditions?

{Thread Drawings} Tea, Thread, & Fabric...

2011-12-01T00:09:00.001-08:00

I've been holed up in my studio the last few days working on a project. Chris & I were asked to be in an art exhibit at a local gallery for their holiday show again this year. So, I needed to squeeze in some time between filling orders & making "products"- to make "fine art".

My favorite thing about making art vs. products is the exploration & process. I usually just dive in with reckless abandon when I'm in the studio. I got into the creative bubble & just worked & worked until my eyes crossed. I was happy with what I came up with- nothing like working up to the last minute to rev up the ol' creative adrenaline (old habits die hard). I used thread, black tea, fabric, & embroidery hoops for these pieces. The studio looks like a hurricane hit.

Chris is delivering them to Smith & Vallee Gallery as I type. The show is called "Objectification 4" & the opening is Saturday night from 5-8pm - it's up from 12/03 -12/24. Chris & I have a "date night' without the kiddo & we will be able to mingle until our hearts content. So pop on down if you can. You can take a tour of the little town, gallery, & last year's submitted art pieces by clicking here.

Now I have to clean up the studio & start making more mobiles & plush. This was sure a nice little break though.... How's your week going?

{Music Monday} My dream concert...

2011-11-28T17:15:00.001-08:00

Andrew Bird and Ian Schneller's Sonic Arboretum from MCA Chicago on Vimeo.

One of the most frequent {Music Monday} artists mentioned on this blog is Andrew Bird (& most played in my studio). He is one of my favorite musicians without a doubt. The thing that continuously interests me about his music, is his ability to collaborate & contribute to so many cool projects. I was actually planning on doing this post about his contribution to the Muppet Movie Soundtrack (because we saw it this weekend- & I love the song & Kermit). However, I found out about, "Andrew Bird & Ian Schneller's Sonic Arboretum" at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago & it stopped my in my cyber tracks. What an amazing concert that will be! Ok Santa... did you hear that? Hmmm, well- I suppose that is a real long shot but it's worth putting on my pretend list. If I was a muppet, I could travel by map. So, If you are in the Chicago area & go to this, will you give me a play by play - complete with a description of what socks he was wearing?

So, anyway, back to my original thought - here is a video of my favorite musician singing my favorite frog's song. And yes, the Muppet Movie was really good. I loved it.... I can't help but think that the new muppet character, Walter, was inspired a bit by Andrew Bird himself. Happy Music Monday! Hope you have a great week!

via here

photo via here

{Everyday Inspriation} Just a Saturday Night...

2011-11-27T10:27:00.001-08:00

Our Saturday nights really haven't changed that much since our grad school days - after Sayer goes to bed anyway. Which is pretty cool really. We usually work in our perspective studios & meet up every now & then - throughout the night. It's particularly fun when we have deadlines or creative projects in the works. There is an energy that I really enjoy. Chris has had some shows & extra projects that he has been working on lately & had a vision that he need help executing last night. What I love, is that I was able to completely understand what his vision was. I took these photos of him in his studio last night... or hmmm, this morning I should say. His pieces that he is surrounded by are both made with clay with a technique called sgraffito & cardboard with b&w gesso. All & all - it was a pretty fun & producive Saturday night. Hope you are having a great weekend!

{Fun Finds} It's looking a lot like... December.

2011-11-25T20:39:00.001-08:00

So, today was that super hyped shopping day - Black Friday. While I know it's good for the economy, it's just not my thing to brave the crowds or big box stores for that matter. Instead of dealing with the long lines & craziness, I locked myself in the studio & worked on orders. It was nice actually- I was sort of oblivious to the hubbub going on outside. I did need to get my fix of looking at cool things though, so tonight I decided to make another treasury to celebrate small businesses. It's funny how these collections sort of put themselves together. I was particularly struck with texture, pattern, & color in this one- it's my December dream list of characters & props. Oh, & the number "36" isn't particularly significant. Sayer is just really into numbers lately & is counting all of the time & posting numbers all around the house. So that painting was for him. Hope everyone has a nice weekend!

View treasury live here

Photo via husavik

{SALE} Happy Thanksgiving Part II...

2011-11-24T12:04:00.001-08:00

While it doesn't take Thanksgiving Day for me to ponder how grateful I am, it is another opportunity to express it. I'm always very overwhelmed with emotion when I think about how lucky I am to be doing what I love to do... every day. I'm lucky to have a small support group of people that deserve a lot of thanks, but I also owe some big thanks to you. It's because of your interest in what I make that allows me the opportunity to live the creative life that is so important to me. So to you I say, THANK YOU! From today (24th) to the end of Cyber Monday (28th) use the discount code "KLTTHX" at checkout (at the KLT Etsy Shop) to received 30% off your entire order. Hope you all have a wonderful day - both US residents & my international friends! Ok, now I'm off to the kitchen...

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T09:51:00.001-08:00

Over the river & through the flats, to grandmother's (& grandfather's) house we go- La Conner to be exact.

Turkeys used to roam the streets of La Conner freely- which was so cool to see. However, they were asked to move & are hanging out somewhere else today. So, I guess we won't see them this year.

We are all going to take it easy today. Maybe we'll watch a movie, listen to music ... or a enjoy a game of Twister (Sayer's new favorite game) before our food coma hits.

Then it's back over the river for us. It will be a simple & easy day. But there will be thankful reflection for sure. The list is long. Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends (& happy day to my International buddies) ! What are you up to today?

vintage toys via here

{Music Monday} Color...

2011-11-21T11:19:00.001-08:00

Hudson - Against The Grain from Dropbear on Vimeo.

It's going to be a busy week with (hopefully) a lot of color. This stop motion, colored pencil video fits my mood today. Happy Music Monday! Now I'm off to the studio...

via :: Design Mom

{Four Fun Finds} Favorite Vintage Inspiration...

2011-11-20T11:45:00.001-08:00

Some of you may be aware of my vintage book & toy love. I've been collecting vintage treasures for a little while now under the guise of gifting them to Sayer. However, it has become very apparent that I may need to start sharing my collection a bit. Particularly when I start finding doubles of my favorite things (that applies to mostly books). So, my new outlet for my findings will be the hutch etsy shop & these four finds were just added! I really do enjoy the idea of sharing things that delight me so much, with others & these particular finds are among my very favorites.

1. Pink Pig- 1955 Fisher Price

2. The Red Balloon - Albert Lamorisse - 1956 (a favorite in our house along with the movie)

3. Dick Bruna Picture Cubes (with 6 illustrations) -1980

4. The Happy Lion - Louise Fatio & Roger Duvoisin -1956

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

{Fabric Friday} Ruth Adler Schnee...

2011-11-17T20:36:00.001-08:00

I was flipping through my husbands RISD alumni magazine last night & stumbled on another treasured textile designer that I was thrilled to learn about. Her name is Ruth Adler Schnee & there was solo show of her work last summer in conjunction with the 2011 Venice Biennale called, A Passion for Color - which was complimented by a documentary film of her life & career. She attended Rhode Island School of Design in 1942 & was considered a leading textile designer with pioneering designs as an artist. She was also a mother of three. I was very interested to learn about her circle of friends & fellow collaborators (because I really dig that sort of thing- & they are some of my favorites) : Ray & Charles Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright, Buckminster Fuller, & Minoru Yamasaki. She grew up in Germany & her mentor/ childhood friend was Paul Klee (one of my favorite Expressionist painters who was influenced by music). I'm not really sure how I didn't know about Ruth given she hung out with a lot of my artist/design idols, but I'm really glad I do now. If you are interested in learning more about Ruth, the RISD article below has a lot of links that could keep you busy for a long time. Happy Fabric Friday! Hope you have a great weekend full of a lot of cool discoveries.

sources ::

www.risd.edu/About/News/Design_Pioneer_in_Venice/

www.roniteisenbach.com

{Everyday Inspiration} camera in hand...

2011-11-15T19:53:00.001-08:00

Late last week, Sayer asked me if we could go on a picnic at the beach after I picked him up from pre-school. The weather has been typical for fall in the NW- chilly, rainy, & a little dreary. However, this particular day it was sunny with a nice crispness in the air . The beach he was referring to is one that I used to go to when I was in high school - just to chill out & quiet my mind. It was one of the first places I drove to when I got my drivers license- so he didn't need to twist my arm for me to take him out there.

By the time we had packed our little picnic & got out to the beach, the sun was rapidly going down. The lighting & color was gorgeous- not to mention we had the whole beach to ourselves. If you haven't noticed yet, I really love taking photos of Sayer - particularly at the beach. So, I was in heaven just snapping away while Sayer explored & threw rocks into the water. He even brought one of our vintage cameras from our collection that he likes to play with. It was just what we both needed. This place still has the power to calm me down & I'm glad that Sayer enjoys it as much as I do. On the way home, we chased the full moon taking back roads off the beaten path. I kept pulling over, trying to get a good photo. But I think the chase was better than the actual photos. It's pretty amazing how my kiddo knows just how to make my day. Is there a special place that you like to go to chill out & unwind?

{Good Read} Uppercase #11 love...

2011-11-12T23:20:00.001-08:00

My love of UPPERCASE Magazine isn't new. I've been a fan for awhile now- I'm only missing the 1st issue in my cherished collection. The magazine never ceases to inspire & delight me. I'm always amazed at how timely the topics are- it seems like each issue is always full of everything I'm currently interested in. Now I know I say this EVERY time, but issue number 11 is my absolute favorite so far. In addition to the stellar content- there is another reason why I was thrilled when I flipped through the pages...

Sayer was pretty excited to see the "Wise Old Owls" article too- particularly the {covet} page (pg 101). It's always nice to get a nod or mention in print- but when it is in a favorite magazine that is so beautifully curated & designed, it's particularly smile inducing.

I'm still savoring the magazine but here are four articles that caught my attention right away.

- carving a niche : the small marvels of artist diam chau - page 39-41

- scherenschnitte - page36-37

- Scratching the Surface - page 86-87

- fibre and fire : Lizz Aston - page 82-85

Funny, but two of these articles caught my attention because of Chris. He is a ceramicist & has been doing "sgraffito" for over 20 years in his personal work- which is where I first learned the term. In the work that he does for hutch studio, he has been exploring the concept of "sherenschnitte" over the last few years. So I the, Scratching the Surface and scherenschnitte articles, stood out to me in particular.

This is truly a gorgeous magazine & I don't have enough thumbs to give it the "thumbs up" that it deserves. If you are local to where I live - you can find this great magazine (in person) at, ideal: carefully curated goods, in Bellingham, WA.

Thanks Janine, you made my day. Kudos on other fantastic issue!

{Fabric Friday} Wonderful Textile Archive

2011-11-11T16:13:00.001-08:00

Andrea Aranow Textile Archive from Aaron Rayburn on Vimeo.

I learned about Andrea Aranow's textile archive last week on the FORTPORT blog. It's such a great project & truly amazing collection - I felt the need to share it with my fellow textile enthusiasts. Pop on by to read the article if you have a chance- it's a great blog as well. Can you imagine having all of your fabrics organized & archived like that? Well, maybe you already do- but I don't & I'm in awe. Happy Fabric Friday! I'll be doing some sewing this weekend. Will you?

Also, a big thanks to the men & women that have & continue to serve our country. Happy Veteran's Day!

{via here}

{La Petite} For the Love of Books...

2011-11-09T12:59:00.000-08:00

I don't think Rachelle knows how much I truly enjoy the opportunity to contribute "For the Love of Books" to La Petite Magazine. I don't think I honestly knew how much I would look forward to hearing what the next theme of the magazine was just so I could start dreaming up what I would write about - & then what I would photograph to go with it. My love of books & research is only part of what interests me in this project. Being that I am totally immersed in the day to day life of a small business owner/designer & mom, it is nice to be given a creative challenge on a continuous basis that is completely unrelated. I love coming up with a direction & including Sayer in my adventure. While I think I say it each time I write the book feature, this one is my favorite. Sayer & I played a little Swiss make- believe one day. This photoshoot with him was somewhat spontaneous too. We were actually taking photos for my fox tee that we had just picked up & I packed a bag of various things just in case it got chilly & the opportunity for more photos presented itself (the attention span of a toddler is unpredictable). The day was gorgeous & we headed out to enjoy the weather at one of my favorite local places. We read our Pippi book (that was a sweet gift from a blog reader) on a break & then got out Sayer's ukelele for what turned into a Sound of Music moment. The lighting was great & I took photos as Sayer explored - I loved it! My vision was coming to life & it is particularly exciting when that happens. The scarf he was wearing was actually mine - it was getting chilly so I took it off me & put it on him. His whole outfit came together organically.These photos make me smile & remember a fun day- so I wanted to share them. Every time I send Rachelle my writing & photos, I get nervous about whether it will fit her vision. What I'm always so amazed at, is how well it fits in with the rest of the contributions & general feel of the magazine. I was tickled to see that my view of the Swiss Alps & Mountain children was fairly spot on

When I saw this photoshoot spread on Monday, I was tickled. I posted this picture yesterday as a favorite from the magazine. It almost looks like we could have been in the same place! This was my fourth, "For the Love of Books", & I'm so excited to start on the fifth one! Thanks for including me Rachelle- it's truly a joy to be a part of your magazine. I have so much fun!

-Check out the new issue of La Petite here

-All "For the Love of Books" features here

{La Petite Mag} Issue # 6 + Gift Guide

2011-11-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

La Petite Magazine - Issue #6 came out yesterday & it's really quite stunning! The photography, interior spaces, interviews & features are really wonderful. Again, I feel really proud to be a contributor to such a beautiful magazine. This issue I was asked to contribute 3 of my top picks for the La Petite Gift Guide. It was such a hard task to narrow my picks down to 3- but I finally did. I was particularly honored to be among such a great group of blogging women as well. The funny thing, is that at least one of my picks came from Amanda's blog. I remember ordering the Tegu blocks for Sayer when she posted about them. My favorite local design store, Ideal, now carries them & I have the little pocket pouch that I chose- all because of Amanda's blog. Amanda, Rachel, Celina, & Peggy have such great taste & I enjoy all of their blogs very much.

Tapikid Playmat

kidsonroof - totem figurines

Tegu Tints Pocket Pouch

I've been waiting for the Tapikid Playmats to come to the US for awhile now- so I wanted to make sure to pass on the US link (under the picture). All 3 of these things are inspired by watching Sayer play - so his picture should really be on the gift guide I think. If you haven't checked out the new La Petite Issue, you are in for a treat. There is so much to browse through! Here are just a few of my favorite images from the magazine...

So, grab your favorite beverage, put your feet up & dream while you click through the gorgeous pages. Well done ladies! Thanks for including me!

Visit La Petite Magazine - Issue # 6 - www.lapetitemag.com/current-issue/

{Music Monday} What's playing in the studio...

2011-11-07T18:09:00.000-08:00

It's dark & rainy- actually the perfect ingredients for locking myself in my studio (which is good because I need to). I've been listening to the new Ryan Adams album, Ashes & Fire all day- pretty sure it will remain on tonight until I go to bed. I have a long night in the studio ahead. Happy Music Monday! What are you listening to?

{photo via}

{Everyday Inspiration} Kiel Johnson cardboard love...

2011-11-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

Kiel Johnson's Cardboard Twin Lens Reflex Camera Time Lapse from Theo Jemison on Vimeo.

THE SHORT STACK from Theo Jemison on Vimeo.

Holy Moly- aren't these unbelievable cardboard creations? A friend told me about this post over at Odette Manon & it blew me away (thanks again D!). Then I checked out Kiel Johnson's website & was hit over the head with his brilliance. I highly recommend taking some time to cruise through it - this post barely scratches the surface of his projects. I particularly love his videos by Theo Jemison too!

Hope you are having (or had) a wonderful weekend. Did you make anything cool?

All photos from www.kieljohnson.com

{Fun Event} whirligigs & thread...

2011-11-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, Hutch Studio opened it's doors to the public. It was the Annual Arts Alive weekend in La Conner & Hutch Studio celebrated the opening with art demonstrations all day- I happened to have been one of them. Saturday, Hutch Studio is celebrating it's 2 year anniversary much in the same way. It's Arts Alive weekend again & Chris will be doing a whirligig demo from 12-2pm & I will do a demo in how I draw with thread, from 2-4pm

Thread Drawing from elSage on Vimeo.

If you are in the area, pop on by, we would love to see you! Chris has been working on some new pieces for a show that will be going on this weekend as well. Stop by Maple Hall in La Conner to view his new work (details here). The piece below is made with cardboard & is a peek into the world of Hutch Studio.

If you aren't able to come visit us in person, you can enjoy free shipping all weekend at the Hutch Studio etsy shop! Just use "hutchfreeship" during checkout. Hope everyone has a creative weekend!

{Photos} all about the costumes...

2011-11-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Every Halloween since Sayer was a baby, we took photos of him in his costume. But last year we started a tradition of taking a family portrait of the three of us in our costumes- by setting the timer on our camera. This Halloween Sayer went as the same thing as last (as much as we tried for something else). He was an Aquabat at home & a fireman in La Connner last year. He actually didn't wear the Aquabat much - he was the fireman most of the time & this year he enjoyed the Aquabat costume a lot. As for Chris & I, we dipped into our costume trunk. Chris has always made costumes for himself at Halloween & I have my fair share stowed away- so our trunk is full of options. I actually ended up wearing my mom's old clown costume (circa '70's) that she wore when I was Sayer's age- it even smelled like her old Charlie perfume even after several washings. I had my old clown costume from my pre-school days out for Sayer to wear- but he wasn't interested at all. There is something about dressing up that I really enjoy- particularly as a clown. It brings out the ham in me. So I took a few photos of myself - some without the goofy glasses (or my own for that matter) before the Halloween festivities started. I have to say, I enjoy having really big hair! Chris was somewhat taken with my clown self. He told me that when he looks at these pictures, he sees the woman that he married.... hmmm. I know what he means though- I feel the same way actually. I might have to revisit being a clown every now & then...

I think it's important to dress up & goof around. Life can be too serious sometimes- so it can take the edge off. Sayer seems to enjoy it too. We recently went to a pre-school Halloween party with him & we were some of the only adults that dressed up. Sayer told us that he was really proud of us & enjoyed the fact we dressed up with him. You don't really have to twist our arm much. I suppose we had better enjoy it now before he is a teenager & pretends that he doesn't know us.

Yesterday afternoon there was a Halloween parade in the town of La Conner - where my parents live (& we used to live). The town is charming & small - perfect for a parade. Sayer has not developed my sweet tooth yet - so we just cruised the streets without stopping for candy at the shops, but a lollipop caught his eye & he was quite excited to try one. He held on to it the whole time & it turned into more of a prop.

It's pretty cool that Sayer gets to enjoy hanging out with his grandparents so often (my dad is above) & the joys of a small quaint town. I was really glad to have met up with the three of them in time to walk with Sayer down the street during the parade & enjoy a little of the small town charm myself. Chris met us later to go trick or treating in La Conner before we all headed home. What a way to start the week! What did you do last night? Do you like to dress up in costumes?

{Music Monday} Screamin Jay...

2011-10-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins, costumes, candy, parades & Screamin Jay Hawkins... all in a day. Happy Halloween & Happy Music Monday!

* Sayer has decided to dress up as the same thing as last year (even though we made him a Fantastic Mr. Fox (ASH) costume. So, I'll share last year's Halloween Music Monday post too - because he will be rockin' it again.

{photo via}

{Everyday Inspiration} I love paper...

2011-10-29T23:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a year since Cardboard Man was officially born. The wonderful, cardboard Halloween costume that my husband came up with last year really became his hutch studio uniform & Cardboard Man is really who he becomes in the studio. This treasury is all about my love of all things made with paper & dedicated to Chris on this weekend before Halloween. Hope you are enjoying spooky festivities & making cool things with paper this weekend!

Visit this Etsy treasury live here

Visit last year's Halloween photo shoot here

{Real Life} New bag for kiddo...

2011-10-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

As you may remember, Sayer started pre-school last month & he's growing before my very eyes- becoming more & more independent by the day. At school, they have hooks for their coats & bags- so we have been on the lookout for a cool bag that is a perfect fit. We are also officially putting away the old diaper bag that has been toting his treasures on his day trips to grandma's house.

What you might find in his bag when he goes to his grandparent's house is a cd, video, book, his gunks or a truck & some people, & a change of clothes (in case of an accident of the potty or mud puddle type). For school he usually has a change of clothes (& sometimes a cd or gunks) & totes home his art projects. It seemed like perfect timing when Jennifer of Ellie Bellie Kids had a little (product tester) bag giveaway. Sayer & I threw our names into the draw & luck was on our side. The bag arrived this week & Sayer has taken it both to his grandparent's house & to school. It really is a wonderful size- fits everything just right without being too bulky. There is side elastic that was originally designed to hold a yoga mat, but for Sayer, it holds two slugs/gunks perfectly - while the 3rd fits in the bag (his 3 slugs don't ever get separated).

See how nicely his unique bag fits on his hook at pre-school? The robot bag has become a favorite & we both give it two thumbs up. It's sturdy, modern, efficient, & cool! What more could you want in a bag? I'm sure that it will go on many adventures.

Thanks Ellie Bellie Kids! I know Sayer really appreciated the opportunity to test out this bag. He particularly enjoys having a special spot for his gunk buddies to ride with him on his daily journey.

Pop on over to check out Ellie Bellie Kids here & check out the great blog that goes with it, Classic Play here.

{Music Monday} Love Love Love...paper animation

2011-10-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

I discovered the New Zealand band, Avalanche City, because of my love of (paper) stop motion animation. I'm quite taken with this video- but it's a catchy tune too. Another discovery from this band is Hunter & Gatherer who did artwork for the band's album, Our New Life Above the Ground- check out their cool Etsy Shop here. Art & music.... a lovely way to start the week. Happy Music Monday!

{Inspiration} Mary Blair...

2011-10-21T17:22:00.000-07:00

Mary Blair's art has inspired me for a really long time, but I didn't always know it. Whether it was through my Golden Books that she had illustrated or Disney's, Alice in Wonderland, I was aware of her illustrations & way with color at an early age.

It was visiting Disneyland as a 4th grader & getting to see, It's a Small World that made the biggest impact me artistically though. This is actually a photo that I recently found - I had taken it on one of my Disneyland visits as a kid (I only went a few times). I'm not really sure what year- but in the 80's. It's a Small World really knocked my socks off & I often thought about how I could try to reconstruct it (while listening to the Disney record of course).

As an adult I still enjoy her illustrations & creative vision- along with appreciating It's a Small World even more. Happy 100th Birthday Mary Blair!

Another inspiring Mary Blair video link
www.magicofmaryblair.com

Have a great weekend!

{Shop Update} The Snowy Owl...

2011-10-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

Winter at klt:works means snowy owls & hoodies. So I was really excited about getting this salt & peppy snowy owl hoodie printed in time for the cozy weather. For this screen printing job (along with more owl cardigans), I worked with a local screen printing studio called Innate. Their creative energy was a perfect fit.

Of course, a new hoodie added to the klt:mix meant that Sayer needed to test it out - with me camera ready. So we headed out for the afternoon to explore the cool nooks & crannies of our downtown.

Now the klt:shop is all stocked up for the winter with cozy shades of grey & oodles of owls.

{new to the shop}

More Owl Cardigans here

Snowy Owl Toddler Hoodie here

It's always fun to work with different creatives - so if you are local & looking for some custom work, give the guys at Innate a visit. They also have a store front where they sell their own designs. They are always working on interesting & fun projects so they are bound to inspire you.

Innate FB page here

Innate Web here

{Music Monday} 2 Cousins...

2011-10-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

When I saw this video on the Handmade Romance FB page Thursday, it made me smile. So much so, that I knew that I had to pass it on. It was a rather appropriate find as we've been talking a lot about cousins at our house. Sayer is going to have a new cousin (one that will be in this state - rather than across country) sometime in February & we are all VERY excited. I've been going through old pictures lately & found this one of me, my little brother, & my two favorite cousins (who also have February birthdays). I really don't think I need to tell you which one I am, do I? If you have any doubts, just look at Sayer's picture & you will know right away. In this picture, I'm very close to the age Sayer will be when his cousin is expected to arrive- they will have about the same years apart as my brother & I do (4yrs). We all look forward to the day that Sayer will have a cousin to dance with too! Happy Music Monday!

{Everyday Inspiration} hanging low....

2011-10-15T13:22:00.000-07:00

It seems as though the change of the season & schedules has brought the icky crud right along with it. Our whole family has been battling a bad cold over the last few weeks. We just keep exchanging symptoms & trying on new ones. Sayer & I are still feeling less than our energetic selves today & decided to take it easy. On the agenda (while Chris is at work) is a little painting, a possible puppet show, fire station, & some cuddling on the couch with our favorite books & magazines. Hopefully we will be all energized and inspired by tomorrow. What do you have planned for the weekend?

{Mid-week Inspiration} Rob Ryan...

2011-10-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

Handmade Portraits: Rob Ryan from Etsy on Vimeo.

I've been a fan of Rob Ryan's since I gave Chris the book, This is For You a few Valentine's Days ago - I just saw this great video about him this morning on the Etsy Blog & thought I would pass it on. After I watched it, I cruised through Rob's shop, where I saw the, "Our Adventures in Wallpaper Collaboration with Mini Moderns"! Lovely - I'm a fan of Mini Moderns as well so I was thrilled to see this. I recently saw a great post about Mini Moderns on Bright Bazaar too that you might want to check out. Nothing like a great collaboration between some amazing artists/designers to help get you through Wednesday. Hope you are having a great week!

{Handmade Inspiration} Fun Finds #8 ...

2011-10-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

{Matte Stephens}

{Blackbird Letterpress}

{Lisa Golighty}

{Artisanie Europe}

{Royal Buffet}

Poppytalk Handmade just turned 5 & the celebration is starting with a new market called "indie love". This is such a great place to find oodles of handmade goodness! Here are 5 of my favorite fun finds - 1 for every year that Poppytalk Handmade has been showcasing handmade goods & emerging design talent. Happy Birthday Poppytalk Handmade!

Pop on over and have a look at everything here.

{Everyday Inspiration} That time of year...

2011-10-09T17:46:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year....corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apple trees, & the beautiful light of a crisp autumn day. Fall is really my favorite season. But lately, I view my days a bit like this corn maze. I'm sort of stuck in the middle right now- looking for which way to turn. I've been so busy with klt:works (along with life) that I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. However, I'm looking forward to finding my way out of this maze & running free. Until then, it's one day at a time. It was a gorgeous weekend here in the valley & we were lucky enough to get outside to enjoy some of the sunny days. How was your weekend?

{Everyday Inspiration} an apple a day...

2011-10-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

As I sit down to write a blog post on my Mac Book while listening to music through itunes, with my iphone in pocket, & Buzz Lightyear gazing at me from afar- I'm reminded of Steve Jobs's genius. While reading a number of articles last night about him, I found a quote that particularly resonated with me & felt it appropriate to post. After all, the klt:sketchbook is a place for me to document things that inspire & amaze me & he is the epitome of that.

"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

- Steve Jobs {Stanford commencement speech, June 2005}

Wow, Steve Jobs will sure be missed!

{Everyday Inspiration} Fantastic Foxes

2011-10-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

We are a family that enjoys movies & books very much & Fantastic Mr. Fox is one of our favorites. Sayer has been asking for a bandit hat & quotes Ash often so we thought that maybe Sayer should be Ash for Halloween this year. But the Fantastic Mr. Fox didn't only inspire the Halloween costume, it inspired the newest klt:tee.

I drew the fox image this last spring - right when we introduced Sayer to the movie. I was struck by everything, the characters, the palette of the movie.... all of it (I love the book too). When the fox tees came in last week, Chris & I started making the Ash bandit hat together. I thought it would be fun for a fox tee photo shoot. I think these foxy guys really played their parts well. I wonder what movie or book will inspire the next klt:works character. Any guesses?

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

{new klt:tee}

organic toddler fox tee here

organic unisex fox tee here

{Music Monday} Stay Young, Go Dancing...

2011-10-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist this new video release from Death Cab for Cutie. Words to live by... Happy Music Monday! {Photo via here}

{Good Read} Anorak + Alain Gree = LOVE

2011-10-01T22:58:00.000-07:00

What happens when a new & innovative children's magazine & press pairs up with a favorite children's book illustrator? Perfection, that's what.

"PLOC Magazine is the happy mag for little ones (kiddos from 3yrs-8yrs old) that contains tons of games & coloring stories for budding readers - & published by the gorgeous Anorak Press & illustrated exclusively by Alain Gree.

I've been a fan of Alain Gree's illustrations for awhile now & have even have found a few lovely vintage Gree books for Sayer over the years. I just learned about the children's magazine, Anorak this summer & was delighted with the 2 issues that I purchased. You can imagine how excited I was to hear about PLOC!

It definitely passed the Sayer test. These were his favorite 4 features on first read. They couldn't be more perfect for his interests right now. While this is a UK publication, the world wide web allows all of us to partake in the fun. Definitely a favorite find & good read. Hope you are finding time to relax & curl up with a good magazine or book this weekend!

Visit Anorak here.
{new l/s rabbit tee here}

{Fun} Time to crunch in the leaves...

2011-09-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

Wow, things have been busy around here lately! I'm still playing catch up with orders & scrambling to photograph new klt:tees. I just saw this image when I was quickly perusing pinterest on my lunch break. There was just something about it that made me stop and admire it- so it's my image of the week. This is what I wish for this weekend. How about you? Hope you all have a wonderful weekend & find time to crunch in the leaves or smell the flowers... (depending on where you live)!

image via here

{Shop Update} Alfred Hitchcock love...

2011-09-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

I wasn't kidding when I said I have lots of new tees on the way. Yep, I picked up another box of klt:works tees from the screen printer on Friday. I've been excited about these raven tees for a long time now & have enjoyed dreaming up different ways to photograph them. However, with limited time & the attention span of a 3yr old, making my photographic dreams into a reality becomes more of a spontaneous adventure that involves a lot of crossed fingers. There is also the fact that I really don't like modeling the women's tees. I think somewhere between working from home, becoming a mom, & entering into my 40's - my crazy body image issues have reached an all time high. But, sometimes I just have to suck it up & leave my insecurities at the door. Chris & I had a date night on Friday night while Sayer had a sleepover at his grandparents house. Part of our fun evening included some wine, dipping into the costume trunk & documenting some tees.

Then to continue this crazy vision of mine, we all headed out Sunday on a really blustery day- to play in the "wind tunnels" downtown. I love the gritty backdrop of the alleys & was doing my best to channel a little Alfred Hitchcock while trying to catch up with Sayer as he ran & explored all of the cool nooks & crannies.

So there you have it... raven tees for the whole family! (I have yet to upload the raven onesies & toddler s/s eco tees.) The next two boxes of klt:tees are actually getting printed by a new screen printer that I just found. I can't wait to see them & have another little documenting adventure...

{new klt:works tees}

Organic Scoop Raven Tee here

Organic Unisex Raven Tee here

Long Sleeve Raven Toddler Tee here

{Music Monday} Colorful Knots...

2011-09-25T22:04:00.000-07:00

I don't always buy albums in full anymore- I tend to pick & choose songs. But the minute I learned that Lisa Hannigan had a new album out I bought the whole album without a second thought. Her new album is called "Passenger" & I was interested to learn that it was made between the 14th & the 22nd of February 2011 in Bryn Derwyn in Wales and the Church Studios in London. February is my favorite month so that in itself was a cool bit of information to read. Plus, I love things that are recorded like that. The timing for this album's release is perfect! I've been so busy lately & in need of some great music to help me along the way. I've been listening to it non-stop in the studio (& in the car) since Wednesday. She even sings a duet with Ray La Montagne (another studio favorite)- their voices are amazing together. Her videos are always wonderful so I was excited to see this one for "Knots"- it seemed like a good way to start the week. Happy Music Monday! Alright week... bring on the color!

Photo via here

{Multitasking} Family Night...

2011-09-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

This multitasking thing seems to be a trend I can't shake. I've been having some issues with my screen printer lately & have been expecting about seven new tee orders for about a month now. Which means that the minute an order is finished, I have to hustle to get my new products photographed because I'm feeling constantly behind. On the family front, Sayer had his first day of pre-school alone yesterday (parents were invited to stay the first day). It was the strangest feeling just dropping him off & driving away like that. But it turned out amazing for everyone! Chris has been pulling some unusually long hours because he is teaching this quarter in addition to his regular job- & class started yesterday too. So, we all met up in the evening for a nice walk on one of my favorite trails to chat about all of the excitement from the day. We had a fun little family night out & I got to photograph in gorgeous evening light- two very handsome guys. They both took turns taking photos themselves as well. It was a nice way to slow down, get things in perspective, & eek out the last little bit of the sun filled evenings.

How's your week going?

{new klt:works tees}

organic night owl tee- unisex here

long sleeved night owl toddler tee (restocked) -here

long sleeved squirrel toddler tee- here

{Music Monday} On the Radio...

2011-09-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

Real quick like...before Music Monday becomes Music Tuesday- it was a Regina Spektor sort of day. I think I'm going to need rhythm sticks this week. Happy Music Monday!

{Real Life} Winter Water Factory...

2011-09-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

This summer I won a contest which is not something that happens very often- so it was pretty exciting. But it what made it even more cool, is that I won a gift card from the Winter Water Factory! Now I have to say, I've been drooling over their prints for a long time & had a few things picked out in my mind for Sayer. However, being that Sayer is an individual with his own thoughts, I waited to use my gift card with him- for his school shopping. So, a few weeks before Sayer's pre-school started, the two of us cruised through the WWF site together & we carefully selected three items- discussing each one.

We thought we'd take a few snapshots of what we chose. We found that these tees really encouraged play & exploration...

We both liked the high seas & the tool box tees a lot. Sayer has gone boating with his grandparents since he was born so that was an easy choice. The tool box tee is a size bigger (we planned ahead) & caught Sayer's eye because he & Chris have been building a club house in our back yard over the last few months. He really had to have this one because the name "Sayer" means wood-worker (which is one of the reasons why we chose the name- the other is Chris' best friend, Dick Sayer). But, can you guess what Sayer's absolute favorite WWF tee is?

Yep, that would be the firetruck tee. He really wanted both firetruck tees - there's one with a red background too, but I only bought one (aren't I unreasonable?). I think the biggest compliment for a designer who makes things for children is when a child insists on wearing their designs on the first day of school. Sayer started pre-school on Thursday & he told me that he HAD to wear his firetruck tee. He wore it with such pride & told me that he was going to wear it everyday that he went to school. I have to say, it's the coolest firetruck tee that I've ever seen & he rocked it. Winter Water Factory is definitely tops in our book. And as an extra bonus, the tees go nicely with the klt:cardi, don't ya think? Thanks WWF!!

Shop Winter Water Factory here.

{Multitasking} All in a day...

2011-09-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

As summertime transitions into fall, time is becoming harder & harder to come by it seems. New schedules & activities start filling our days as fast as new products start filling the klt:works shop. The day after we got back from our little family getaway, I picked up a few of boxes of new tee orders from my screen printer. I work with a shop in Japan that had requested some sandpiper & owl couple onesies which gave me an opportunity to print some toddler tees as well. So Sayer & I promptly took off on a local adventure with 2 new tees in hand - in hopes of some cool discoveries & some product documentation. I think we were successful... What's your favorite way to multitask?

{new klt:tees} beach bird here & fancy owls here

{Fun} little cheerful...

2011-09-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

While on vacation, I found myself mindlessly surfing Etsy one evening. I suppose out of habit more than anything. Warm, happy colors & characters were catching my eye & a few minutes later, Little Cheerful treasury was created. The vintage Humpty Dumpty fabric started it all.

You can view this treasury live here. Hope everyone's week is going well. Thought you may like a mid-week smile....

{Fun} long weekend...

2011-09-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping to enjoy some time by the pool this weekend. Chris, Sayer & I all piled into the car with my mom & dad to drive over the mountains to a place called Lake Chelan today. It's a place we visited every summer when I was a kid & we revisited this tradition when Sayer was born. We met my brother & sister-in-law late this afternoon & are ready to begin our long weekend (we are a week behind). I think I may even unplug a bit &.... relax. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! What are you up to?

Here's last year's post about where I am right now: {Flash Back} weekend getaway

{Image via here}

{Fun} City Dog....

2011-09-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

I just got this cool magazine in the mail called City Dog & if you are a dog lover, I recommend checking it out (on the stands until October). It's full of all sorts of great articles & features about life with a dog in the west (Seattle, Portland, & San Francisco). It was particularly fun to open up the magazine to the four page section called {Cool Products} because my Chasing Tails mobile was featured along the side of many, many "cool things for hot dogs"! Thanks City Dog! Not bad for a Tuesday...

{Music Monday} Bright as Yellow...

2011-09-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

Sayer & I are hoping to relax a bit & maybe read a good book on this holiday Monday (ok- so maybe that is my hope- & it will be after playing fire station of course). It's a yellow sort of day... sunny, happy, & full of promise. Happy Music Monday! How are you spending your holiday?

{Everyday Inspiration} Beach Walkers...

2011-09-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

I just read this article in the New Yorker called, "The March of the Sandbeests" by Ian Frazier & wanted to pass it on (thanks for posting this on facebook Lisa!). I'm completely mesmerized by these kinetic, beach walking sculptures & the artist who creates them, Theo Jansen. But my cool discovery didn't stop there, I learned about Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention programming as well- which is just grand! Sayer loves Wallace & Gromit- particularly their inventions so this is great programing to know about.

Hope you are enjoying your long weekend!

{photo via here}

{SALE} Back to School...

2011-09-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

Sayer's packet of pre-school information just arrived today. It's full of his curriculum for the month, a homework project, the schedule for when he needs to bring a snack for his classmates, & the parent's handbook. Wow- it's all so official- where did the time go? I'm filled with all sorts of anxiety & excitement for this leap into the world of school. Thankfully he is really excited- we have taken bike rides by his school many times this summer along with peering into the windows & chatting about school time scenarios. In one of our snooping adventures, he spotted some fire hats & trucks in one of the windows so he's convinced he will love school.

In celebration of Sayer & his first day of school & for kids everywhere who are going back to school, klt:works is having a sale! Just enter {KLTFALL11} at checkout at the klt:works etsy shop & receive 25% off anything until midnight Monday (PST). Hope everyone has a great long weekend & start to the new school year!

{Fabric Friday} Sweet Nostalgia...

2011-09-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

As you may know, I've been stashing away fabrics for quite awhile. Sometimes, I don't know why I'm drawn to a pattern but I feel a strong attachment to it & get a little bit to save for the right occasion. I decided to put together a few bundles of fabrics for hutch studio the other day that consisted mostly of vintage reprints but that are all really hard to find now. I think I started stashing most of these when I was thinking about being a mom someday.

These fabrics are sweet, nostalgic, & perfect for baby quilt or any other fun project for your child. There are 2 bundles available here. Happy Fabric Friday! Do you have any fun & creative projects planned for the long weekend?

{Vintage Love} childhood buddy...

2011-08-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

I remember the Christmas that I got my Snoopy- I believe my brother & I got a synthesizer to share that year too- yep it was the '70's. Snoopy was one of my favorite buddies for a long time. I had so many outfits for him & would dress him up & take him everywhere. I loved him so much, that I kept him for my someday child....

That someday child loves Snoopy too! Although Snoopy doesn't have his extensive wardrobe anymore (what did I do with all of those clothes?) Sayer loves him all the same. He knows that his friend is "fragile" and needs extra care (he's been mended a number of times) but still likes to take him to "see the world" as he puts it. We took Snoopy to the grocery store a few days ago & Sayer pushed him in the cart & chatted with him the whole time. It's been pretty darn heart warming to watch his affection for my sweet, childhood buddy grow. They even dance together! As a fan of the Velveteen Rabbit, I can only imagine how happy Snoopy is right now.

Side note: The klt:works dog on the pictured tee is now considered Snoopy's brother.

{Music Monday} a taste of metals...

2011-08-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

Feist has a new album coming out in October & little sneak peek videos have been released all summer as teasers for the anticipated, "Metals" album. These are three of my favorite snippets but you can see more at www.listentofeist.com . I love the aesthetic of these videos how about you? Happy Music Monday!

{source}

{Fabric Friday} Owls & Nests...

2011-08-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

In my studio I have a stack of square, screen-printed pieces of fabric that are waiting for that perfect project. While I've had many ideas for how to use them, time is tricky these days. I've been nothing short of impressed with recent klt:works collaborations & I think they may have inspired an idea. I've decided to start selling some of my owl & nest screen-printed fabric squares in the klt:work etsy shop. These squares are perfect for quilts, clothing, pillows, framing, you name it! I really love seeing what people create so I thought it would be fun to start a flickr group called "friends of klt:works" with the thought that if anyone wants to post what they make with these fabric squares, they'll have a place. Who knows, there may be a contest somewhere down the road. Happy Fabric Friday everyone! Any creative projects planned for this weekend?

{Mid-Week Inspiration} Marimekko Process...

2011-08-24T17:12:00.000-07:00

When I cracked open my new dwell magazine, I was delighted to see an article called, "Helsinki Ink" under the PROCESS category. You know I love Marimekko, but I also love reading about everyone's creative process. This article lets you step inside Marimekko's printing factory- oh how I would love to go in person! But for now, it was a nice studio break read.

You can view the "Helsinki Ink" article here or check out the new September issue of dwell magazine pages 72-76. It was just the little piece of mid-week inspiration that I needed to get back to work. Hope you are having a great week!

:: middle three images via dwell.com ::