{Friday Inspiration} Beauty is Embarrassing...

A few weeks ago, I stumbled on an awesome documentary on a PBS independent lens segment that I've been wanting to pass on ever since. It was another one of those situations where I asked myself why I hadn't heard of it before- but was really glad to have seen it. The documentary is about an artist (designer, puppeteer, sculptor, musician...) Wayne White and it's called, Beauty is Embarrassing (which is now out on DVD). It was perfect fuel for my research & inspiration kick that I've been on lately & I loved it. Of course, Todd Oldham is the editor & author of a beautiful looking book on Wayne White as well for you book lovers.... 

"Do what you love, it's going to lead to where you want to go." 

 - Wayne White

So, if you are looking for some weekend inspiration, check out this documentary. 

Happy Friday Everyone! 

photo credit: here

{Inspiration} Butterscotch & Beesting...

When I first saw these photos, I was immediately smitten. Then my eyes honed in on that hat! It really resonated with me. I could completely picture it on Sayer & was pleased when he said he liked it....

Yep, you guessed it, I ordered him the Betty Butterscotch "Bobblescotch" hat from Butterscotch & Beesting in  a heartbeat. But I have to say, the whole shop was so much fun to cruise through! I'm also in love with these pillows. Camilla Westergaard is one talented lady with such an imaginative vision. Not surprisingly, her blog is just as inspiring... 

Last week, the three of us headed out to one of my favorite spots for a little picnic (& a mini photoshoot). Here are some of my favorite shots of the day that just happen to include the very fun "Bobblescotch" hat. 

I thought the hat was so perfect for Sayer- it totally fits his personality. He got a such a kick out the little ball on the top (& so did we). I also really love how it looked with the new rooster & kitty tees! 

Happy weekend everyone!

Butterscotch & Beesting links: 

facebook

website

etsy shop

blog

{Inspiration} Visual Acoustics...

In my last post about Mr. Rogers, I had mentioned watching two documentaries last weekend to creatively rejuvenate. Being that it's Friday, I thought I would let you know what the second one was, in case you were in need of some inspiring relaxation this weekend yourself. It was a documentary called Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman. Not only do I love mid-century architecture, but I love photography too. This film will make the modern enthusiast swoon. I have to say, the combination of the Mr. Rogers & Me documentary & this one, was magic. It was a perfect balance in my book.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Happy Father's Day to all of you awesome dads out there too! 

Photo credits:

1) Case Study House #22 via
2) Julius Shulman & Richard Neutra via 

3) Kaufmann House (Richard Neutra) via 
4) interior via
5) interior via 

{Inspiration} Mr. Rogers & the garden of your mind...

Last Friday, PBS posted a video that has had me on a major Mr. Rogers kick ever since. I've been playing it pretty much non-stop since I first saw it in the PBS facebook feed. Mr. Rogers Neighborhood conjures up such nice memories - it's a wonderful hit of nostalgia. But as a mom, it was a really perfect reminder of a special show - & as a small business owner, it was the much needed inspiration I'd been seeking. 

Some of you may remember me talking about my love of watching documentary films when I'm needing to decompress & take a creative break. Well, this little video got me on a search that led me to Mr. Rogers & Me & I watched it this weekend (I actually bought it on itunes). It was just what I needed- two thumbs up from me!

I introduced Sayer to Mr. Rogers this weekend as well. Not only by the cool "Garden of Your Mind" video, but by watching a few episodes of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. I was thrilled to see that there are videos posted on PBSkids. We watched an episode on Tuesday about paper (here). This is what it inspired.... 

We had a blast making this paper chain like the one in the Mr. Rogers paper episode. But we had even more fun playing with it. Of course, I had to document this colorful play (along with the new german pointer toddler tee). 


Thanks Fred Rogers, for still encouraging continuous joy...

Mr. Rogers image via 

{Everyday Inspiration} I love paper...

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

{Everyday Inspiration} hanging low....

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? 

{Everyday Inspiration} Fantastic Foxes

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

{Everyday Inspiration} Beach Walkers...

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}

{Mid-Week Inspiration} Marimekko Process...

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 ::

{Everyday Inspiration} Electric Circus...

I saw this first video about the collaboration between inventor Fred Abels & puppeteer Mirjam Langemeijer called the Electric Circus, when visiting the handmaderomance blog. Like Evie, I've watched this over & over & wanted to share it. Since then, I've looked up this creative duo's website & stumbled on this quick,  second video along with all of these photos. The Electric Circus inspires me to no end - hope that you like it too! This is just what I needed to watch to help me get to Friday. How about you?

{Everyday Inspiration} The Red Balloon

When we found out that we were having a little boy, one of my first purchases was the book, The Red Balloon. The movie had such an impact on me both emotionally & artistically that & all I could picture when I imagined what Sayer would be like, was the little boy in this story. For Sayer's third birthday this year, I took a bunch of pictures of him with a bundle of surprise birthday balloons that I had hidden for him in the studio. I was so tickled with that process & watching his sheer enjoyment. Those pictures are some of my favorites & inspired more balloon photos of myself for my 40th birthday a month later. 

To celebrate one year of having this blog, I wanted to create a new header. After a lot of thought, I decided to incorporate one of my favorite photos of Sayer with his balloons. To me, it says a lot about how I approach life, what is important to me, & what I'm drawn to aesthetically. It just seemed to fit. With some help from a sweet friend, this week I was finally able to see it all completed & it makes me smile. 

The Red Balloon started it all & continues to inspire me in so many ways. My official one year anniversary for this blog was actually March 23rd (I'm just a smidge late to recognize it). I wanted to make sure that I officially said thank you to everyone that has read this blog & left comments. I can't really tell you in words how much it means to me to have made the friends that I have made though the klt:sketchbook. Truly, this has been an amazing adventure & I can't wait to see (in pictures) how this next year unfolds. Thank you!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! 

{Everyday Inspiration} Paper attire for a dream date...

Ever since Cardboard Man's existence, I've been dreaming about what sort of outfit I could wear for a night out on the town with him. When I saw the work of Jum Nakao {via here}, my question was answered...

Incredible! Isn't the end nuts- can you imagine? Ah, the drama... 

Now the only thing left to wonder about is where should I take Cardboard Man in our paper attire (& would the end of our date be similar)? Hmmm.... Hope everyone is having a great weekend! 

{Everyday Inspiration} more paper love...

Here is a little inspiration for your Wednesday. I just ran across the work of paper artist, Mandy Smith via Roadside Projects & I was immediately smitten. Not to mention the book her work is included in, Paper Craft 2 looks incredible!  Given that I'm married to "cardboard man" who makes art often dealing with interior & exterior spaces, I felt the need to share this. 

The Move, Paper Animation from Mandy Smith on Vimeo.

Isn't her work amazing! I just love this paper animation. Awesome!  (Chris this is for you) Hope everyone is having a great week! 
{photos via here}