{Vintage Inspiration} chenille bedspread goodness...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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!