{Fabric Friday} last 3 creative competition entries...

Ok fabric enthusiasts, it's another chance to be wowed by people's creativity. Here are the last 3 entries in 5 Bundle Creative Competition. It's been so cool to see that the creations are as unique as the places that they came from. It's all about the lime, blue, & pink stacks today... 

The lime stack of fabric was shipped to Dawn (pop-i-cok). How cheerful & charming is this little bunny? I love the stitched details throughout & cool play with pattern. I'm sure this fellow will make some kiddo thrilled. Nice work Dawn! 

Heather jumped out of her comfort zone with her fabric of blues. I love her attitude & her lovely, modern twist on the "stained glass applique" method of quilting. You can just sense her enthusiasm from looking at her piece. Great job to you too Heather!  

The pink stack of fabric went to Amy who embraced this challenge by not only creating a beautiful gift set of stationary, but also created a new crafting space in her house to work on this project. Her love of handwritten letters inspired this creation along with the special & creative ladies in her life. Certainly a letter on one of these cards would be cherished.  Well done Amy! 

See what I mean? These are three very different, but equally special treasures don't you think? If you missed the first 2 wonderful entries, go check them out here. Again, I have to say- I'm so impressed. Everyone was so excited & gracious about being included in this challenge. I really appreciate the effort everyone put forth. I know time isn't easy to find. Be sure to come back on Fabric Friday for the voting. You get to decide who wins another fabric stash & a $20 klt:works gift card. What would you do if a stash of fabric was given to you? 

{Fabric Friday} Giveaway Winner Announced!

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Wow- I'm blown away from the response to this fabric remnant giveaway! I think Sayer is at a loss for words too. I only wish I could send everyone a stash. However, I did have another idea that stemmed from this so stay tuned for some creative Fabric Friday fun around the corner. The winner was chosen at random by my assistant....

The winner is "Make Mine Mid-Century! Yay- can't wait to see what you do with this stash- you will send in a picture, right?  Just make sure I have your address & I will replace the names on paper in the tote currently, with fabric & ship if off to you right away. Congratulations!

Thanks to all of you for participating! I look forward to sharing what is up my sleeve - I think you'll like it.  Hope you have a great weekend. Happy Fabric Friday!

{Fabric Friday} KLT:fabric bundles & giveaway...

Those of you that have been following my Fabric Fridays for the last year, won't be surprised to learn that my fabric stash is taking over my studio right now. Boy do I love fabric & I have piles dating back to the late 1990's. The lightbulb finally went off after numerous inquires from customers about buying my fabric to match their klt:mobiles & plush. Part of my new year resolution was to simply & pare down. So, in the spirit of making more space in my studio, I'm now creating & selling fabric bundles from my  klt:fabric stash in my Etsy Shop.

As I was frantically going through my fabric, cutting & bundling, I came up with a fun idea (I think)- a Fabric Friday Giveaway! I thought I would put together some fabric remnants in this KLT owl tote as my giveaway prize. I figured that those of you that are crafty & creative would need an extra tote. So, I will gradually add fabric to this tote over the next week - and announce a winner next Fabric Friday. Sound fun? 

To enter:

Leave a comment under this post about what you would do with your new tote of fabric.

An extra entry will be given to those that follow this blog- & another extra entry if you follow klt:works on FB & Twitter. 

Happy Fabric Friday! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

{Everyday Inspiration} more Marimekko...

January was good to my ever growing stack of Marimekko fabric. I actually might call January 2011, the textile month because I went a little bonkers with finding gorgeous fabrics internationally. Not to mention I brushed up on my textile/design history and learned about a lot of amazing textile designers. Most of my fabric purchases came from Finland or the UK with a combination of cool vintage & new finds that I'm really excited about. So what am I going to do with all of this fabric you ask? Oh, oodles & oodles... but lets' start with some new slug plushies, a kitty, ... and ol' Phil the Groundhogs cousin- Mr. Squirrel.

I find making plush out of Marimekko fabric so inspiring- my hands can't keep up with my ideas. The painter in me loves to play with different color combinations in search of making the colors sing.  While I realize this isn't Friday - and this could be classified as a Fabric Friday post, I felt it belonged in my Everyday Inspiration category as well. Besides, who couldn't use a jolt of gorgeous color on a Wednesday? What would you do if this was your stack of fabric?

{Fabric Friday} vintage stash peek....

I've been so busy lately that I haven't even been able to touch the new additions to my vintage fabric stash. I have so many ideas of what I'm going to do with them & I'm just itchin' to start cutting & sewing something new. However, I thought I would share a peek of bright & cheery finds so that they aren't completely neglected. 

The top three fabrics have been added to my Marimekko stash & just arrived from Finland a few days ago. They are so gorgeous & it's driving me nuts that I can't work with them right now. I'm practicing some serious restraint & discipline to stay away. The next stack is a fun assortment that I've collected over the last few months from  Frecklewonder. Did I ever tell you that I am fond of paisley? I always have been & was really drawn to those top two paisley patterns. Looking at all of them together it appears that I have been drawn to purples, oranges, & pinks lately (but will always like turquoise).  Stay tuned, when the holiday bustle is over... I'm diving into this stack head first.  Happy Fabric Friday! Do you have a favorite from this stash?

{Fabric Friday} Vintage Marimekko...

It's no secret that I have a major fondness for Marimekko textiles. I've written about it many times. Well, about a week ago I bought a bunch of vintage Marimekko fabric via this Etsy Shop that made me giddy with excitement. I carried this stack around with me for days, sort of fearful to cut into it. After all, I bought it to use. But then had second thoughts when I saw how beautiful it was. My husband reminded me that fabric is fabric & it's meant to be used and transformed. If you are a KLT FB "liker" you have already seen this top stack of Marimekko goodness. Actually- the piece of fabric in the middle isn't Marimekko- it's a gorgeous Finnish, vintage textile that I liked too.  But the rest of these pictures will be new for you.

So I did it - I cut into the fabric this week!  My slugs just called out to these fabrics (or vice versa) - it was what I originally had in my mind to make when I saw first saw the vibrant textiles. I love playing with the bold shapes, patterns, & colors for the slug bellies. There will never be 2 exactly that same- which I really enjoy. These little guys are truly special & the colors are so darn happy! 

These vintage Marimekko slugs will be slowly inching their way into the KLT Etsy Shop throughout the next few days. Don't worry you die hard fabric collectors, I won't use all of the fabric, I have saved a bit for safe keeping. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what I will make from this gorgeous stack. Oh, and don't forget that klt:friends get a nice discount code to use for weekend. Happy Fabric Friday!

{Marimekko} Need some input...

Oh boy do I love Marimekko textiles! But I need your help. My Marimekko klt:fabric stash has drastically depleted and I am in need of more. I have a klt:plushie project in mind and was on the search for some Marimekko textile deals last night. Being a small biz means my budget is tight - so I can only get 1 or 2  different designs. Here are four that I found deals on. Do you have a favorite that you can see some klt:creations in? I keep changing my mind and needed some input. Thanks in advance! Look forward to hearing your thoughts.... 

{Fabric Friday} custom colors...

One of my favorite things about making mobiles & nursery decor items, is that people often send me pictures of their nurseries in various stages of their development - both while I am creating a mobile for them or once the mobile is in their room. I can't tell you how many times people have told me that they have created their entire nursery around one of the mobiles that I made. It's  compliment that I don't take lightly as I know how incredibly special & personal  decorating  a nursery for your child is.  

Sometimes I get requests for mobiles with custom colors. I'm always willing to do that if I have the fabrics. I got such a request yesterday for a Flights of Fancy Mobile in light pink, bright pink, and b&w as the main colors. As I was pulling together stacks of fabrics in those colors and data to send this customer, I thought it would make a nice Fabric Friday post. I see this mobile being a lot like the B&W mobile that was Sayer's first mobile (& still in his room- but the Crawling Critters is now over his bed). I would just incorporate some of the fabrics in the stacks pictured. It was fun to think about a different color scheme- particularly this one. When I first started making mobiles & plush for klt:works, I really stuck to gender neutral colors but over the years, the requests for pink have just skyrocketed. So, I do happen to have a nice little selection of pinks that I have acquired. In these stacks you will find some: P&B textiles, Robert Kaufman organics, Westminster Fibers, Michael Miller, Free Spirit, Joel Dewberry, Kai Fabrics, Monaluna Kaufman, and various wool blends & wool felts. Happy Fabric Friday! What four colors are dominant in your room or your child's room?

{Fabric Friday} back to school....

When the yellow buses start cruisin' the streets again, and there is a crispness is in the air, it could only mean one thing... back to school. I get fairly nostalgic around this time of year and gravitate towards certain colors and patterns. I have literally gone back to school more years than not really. After college I went on to graduate school, and after that, I taught at the local community college part time (for about 12 yrs) but seemed to most consistently teach in the Fall along with my husband. The last Fall that I taught painting, was when I was pregnant which was very interesting and there is a whole different list of textures & palettes associated with that. But generally, Fall reminds me of earthy rich tones, argyle, plaid, cozy textures, apple & flower imagery, and the feeling that anything can happen.

The influence of the '70's and the '80's is so apparent when you browse in any store these days. So, it isn't just me getting caught in my own memories... it really is all around. However, have said that, I do tend to pick up fabrics that remind me of a dress I had,  a palette I liked growing up, or any other strong childhood association. The argyle fabric reminds me of the '80's and my love for United Colors of Benetton clothing. I had a sweaters, scarves & socks to match that argyle fabric and to this day, am kicking myself for not keeping all of it. The fabrics pictured trigger some little sweet memory along with reminding me of back to school.  The plaid on the top is actually part of a series of Michael Miller fabrics called, "Brady Bunch".  

In this back to school, klt:fabric stash you will find: A little Michael Miller, Lecien, Robert Kaufman, Alexander Henry, & Amy Butler. I hope you enjoy this season whether you or someone you know is going back to school. Each day seems exciting, awkward, and full of endless possibilities- and really that's when cool stuff happens. Happy Fabric Friday! Enjoy your long weekend...

{Fabric Friday} Backyard Purple...

The weather has been gorgeous lately and we have been spending a lot of time in the backyard. When I was playing with Sayer yesterday, I noticed one color being fairly predominant .... purple. We have all sorts of shades of purple in bloom right now- the biggest clusters being in the forms of large lavender & butterfly bushes. But there are also little small pops of purple as well. So, I went to my klt:fabric stash and pulled out a collection of  fabrics inspired by some photos that I took of our backyard purple, for Fabric Friday.

It seems like I am continuously drawn to purple ( often when it is paired with green) and add little bits of fabric to my purple stash every now and then. In this collection you will find: some pieces of wool felt, some KOKKA *Trefle* fabric, and a piece from the Alexander Henry- bauhaus collection. Looks like there will be some purple pulled into some klt:plush soon.

Sounds like Sayer is waking up from his nap. I think it is time for a little snack and lavender picking in the backyard. So what colors are you noticing this summer? Any purple? Enjoy your weekend - Happy Fabric Friday! 

{Fabric Friday} mid-century modern love...

Mid-century modern is one of my favorite design periods. I go completely bonkers for the furniture in particular but the mid-century aesthetic as a whole, really speaks to me. After all, Ray & Charles Eames are my design heros. 

When I think about mid-century modern design, the fabric that comes to mind first is barkcloth. Many of the classic retro fabrics were printed on the nubby cotton fabric that was popular from the '50's-'70's. I have a little collection of barkcloth in my klt:fabric stash. I have used it for pillows, & curtains in our house but have also been know to make a few mid-century klt:plushies as well. I have recently started using solid barkcloth for some thread drawing pillows & mini plush because I love the great texture.

{ fabric photos via  Full Swing Fabrics & Tonic Living Fabrics }

These four "retro" prints on barkcloth are some of my current favorites that are being printed today. But of course, you can always find some groovy barkcloth fabrics at some antique malls and thrift stores too. Sometimes the hunt is just as fun as finding it. On one of my last trips to Seattle with Chris, we went to a few of our favorite junk stores on the search for some mid-century treasures. While I didn't find the barkcloth that I was hoping to score, I found a beat up old Eames chair - and boy was that hard to walk away from...  Happy Fabric Friday - hope you have a swingin' weekend! 

{Fabric Friday} Oh Boy... the 4th of July!

How could I not be inspired by this little boy? I have been collecting "car" or "transportation" fabrics for Sayer for awhile. The hope is to make him a quilt soon. But for now, they are his fabrics to organize in the studio as he likes. You can't walk too many places in our house without spotting a toy car, train, boat, fire engine, or truck.

This is 4th of July weekend here in the US and many people are out & about, traveling to see fireworks and friends over the holiday. What a way to celebrate but to have a Fabric Friday that honors transportation vehicles and the red, white & blue of our flag. In these patriotic klt:fabric stashes, you will find some: Kokka, Michael Miller, Amy Bulter, *Trefle* and  Kei fabrics. As far as the make of the cars that are parked in front, I will have to ask Sayer or Chris and then get back to you.

Last year, Sayer participated in a 4th of July parade (in my parent's neighborhood)  in a red wagon. I am not sure what my mom has up her sleeve for this year's parade but I am sure it will be good. After all, her birthday is today and I am sure she will be up for extending her party. Happy Birthday Mom!  Happy Fabric Friday Everyone! Hope you have a safe and fun weekend.  What are your plans?

{Fabric Friday} A little basil with my fabric...

One thing that is nice about all of the rain lately, is that our raised garden is going gangbusters! There is a sea of gorgeous green that takes over our backyard now and it was my fabric friday inspiration today.  When looking through my fabrics, I could see that living in this valley has quite possibly influenced my color choices over time. I think green is the dominant color.

Today's afternoon break consisted of stocking up on more herbs to add to our our flourishing garden. It was all about basil in my little cardboard box. I collected all sorts of varieties- because in my opinion, you can never have too much basil. I only wish that these pictures were scratch-n-sniff because it smells amazing right now!  So here is my little "basil" klt:fabric stash. You will find some: various moda, Amy Bulter, Heather Baily, Kai, Alexander Henry, Helen Rawlinson, Ink & Spindle, Umbrella, Marimekko, and Valori Wells.

Ok, the smell of basil along with a rumbling tummy may have affected this last picture. I think I am truly inspired now. Ah, the perfect Fabric Friday combination. Happy Fabric Friday! Have a nice weekend everyone!

{Fabric Friday} Dreamy space & lovely fabric ...

We live in a small town about an hour north of Seattle. Unfortunately, great fabric stores are hard to come by (there aren't any). So, I order almost all of my fabrics online. For a tactile person, this method of fabric browsing & purchasing isn't the most gratifying. On our little getaway to Seattle on Monday, we stopped by one of my recent discoveries, a gorgeous fabric store called Fabric Crush. This lovely shop is in a remodeled elementary school building that was originally built in 1904. It's now called Wallingford Center and it houses sweet little shops & businesses. I found Fabric Crush earlier this year when we took Sayer to get a haircut in a fun little salon for kids. It was a great day for everyone. Across from the fabric shop is a wonderful toy store, and down the way... yummy cupcakes!  What I love about Fabric Crush is that it is uncluttered, spacious, has amazing natural light, carries a gorgeous variety of current fabrics, and the people are knowledgeable and passionate about fabric. I was glad to have my iphone with me during my last visit -so that I could share the space with you.

I was really pleased to see that Robert Kaufman's new organic collection of fabrics was in the store and I quickly snatched up 3 gorgeous designs. I also snagged a few Kokka florals and some nostalgic, navy & white striped ticking (that reminds me of an old pillow or mattress). After adding to my klt:fabric stash, Chris and I went across the hall and lost ourselves in the land of toys. Of course we had to bring something fun home for kiddo. What a great day Chris and I had on Monday- new spex, fancy coffee drinks, vintage junk shops, inspirational fabrics, and holding hands in the streets of Seattle. Happy Fabric Friday everyone!  

{Fabric Friday} Rainy with Sun breaks...

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I am going to report on the weather again. Do I even need to? Most likely not. However, it does have a little to do with my Fabric Friday selection. Did you guess yet? Ah yes, it is raining with a chance of sun breaks throughout the day. 

My peeps and I are stuck inside today- all three of us. So this post was a group effort. A "rainy day activity" is what I called it, to muster some interest .... but I knew that it was just truly multitasking.  I have to say, they rose to the occasion. Sayer wanted to wear his gray shirt, and helped me pick out the fabrics. He was particularly fond of the yellow on the top of the stack. And Kiki, well she just always inspires me to use this palette (as she was my original muse). I love to play with gray, black and yellow fabrics. I also just finished a new mobile last night that has glimmers of this palette so it was on my mind. In this stack you will find some: vintage barkcloth, Marimekko, Ink & Spindle, Helen Rawlinson, Moda Fabrics, polartec fleece, and some Alexander Henry.

So there you have it, the official fabric selection committee. It was a fun project that tuckered us all out. -Getting ready for nap time. Hopefully when it is time to wake up, it will be yellow fabric time.... 

Happy Fabric Friday!