{Good Times} Fair Shadows...

It has been ages since I have gone to the county fair. Last night the weather was beautiful and we decided to head down the hill for the local festivities. As always the fair lived up to its reputation and offered up tons of eye candy (which I will get to later). I wanted to share this photo that Chris took of Sayer and I that I really love. The shadows & shapes really work for me compositionally- and the nostalgic quality can't be beat. Hope you are having a nice weekend....

{Fabric Friday} Favorite klt:stashes...

Last Friday was my 20th Fabric Friday post! This has been something that I've looked forward to doing every week since I started this blog. I really enjoyed looking through all of the posts the other day and thought it would be fun to document 15 of my favorite klt:fabric stashes. Each one of these stashes represented, are fabrics from my collection and they were all photographed by me as well (which was 1/2 of the fun). I hope you enjoy the textile recap as much as I did...

Top Row: Backyard Purple, A little basil with my fabric..., Rainy with Sun Breaks , Fabric for a long weekend..., Oh boy...the 4th of July

Middle Row: Marimekko & the Skagit Valley, From an old chocolate factory in London..., Sweet Snippets, Ink & Spindle - Earth Day, Fresh & Modern Textiles  

Bottom Row: Wool Felt, klt:fabric stash peek..., A dreamy space & lovely fabric..., Textile Design {Denyse Schmidt), Mid-century Modern Love

This is a snap shot of just some of my stashed away fabrics. Stay tuned for more Fabric Fridays, as there are many more combinations & fabrics to explore.  Do you have a favorite fabric post? If so, I would love to hear it. Happy Fabric Friday! Thanks to all of you that read these regularly- it's so encouraging and keeps me on my creative toes! 

{Vintage KLT} Plushies looking for a home...

If you have been reading this blog, you may have figured out that klt:works is a labor of love. Because I make everything by hand, the items that I sell have special meaning to me. When I pack a box or put  plushies in a bag for a customer, I say my private goodbyes with hopes that their journeys are good ones and that they find someone to love them. You could say that "The Velveteen Rabbit" had a profound affect on how I view plush (but that is another post). So, one of the first brick-n-mortar shops to ever carry klt:works is having a huge blow out sale throughout  the  end of August. It is a local shop and I often made plush in special color combinations for them. They also carried some things that are true one of a kinds. Chris popped into the shop yesterday to search out  the klt:works products in their various nooks and crannies, and he found some unique & vintage KLT goodies that I wanted to share.
-Flights of Fancy Mobile - Unique color combo
-Tiptoe Sweeney- Original klt:plush going way back...
-Nest Pillow- Freehand sewing (back has dotted fabric) original design- only a few made.
-Lou the Snail- Original design- dotted fabric on the back.
-Ollie the Owl- Unique fabric.
-Owl Toddler Tee- Thinking it is a size 2T- best seller tee to date.


These special KLT items are looking for loving homes. Everything in the store is on SALE- 30% off until Saturday. Then they will be 40% off until the following Saturday- and then 50% off (you get the idea). I wanted to put the word out there that I am sure these items can be shipped. If you are interested, give Julie or Carol a call or pop them an email. 
Here is the scoop:
www.childhoodbliss.com
Childhood Bliss
521 Morris Street
La Conner, WA  98257
Phone: 360.466.2229

{Fun} Awesome Argyle...

There have been little hints of Autumn in the last week which makes me think of argyle. Argyle sweaters and socks bring up memories of going back to school shopping with my mom and grandma. I have always been drawn to the argyle pattern in its various forms and you can see proof of that in my closet & fabric collection. I recently found some fun fabric and made an argyle Ollie Owl all set for the upcoming season. When sewing my owl plush, I thought it would be interesting to create another Etsy Treasury that highlights the awesome diamond pattern. Do you have any favorite argyle in your closet?

Links:

View this treasury, "Argyle in Autumn" with live links here.

Individual links to shops:

milkandcookie..., tricot6, SunMoonLake, bonbonatelier, BootsNGus, ReincarKnits, buttonsandbadges, plaidpony, TheLightFanta..., kurvina, SerenitySheep..., lunarlounged..., gadgetarmour, heartfeltbaby, riotjane, dovetailpitts...

A concert, carousel, & dancing...

Last Tuesday, the three of us hopped into the car and headed to Seattle to enjoy a summer evening of Zoo Tunes. The Woodland Park Zoo hosts a series of outdoor concerts every summer. It’s an extremely family friendly venue - you have never seen so many Bob strollers & Ergo carriers in one place. We took Sayer last year and had such a great time, that we thought we would take him again this year. We cruised the line-up and ended up getting tickets to see Shawn Colvin. My brother and sister in law met us there with picnic in tow (including fancy cupcakes) and Sayer was a happy boy.

Funny what a difference a year makes. Sayer wasn't as interested in sitting and watching the concert this year. He would have rather jumped into the crowd like Jack Black (in School of Rock) or joined Shawn Colvin on stage to "jam out" with her. Sayer wanted to boogie and there just wasn't enough room for him to really get down. But never fear, Sayer was not alone in his need for a little more entertainment and room to roam. There was plenty to explore nearby.

There was a beautiful carousel within earshot of the concert. So, we left aunt K & uncle B to enjoy their picnic and found our way to the carousel. I have to say, it was one of my favorite parts of the evening because I just love the magic of an old carousel. They are just visually stunning. We each took turns taking Sayer around and around. Had it not been $2 a ride, we would have most likely ridden it all night. It was a pretty nice way to enjoy a concert actually.

After our carousel adventure was over, we headed over to the open space near the penguins, dedicated to the kiddos with ants in their pants. Sayer danced his little heart out. I think he may have been dancing to his own music by that time (I know I was). He also had a chance to dance and chat with his aunt & uncle which I know was a highlight of the evening for him. 

We thought that the little kiddo would  fall asleep quickly on the car ride home. But he chatted and bobbed his head while singing the whole way. While I wasn't as animated, I was thinking about the night on the drive home too. For me, it was just the sort of outing I needed- lots of inspiration. It was a good night... 

{Music Monday} Night Owl...

I am what you call a true night owl. It's just my nature. I am most productive from 11pm on. It may be the quiet, dark of night- but it is when I can think the most clearly. This night owlness is a bit tricky in the morning though and it tends to go hand in hand with my love of coffee. Needless to say, I love owls and their wise night time ways. I am sort of fascinated by them. I suppose that is why one of the first plush that I ever made was an owl. Now being a mom to a toddler I find that I wish I could turn my head all the way around too. 

Dan Zanes is a favorite around the house and "The Fine Friend Are Here" dvd has been playing a ton in the last few days- it's been like we have had a concert in our living room every day. Sayer and I both love the Night Owl video that is on the dvd and I thought that I would share it with you for Music Monday (before Monday is over). It seemed particularly appropriate, as I have been working into the wee hours the last few nights on a batch of owl plush. Happy Music Monday & Good Night...

Quiet time...

I enjoyed a quiet day in the studio today and during a break, stumbled on this video via one of my favorite blogs for eye candy, strawberrylemonade. Alix (aka modern kiddo co-founder) has a way of finding wonderful videos and various inspiring snippets. I respond to this video on so many levels that I had to share it before I head to bed...