{Halloween} Costume Parade …

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on November 01, 2012 in aquabat, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Circus Family, costumes, Fantastic Mr. Fox, halloween, photo documentation, photos, Plankton, Roald Dahl | 6 Comments

We are costume people & Halloween is our holiday. If you have followed this blog for awhile, you know that we make our costumes every year & really enjoy the process. It never fails, but we usually end up making them all about 48 hours before Halloween (& sometimes it’s 24). This year was no exception. October is always so busy for all of us – my goal is to finish or manage making orders so I can take a break to make our costumes- Chris always comes up with something cool on his own so I don’t have to worry about that. Honestly, it goes back to art school days- I love the adrenaline rush of doing things at the last minute I think. We’ve been reading Roald Dahl books to Sayer lately (along with watching the old school movies to match). We just finished Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Sayer came up with what we should be for Halloween this year. I love trying to wrap my brain around how to make what he suggests… like a Wonka Bar & how to make Oompa Loompa hair. This is what we came up with….

Speaking of Roald Dahl… I made this Fantastic Mr. Fox (Ash) mask for Sayer last year & he didn’t end up wearing it, so it became his costume for his pre-school Halloween party this year (that was a week earlier than Halloween so the other wasn’t made yet). As you may notice, the Ash costume was the beginning of the Oompa Loompa costume. It worked out quite nicely actually.

As I do every Halloween, I like to trip down memory lane a bit. We started documenting our costume madness with a family photo three years ago. We’ll do it as long as we can pull it together. I actually didn’t think it was going to happen this year- it was a long & rainy day into night & we were all a bit disheveled & tired. But a tradition is a tradition…

2011 (Circus Family 2) & 2010 (Circus Family 1)

2009 (Cardboard Robots) & 2008 (Plankton)

Wow, time flies! It’s so fun to see how we all grow. I hope Sayer looks back on Halloween fondly. I know I do….

What do you do for Halloween? Do you have any family traditions? Do you like to dress up?

Hope you all had a great Halloween!

Past Halloween Posts:

2011 – here

2010 – here & here & here

{Photos} all about the costumes…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on November 01, 2011 in aquabat, clown, costumes, halloween, La Conner, photos | 15 Comments

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?

{Everyday Inspiration} Fantastic Foxes

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on October 05, 2011 in costumes, Everyday Inspiration, Fantastic Mr. Fox, halloween, klt:tees, new designs, photography | 9 Comments

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} Fantastic Foxes

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on October 05, 2011 in costumes, Everyday Inspiration, Fantastic Mr. Fox, halloween, klt:tees, new designs, photography | No Comments

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

{Vintage Inspiration} red & white stripes…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on May 13, 2011 in costumes, dance costume, Savion Glover, tap dancing, vintage inspiration | No Comments

We have been plowing through lots of old boxes stacked in our basement lately (due to a recent drain issue + flood & our 20 year old furnace having issues). During this process, I found the box of my old dance stuff – leg warmers, leotards, tutus, pointe shoes…& my favorite dance costume. I saved a lot of this stuff in case I ever had a little girl. I have really fond memories of playing dress up with my mom’s old dance costumes at my grandma’s house. However, I don’t think Sayer will be all that interested in my old tutus so I put everything back in the box I found, except for my red & white striped costume. I hung it in my studio. I cant’ really explain why I like it so much- but it has & will continue to inspire my work I’m sure.

I think it was also one of my first costumes that had a bit of a flounce or tutu like thing. I felt I looked a dancer in it- I loved the red & white stripes too. (I’m the middle girl in the picture – the one with the glasses.) Tap has always been my favorite style of dance so that could add to my love of this costume. Secretly (or not so secretly now) I have hopes for Sayer to be the next Gregory Hines or Savion Glover. He does love the movie Happy Feet & can really do a great little impression of Mumble dancing….

I have to say, I love having this costume hanging were I can see it all of the time. It makes me smile. I also have a tendency to break in to little bouts of tapping in my studio when I’m stressed out or just thinking. So, having the costume in there seems fitting. Do you have something that you used to wear that you keep around for smiles? Happy Friday!

{Vintage Inspiration} red & white stripes…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on May 13, 2011 in costumes, dance costume, Savion Glover, tap dancing, vintage inspiration | 10 Comments

We have been plowing through lots of old boxes stacked in our basement lately (due to a recent drain issue + flood & our 20 year old furnace having issues). During this process, I found the box of my old dance stuff – leg warmers, leotards, tutus, pointe shoes…& my favorite dance costume. I saved a lot of this stuff in case I ever had a little girl. I have really fond memories of playing dress up with my mom’s old dance costumes at my grandma’s house. However, I don’t think Sayer will be all that interested in my old tutus so I put everything back in the box I found, except for my red & white striped costume. I hung it in my studio. I cant’ really explain why I like it so much- but it has & will continue to inspire my work I’m sure.

I think it was also one of my first costumes that had a bit of a flounce or tutu like thing. I felt I looked a dancer in it- I loved the red & white stripes too. (I’m the middle girl in the picture – the one with the glasses.) Tap has always been my favorite style of dance so that could add to my love of this costume. Secretly (or not so secretly now) I have hopes for Sayer to be the next Gregory Hines or Savion Glover. He does love the movie Happy Feet & can really do a great little impression of Mumble dancing….

I have to say, I love having this costume hanging were I can see it all of the time. It makes me smile. I also have a tendency to break in to little bouts of tapping in my studio when I’m stressed out or just thinking. So, having the costume in there seems fitting. Do you have something that you used to wear that you keep around for smiles? Happy Friday!

{photos} traveling circus family…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on November 03, 2010 in costumes, narrative, photography, Uncategorized | 20 Comments

It’s no secret that I have a pretty active imagination. This year our Halloween costumes, & visiting Chris at hutch studio in them, gave me an idea that I just needed to indulge in and play around with -black & white photography was the perfect medium.

So, there you have it – a strange peek into my imagination. I view these photos as a dream like narrative- if we were a family that traveled in a circus or something. I will just leave it at that. I had fun…now off to make klt:plushies.

{photos} traveling circus family…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on November 03, 2010 in costumes, narrative, photography | No Comments

It’s no secret that I have a pretty active imagination. This year our Halloween costumes, & visiting Chris at hutch studio in them, gave me an idea that I just needed to indulge in and play around with -black & white photography was the perfect medium.

So, there you have it – a strange peek into my imagination. I view these photos as a dream like narrative- if we were a family that traveled in a circus or something. I will just leave it at that. I had fun…now off to make klt:plushies.

{Music Monday} Holy guacamole-we’ve got chips!

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on November 01, 2010 in costumes, halloween, music monday, Sayer, YoGabbaGabbaphotoshoot | 15 Comments

This Music Monday is invite only, and you’re on the list baby! Life imitates art- is that how the saying goes? Well, in this case, Halloween costume imitates the musical group, the Aquabats. Sayer loves the “super music friends show” on Yo Gabba Gabba and the Aquabats’, Pool Party video is one of his favorites. He loves to grab his ukelele (that Aunt K & Uncle B got him on a trip to Hawaii) and rock it out. Although we needed to add a strap for him so he could swing it around on his back like “Bones” does. A camera case strap & some eye hooks worked well for that. This summer he asked me for an Aquabats costume- or at least the hat, googles, & belt. Being that time isn’t easy to find these days… I sort of put off that project for Halloween. You know, a “kill two birds with one stone” sort of thing. However, he sort of fell in love with firemen and firetrucks in the meantime. So he had two Halloween costumes. But I anticipate both will be worn often though. He can’t get enough of these guys! Enjoy the pool party…

Holy guacamole– does this kid like to sing and jam out! Hope you all had a great Halloween weekend. Happy Music Monday!

{Music Monday} Holy guacamole-we’ve got chips!

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on November 01, 2010 in costumes, halloween, music monday, Sayer, YoGabbaGabbaphotoshoot | No Comments

This Music Monday is invite only, and you’re on the list baby! Life imitates art- is that how the saying goes? Well, in this case, Halloween costume imitates the musical group, the Aquabats. Sayer loves the “super music friends show” on Yo Gabba Gabba and the Aquabats’, Pool Party video is one of his favorites. He loves to grab his ukelele (that Aunt K & Uncle B got him on a trip to Hawaii) and rock it out. Although we needed to add a strap for him so he could swing it around on his back like “Bones” does. A camera case strap & some eye hooks worked well for that. This summer he asked me for an Aquabats costume- or at least the hat, googles, & belt. Being that time isn’t easy to find these days… I sort of put off that project for Halloween. You know, a “kill two birds with one stone” sort of thing. However, he sort of fell in love with firemen and firetrucks in the meantime. So he had two Halloween costumes. But I anticipate both will be worn often though. He can’t get enough of these guys! Enjoy the pool party…

Holy guacamole– does this kid like to sing and jam out! Hope you all had a great Halloween weekend. Happy Music Monday!

{Halloween} Costume Parade …

{Photos} all about the costumes…

{Everyday Inspiration} Fantastic Foxes

{Everyday Inspiration} Fantastic Foxes

{Vintage Inspiration} red & white stripes…

{Vintage Inspiration} red & white stripes…

{photos} traveling circus family…

{photos} traveling circus family…

{Music Monday} Holy guacamole-we’ve got chips!

{Music Monday} Holy guacamole-we’ve got chips!

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