{Fabric Friday} CourtneyCourtney…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on July 01, 2011 in courtney chu, courtneycourtney, Fabric Friday, Uncategorized, upcycled, upcycled klt:works | 9 Comments

Courtney Chu is a magician with repurposed or “upcycled” textiles. She creates unique, “visually striking”, & comfy pieces of art to wear. This lady knows her stuff when it comes to designing these cool clothes. Her background includes an Industrial Design major from Carnegie Mellon University & she has a full time job as a product designer for a children’s rainwear & accessory company. She masterfully creates clothes that show her enthusiasm for design, sewing, upcycling, & textiles.

I recently sent Courtney a few of my “oops” prints for her to incorporate into her designs & I LOVE what she came up with. I really want this first dress in my size!

(“oops” prints: are prints that have irregularities in either the fabric they are printed on or in the screenprinting.)

KLT owl image used from this.

KLT nest image used from this & owl image from this

KLT dog image from this.

I’m so thrilled that our paths crossed & I look forward to sending more prints her way in the future. If you are interested in purchasing some of her creations, make sure you sign up for Courtney’s emails here so you can see fun new photoshoots & all of the new courtneycourtney dresses that are available for purchase. Thanks for the inspiration Courtney! I love to see KLT through your eyes. Check out courtneycourtneyon FB too!

(all images property of Courtney Chu)

Happy 4th of July weekend (or Canada Day weekend) everyone!

{Music Monday} inspired morning…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on June 28, 2011 in artist, Matt Costa, Mr. Pitiful, Uncategorized | No Comments

Being an artist, it’s a wonderful thing to wake up to your son exclaiming, with all of the gusto that he could muster, that he has to paint RIGHT NOW. Sayer woke up on the artistic side of the bed this morning. He was inspired & knew just what he wanted – or rather, needed to do. It’s was our “Saturday” & Chris was home today. After Sayer grabbed his painting apron, he let us know what his plans for the morning were.

He wanted to paint with his hands, paint with a brush, listen to Matt Costa, then watch the Matt Costa Mr Pitiful video (you know the one with the man with all of the instruments attached to him?), & then have daddy read the book about NYC- the one that has the fire truck in it. Not a bad morning I’d say. The Matt Costa videos were requested again tonight- particularly Mr. Pitiful. He loves the first 30 seconds in particular- when MC is getting all of his instruments on. We all agreed that he looks like he is in hutch studio. Sayer went to bed tonight dreaming up how he can “tape” or attach all of his instruments onto himself. Looks like we have a project for tomorrow.

I know I’ve already posted about Matt Costa (including the Mr. Pitiful video) here, but it seemed necessary to repeat it today. Besides, it’s one of my favorites. Happy Music Monday! What did you do this morning?

{Real Life} glasses for kiddo…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on June 22, 2011 in eye glasses, eyes, glasses, kiddo glasses, slug plush, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

{Spectacles by Ellen Raskin}

When I was 4, I got my first pair of glasses (it was actually the day my brother was born). Back in 1975, there wasn’t much of a choice in what glasses I could choose from & I knew only a handful of kids that had them. But, I wanted glasses. I thought they would make me look older & smarter – I was excited to get them. However, there were drawbacks to wearing glasses….enough that I was fearful for Sayer to have to get them. When I started noticing Sayer’s eyes turning in quite often, I started to sort of mildly panic. A few months ago, at his yearly exam, he was referred to a “strabismus” eye specialist but due to this doctor’s reputation & local availability, we had to wait 2 months for an appointment. During this time, I started to collect books about eyes/glasses along with collecting & noting characters in Sayer’s books, favorite shows & movies, that had glasses. I wanted to be prepared in case Sayer needed to get them. Because Sayer is 3, we haven’t introduced him to Harry Potter yet, but he does know who he is.

{In order – left to right}

Roberto the Insect Architect, Polkabats & Octopus Slacks, Open Your Eyes, Arthur, & Norman Price from Fireman Sam (one of Sayer’s favorite shows).

The experience at the eye doctor last week was a bit overwhelming to say the least. Sayer & I were there for about 3 hours & in that time, he had to have his eyes dilated. Not an ideal situation or activity for a toddler. Nonetheless, we powered through it to find that he did need to get glasses to help correct his condition. The tricky thing, is that they are to help with his eyes crossing more than his actual vision. He may not notice a change when he wears them – he just won’t have to work as hard to see, as I understand it. So, the next hurdle was getting Sayer to want glasses or even try them on. He has been pretty adamant (as a 3yr old can be) about not wanting to try them on. But, I started slowly working on him- sneaking in glasses books at story time & pointing out glasses in his shows that he likes. I’ve been reading “Spectacles” every day since his appointment & now he at least points out his favorite glasses in the line-up (bottom row- middle). But this kid of mine is smart & is able to read right through me most of the time. I showed him a picture of Violet Affleck (Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner’s daughter) who has been pictured a lot in new glasses (& is a few years older than Sayer). I asked Sayer if he thought she looked nice & like she would be a good friend. He said yes. I asked him why he thought that & he told me it was definitely not because she wore glasses. I guess I needed to be more subtle…

Sayer adores Jack Black (because of School of Rock) & Yo Gabba Gabba. We recently watched his favorite episode of Gabba where Jack Black dresses as DJ Lance. Sayer noticed their glasses right away & said that he didn’t want black ones. Progress…

To keep that progress rolling, I later that day, made him a new “Gunk” slug lovey. I had him pick out the fabrics & told him that it was time for another one, now that he was 3 (he got one when he was 6months & when he was 2). When I was finished, I presented him with his new buddy. I wasn’t sure the reaction I would get from him but was pleasantly surprised. This is “Eye Gunk” (which actually sounds like a whole different eye condition)- he is now part of the slug gang that goes everywhere with Sayer.

We all went on a major glasses hunt yesterday & it was exhausting. Getting this little dude to sit still & try glasses on took every creative & patient bone in my body. The glasses that he wanted to try were usually hot pink, large, cat eye, sunglasses. He also liked to try 2 on at a time because his grandma wears her sunglasses on top of her regular glasses. However, we had some luck in Seattle at the place I get my glasses. They were great & we have a pair of glasses on order. They aren’t the ones in the picture above – but they are made by the same company called Swiss Flex Eyewear (which I was really impressed with). His are rectangular & blue with green sides- which met all of his criteria. We’ll have to go back next week to pick them up & then that’s when the real fun begins. I told Sayer last night that he looks very smart & handsome in his glasses, he agreed with a nod- & I mentioned that he will be all ready for pre-school in the fall. His response was that he still didn’t need them, but he would take them to school in lunch box- but not the one he will take his lunch in- a different one.

So, that’s what we have been up to -what about you?

{Music Monday} Bon Iver…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on June 21, 2011 in Bon Iver, music monday, Uncategorized | No Comments

As you might have noticed, I’m a big fan of NPR- All Songs Considered & NPR Music- First Listen . It’s so nice to be able to hear an entire album before it’s released. Tomorrow, the new Bon Iver album is coming out & I was really excited to hear it. I listened to it non-stop, all weekend via here– I just love it! It’s such a great follow up to, For Emma, Forever Ago (which is another studio favorite). Happy Music Monday! Did you have a nice weekend? What did you listen to?

{via here}

{Happy Father’s Day}

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on June 19, 2011 in father's day, Uncategorized | No Comments

One of the things that I was certain about when I was pregnant with Sayer, was that my dad was going to be an awesome grandpa. I was really excited to watch their relationship grow. I think it’s safe to say that Sayer will know my dad better than almost anyone as he will be able to benefit from my dad’s retirement (& most likely help in the transition). My dad is a really hard worker. Having been a business owner for 40 some years, that’s just a given. I attribute my work ethic & entrepreneurial spirit to him with out a doubt. Coupled with working hard, he is extremely generous. Those he cares about know this. I have always felt like he had my back… ALWAYS. I’m lucky, I know. But so is everyone that knows him.

Sayer is also very lucky in the Father department. You can always see it in Chris’ eyes when he looks at Sayer, how much that kiddo means to him. To see what their latest project together is, check out Friday’s post.

So today I want to wish all of the amazing dads out there a Happy Father’s Day! Hope you have a wonderful day!

{Everyday Inspiration} Toys & Artists…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on June 15, 2011 in Alexander Calder, art history, Paul Klee, puppets, Uncategorized | No Comments

When I learn about famous artists who made toys on the side for their children, I’m intrigued. I was delighted when a friend sent me the link to these great photos of painter, Paul Klee, with his puppets. He apparently made these for his son. Of course, there is a great book that is now on my wish list called Paul Klee: Hand Puppets.

Being that I studied painting in college & graduate school, Paul Klee was already a favorite artist of mine. But now he has jumped up on the list after I saw these photos. You know how I love puppets too. He is now up there with Alexander Calder (who also made toys for his children). Thanks for passing this on D!

Photos via

{Everyday Inspiration} Whirligigs…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on June 12, 2011 in cardboard man, Chris Theiss, hutch studio, Uncategorized, whirligigs | 6 Comments

Chris just left for work this morning- he’s on his way to hutch studio. Would you like to see a snippet of how he spends his day? (Sayer would like me to point out that you can see the library that he goes to with his grandma, in the background of the video still shot.)

Aside from making & occasionally wearing things out of cardboard, Chris also makes whirligigs. They are displayed out in the front of studio & spin in move in the breeze. They are made from cool found & thrifted objects & set hutch studio apart from the other shops on the street. Chris holds whirligig workshops in the studio as well – which are always a lot of fun. So there you have it- a little peek into my other half’s day. Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

{Fabric Friday} cut out & keep…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on June 10, 2011 in Fabric Friday, Heather Moore, papercut, Skinnylaminx, textile designer, textiles, Uncategorized | No Comments

Last November, I posted about my love of Skinny laminx textiles here. So, it will be no surprise that I was excited to discover that Heather Moore (aka Skinnylaminx) designed a new line of organic fabrics for Cloud9 that debuted this April.

“Cut Out & Keep ~ The first in our Designer Series for 2011 features South African surface and product designer, Heather Moore who works under the brand name Skinny laMinx . Cut Out & Keep is a striking collection of 8 prints based on her paper-cut designs. This is the first range of fabrics of this type for Heather and we’re really excited about this collaboration.” -Cloud9

You can purchase these directly from Cloud9 or from here. Aren’t they nice? I particularly love them in the stacks that Heather photographed for her blog.

I’ve been pondering these fabrics for awhile now- thinking of using some in a new mobile. I just can’t seem to make a decision, although I may be close. Do you have a favorite? Happy Fabric Friday! Any plans to sew or create this weekend?

{Paper} Gemeo Luis paper illustrations…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on June 09, 2011 in art show, Gemeo Luis, illustration, paper art, papercut, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

I really miss living in NYC sometimes. Particularly when it comes to being able to visit art galleries & museums on a regular basis. However, the wonderful thing about the internet is that I can travel every day & visit all sorts of interesting exhibits all over the world- with one click. I just learned about an illustrator named Gemeo Luis {via the art room plant} who makes incredible paper cut images. While looking though his website I found that I was really interested in the variety of his exhibition category. The way “Cutting Dreams” was hung & presented was really intriguing. I would love to see it in person. I’m sure the shadows were really cool. He seems very aware of playing off of them (which is one of my favorite things about an installation exhibition).

He seems to very much like the viewer to interact with his work (which I’m also a big fan of). I love the idea of having the book that the framed original illustration is from, underneath for the viewer to enjoy. This appears to be an exhibit called “Drawings” in an art center. I think I would sit in that corner & flip through his lovely books for a long time. How about you?

{all photos www.gemeoluis.com}

{Real Life} Boats, Trees, & Saltwater…

Posted by kristinloffertheiss on June 07, 2011 in Nostalgia, San Juan Islands, Sucia Island, Uncategorized | No Comments

My dad loves boats. From the time I was about 7 (I think) our family had a boat. Our summer/spring weekends & family vacations consisted largely of boating- namely in the San Juan Islands but for our summer vacations, we would sometimes take the boat into Canadian waters – which I was always fond of because I could get candy & gum with French wrappers which made me feel very worldly. Over the years my brother & I began to favor certain islands for various reasons. My favorite was & still is Sucia Island. It has lots of trails full of what I call “peeley trees”, beaches, & my favorite part… sand caves.

The rock is a soft sandstone that has the coolest texture & there are many little hidden areas that look like a cave or a fort to a child. My parents still have a boat (much bigger now) & my brother & I still go out with them & our little families. This Sunday, we took a day trip with my parents to Sucia Island with Chris’ dad (who has been visiting). It was also Sayer’s first visit & I was excited to show him my favorite spots. It’s been a long time since I had visited but it really did seem like yesterday. I almost half expected to see my name carved on one of the cave walls or the picnic table or something…

It was just a quick little day trip, but it we made the most of it. Sayer seemed to enjoy himself. I loved watching him romp & explore. It was also nice to unplug & relax just a bit. I sometimes forget to do that. The more things change, the more they stay the same…