I have embarked on a dream job- an on-going custom project to be exact. My love of collaboration, art, hand printed textiles, mid century design, research, full circle connections and friendship have all collided- and it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

I have a friend from high school that moved back to Mount Vernon with his family a few years ago. He has an appreciation for art, architecture, local artists, small business, and friendship- his name is Andy. When Andy was in grade school he had a friend that lived in a very cool house and he remembers falling in love with that house during the many birthday parties and playdates that he attended there. That house is the Brotherton House designed by the well-known artist, Tony Smith in 1944. Tony Smith has an artistic background that is as vast as it is eclectic. From his early days studying at the Arts Student League, immersing himself in the Abstract Expressionist art scene and hanging out with the likes of Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, he then decided to pursue his love of architecture and found himself working for Frank Lloyd Wright. Smith went on to become an architect designer & completed the Brotherton House in 1944. As a complete side note: artist Kiki Smith is Tony’s daughter (but that is a different blog post).

Back to my friend, Andy. He and his family just recently bought the Brotherton house! The minute Andy learned it was going on the market, he & his wife, Bonnie snatched it up. Understanding the rich artistic history of this house, and the fact that it has tons of windows, they commissioned me to hand print fabric for window coverings throughout. The KLT mod shapes pattern in yellow was chosen by their daughter, Hannah, who is currently in NYC (& graduated from college today). Juliana, their other daughter who is also away at college, chose the KLT raven pattern for their guest house doors.

This project has been a labor of love for all involved. I feel so lucky to be able to contribute a bit of my artistic vision to this iconic house – Andy’s childhood dream house. I can’t wait to see what KLT patterns they choose for other rooms.

But wait, I didn’t introduce Vivian. I’m pretty smitten with her & felt she needed a scarf out of the extra fabric leftover from Hannah’s yellow room. I think it’s safe to say that she’ll be overseeing all of the future house projects.

When we were first told to “Stay Home and Stay Safe” due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I spent a lot of time organizing & cleaning out my studio spaces. As I was digging through stacks of fabric that I printed years ago, I was continuously asked if I was going to make masks. So, I thought utilizing all of my new found stacks of printed fabric might be a good idea. I started making masks with a tutorial that my doctor’s office recommended- one that has a pocket for a filter and has adjustable elastic that go over the ears. I made 25 and gave them away to local nurses, front line workers, and vulnerable folks in the valley. I saw it as a way of giving a hug or a little extra kindness. However, the demand was so big that I found myself making more and having to get creative when sourcing elastic. It slowly became all I was doing.

Chris and I came up with a system- he cuts, & I sew. I offer up curbside pick-up and found that it was my favorite part of the process. I get a little hop in my step when I know people are going to come pick up their masks. I love all of the conversations that I’ve had with people and it fills me up that my masks are making people smile & feel a little safer. The social worker, bleeding heart part of me eats this project up. It’s nice to feel like I’m helping just a little bit- it’s been giving me a new purpose.

However, I ran out of fabric.

I decided to start printing fabric for more masks, which means I’ve committed to doing this as long as there is a demand. As I print, I’m coming up with more projects and ideas – ebbing and flowing in that creative bubble. I’m so grateful to be able to do this – it’s filling me up at a time that is a bit deflating. I printed a little variety of fabric on one yard, randomly. It was just a way to save time, but I liked how it looked before I cut it up. It made my wheels turn…

I decided to list a these in my shop for those of you that aren’t local – I’m having a difficult time organizing all of the requests from my various social media outlets & texts so maybe this will help. If you have questions, could you email me (kltworks@icloud.com) rather than message me on IG or FB?I’m afraid I’m losing track- which stresses me out. I’m also putting a limit of two masks at a time so that I can get to more people.

*I have to update this post.

I had an accident – it was a dumb mistake- I was rushing. If you are a chef, maker, seamstress, or just a go getter, you may have done this too. I cut off the tip of my finger with a rotary cutter. While I don’t care that I won’t ever be asked to be a hand model in my lifetime, I do care that it will slow me down for a little bit. It’s affecting my ability to print fabric & sew quickly. I’m doing the best I can and appreciate your interest. I does make me happy to offer these to you but I can’t accommodate special orders right now.

I hope all of you are doing well and finding new creative projects to keep you happy. Be safe out there… (& beware of the rotary cutter).

The last thing that I made in 2019 was a friend inspired tea towel that planted a creative seed for 2020. My creative pal loves to go through my pile of misprinted fabric & ink experiments whenever she visits the studio. Her eyes light up when she sees my heavily printed, ink covered studio towels- one tea towel in particular brings a consistent smile. I thought for a Christmas gift, I’d study these colorful wonders to try to tap into what brings her joy. I started printing in a intuitive manner, pulling screens out, mixing colors & overlapping patterns to see if I could recreate some magic. This process was challenging & rewarding all at the same time & at the end, I had a special tea towel to gift my encouraging muse.

I posted the finished product (which I fondly call the, “Liz” tea towel) on IG & received some incredible feedback. While I usually have confidence when I print & create, I often have a wave of vulnerable insecurity hit me right after I finish. It’s sometimes difficult to be a creative maker in the age of social media- particularly if you work from your heart & soul. However, knowing the process is just as important as the finished product, I embrace the uncertainty of knowing if anyone will like what I make, & post with my fingers crossed- after all, doesn’t everyone want to make work that resonates with someone other than themselves?

2020 brings more experiments & intuitive artistic process in my work. The “Liz” tea towel inspired the “Artist Collection” of collage inspired tea towels and printed fabric that I’m really excited about. I just finished the “Skagit Flats” tea towel that reminds me of the farmland that I drive through daily.

The concept of the “Artist Collection” is really the utilitarian, design version of what I do when I make my paper collages– it’s the same mindset that requires the same confidence and decision making. I hope to hone my skills & maintain both directions as 2020 progresses- it certainly is nice living in that creative bubble as we enter the dark & grey days of winter.

Happy 2020, everyone!