so i've been making more shirts - some custom ordered and some to sell later down the line.  the incredibly cute twins pictured above are friends of Sarah, who gifted them these matching heart onesies.  i made sure the babies were ok with having their picture posted on my blog...Sarah said they were both flattered.  

i'm currently working on a pair of red velour pants for an 18 month old, and a light green sweat suit for an 18-24 month old.  i'm having a hard time problem solving this green suit, but if i can pull it together, i think it'll be great.  

some highlights from today included:

-eating breakfast at my newly painted kitchen table

-a fruitful free pile a block away from my house (lots of good fabrics and some nice pants)

-riding home with tulips strapped to the back of my bike

-venturing up to the roof of my apt. building for the first time- the olympic mountains framed by whisps of fine white clouds and a darkening sky...

weekend fun

saturday was a sun-filled, smile-soaked, adventurefull day in which:

1. i worked on a quilt (colors: green, pink, white,  and purple)

2. i took wade's fabulous dance class 

3. stef and i set up a slack-line in the park

4. stef and i rode bikes, watched this amazing sunset, and stumbled upon a fruitful free pile -we scored some nice clothes and this crazy ass poodle statue pictured above

5. stef and i rode bikes to laura's house where we played games with friends, new and old

6. jody, stef, and i rode our bikes back from the party: a total summer night sneak peak of times awaiting us just around the corner

sunday was dreary and dark, but i worked the gunk out of my spirit at a great contact improv jam.  i had rehearsal for tuesday night's show - On An Unattainable Floor - at meany hall in the u-district, 7:30pm.  then ate dinner, listened to This American Life, and sewed some more :)  pictures of today's shirts coming soon.

peace!

newest creations.  started using fusible web to hold the felt to the fabric more securely, and i think it's working great.  today was a slow day at pike's place = productive day for kat = :)

a synchronistic day, too: my yoga teacher, Troy, stopped by the market to say hello and get a replacement belt at the stall across from me.  it was great to see him, and in a different environment (wearing real, out-in-the-world-clothes).  later my friend Linn came over for a glass of wine after work and she brought me a yoga mat!  thanks, Linn! i am very thrilled to now be able to do some home practice for the days i can't make it to class.  i take these events as the great yoga speaking to me.  i heart yoga.

in other news, i feel totally overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number of projects i have going on in my life right now.  i'm trying to take things one day at a time, and be a better planner.  like today i made it to the grocery store and cleaned my place.  these things help me feel grounded.

at random

this morning i took a great dance class from my friend and then we had lunch in the park and went on a random, destination-less walk around capitol hill.  i had my camera so i took some shots. As we left the park, we walked back toward the art center, and were both startled by the sign on the building "history for lease." the story behind it: a century-old cultural institution, recently sold to a local developer who has decided to convert it into retail and office space, increasing the rent of its current tenants (arts and non-profit orgs, mostly) up 200%, ultimately forcing most of them out.  housing Velocity Dance Center- my second home in this city, the building was one of the first places  i came to know. i am extremely sad to see the destructive forces of gentrification at work in this area!  later on our walk we saw some graffiti on the wall of a garage, "don't be sad" it says, and it made me think that art goes marching right on.  i am focusing my sad energy into creative projects, including a video documentary about the loss of the Odd Fellows Hall.   speaking of creative projects, i need to get back to sewing shirts and planning the art classes i start teaching next week!

little by little

i am thrilled by the responses i have received over the past few days from people wanting to order clothes for their, or their friend's little ones! it is exciting, and honestly a little overwhelming.  BUT i am motivated and excited to keep threading that needle and creating crafty/wearable items.  the other day my brother called and left a message questioning the durability of the garments....the nerve! just kidding...i found it quite a valid inquisition. while it is safe to throw the shirts in a gentle wash cycle, i would advise air drying them, as a way to lengthen the life-span of the shirt.  i bought some fusible web today at the sewing store, and i am going to try ironing the felt, web, and fabric together prior to sewing so as to enhance the durability.  i'll let you know how this experiment turns out.  i'm also always open to ideas about creatures, animals, shapes to try out... word 'em up.

some of the latest designs....

i am looking to sell the shirts at Bootyland, which is a little baby boutique that sells "sustainable urban fashion" for babies.  if that doesn't work out, i will probably sell them on-line.  right now i am taking orders from friends, selling each shirt for $20.  i think it sounds romantic to sell them at markets, so i can actually see the people I am selling to, but it is more of a time-commitment than i am ready for at the moment.

these are some of the first shirts i made.  the first ones i made to give to my brother and sister-in-law b/c they are expecting a baby in August.  but then i got hooked on designing cute little creatures and sewing them onto tiny shirts. since working at pike's place market is pretty slow in winter/spring, i have used work-time as project-time.  perfect!