Archive for April, 2010
Inspiration does not seem to be hard to come by in Thailand… in fact, there seems to be quite an abundance of natural beauty and beautiful florals to choose from! Here are some more pictures of Katrin’s ventures and inspirations from her trip… flowers in water, and flowers made of food! Gorgeous!
Have a beautiful day!
xox
Rebekah Crown has become a staple in both Katrin’s personal and boutique life.
I had the opportunity to interview her via e-mail for a little insight on the things that make her tick, and how she conducts her craft
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Enjoy, and soak up her love for the arts at her vernissage (flyer with dates and times at the end of the post)!
So tell me a bit about what you do! Everything from Spiritual enlightenment to creating beautiful textiles and artwork it seems! How did you get into all of these domains?
Fabric, red wine, warm weather, baby leaves, fall colours in this corner of the world, the desert.
What inspires you when creating?
What colours/fabrics/textures are you naturally drawn to?
Anything shiny. I also have been known as The Supreme High Priestess of Purple. Black should only be used or worn to show off colour. Purple goes with everything especially orange.
Any special treatments or processes that tribute to your signature styles?
I have explored many quilting and surface design techniques and am not sure I have settled on one in particular. I DO like to embellish with holographic gold thread.
What fabrics and materials are your staples?
I use mostly cotton fabrics, some I dye myself but I also do some felting and bead work. I LOVE the batiks from Bali. They have so much light and movement in them. Did I mention holographic gold thread?
What are you currently working on?
What does creating do for you? Is it a release, an excitement, a concentration?
Creating feeds me. It is more of an obsession than anything. Pieces arise within me and demand to be made. A blissful slavery.
What do you see in your future?
One goal I have is to have a show in Santa Fe. I feel I need to develop my work more before that happens. I would also like to have a big piece in a public place in Montreal.
Where do you think your art and spiritual work will guide you?
Into more beauty
If you could travel anywhere in the world right this minute, where would you choose?
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Although she may be on vacation, Katrin seems to be expanding her creative realm with a fruit carving class!
Gorgeous imagery we all hope will somehow get incorporated into her fashion (fingers crossed)…
This just blows my mind… how on earth do you get it so perfect?!? I can hardly carve triangle eyes into a pumpkin… let alone etch a bouquet into a papaya!!! Amazing!
Best part is that Kat looks happy, radiant, rested and beautiful
xox
Katrin sent me these beautiful pictures this morning (fresh from Thailand) of some of the mini temples that are scattered everywhere – holding offerings of food and water to the gods – gorgeous! Beautiful colors and adornments . Enjoy!
More pictures to come of Katrin’s trip within the next few days… stay tuned
xox
This blog seems to be a constant search, love and appreciation of all things that nourish the soul… but what I sometimes forget is that feeding the mind would not be possible without sustaining the body!
Food can be just as much of an inspiration as clothing, fairy tales and friends. Flavors, varieties and textures meant to be explored and enjoyed… bringing you from home to every country of the world. Eating different dishes can be like traveling in it’s own right .
Feel feisty with arrabiata tomato sauce, crunch a caramelized onion or/and indulge your sweet tooth with melt in your mouth macron’s… food is it’s own expression of self – who will you be today?
Where have these heart and star shaped cucumbers been all my life?!?
… Nom nom nom…
Eat your heart out (har har…)!
xox
Happy Weekending!
I stumbled upon these gorgeous little girl images while surfing the web and just one glance triggered my digital hoarding addiction… I mean really, who can resist tutu’s on toddlers?
Beyond the cuteness though, I could not get over how KL these little ladies are… flowers in their hair, bright colored tutus and the dreamy look like they are tiny little fairies sitting on top of a mushroom in an enchanted forest. I especially love the pictures where they are playing outside barefoot… gorgeous flower babies .
I guess above all, it was really a reminder that even though some things in life may change, there are many things that will always remain the same. Our inner spirit of youth and imagination (to be exercised regularly)!
Crinolines by far are a dreamers ideal… light, magical and possibly the most feminine item on earth. Wear it under a summer dress, evening gown or your favorite skirt… relive your love for all things ballerina and glamor and you will soon consider this piece a wardrobe staple!
… you see… history does repeat itself…
Check out the fun assortment of colors and lengths in boutique!
xox
Home is truly where the heart is. Katrin’s apartment is a wonderland if you ever saw one with trinkets and goddesses at every corner. A place where nature meets nurture with an almost forest-like collection of plants, various Madonna statues and kitties galore!
A homey mix of handmade crafts and personality touches… butterflies on picture frames, kitchen-side ponds, all the KL bedding and pillow covers you could dream up, an elevated bathtub that overlooks the rest of the apartment… and major injections of love into the details all around!
These goddess lamps are awesome! Katrin also has one in her bathroom
Katrin enjoys an afternoon snack in her loft-style open kitchen.
Katrin and her husband Mike’s beautiful gallery of family portraits… some gorgeous black and white vintage looking ones really stand out – and the butterflies *oh my*… I loves!!!
Katrin’s makeup vanity (that she made herself – can you believe?!?)! If you haven’t already, check out the post I did about Katrin on the Nightlife Beauty Junkie Blog and get filled in on her makeup must-haves!
Protectress lady figures in the corner of her bedroom
Possibly the most adorable shower cap in all of the land… so fifties and bonnet-like!
Make your home a place of comfort and security… a place where deep relaxation conquers all after a long day out in the city and where relationships blossom and flourish. Adorn and create a place you love to be (you’d be amazed at how radically this can change your lifestyle and make you more of a homebody) instead of escaping elsewhere for your creature comforts.
Check out the KL boutique for duvets, pillowcases, shawls and artwork to really jazz up your living space
xox
New to the KL boutique…
…and beauty you cannot surpass nor overcome when you first walk into the store and venture towards the cash – the eco-friendly collection of earrings from Arterre!
Each pair handmade with recycled fabrics (including a few pairs made from KL collection scraps to match your favorite ensembles) and tightly wrapped to give a distinct and colorful new aesthetic to an old classic. I love it when designers really play up textures and form – and this is exactly what this is!
Best part by far though? Some earrings don’t only come as a pair, but as a threesome (hey, hey, hey… keep your mind outta the gutter…) so that you can mix and match and really get the most versatility out of these exquisite jewelery box additions!
C’mon… adding a third earring is by far one of the most genius ideas I’ve heard in a long time!
Arterre also makes necklaces that are carried in the KL boutique (but I’m keeping that as a yummy surprise for later)…
Happy start to the week!
xox
Just an exciting little reminder and tidbit to look forward to… Katrin and the team will be once again producing the costumes for the Vermont based Circus Smirkus!!! The KL collaboration is becoming something of a tradition and I can’t wait to hear what themes and characters the team has dreamt up for us this year!
I remember rat costumes, robots, Cinderella’s and Hansel and Gretels… so diverse every year!
Always a lot of fun, keep your eyes peeled on the KL blog during the month of May for all things fantastically dramatically circus!!!
Have a beautiful weekend and be sure to check out Katrin lookin’ beautiful on the Nightlife Magazine beauty blog!
xox
Because there can never be enough inspiration in a single day… because visual stimulation is absolutely necessary… because bright positive colors inspire and boost the moral… because everybody deserves to feel beautiful in and outside their minds
Because it doesn’t even merit reasoning… more getting inside the head of Miss Katrin herself and peeking at the things that make her tick tock! Look closely folks… these are the images that get processed and inspire endless creative possibilities in the KL studio.
Inspiration is everywhere, but are your eyes open wide enough to see it and capture it all around you? Many of us take so many things for granted visually just because we become accustomed to them.
For one day I dare you to let go of the mundane glasses you see the world with and try on those rose colored frames… you’ll see you’ll like your new perspective much, much more .
Enjoy lovelies!
xox
Today’s boutique artist spotlight focuses on the beautiful and enchanting work of Montreal’s own Elizabeth Johnston! Known for her Celtic knot inspired intricate jewelery designs (and passion for the Bodhran drum – an Irish frame drum), Elizabeth prides herself in only using the finest materials.
Amongst the mediums Elizabeth works with are potato pearls (fresh water mussel pearls that are naturally pastel colored but can also come dyed in brilliant hues),
Swarovski crystals, authentic gemstones, Murano and Millefiori lamp work glass beads, and silver from various indigenous economic initiatives. Each silver piece is made locally completely by hand. – WOW!
Somehow beautiful things just feel even more amazing when the fabrics and components are real, natural, and made with a whole lotta love!
Drop by the KL boutique today to view all these beautiful pieces up close and in person (believe me, the pictures just don’t do them enough justice)!
Hope life is treating you all well and you are spoiling yourself with happiness and joy!
xox
There is nothing more therapeutic in the world to me than keeping a scrapbook or journal. A private place to rant, collect inspiration, scribble and dream… your alternate universe that you can use as reference to real life. Here is the beginning of a glimpse into Katrin’s creative mind – her scrapbook/visual journal. The very colors, cuts and moods that inspire the way she designs and lives her life. Enjoy!
xox
Have a beautiful day!
Sometimes we just don’t realize how important it is to surround ourselves with beauty. From clothing, good food to what we hang on our walls at home and in our work spaces… everything has a say in our comfort levels and how we project ourselves to the world. Remember… beauty = power!
Clocks are the perfect adornment… every open space calls for one! It is a functional piece of art, so why not select one that brings a smile to your face and makes you slow down a minute every time you glance at the hour before rushing out . Where and when you can cancel out a little bit of stress and worry in your day you most absolutely should!
Here are some of the beautiful cuckoo clocks in the boutique… they require no batteries (just pull the cords and they wind up), and of course the little cuckoo birds also regularly make appearances and sing their little hearts out
Have a beautiful week!
xox
Start your engines ladies and gentlemen cause on May 2nd 2010 Katrin will be opening her studio doors to the public to take an in-depth look at next seasons upcoming swatches and trends! There will also be a Scarfette tutorial… a look at how your favorite KL accessory is made in shop via rescued fabric scraps!
There are some of the cities greatest design influences putting their practices on display, so be sure to head over to the Design Montreal Open House site (right now por favor) and plan out what you want to see most! Times, dates, addresses, events and activities can all be found on the website… can’t wait (I know I’ll be there)!
Follow Katrin via facebook fanpage for reminders and updates on this and all future events
xox
Plants are an amazing way to spruce up your home as well as work environment. Although they may sometimes be a little high maintenance (god knows I kill every plant that happens to cross my path), there is something about the soothing energy they keep that makes spaces of all sorts feel balanced and complete. Here is a collection of both plants and figurines/art from a mix of Katrin’s apartment, the boutique and some fitting artwork I found along the way .
The moose figurine, as well as the horses from the first post picture were all hand painted by Katrin’s mom… I found them hidden away amongst the plants consuming this big ‘ol bookcase Kat has in her place! You can drop by the boutique and find more farm animals and magical beasts in shop… they add an air of enchantment to the place (although so many things there do)…
I adore the vase this plant lives in. Really. It looks like both the plant and the vase met one day and came together to form some kind of botanical perfection. I love the fact that they have both taken up residency on this window sill alongside a few representatives of Kat’s rock collection… just livin’ in perfect harmony…
Who ever said this post was only about literal flowers and plants?!? The bright burst of exotic floral colors and patterns make this runway shrug from Kat’s fall collection the perfect addition to any personal wardrobe garden!
Some times greenery also comes in the form of beautiful wallpaper…
… or the most delicate orchids that hang out in Kat’s kitchen right above the dish rack….
… or even just wonderful blue artwork that happened to waltz into my life one day 
Adopt a plant and nurture it with love and water… but most importantly beauty!
Give plants your beauty and without fail they will give it all right back…
Have a gorgeous day!
xox
Katrin and her hubby are off to Thailand for a month to gain inspiration for her collections to come and his culinary skills – can’t wait to see what they both come back with and bring to the table!
And who wouldn’t want to travel around the world in true watermelon/lemon/orange style?!? Tee hee… hook me up – I love these fruit carry-ons!
Bon Voyage to Katrin and Mike on their worldly travels! Enjoy your well deserved time off to explore and create
xox
Check out these beautiful plastic butterflies that Katrin is currently working with for a wedding dress order… they are going to be sewn onto the dress itself! Such a beautiful and colorful splash of color for a summertime wedding !
I want to order a bunch to keep for adorning cupcakes! What a great way to spruce up pretty much anything (and what’s even better is that they are reusable)!
Hope you enjoyed the sunshine of Easter weekend!
xox
Some beautiful artwork with a rather sunny disposition to brighten the start of your weekend… the sunshine is such a beautiful and positive element to enjoying the great and beautiful outdoors! Soon the city will be set alive with blossoming colors and fresh greens… in the meantime, enjoy the work of Sascalia .
Don’t spend a MINUTE indoors this weekend if you can help it – 26 degree Celsius weather is truly an Easter weekend miracle!!!
Enjoy the holidays (and lots of chocolates) with the ones you love.
xox
Well lets just say I could not post these up fast enough… these clutches are INSANE!!! I think I want just about all of them… seriously, what an amazing way to draw creative attention to a formal night out! You will definitely get some double takes with these :p
I LOVE the penguin!!! Divine!
And of course those of us who just can’t seem to shake the traditional classics… this silver swan clutch is the perfect balance of artsy and class.
Hope you are having an inspiring Thursday!
xox
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