we whistle while we work

Some freshly made bunnies, bears and Pig 2.0.

This crew is now en route to my new friends at Kennedy Crawford Design in North Vancouver.

My littlest helper is never far....

Off she goes, onto the next adventure

Clearance Sale in the Shop

Little Toffee Bear "Jessie" is on sale in my etsy shop:



$14

click here to view the listing

Syd and Ria: first two koo ever

These were the very first koo & poppets I ever made!

You can't see the bear's eyes and there's just something *off * about that bunny's face.....I don't trust him....he looks like a pick-pocket, or some character of equivalent shadiness....

but practice I did, and soon I found the look I was after. my stitches have really improved since then too :)

It's fun to look back and see how they've evolved. These two dinosaurs live in Sadie's room.

They don't have names and they don't have likes or dislikes. So hows about I make those up on the spot:

(bear) "Ria"

likes: auspiciousness

dislikes: bad timing

(bunny) "Syd"

likes: loose change

dislikes: law enforcement

Let's just say that these two are the Bonnie & Clyde of K&P.

Happy American Thanksgiving!

See you on Black Friday - there will be a sale in the shop from November 26 - December 4.

New sniffy faces

Bear 2.0 heart version is on her way to "Baby Ruby's house" as Sadie says. I don't normally name them after the children they belong to, but for some reason "Ruby Bear" has stuck! I think it suits her.

I am trying to think of a good name for this sleepy fellow.....any ideas?

And this is Jessie. She likes butterscotch and dislikes cavities.

Who is your favourite?

Betsy and Ricardo

Do you know what I love? POLKA DOTS!!!!

You guys, you don't even understand how much fabric I have in gigantic bins at KP world headquarters.....nevertheless, I continue to add to the supply because now and then I come across adorable Japanese linen cottons that I SIMPLY CANNOT RESIST. The Koos need them!! It is entirely justifiable.

These two are also available at Hip Baby, however methinks I will list them in my Etsy shop too :)

Thanks for checking in, more tomorrow.....

Fox and Bear like sweaters too

Put away your whites and start sipping Chai Lattés - Autumn is knocking at the door and wants to come in for Banana Loaf (and judging by the amount of brown bananas in my freezer, it's gonna be a LONG season people). The kiddies have stuffed their pencil cases, the forecast calls for rain, and I officially don't care whether or not I have a sun tan anymore.

But you know, I don't really mind that summer has come to an end for now. I like Halloween and pumpkin pie and crunchy leaves too much to mourn the warm season for any length of time. I love that day, the Equinox, when the season officially changes and the sun's passage is marked in the sky. You notice a chill on the breeze, less people at the beach on a Sunday, and a general golden hue. You know a familiar change has come, persistent in its subtlety. An ending dependant on a beginning, and a beginning dependant on an ending.

Welcome Fall, and all your cozies.

Evolution

There's a new little bear in town......meet Gerald. He likes boardgames and dislikes cheaters.

You can enter to win one of the new bears here.

I've learned that re-invention is sometimes a necessary step in successful design......

....sometimes, but not always.....

....so.....

....which bears do you like better? The new ones or the original ones?

Original bear:

Giveaway hosted by BLOESEM KIDS

Presenting Brown Bear Henry and Cute Bunny Portia.

Enter to win this charming pair here.

www.bkids.typepad.com

Summer has arrived in the FOrEst of MiSfiTs

Here are a few of my favourite things:

Trios.

Berries.

Gingham.

Linen.

Pink sisters.

Mod.

Happiness.

(for wall art sources, click here)

Koo & Poppet at Onlyhuman, Victoria BC

Well hello there, Gary. Stop your sleuthing around.


I am so pleased to tell you that Koo & Poppet is now available at Onlyhuman in downtown Victoria. Located at 616 Yates Street (the former Design House location) the showroom is a bull's eye for unique design and exquisitely crafted contemporary furniture.
The Koos are so very honoured to be included in the studio's eclectic mix of novelty designer items.
If you're in Victoria, definitely put Onlyhuman on your list of spots to visit this spring.
To read more about the store's philosophy, check out Meade Design Group's interview with owners Chris and Christina here.

Clockwise from top left: Summer, Gary and Christopher (a seafaring bunny)

Esmerelda prefers to keep to herself. Perhaps you can help socialize her?

Christopher and the piggy are fast friends. Good luck separating them. They're like dogs at the SPCA (except much more chic) who form a bond and have to be adopted into a new home together.

All of the new Koo & Poppet designs shown here are also available in the online shop.

My thanks to Chris and Christina at Onlyhuman!

http://www.onlyhuman.ca/

Liam goes spelunking

photo: Michelle Loewen

Can you picture it? Me, sitting at my sewing table, watching a Koo & Poppet thingy come closer to life with every ounce of stuffing, taking a good long look at each one's facial expression before determining an appropriate name. After the naming comes the tricky part: getting their "likes" and "dislikes" just right. In Liam's case, he likes caves and dislikes getting stuck and, in fact, further to that.....

"You read it here first folks, Liam is a serious cave nut. He loves exploring the dark depths of cavernous places. (Well, that's what he told us to write. However, his friends will tell you that the real reason he likes going in caves is because it's a good excuse to wear a headlamp, and Liam thinks headlamps are the bomb)."

Needless to say, these little critters come into being with no shortage of character, even if it only exists in my imagination. So perhaps you can imagine my utter delight when my new friend Michelle, who is also a brilliant photographer, kindly took it upon herself to photograph Liam in his element, headlamp and all.

A photo essay of his entire spelunking adventure (Liam reads maps, who knew?!) lives here on Michelle's blog. Please have a peek and browse through Michelle's portfolio if you're so inclined, I promise you'll be smitten with her work!

:::www.michelleloewen.com:::

Liam's Cave Adventure

Change is good!

Hi eVeRyOnE!

Introducing the new masthead. Is it too big? Too busy? Too in your face?

It's just that the old one was created slightly hastily; meant for temporary use only, and well, it's almost been a year.

I'm working on new print media for K&P this month and I thought I might as well update the blog graphics as well.

Here is permuation #2:

and #3:

I want to keep it simple and fresh, but also representative of the style and personality of all those Koos, all those Poppets. Who is who anyway? Even I don't know!

Peeking Sneaky, Sneaking Peeky

Here is a glimpse.

These creatures, as well as several others, are on the shelves at FINN & IZZY now.

They will be available in the shop very soon.

"Baffin"

likes: ice cream

dislikes: brain freeze

"Flit"

likes: gardening

dislikes: pests

"Paloma"

likes: lunchtime

dislikes: soap

"Baxter"

likes: racing

dislikes: spies

Baby Ben's Bears

I am pleased to introduce you to one-year-old Ben and his Koo & Poppet collection. How cute is he in his rocking chair?

Ben's mom Andrea and her sister Sarah are great friends of Koo & Poppet - thanks ladies!

These photos, taken by Ben's dad, photographer Alex Firmani, are superb. I especially love the photos he took on the day Ben was born. 

Welcome to Klub Koo little Ben! 

::www.shotinvancouver.com::

::www.apartmentbaby.com::

Riley does The Big Apple

Could I be more excited about Riley's [mis]adventures in New York City? 

No.

How very Amelie-garden-knomish of you, Riley.

Thank you to Rubeena, Jesse, Kingman, Erin, and baby Brewster-Hunt!

Pleased to make your acquaintance...

Meet Liam, Lou Lou, Milly, Avril and Daria.

Daria, Milly and Avril are already available in the shop, and the others will be joining them shortly.

What a week it's been. I've been sick with the flu and being sick with the flu is quite an inconvenience when you have an eleven-month-old. Luckily I received a lot of help from my husband and my parents! Also, we're moving in a week so attempting to pack up the bits and pieces of our lives is also proving to be a little chaotic. And somehow, these little rabbits keep multiplying....

I would be so delighted if you would take a moment to tell me which of the above creatures is your favourite! 

Have a great weekend everyone.