Klt:works creates colorful children's mobiles that catch the eye and the imagination

I first encountered Kristen Loffer Theiss' work a few years ago at Lucca on Ballard Avenue. Her thread drawings of an owl, a crow and a nest full of eggs stopped me cold. They were little works of art for the sofa, perched on plump throw pillows. After learning that Theiss "drew" those evocative images freehand in one continuous motion using a sewing machine, I was even more impressed.

I visited her Web site and discovered that this local talent makes more than just pillows. Theiss runs her own design studio, Klt:works, out of her Mount Vernon home, and creates adorable children's mobiles, plush toys, illustrations and screen-printed clothing for babies and toddlers under the label Klt:kids.

While I love everything that Theiss creates, her mobiles are my favorites. They're whimsical, modern and perfect for any nursery. She uses bold, graphic shapes to make familiar and comforting animals out of bright primary-colored felt and cotton, perfect for catching the eye and attention of wee little babies.

Choose between the Crawling Critters mobile, featuring Lou the snail, Steve the centipede, Ziggy the spider and Willie the worm; or the Flights of Fancy mobile, with free-flying Ollie the owl, Dewey long legs and other feathered friends.

New this fall is the Coy Kitties mobile, which features Kiki the kitty in black, white and shades of grey. Made entirely by hand, the mobiles sell for $180, take four to six weeks to complete, and make a heartfelt and meaningful gift for a new mom.

Be sure to check out the newest addition to the Klt gang -- Sid and Avery the slugs ($40), who sport organic fleece antennae, perfect for teething tots. The Klt:kids line also includes illustrated prints ($48), screen-printed plush pillows ($36), and tank tops, tees and onesies (from $16) of the mobile menagerie, which means that you can outfit the nursery head to toe in Ollie the owl if it strikes your fancy.

As for those thread drawings that so captured my attention a few years ago, Theiss offers silk-screened versions of the owl, crow and nest full of eggs on organic cotton onesies ($24), toddler tees (from $20) and reusable shopping bags ($18). Silk-screened pillows ($38) are available as well, with colorful striped cotton backing.

Klt:works products are available at Lucca Great Finds, Twig and online at kltworks.com.

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