linda lu

LA Arboretum- I didn't even know!

The Arboretum located in Arcadia, CA.  15 minutes from my house!! Okay, so I've been there once...  a long time ago.  I forgot how beautiful it is there!  And it's always good to see things again.  And it's even better to see things through your child(ren)'s eyes.

We endured a bit of heat this afternoon to see some native plants of Africa, Asia and Australia.  We'll return another day to visit The Americas and see their Art-in-the-Garden "Catawampus".  We had some hot and tired children by the time we got through all of what we saw.  We took lots of pictures.  Feel free to visit my flickr pages.  Here are a couple of my favorites.  First, we stopped for lunch at the Peacock Cafe...

And another great stop was The Meyberg Waterfall.

We had a fantastic time and will tell everyone we know what a treasure we have right here in our backyard.  Tomorrow we're off to the O.C. Fair.  I'm charging my camera and emptying my memory card.  I guess I'd better get some sleep too.

 

Spring Time

Happy Spring Everyone!

I love this time of year.  So full of hope.  Hope of new beginnings, new things, new growth. 

As I reported last time, I did indeed go for a walk.  This is a picture of my shadow... me, my backpack, and my walking stick.

This will probably go down as one of the most amazing things I've ever done in my life.  It was a bit more intense than I imagined.  The pack was heavy enough, the trails were rough enough, the altitude was definitely an issue.  I didn't know I could do what we did!  It was just exhilarating.  We hiked along the Pacific Crest Trail and reached an altitude of 7,000 feet.  We climbed up and over mountain tops alongside the mountain.  Looking down was not a good idea.  We camped in warm sleeping bags and tents, but it was still freezing!  The views were amazing, the weather was perfect and the company was the absolute right mix.  I can't wait to do it again.  Seriously.  My calves, shins, and shoulders hurt the most.  I feel so alive.

My husband kept telling me how proud he was of me (he's so cute).  I think he was just as shocked at how well I was doing as I was!  That's us on the right.  Just a couple of packs holding hands.  This is when we were on a bit of a detour.  A part of the trail we were on was closed down because of endangered yellow legged frogs.  The cool part of taking this paved road was that up ahead  there was a tunnel that went through the mountain and we sang songs all the way through.

As for things on the 'linda lu' front....

Girls wearing linda lu dresses and holding dolls wearing linda lu dresses.  These handmade outfits are made with Amy Butler designer fabric and a coordinating fabric to create a strip skirt.  They are embellished with ribbon along the empire waist.  What little girl wouldn't want to wear a dress that matches her dolly?  The dress shown here is a 2-3T... my daughter is 3 1/2... so it's a bit short on her.  Then again.... that doll's skirt is REALLY short!! : ) 

I am making these a custom order item.  People can choose the size of the girls dress from 6 months to 5-6 T.  And they can choose the hair color, hair style and eye color of their matching doll.   John Wayne's granddaughter is getting a set!  How cool is that?

Also, I've sent off some samples to a new boutique that is opening up in Beaumont, CA called 'Anyichii's Closet'.  I hope to hear from them at the beginning of next week. 

Lastly, I've checked out some new books from the library today:

Crazy Crocheting by Ferne Geller Cone

Quilting for Dummies by Cheryl Fall

Designs for Babies by Margaret Boyles'

I'll let you know if I find anything good in them!  ; )

BTW, Maya checked out:

Leo the Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus

Go To Bed! by Virginia Miller

a read along w/tape cassette "Miss Nelson has a Field Day" by James Marshall

AND a Letter bag, with books and activities all about the Letter 'V'

Going on a walk

Wednesday morning I will be trekking through the Angeles Crest Forest with my husband and a group of close friends.  Maya will be with Nanna and Papa. I'm really excited.  I'm not in the best shape.  But I don't think I'm in the worst shape either.  This is a beginners journey.  We will walk/hike 8.5 miles the first day and 10 miles on the second day.  I was worried about being cold and now we just got slammed with a heat wave.  It was 95 freakin' degrees today!  It's only March!  Totally gross.  Anyways, I'm sure we will deal with some cold in the evening, but it will probably be of great relief to us.  Lots of sunblock and water in my near future.  Wish us luck. 

I've been working on my dolls.  These ones have noses.  Just something subtle.  I was thinking about how I used to ask Maya where her eyes, nose and mouth were and where her dollies' were as well.  I don't want any little one to wonder what has happened to their doll's nose.  I don't think the nose has really added much to their appearance. However, I do love their little strip skirts. And I think I will enjoy making hair accessories like this little crocheted flower on Molly.  Oh, I'm sorry... please meet Sara and Molly.  Forgive me for not making introductions sooner.  : )

I'm pretty happy with the refined pattern.  Subtle as the changes were, they made a great difference. 

My good friend over at Snow Angel Designs has taken up doll making these days too... check out her blog when you get a chance.

I also finished up another blanket this week. 
I know I don't have much up in my etsy shop these days.  I make most things as custom orders. Or for boutique shops.  If anything anywhere on this site interests you, feel free to email me!

Happy Tuesday!