linda lu

Sneak Peek

   Coming Soon.... 

Baby blankets, throw blankets and sock monkeys... oh my!

I have put up many new products in my shop.  Please stop by and see all of the new baby blankets, throw blankets and sock monkeys.  The blankets are my signature luxury designs, made with Asian brocade, backed with plush furry fleece and finished with satin binding.  And the sock monkeys are as fun as ever.   Shipping is FREE and I'm offering my readers a 40% discount!!  Just convo me with the item you are interested in and type in your discount code: TP72108.  I will adjust the price before you make the purchase.

And here are my most recent distractions.  I was getting irritated that most of the shirts I own are difficult to breastfeed in and I still wanted something cute and light for summer.

And last but not least, I'd like to introduce my good friend Emma Pintado.  She has just opened her own Etsy shop and has some great things for sale.  My personal favorite is the "hippie bag".  It's not just for hippies, it's just worn on the hip!  It's the modern, trendier version of the fanny pack.  I LOVE mine!  I use it when I don't want to carry a purse or when I'm wearing a skirt or anything else that doesn't have pockets.  It's such a cute accessory and it's very functional.  Here's a peek, but please take a look at her shop and let her know that linda lu sent you!

I'm back to work!!  I've been busy with a few monkeys and blankets.  They're going up in the shop today.  Please stop by and feel free to spread the word.

In case you're wondering....  baby Lucas is doing great.  He's 2 months old now.  Already!  He's becoming quite the smiley guy these days.  I love it.  He still likes to sleep a lot, which would be why I'm able to get anything done.  Maya is enjoying her summer break (when she's not bored, that is).  We've been to the beach a couple of times already.  I take her to dance class every Wed. afternoon and I'm about to sign her up for swim lessons.  She's also drawing alot.  I will scan some of our favorites in to share soon.

Happy Easter!

  3/20/08 
  Originally uploaded by mayakisses

Hope you have a wonderful day.  Ours started early with "MOM! DAD! The Easter bunny came!!!!!"
The Easter Bunny had to be creative late last night, as he/she, okay I  left everything for the very last minute.  Running over to Target at 8:30 pm, I found cleared out shelves.  Luckily I found a very cute Hello Kitty basket.  The only Easter candy left was some Reese's eggs and a pack of Cadbury creme eggs.  So I found some Hello Kitty fruit snacks and threw in a light up jumprope and a Hanna Montana CD.  Maya was thrilled.

The picture shown is a bunch of sock bunnies I made for my sister's salon.  It's funny how different socks can create such a different character.  They were a lot of fun to make.

Well, we're off to search for Easter eggs!

Bunnies and Bugs

Found this little guy hopping around in the yard.  If you'd like to adopt him, you can find him in my shop (along with some other goodies).  I'm busy.....  keep checking my shop to see all that I will be adding in the next couple of weeks.

Maya woke up screaming the other night and swore there was a bug on her bed.  I ran in as fast as this pregnant lady can run, but did not see any bugs.  Now, I'm not saying there wasn't one... I just didn't see whatever she saw.  We put her stuffed unicorn on Bug Duty and she went back to sleep. 
Today as I was doing three projects at once (what else is new?), Maya called me from the other room.  "Mom, come see my sign!"  I took my 12th break that hour to see what she was doing.  To my surprise, this is the "sign" she created on her chalkboard, appropriately entitled NO SPIDERS ALLOWED IN MY HOUSE. 

May I remind you, she's 4!!  Of course, I'm her mom, everything she does amazes me.

Kitty Birthday Tote

Happy Birthday Simone!

Simone turned 3 this weekend.  She is Maya's good friend that I have the pleasure of looking after a couple of times a week.  I've been saving this fabric for her for months, not sure what I'd do with it.  When I started making these totes, I just knew I'd have to make a smaller version for her.  Being 3 and being the girly girl that she is, bags are important!  She's a mini fashionista and she's got stuff.  She's always carrying around her stuff, whether we're talkin' books, dollies, crayons or jewelry... a girl's got to have her stuff!!  lol

I remember Maya doing this last year too.  I'd have to wait before leaving the house to go anywhere, because she was gathering her items into whatever bag she had available to bring with her.

Anyways, this cute fabric with Paris Cats needed absolutely nothing and could stand on it's own just fine.  But, I thought it'd be nice to make a little friend to sit in the pocket and carry around.

I didn't even attempt the french beret and went straight to a cute little rose and a ribbon scarf.  The kitty is made of felt and is blanket stitched together.

I think she's rather sassy. 

The kitty, not Simone.

The gift was a hit and so was the party.  A princess themed party of course.

There were several princesses present including my own Princess Maya.  There were snacks, crafts, glitter and cake involved.  And a fabulous swag bag to boot.

As we drove home, Maya cried "I want to go to her 4th birthday party!" 

Well, it's time to play.  Have a wonderful day!

 

Sisters and crochet

Custom Order
Originally uploaded by mayakisses

This cute little trio is a custom order I did at Christmas time. They're sisters (see the resemblence?). I love doing the dresses in this style. Totally removable with cute little sewn on panties underneath. I have been making dresses like this for babies/toddlers for several years now, so it only made sense to put them on my dolls as well. I have always loved crochet, so it's fun to combine it with all the great fabrics I have lurking in my ever growing stash.

I have just started a crochet project for my little 'bun in the oven'. It's fun to try something new. I'm using a pattern out of Crochet Today Magazine. It's a little jumper and I'm using some great colors in a cotton yarn. I will certainly post a picture when it is complete. Anyone else have a crochet WIP (work in progress)? How about a good pattern for booties? Would love to hear from you.

The plan

Just a little bit about the planning of my dolls... here's a drawing I did... I think this was the final phase.

The hair, shoes and body suit are all appliqued onto the body cut out.  The eyes and mouth are embroidered on later.

I'm really glad I came across this.  I've made several dolls and have not been completely satisfied, like it wasn't quite right.  I realized what I'm unhappy with: it's the shape of the head.  My dolls have really round heads.  I like the more balloon shape shown here.

I've started a new pattern to change the shape of the head, but probably won't get to make them just yet.  Trying to decide if I go with the new shape or round shape for an order I have to get done.  Any thoughts?

Well, it's back to sock monkeys for me.  Anyone have a good source for socks?  I am searching high and low for good all-over argyle knee highs and for striped fuzzy socks. 

BTW, happy April 1st!  Did anyone have a good trick played on them today?  Please share your story here. 

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!