Somebody Is Turning Four Today

One of my favorite little friends is turning four years old today. I did a lot of good thinking and decided that what every little girl needs is her own tote bag for carrying very important stuff. I was also inspired by some amazing thread I picked up on a lunch time field trip to the Garment District. The yellow thread is painted so it changes from very light butter yellow to a deep daffodil color. I kept thinking about how it would look on chocolate brown fabric and then the light bulb went off.

Since I have no sense of proportion for young bodies, I have a sneaking feeling that the bag is probably a little too long and deep, but heck, that just means more stuff that will fit in it. The straps seem fine but the body of the bag is a little long. We are on our way over to the birthday party today so I won't have to wait too long to see the fit.

For the flowers, I mostly free styled their design. My new sewing machine has some very cute embroidery templates so I was able to work in the little leaves, making the flowers even cuter. I also picked up some cute orange flowered ribbon that I used for an accent along the top.

Although the tote is pretty cute on its own, I wanted to put some special presents inside. I went to Papyrus yesterday and picked up some adorable stickers and a little chick ring. There are three little pads tied up with ribbon and some crayons. The girl is good to go.

There was another special request for a pineapple raspberry upside down cake. The timer just went off and the whole house smells delicious. Hopefully there will be some good action shots of the presents this afternoon.

A Quilt For A Grown Up Gal

As I mentioned before, the OLDM really really wanted a quilt. Her birthday is right before Christmas so I offered to make her a quilt as a combo gift. I am sure that for someone with a December birthday, she has been subjected to this kind of trickery before, but since the offer was something that she really really wanted, she agreed.

I have to admit, this was a much bigger project than I anticipated, both in scale and skill. I am actually glad I didn't know what I was getting into when I started, because it was A LOT of work. Making a baby quilt and making a grown up gal quilt are totally different experiences. With all the materials, I can knock out a baby quilt in a long afternoon. A grown up gal quilt is a different story. I worked on this one on a couple of other weekend days but this weekend was the big one. I was determined to finish and was willing to do what it took to get the job done, which sadly meant locking myself in my apartment from noon on Saturday until 5 pm on Sunday. I emerged today, bleary eyed and thirsty for beer. But man alive, this quilt is fantastic.

I will go into the details of the process later, including the highs and lows, the blood, sweat and tears in another post, but for now, I just need to post some pictures to show off my finished project.

Yes, the quilt is being modeled on my bed, and yes, it looks damn good, and yes, I thought about keeping it, and yes, my husband suggested that we keep it, but no, I am not that kind of girl. The OLDM is getting the quilt. Sigh.

The Next Baby Quilt

Lucas is going to be a big brother. We are all patiently awaiting the arrival of his little sister, who should be arriving by stork next month. I can't wait to meet her and I can't wait to make her a special something to celebrate her arrival.

On a fun Friday afternoon field trip, I picked up this fabric with the grand plan to finish it in the next month. It is perfect for a little girl. Hopefully the quilting muse will pay me a visit in the form of a blog or something to inspire me.

Bartering for The Wire

My incredibly generous co-worker offered to lend me all four seasons of The Wire on DVD when I couldn't rent them from my local video store or Netflix. (I will discuss that travesty in a later post. ) It was an incredible offer because she didn't know me that well and sharing a favorite DVD with an acquaintance is always a little risky.

I felt compelled to reward such a lovely act of generosity with a surprise purse. It also gave me the chance to try out a new style. I haven't named it yet but it is a cross between the Handbag and the City Bag. It is wider than the Handbag but not quite as deep as the City Bag. It is also perfect. My co-worker now knows it is coming, but I can't say I didn't seriously consider keeping it for myself.

Here are some pictures of it next to the City Bag for a better comparison. Aren't they so cute together?

Simple Totes, or The Cobbler's Wife Goes Barefoot

These simple, unlined totes were a huge hit at the Bust Craftacular, so successful in fact, I sold the one I made for myself as well. Seriously, I sold the purse off my shoulder. I have been without a Lunden Designs bag ever since, so I figured that it was about time I started carrying one of my own creations. The fabric is from Reprodepot and is a medium weight canvas, perfect for these totes. The straps are made of chocolate brown microfiber and provide a nice contrast to the dark gray background and gold accents.

I went ahead and made three at once; one is spoken for, one I am keeping for myself and the last little one is looking for a home. So if you are interested in purchasing this little beauty, shoot me an email. We'll talk.

Sneak Peak

When the OLDM (original lunden designs model) saw The Quilt For A Big Girl, she made it pretty clear that if Charlie didn't want it, she would take it, no problem. As a gesture of appreciation, I figured the OLDM should get her own quilt and not embarrass herself fighting a three year-old. So we picked out the fabric together at Purl Soho on a cold winter's day and magic happened. Just take a look at the fabric and you will see for yourself.

As for design inspiration, I came across a picture of Provence tiles and was immediately smitten. I loved the idea of recreating tiles in the quilt blocks. There were some skeptics (Mom) but I held fast to my vision and it is coming together better than I could ever imagine. So, without further ado, here are some pictures.

Pretty In Pink

This is a little something I made for a friend's birthday. It was a collaboration with her husband - he provided the material and I put it together. It is so cute and provides that perfect splash of color for going out.

Wait A Minute Mr. Postman

There was a fabric delivery from Reprodepot waiting for me when I got home last night. Thank you Mr. Postman and Reprodepot. I placed my order with them on Wednesday and it arrived on Friday. Now that is some great customer service.

I picked up some new medium weight broadcloth and canvas that will be perfect for tote bags. The dark blue material with the sweet gold accents and the colorful flower print are perfect for totes. If I get my act together this weekend, I might just have a new work tote for Monday.

I also started collecting material for a quilt for my husband (okay, it's for the both of us but it just seems weird to wrap it up and give it to myself). Even though we are already married, I figure it is never too late for a dowry. The little blue birds and the red mosiac pattern had me at hello. I have no idea what the quilt will look like but it is so far down in the project queue that I will have plenty of time to work it out.

Quilt Action Shots - Part II

Charlotte's amazing mother found the time in her crazy schedule to arrange this little photo shoot, and I am awfully glad she did. Will you just look at that little body! I can't stand it, she is so cute. I would like to think that the quilt compliments her cheeks, but they don't really need any help from me.

Mon Dieu!

I just can't believe how gorgeous this city bag turned out. I lined it with the dark brown stripes rather than a solid brown just to try something new and it works so much better than I could have imagined. The strap is dark brown ultra-suede attached with silver rings. Did I mention how gorgeous it is? It was ordered as a gift but I'll bet $10 that a certain new mother in San Francisco keeps this one for herself. So without further ado, here is the cutest little city bag around.

Update: The bag was shipped directly to the birthday girl so the certain San Francisco mother ordered one for herself. Now everyone is a winner.

Another First

I was told years ago by by a certain friend that I needed to make diaper bags (Hi Amy!) but I dragged my feet on trying out that style. I was intimidated by making something so detailed and complex.

Luckily, the babies just keep coming and my new cousin-in-law, who just gave birth last week, asked so nicely, I just couldn't say no. And I am so happy I said yes. This bag is so chic, functional and big! It is 16 1/2" wide, 14" high and 6 1/2" deep. It is made with the lovely french toile and lined with dark brown stripes. It has three interior pockets and two exterior pockets. I also made a changing pad with the new dark brown graphic flowers. It has a layer of cotton batting to give a little padding for my new little cousin's bottom.

The best part about this bag as that it doesn't look like a diaper bag - it can keep a new parent in cognito or can be used for carrying other things besides bottles and wipes. I really need one for myself.

Some New Fabric

Here are some of my new fabrics. I have so much love for the french toile flowers - the red and dark brown on natural linen is striking, classic and modern all at the same time. I picked up the dark brown stripes and the dark brown graphic flowers to work accent pieces.

You asked for it...

My dear friend (and now brother-in-law) has always been incredibly supportive of my sewing adventures, from the day I asked him for a ride home with my first sewing machine, to all the rides to the fabric store to the words of encouragement at the Craftacular.

Through all the years, he has only asked me for two things: first, he wanted me to put him on my website; and second, he wanted me to make him something (but since this is a family site, I can't bring myself to describe what he wanted). Luckily, my friend told me that he no longer needs me to make him his special request (you are just going to have to ask him yourself if you really need to know). But, as I was going through my old pictures, I came across this photo shoot, taken in my San Francisco apartment, full of boxes and just days before I moved to New York, and recalled my friend's request to be on my website. So, although long overdue, here you go!

Personally, I find that the juxtaposition of such a brawny, hunky man and such a sophisticated purse really works. Or maybe it is just that beefcake can really sell anything.

Lunden Designs Greatest Hits

Here are some of my favorite bags. Looking back at these pictures is like looking at pictures of old friends.

Holiday Presents

I made these travel bags last year to give as holiday presents. Each set came with a lingerie bag and a coordinating shoe bag - perfect for your weekend bag or suitcase. I just always travel better knowing that my unmentionables are also traveling in style.

Ladybugs!

Since I can't stop making quilts, no adorable ladybug fabric was safe from me and my machine. I found these abstract ladybugs on reprodepot.com and mixed up the solid red ladybugs with the orange ladies and yellow dots. I had enough fabric to make two quilts for two little ladies. Charlotte in Maine is already enjoying her quilt and the other little lady should be presenting herself this week. I can't wait for action shots.

The Goods

I was so busy sewing that I didn't get a chance to post any of my creations before the craft fair. The fair was amazing and all of my purses went way too fast, I barely had a chance to say good bye. Now I have to get going on making more.

THE BUST CRAFTACULAR IS COMING!!!

Bust Magazine hosts an annual holiday craft fair and they have accepted my application to be a vendor. Wahoo! So on Saturday, December 8th from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., you are invited to come on down and get busy on your holiday shopping, either at the Lunden Designs table or elsewhere. The Craftacular is located at The Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, 125 West 18th Street. I will be posting pictures of the purses and other lovelies as I make them.

Toot! Toot!

I know it is rude to toot my own horn, but every once in a while, a gal makes something that is just so pretty it can't be helped. This lovely quilt was started a while ago but was put on the back burner so I could concentrate on my wedding dress. Now that the dress is finished and the wedding is just around the corner, I finally had time again to work on this little beauty. It is a gift for my newest friend, Clementine. She took her sweet time coming into this world, but she was definitely worth the wait.
I used a Japanese print and created a cream border to create 12" x 14" blocks and then sewed them all together. I quilted "in the ditch" following the two vertical seams and outlined each swatch of pear material.
The original backing was going to be made with the same cream material, but there was a tragic accident involving some purple fabric that ran in the same load of wash. The cream fabric took the color beautifully and I found that the pink really worked well with the pears and leaves so I used it anyway. Sadly, some shirts and a sweater did not fair as well.

Quilt Action Shots - Part I

It seems like just yesterday that I was sending off my first baby quilt to San Francisco, anxiously checking the post office website for delivery confirmation and just busting with excitement for my friends to receive their surprise present. They did receive the quilt but had to wait a couple more months and then one very long week past the due date for their bundle of joy. Luckily, Henry arrived safe and sound. Here is the man of the hour, clearly enjoying his quilt and generally being charming and adorable.