The Crib :: Baby Room Update #2

OH, the crib....

We've come to realize that we have very different "tastes" when it comes to baby room decor. Which is okay. Actually, I'm really thankful I have a spouse who cares enough to have an opinion. It just means a little compromise every once in a while.  Luckily we were both able to stay pretty light-hearted and it was good practice for the ol' give-and-take side of marriage.

Here was the predicament:

James had solid, ornate, and stately furniture in mind when he thought of the nursery. Think this:

Me? I'm a Jenny Lind lover. Think sweet and light, like this:

photo credit



So here is the compromise. We went with a solid, yet cottage-y looking crib that could be made to look elegant or light-hearted...depending on the bedding.

First, here are a few pictures of the assembly...an event I've been much looking forward to long before pregnancy. :) James did most (okay, all) of the work...while I contemplated bedding options.

Much better picture in the pretty afternoon light.

Wall hangings, bedding, and other details are in the works. I'm looking forward to Update #3!

Worth mentioning: I just started a new promotion to celebrate Valentine's day! Take 5% off your entire order through the month of February. Just use the coupon code VDAY5 during Etsy checkout. Can be combined with bridal party discounts, too!

Groom your hair

I just need to say that this groom's hair....is awesome.



This hairstyle needs to make a comeback. Immediately.

{via What Junebug Loves}

How it goes.

SooOOoooOOoooOooo....

I am developing more product. I can't help it. One moment I'm thinking about how awesome linen looks...and the next I'm developing linen clutches! It. Just. Doesn't. Stop. The good news is that I can't sleep anyway (due to baby bump)...so I've had plenty o' time to brainstorm this one.

Here's the newest Lynn David clutch. It's not yet available in the shop for purchase because I'm still working out the kinks and I need to get a price figured out. But it's coming soon. In super delicious colors. :)

I'm loving the envelope style and the heather-y look that linen brings to the table. What do you think?







As I was making this clutch I thought (maybe?) it'd be interesting to share some of my creative process with you. If you could care less, I don't blame you. :) But if you'd like to know, it goes something like this:

I schedule a date with the kitchen table and a cup of tea and start sketching out what I want the bag to look like. Then I scribble out all kinds of measurements and notes with my trusty measuring stick by my side. I didn't keep my notes for this clutch, but it's just as well because they aren't that pretty. Moving on...

I typically have to pump out 3 or 4 "practice" bags before something actually worthy of selling is born.


The first prototype is typically always made with scrap fabric because it NEVER turns out on the first try. This is the most frustrating part of the whole process for me and it can be tempting to just throw in the towel. With this particular clutch I really didn't like the puffiness from the batting and it really needed a magnetic closure of some kind. So notes are taken and I try, try again.


Here's the next prototype. Still the same size and style, minus a layer of batting and plus a magnetic snap closure. Also, I used linen for this one instead of scrap fabric so I could start to get a feel of how it would behave with the iron and sewing machine. But notice how CRAZY crooked my lines are? Linen is actually pretty hard to work with and requires meticulous measuring and cutting. I also noticed that the bag was really floppy. I missed the thickness of the batting, but didn't want the poofiness. So I noted that I needed to try an extra layer of interfacing instead.


Okay, attempt #3 turned out really well. The extra layer of interfacing worked perfectly. Next I needed to figure out what the brooch was going to look like. I tried a rosette, a...something else, and a flower similar to the one used on The Lillian. In the end I really liked the flower and went with it.


This clutch is almost Etsy-worthy. Except for the fact that I wasn't careful while ironing and it left a barely-visible iron mark where the magnetic snap is on the reverse side. SO...I *guess* that means I have to keep it for myself...bummer, huh? :)


You'll be the first to know when these new clutches make their debut in the Etsy shop...hopefully in a couple of weeks. Until then, let me know what you think about the new style and if you'd like to see something added. It doesn't get any better than consumer feedback, so thanks!

Baby Room Update #1

You know, it's amazing how a "due date" can really get you moving on home improvement projects. Especially when it invovles the room your little bambina will be sleeping in. :)

Incase you missed the first post about this room's makeover, here's the mood board that keeps us on track.

Why I didn't take a "before" picture of this room, I don't know. Sorry. The walls were almost the color of the clock pictured in the mood board above, and the carpet was grey. And gross. Back when we had a dog, this was "his room". And the carpets proved it. So we decided to get rid it of it all. After all, this is where our Little Miss will be crawling around on all fours finding things to put in her mouth. The next pictures show the room primed, the trim and carpeting pulled up, and the closet torn out.

Okay, now for the progress. We chose a chestnut-y colored laminate flooring (which we installed ourselves and saved mega buckaroos), painted and re-attached the trim, and painted the walls pink. Some good friends of ours graciously picked up a couple of rugs from IKEA on a recent trip - so those are in the room now too.

The plans:
We still have to go around and touch up the trim where the nail gun and wood filler left it looking not-so-great. The crib and recliner will go in the room soon, and we are in the process of refinishing an old dresser to use as a changing table. After the furniture is in we will be getting a new organizational system for the closet. Curtains and decor will come last.

Writing all this out makes me realize how little time I have to get it all done! :) Hopefully Update #2 will be just around the corner!

Limited Editions

Thanks for the comments on my Diaper Bag Dilemma post from last week. I plan on drawing a name early next week for the special prize, so there's still time to leave me some feedback if you'd like a chance to win.

I realized today that I have yet to introduce you to a few Limited Edition clutches from my shop. The Limited Editions are only being made in limited quantities (to state the obvious). Sometimes only one or two will be available. Here are a few that I've made so far.



I should confess. The Sequin Burst clutch is no longer available in my shop. Because...I'm keeping it. I hand-stitched every single sequin and in the process became quite attached to it. The hand-stitching took way to long for this bag to ever be cost-effective. Plus, I still hadn't added any of the new clutches to my personal collection - and I really love this little beauty.

We are making excellent progress on the baby's room, and I'll post pictures later this week. If you're wondering, no, I havn't forgotten about the latest pictures on the office makeover. (Read about it here and here.) But I will. Promise. There are just a few loose ends that need to be finished up in that room. Speaking of...it's off to do more sanding and painting! Wish me luck! :)

Diaper Bag Dilemma

There are certain baby products that should be researched and analyzed...like carseats. Other things, like diaper bags, should be no-brainers. Just pick one you like, right? Oh, if it were only that easy for a handbag lover.

After dragging this out for waaaay too long, I've decided to bring my dilemma to you, my friends. I need your opinion.

Should I go with a fun, boldly patterned diaper bag, like these from Fossil, J.J. Cole, and Petunia Pickle Bottom?



Or do I go with one that's more versatile and purse-looking so they don't scream "I'm a diaper-bag!". (These bags from Skip Hop are actual diaper bags.)

Or do I keep the hubby in mind and get this Go Gaga sporty-looking bag? (How much is he stuck holding the thing, anyway?)

I know. Please don't be annoyed. I hate that I'm so wishy washy. But will you come to my rescue and tell me which of these you like best/think would be most practical? Leave me a comment with the bag you like most (I've got them numbered) and why. I'll even send a little gift to one commenter drawn at random.

Thanks in advance!

PICTURE {this}

Sometimes I see a picture and I think, "Wow, I have a clutch that could have been in that shot."
Or, "Oh my, I NEED to design a clutch that could be in that shot."  Very inspirational.

SO. I am doing a PICTURE {this} series. Which I could almost laugh out loud at that statement because it seems as though everything I announce "I'm going to do!" on this blog almost always fails to be completed.

But at least now you'll know what the world I'm trying to show you when you see a PICTURE {this} every now and again. Which is a clutch or sketch that just "goes" with a particular photo I've come across and a caption describing the whole scene. Here's the first:

Imagine the bride's chair pulled out just a bit further. The Taylor in ivory is laying on it's side, slightly opened, with a rose, a tube of dusty pink lipstick, and a small antique pocket mirror just about to fall out. Can you picture it?

Photo via Emmaline Bride.

Something Blue

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Lynn David's Something Blue clutch helps the bride complete the old adage. This is just a slightly different take on The Lillian...it's got just a little something blue thrown in. Available in white or ivory for the bride.



The last of the new Lynn David clutches...the Limited Editions...are being introduced next week!

Introducing Taylor and Sophia

The Taylor

The Taylor is made with dupioni silk, which gives this clutch a lustrous sheen and beautiful texture from the silk's characteristic small slubs. The Taylor features gorgeous pleats on the front side of the bag, giving it body and lots of class.  Right at the moment, this clutch is available in black, white, and ivory. More colors to come!

The Sophia {a personal favorite}

The Sophia is made with cotton sateen fabric, which gives this clutch a soft, yet slightly lustrous look. The Sofia features ruffles running vertically down the clutch from top to mid-bottom. More colors to come!

A few more clutches would like their time in the spotlight, so stay tuned tomorrow for more introductions!

The Lillian Clutch

This week I'm excited to introduce The Lillian, The Sophia, The Taylor, and Something Blue, as well as a few limited edition clutches. But first, let me show you around the new site.

I'm really excited about the new look, and I think Brooke F. is the bee's knees when it comes to logo design. After sitting down with her to explain my new product and vision for the company, she went to town and pumped out this awesome logo and branding. Thanks Brooke, I couldn't be happier with it!

Now, down to the website itself - here's what changed:
*The website is now just www.lynndavid.com - the .blogspot has been dropped. Although, if you're linked to me using the old address, you won't notice the change. You'll just be forwarded on to the new address.
*Streamlined the linkbar at the top. Some of the pages are still being written and are coming soon.
*If there is a sale or discount going on in the Etsy shop, it will be posted in the "Current Discounts" column at the left.
*If you'd like to connect to Lynn David through Twitter, Facebook, or an RSS feed, there are now clear links at the left.
*If you read the Lynn David blog in Blogger, I'd LOVE to see you hit the "Follow" button at the left.
*My "Blog Love" blogroll at the left has been updated with my favorite wedding blogs and other sources for inspiration.
*My posts will remain a mix of Lynn David/favorite products/personal, plus a little wedding inspiration thrown into the mix every once in a while.

Have any suggestions/feedback for the blog? Contact me at my new email address: vanessa@lynndavid.com

Now on to the good stuff! Today I'm shining the spotlight on The Lillian Clutch.





The Lillian is made with dupioni silk, which gives this clutch a lustrous sheen and beautiful texture from the silk's characteristic small slubs. The Lillian features a permanently attached floral brooch made with dupioni silk and netting. The fabric for each brooch is hand cut, so no two are the same. Colors being offered are white, ivory, and black with more color options to come. 


Approximate measurements are 8.5" wide across the bottom, 4" high, and 2" deep. Each brooch is different, but they typically measure an average of 2.5-3".
 
I'll be introducing you to two more clutches on Thursday!

Discounts!

Etsy now allows for the use of coupon codes at checkout!

In the spirit of celebrating new years and new product lines, I'm offering a 5% discount to insiders only! (That's you, blog reader!) The discount applies to your entire order, runs now through January 15, 2011, and cannot be combined with other discounts. Use code 05JAN11 at checkout. Click to head on over to the Etsy shop!

Hope you're having a great start to your 2011!