I Need Your Help

I need your help.
While I am officially on vacation until January 5th.....we are trying to choose an "Official" Engagement Photograph for Shelby. We are having a tough time choosing between the following ones:
#1:
#2:

#3:


This is where you come in.....I would love for you to leave me a comment, saying which photo is your favorite. #1, #2, or #3.
Just scroll to the bottom of this post-- click on the "Comment" link, and it will direct you as to what to do. You can even be anonymous if you choose.
Thanks for your help.
Happy New Year!
Laura
PS: Don't be shy! If you choose anonymous-it does not give me any other info (so you won't end up on some mailing list!!!) Privacy is important to me too!!!!
But PLEASE vote!!!!!!!

The Dog Days of Christmas

Merry Christmas from the LFW Designs Dogs....

Sandra Dee, Miss Ellie Mae, and Bessie Lew (also known as "Moo")

Tears, Tears, and even more Tears.....but all good ones!

What a whirlwind weekend!
It started Thursday evening with Tyler's first performance of "The Christmas Carol". Tyler played Ebeneezer Scrooge. He was wonderful. So, I cried. Tears of pride.
As soon as the play ended, Shelby called my cell phone to tell me that she and Blake were no longer "friends". They are engaged. She has a ring. Tears again. Can my sweet little daughter be old enough to get married?

Friday morning brought the graduation of Blake, my soon-to-be son-in-law. Blake, honey, it is not too late to run from this nutty family!!!! When the music began, tears streamed down my face AGAIN! Sometime in the coming year, we should have two more college graduations to attend----right, Ash???? right, Shel??? Of course we will also have the 2 high school graduations for Tyler and Jami! My poor hormones will be on overload!!! I will need stock in Kleenex!

Friday evening brought another performance of Ty's play......and it was even better than the night before. So, guess what, more tears! This time they were for Scrooge, when he realizes all the things he had done to others and vows to be a better person....it was awesome.

Saturday evening, we had Blake's Mom and Step Dad(Karen & Johnny) for dinner, they flew in from Texas for the graduation. No tears this time, just an entertaining evening.

Sunday ended with the last performance of The Christmas Carol....this time many more tears. The culmination of an emotional weekend.....and possibly the best performance of the Palatka High School Musical Theater I have seen. Incredible.

All good tears, though. What a blessing.
Hope you all have a great week.....
Laura

Gift Certificates

Our new Gift Certificates are here! They make a great gift for any of the girls on your list!
You can specify any amount----
If you need to get them before Christmas either email us at lfwdesigns@bellsouth.net, call the studio directly at 386.937.9929, or log onto the website...
Also, don't forget about the Christmas Open House at the Studio this weekend, Saturday and Sunday---the 6 & 7, from 1-3 in the afternoon!

Merry Christmas!
Laura

My Favorite Ornaments...

After decorating my tree this weekend with my family, I thought I would share a few of my very favorite ornaments with you...



I bring you this picture of this funny ornament, because you know how I LOVE dachshunds......and because I wanted you to see this picture from this morning:
Because, after all, what is a blog-post, without Sandra Dee?

Y'all have a good day!
XO
Laura

Thanksgiving, 2008

How is this for a Thanksgiving picture????? This is poor little Sandra Dee. She is a little perturbed, and a whole lot tired! 9 dogs and 16 people in your house will do that to a little dachshund. It will do it to a couple of grown-ups (me & Karl) too! We survived Thanksgiving, but wow, are we ever tired.
On Wednesday evening everyone gathered at our house for appetizers and fun.....then again on Thursday for the real food! We always bake a turkey .....simply because we use that meat for sandwiches and I HAVE to have the drippings for my dressing. Dressing, that I must say was THE BEST I have ever made.....all of the turkey drippings, cups of fresh celery and sweet onions, mounds of fresh cornbread, and my two secret ingredients......hot sausage and portobello mushrooms. Ummm Ummm Good! However, back to the turkey...it was definately the Fried Turkey that was the best. It is the most flavorful and the most moist turkey meat ever. If you have never fried a aturkey----get to it. The turket fryers are all on sale and so are the birds.....you need a 12 pounder for best results. Go for it. Really.
On Thursday morning, I even convinced everyone to help put up the Christmas tree, especially Blake and Cory. Everyone had to at least put on 15 ornaments.....Ashlie, Tyler, Shelby and Jami, put on a million! Thank Heavens!
Even Karl was impressed to have the tree up and have it look so pretty. Later in the day we put up all the fall decor, and put out the Christmas things. I scaled back from what I usually do, but everything still looks so festive.




And, finally, I will show you our family picture of 2008. This is MY entire immediate family....(with a few extras --and a few furry ones!-- thrown in for good measure!!!)
On the back row: Kevin (my brother) My Dad, Blake --holding Copper (He is Shelby's friend), The Handsome Johnny Cash, oops I mean Karl Weaver, Tyler, Hunter-- holding Miss Ellie, Cory(Ashlie's friend)-- holding Peonie , Rance (Jami's friend),the second row is Madison (my niece) Shelby, My Mom, Me-- holding Bessie, Ashlie-- holding Paisley, Jami --holding Sandra Dee, and on the bottom row is Honey Bear, Sugar Bear and Sadie Monster.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.
Thanks for reading.
XO
Laura

I Am a Terrible Blogger.

I am a terrible blogger. There. I admitted it.

I take countless pictures all week, intending to update the blog with dachshund antics, new fabrics, tales of Tyler and Jami, new recipes, fall decorations, purse parties and Open Houses at the studio...etc.... but time slips away and now it has been WEEKS (months?) since I last posted.

It is opening week of hunting season. My whole family will be in the woods at our hunting camp in the middle of the forest all week. Of course Ashlie, Shelby, Jami, Tyler and Hunter are only there some of the time because they have school....It is a fun relaxing week filled with crazy hunting stories, Jerry Clower jokes, and some of the best food in the world!

Oh, and did I mention rattlesnakes? Yes, rattlesnakes and bears. They are now a part of our Camp Week as well. (And Yes, there are pictures, but my camera is in the woods and I am at home for the next few hours----will try to remember it on Wednesday and add them to the posts!) Kevin killed a giant snake yesterday around 3:00. I cannot imagine walking in the woods and coming upon that thing! UGH! Even with the snake boots that we all wear, it would not have been enough if he had stepped on that monster... And as for the bear, he visits EVERYDAY----especially around 6-10pm.....he just walks right into the camp. Comes to visit I suppose. We scare him off, and he comes right back. A small bear, by bear standards. BooBoo. That is what we have named him. I feel bad for him, I am sure he wonders why Sugarbear and Honeybear (my parents dogs) get to be right up there with us, but we run him off.....he just wants to be our friend.?.?


And as for handbags, I do have new fabrics------an adorable pink and green flip flop fabric (PERFECT for Christmas presents!), more polka dots, a cute dachshund fabric, a new black and white----which I have been looking for forever......this one is really pretty. Oh yeah, even a new camoflauge! In honor of Hunting Season. Doesn't everyone need a camo handbag? Surely they do!

So, once again I am going to try to be a better blogger.
Wish me luck-
Thanks for reading!
Laura

Announcing........the Laura Bag!

Just a quick note to let you know about our brand new Laura Bag ! It is the perfect size, features 3 interior pockets and a magnetic snap closure and a shouldber strap. A very trendy bag.
Simply go to the "Shop Online" page on the website, then to "Ready to Ship" and then choose the one that suits you!
Have a great day!
Laura

Beautiful Baby Bags

I know I promised pictures of the studio shopping event, but the camera that has them on it is STILL in Jacksonville....so while I am anxiously awaiting the return of the camera.....this is what I have been up to:

Many, many times customers are always asking about baby-bags. I always say the the "Lizzie Bag" is a good size for a baby bag.....and it can be made in any of our trendy prints. However, often our clients want something a little more "baby-ish". So, after searching and searching.....I found a line a baby fabric that was beautiful......and so we officially have baby bags now! The vintage buggies are just too cute, and the fabrics are available in the pale pink and brown combination, or pale blue and brown.
My friend, and very talented designer, Nancy Vorasso, made up the pillow-cases, burp-pads, and quilted changing pads to go with the bags.

The Prices for the Beautiful Baby Bag Collection are as follows:

The Baby Bag: $ 55 (11"tall, 15 " wide, 5"deep, 4 interior pockets, magnetic snap closure)
The Tiny Bag 16 (perfect for a young sister-her own bag to match!)
Burp Pad 12
Quilted Changing Pad 25
Pillow-case 12 (pillow form not included)

I will upload better pics to the website of the bags....for more info on the coordinating burp-pads, pillowcases, or changing pads simply email me at lfwdesigns@bellsouth.net and I will get you in touch with Nancy.

Have a great Tuesday....
Laura

More Studio Shopping

Good morning!
Thank you to everyone who attended our Studio Shopping event...it is always nice to visit with our favorite customers, and always so nice to meet the new ones!!!

I just wanted to say a few things----there won't be any Studio pictures until later this evening, as my camera is in Jacksonville and I am here in Bostwick....how did that happen?!?!

Anyway: I will be adding new pictures (handbags) to the site. The Laura Bag, as I have said before is a HIT! There are several patterns to choose from....you will love them.

If you have ordered the Santa bag, delivery is this week...so be looking for them...

For my final thought today, we are also about to add a baby line.....baby bags, burp cloths, changing pads, little sister purses....in the most beautiful fabric.....those pics will be available tomorrow.....

Have a good Monday, and check back later tonight for the updates...

Again, thanks for visiting!
Laura
PS: There are only 3 more Halloween sets available, and the sale runs out on Wednesday....first come - first serve!!! :)

Studio Shopping

LFW Designs invites you to come by and shop at the studio.

Saturday, October 4, noon til 4pm
Sunday October 5, 1-3 in the afternoon.

The first 50 people to spend $50 with LFW, will receive a FREE collegiate handbag (Gators, Seminoles, or Dawgs!) Limited to supply on hand, one per customer, please.

It is the perfect opportunity to begin thinking about all of that Christmas Shopping you have to do....and get started shopping for all of the women on you list! Or, come by and design a bag just for you!

Please bring your friends!

For more info, visit the website, www.lfwdesigns.com, or you can call the studio directly at 386.937.9929, or email us at lfwdesigns@bellsouth.net.

This week.......................

There are lots of things on my mind this week, so this post may go on and on.......
Anyway, "Yes" I know this picture says "Unlawful to Copy"...but trust me, I spent enough money on packages of pictures that surely this is ok.....and yes, I could have scanned one of the ones that didn't say that, but isn't this more fun?!
So, the reason that Handsome Tyler graces the top spot on my blog, is because this week is the Palatka High School production of "Willy Wonka" and it stars none-other than TYLER! The performances are Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. If you are lucky enough to live in Palatka, then you all really need to attend the show. Jim Pignato, the director, is awesome. Every show I have ever seen is fantastic. To think we have such talent in small-town Palatka, is wonderful. All of the students (and the rest of the crew!!!) have worked non-stop to get ready for the show.

Tomorrow is sweet Miss Ellie's birthday. She is 3 years old. I won't bother with a picture, since she made the blog last time. She is the sweetest dog....and she thinks I am the greatest thing ever! I am going to town in the morning for birthday treats, and maybe even birthday hats....(will definately post pictures of that!)

Last night we had the first official fire of the season in the fireplace. It was divine, even if it was still a little warm! I am so looking forward to cool nights, warm fires, and San Sebastian Vintner's Red! Come on WINTER! I am ready!

This week I am also BUSY BUSY BUSY getting ready for next weeks Open House, we are calling this one a "Shopping Experience"......a chance for everyone to begin Christmas shopping. The brand new "Laura Bag!" is a big hit. It is such a trendy look. There are new postcards coming out with this bag on it...make sure I have your snail-mail address so I can send you one.
Nancy will be joining us again with all of her wares, if you are thinking you want one of the personalized pillowcases, you better come by and place your order....ALSO----there is a surprise for all of you who come shopping at the Open House, but I am not telling you until next week......but shopping with LFW the first weekend in October is definately going to be worth your while!!! :)

OK-I have rambled enough.
Thanks for your time.....
New bags added to the site tomorrow afternoon!
XO
Laura

An Adorable Laura Bag!

Just a quick note so you can see this adorable bag...it was a custom order....but so cute I just had to share!!!!!
Y'all have a great week!
:)
Laura

Boo!

Halloween is in one month and 15 days. Halloween has never been very important to me. I did dress my children up when they were young (but NEVER in anything scary) and I did take them trick-or-treating----although this only consisted of going to their grandparents houses and our immediate neighbors. 5 places. Still they ended up with bags of candy. Anyway---over the years,even with my lackadaisical take on Halloween, I have grown to love pumpkins. Jack-o-lanterns, plain ones, tiny ones, white pumpkins, black ones( I saw this in a magazine just yesterday....I think it had been spray painted). This obsession with pumpkins is why I love these bags so much....
So, this leads to this: from now until October 7, 2008, if you order this "Happy Jacks Halloween Handbag" you will receive the tiny version for FREE! The Handbag is the Classic size, features 3 interior pockets and a magnetic snap closure. You can also specify short handles or longer ones. The bag is $40. The tiny version is adorable....would make a cute gift for a "Mother and Daughter"......or buy the bag for you and use the tiny for a gift bag for someone who has a birthday in October....
And, just to entice you even more.....If you book a party and schedule it to be held before October 24, you will receive the Classic version of the Happy Jacks Handbag for free....in addition to your other rewards!!!! But, (remember there is always a but) there are only a few more dates open....so you better hurry!

Boo to you!
Laura

The OpenHouse

Good Morning-

Many thanks to all who visited the Open House...As it gets closer to Christmas we may even open the studio during the week...and remember you can always call the studio and arrange an appointment to come out and shop!

We were thrilled to once again have our friend, the very talented Nancy Vorasso. Her vintage-inspired aprons, little crayon bags, personalized pillow cases, wine totes, and all of the other things are wonderful. They all would make a perfect gift!

And finally this morning, I have MISS ELLIE she never lets us get a good picture of her, however, Tyler shot this one yesterday morning, and it is pretty sweet!

Y'all have a great day!

Laura

PS: I am adding NEW bags to the website this afternoon!

Tuesday, September 2, and There is ANOTHER Storm!

I am thankful this morning that New Orleans appears to have come through Hurricane Gustav with minimal damage. I am hoping now that the rest of us will come through Hanna, Ike and the tropical depression that is trailing them. It is certainly an active hurricane season.

Which leads me to my next point. The September Open House is still on schedule for this weekend, Saturday. September 6 noon til 4, and Sunday. September 7 1-3 in the afternoon. Our good friend and expert seamstress, Nancy Vorasso, will be joining us with all of her pretty things at the studio this weekend as well. The invitations and emails are going out today. I will update the front page of my website should anything change in regards to the storm. I am thinking that by Saturday the worst will be behind us, and everyone will be ready to get out of the house and SHOP! We are beginning to get our Christmas fabric in...along with a few more gorgeous prints!
Look! We received enough of this fabric to make 30 of these bags....all of you who missed out on getting one last year now have one more chance. I am taking orders right now for them, first come, first serve. They will not last long. It is such an adorable bag.
You can call the studio directly at 386.937.9929, or email us at lfwdesigns@bellsouth.net to reserve yours.
Have a good week! Keep your fingers crossed about the storms!
Thanks for visiting-
Laura

It's My Birthday, and Its Raining Like Crazy!

It is my 42nd birthday today. How about that. And my mother made me the most wonderful strawberry cake to celebrate. It was DELICIOUS! Even Tyler loved it, and Lord knows, he is a finicky eater!

Fay (the everlasting tropical storm) is still looming over us. It has rained for 2 solid days and they say the worst is still to come. The trees are whipping around, honestly it is a little spooky--

Yesterday, our two seniors started their school year. It was their "last first day of school". Last Saturday and Sunday was the "last - last weekend before the start of school". Everything lately they have tagged as the "Last, last whatever". Good grief. Anyway, as I do so often say, I just don't know where the time goes.

So, anyway, when it is a hurricane day, and I have skipped going to my real job....this is what I do:

I lay around and play with the pretty little dogs.......all day. And, as usual, Miss Ellie refused to have her picture taken. So, you just get to see Moo and Sandra Dee. Rotten animals for sure! :)

Anyway, it has been fun.
Have a great week-
Laura

The Studio Open House

We, and I do mean we, are very busy getting ready for our Studio Open House which is next weekend. Saturday, Aug.2 from 10-4, and Sunday, Aug. 3, from 1-3.

It takes weeks to get ready for one. This time it has even taken longer because of the renovations to the studio, just this week my lights went in...now we have recessed eye-ball lights to make everything sparkle!

For the first time ever, when you all come to the studio, you will get to see all of the choices of fabrics. You can special order whatever you want! I am very excited about this, because everyone always wants to know "what other fabrics do you have" and now you can see. You will be able to choose the outer fabrics, the liner, how many pockets, what kind of closure, the length of the straps....etc.....the choices are limitless.

Once again, if you are not on our mailing list, I urge you to sign up, simply send a note through the "Contact Us" link on the website. Include, if you will, your mailing address as well as your email. Also, you can subscribe to this blog by using the link on the right sidebar. Then whenever there is an update it will automatically send them to you. You can also go to the bottom of any of these posts, and where it says "0 Comment" you can highlight that link and it will take you to a comment box......where, you can leave your comments...imagine that!

Have a good Wednesday,
Thanks for stopping by,
Laura

The Cutest Little Painter

Until today, I have not been very motivated to get my studio underway....although I had already finished 2 of the walls, I have not had the desire to finish painting the other 2. So, this morning when Hunter, my sweet little step-son, decided that he would love to paint, I thougth "Why not?". Karl, my dear husband, will do almost anything for me, he will build whatever I want (more on that later!), he will shop all day long if I want to, just whatever I want to do is always fine with him, BUT HE WILL NOT PAINT. Not for anything. The answer is NO. So, when Hunter offered to help me today I quickly took him up on his offer.


And, because of his help, we are finished painting everything except the ceiling. I will finish it on Saturday, and then the lights go in, 2 sections of track lighting and 9 recessed lights. After that I will be putting Karl to work on my display cabinets....I hope to finish all of that by July 8.

You can check out the "Events" page on the site to see all of the Open House Events that will be held at my studio over the coming months....the first one will be the first weekend of August. Remember there will be ready-made bags to choose from, and tons of fabric samples so that you can put together your own original handbag.

I will post another update on the studio soon...

Have a good week!
XO
Laura

My Studio

OK, it is hard for me not to talk about what all I am doing...so here goes.

LFW is making some changes. All of them for the better! The biggest change is that we are going to start allowing you the client to have more choices about the handbags that you purchase. More say in the design....and every say in the fabric. You will design your own handbag. Doesn't that sound like fun? Of course there will always be ready-made bags for your immediate purchase.....we wouldn't dare take that away!

But first, (and isn't there always a but ?) the sewing studio has to go under some serious renovations. All of you who know me, know that I do truly LOVE to redecorate, so a few renovations shouldn't hurt me to badly!!!

As you know, the studio is currently white. Originally it was blue, and blue is my favorite color, but for a studio it just wasn't working, and white seemed a safe choice. Well, now that I have a clear picture of where I want to go with the studio I had to make decisions on color. Years ago when the webdesigner was working on our website, she said I had to choose 3 colors. THREE. I was stumped, and had no idea what I wanted.....I had some idea of what I did not want, but as for what I wanted I didn't even know where to begin....at that time the hottest selling handbag was one that I called "Happy Plaid" (and how I would love to still have a bolt or two of that laying around!). Happy Plaid was a white background with pink, apple green and turquoise....so that morning I chose those 3 colors and I think they have looked great on the site. So, fast forward to this morning when I stood in Lowes trying to decide what colors I would choose for the newly remodeled studio, and once again I called on "Happy Plaid". Pink, Apple Green, and Turquoise. Pale pink is going on the wall this afternoon....we'll see if I made the right decision!

Any way.....the point of this blog is to let you know that soon you will be able to pick out your fabrics, and have your bag customized just for you.

I am aiming for the middle of August, but will keep you updated on the progress....of course there will be a big Open House to celebrate, and to let you begin designing you wonderful LFW Handbags!

Y'all have a great week......
:)
Laura

Just an average day in the studio....
However, I am thrilled to let you know that we will now be offering the appliqued bags shown below....aren't they adorable. Soon I will have the samples up of the different colors you can select from. The are approximately 8" across, 81/2" tall and 3 inches deep. They are $25 each, and can be monogrammed with any letter.
Just thought you would want to know!
Have a good Friday!
Laura

Open House

Thank you to everyone who showed up to make our Spring/Summer Open House such a success! It was such a fun weekend! Thank you, also, to Nancy Vorasso for coming and bringing all of your pretty handmade items (weren't they such a hit!). It is always nice to have you there to help me!

We are now concentrating on new bags for the Blueberry Festival on Saturday June 7, and then will begin working on new designs for fall. We will schedule another Open House for the last part of August. Of course, we will keep you posted!

Have a great week.....
Oh yeah, check back later today -I am adding a dozen bags to the "Ready-to-Ship" page on the website!

:)
Laura

My Little Tiny Baby Son

On August 23, 1991, my little tiny son came into this world, weighing only 4 pounds and 13 ounces. He was tiny. Tiny.

In my mind, he is still only about 4 years old. When I think of him and my girls throughout the day, I always see them as the tiny little children that they were. So, even though I see Tyler everyday, every morning when I go in to wake him up it is always a little surprising when a 6'2" young man gets out of the bed...how did my little tiny Tyler transform into this tall, handsome creature?

Two weeks ago, Palatka High School's very talented musical theatre class put on their spring musical, 42nd Street, Tyler played Billy Lawlor, and he was awesome. He wasn't the only one -----from Josiah playing Julian Marsh, to Bethany as Dorothy Brock and Tara as Peggy, Mandy as Ann Reilly and every other member of the cast....they were spectacular. I say all of this to get to this point: Each and everyone of them looked (and acted) like a million dollars.

So, if they looked like a million during their awesome production of 42nd Street, last night for Prom, they were $100 million. ALL of them looked like movie stars....

For now, you will just get a look at 3 of the pictures that I took (and let me remind you I am NO photographer) but I promise-- as the really good photos start coming in --I will add even more.

Tyler and Mandy, Prom 2008. Aren't they just gorgeous? Look at her gown....straight out of Hollywood!

Thanks for visiting, and letting me run on and on about Ty.....but sometimes a mother just has to brag!

Have a great Sunday!

XO
Laura