2009... SO FAR...

I don't quite know where January went, but as February begins, I realized I haven't posted a blog yet in 2009. And,...as one of my New Year's resolutions was to get a bit more tech-savvy and participate more in the blogging community. I guess it's about time for me to get started. Here's a quick catch up on the highlights of my year so far....

New Year's Eve with Friends..... I toasted at midnight to being pregnant on New Years (again) and to a happy and health year ahead.

Family trip to Mexico...... My mother-in-law plans a trip for my husband and our kids each year. Usually it is in March, but with the pending arrival of her 3rd grandkid, she planned it earlier this year. What a wonderful getaway (and mother-in-law)!

Returning to sub-zero temps in Chicago was not fun, but our month of snow and frigid temps has provided for some cute shots of my "snow bunny" and some fun indoor projects for Joey....learning to bake cookies at Nana's, and several nights of "pirate ship building" in our living room.

January at LILL is full of planning for the year ahead. My favorite project for the month was our Spring/Summer fabric buy. At times this month Winter has seemed relentless, but with beautiful fabrics arriving daily at our production offices, Spring is definitely in the air at LILL! Look for them to arrive shortly on the web, in our stores and with our reps.

We've also been working on a number of new style introductions and the implementation of new technology systems aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for our customers as well as the management and marketing tools for our internal team. All of the projects have our team excited about the prospects for the year ahead.

Our team at LILL HQ watched the inauguration of President Obama together. No matter your politics, it was a historic moment and you couldn't help but feel proud to be an American. Witnessing such history with our team was something I won't soon forget.

We have a monthly potluck lunch at our LILL HQ offices. It is something everyone looks forward to. At our January potluck, we also announced the winners of our 2008 LILLies Awards for everything from Team Member of the Year to Most likely to end up with 7 kids. Our internal "social committee" makes these potlucks so much fun.

As January ends and February begins, I'm looking forward to being a month closer to better weather, longer hours of daylight, new spring fabrics, new spring styles and a new baby. I can't wait to spend more time outside (seriously suffering from cabin fever) and generally be renewed by a fresh new year and the forthcoming change in seasons. Happy February!

Jen Velarde

Founder / President, 1154 LILL Studio

My chair matches my LILL Bag!

Have you ever been designing your LILL Bag and thought to yourself, “This fabric would make beautiful drapes in my home.” or “I wish I could make a pillow out of this fabric.”? Well, now you can! 1154 LILL Studio sells fabric by the yard! Don’t be shy, get out there and create some home décor inspired by your LILL bag!

Here’s some inspiration for you:
(the below were created with fabrics from LILL!)

Re-upholster an old chair or couch to give it an updated, fresh look.














Create lux pillows to add color and texture to your home.















Cover a lamp shade with a lighter fabric to add a pretty glow to a room.








Need a sample of the fabric before you purchase?
Call our customer service line: 773 292 6310 ext. 3660 (M-F, 9Am-5PM)
Or email: customercare@1154lill.com
You can choose up to 6 swatches of fabrics for free! Shipping is only $5 and it’s sent out to you in less than a week.


Designer LILL Fabrics can be purchased in-store, online or at a LILL on Location party.

Win LILL Fabric!
Do you have some inspiration for us? Send us photos of a project you created with LILL fabric along with step by step instructions on how to create your super cool and easy creation for a chance to win 3 yards of LILL fabric for your next project!

Email me your project and instructions and if your project is posted on my blog you will qualify to win the 3 yards of fabric.
lilly@1154lill.com – subject line: LILL Fabric Project

(Winner can choose up to 3 different fabrics. Fabric prize is only good in whole yards)

-Lilly S.

Thanks for Designing a Holiday Memory with LILL!

Hello VIP Attendees!

It was so much fun creating with you at the VIP Event this past Thursday. We hope you enjoyed creating one-of-a-kind gifts for your family and friends.

We'd love your feedback on two of LILL's exciting additions!

What did you think of our newest style, DREA! Please email Lilly your comments on the styling, the reversibility, the hardware, etc...at lilly@1154lill.com. Will DREA replace ANDI as your favorite style?

Who's DREA? Meet her in Lilly's previous post - Meet Drea!

LILL By The Yard - LILL's fabric sales division where you can buy cut yardage of the fabrics used to create your one-of-a-kind LILL Bags!

What would you create with LILL fabric? We’d love to get your comments on home decorating ideas, craft projects, design blogs that inspire and more! Email Lilly your thoughts at lilly@1154lill.com so we can share your great ideas with others!

Thanks again for attending our VIP event! We look forward to creating with you again soon.

-LILL Store Managers

Lilly Loves Fabrics!

The Holidays are drawing closer. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I'm in need of things to accent my home and create that warm, inviting feeling that says "sit, relax, stay a while...".
I’m feeling a little crafty and would like to whip up some pillows and table accents. What should I use? Where can I find great fabric to help accent my home?

LILL, of course! 1154 LILL now sells cut-yardage of fabric. (in-store and thru LILL on Location reps now – online SOON!) The same fabric that LILL offer as options for your custom handbag! LILL scours the country for the finest designer textiles and has had so many people interested in purchasing it over the years and is excited to be able to extend this segment of the line to you (and me!).

LILL is calling the new fabric-sales division “LILL By The Yard” and it’s exciting to see the creativity behind the projects that people are coming up with! LILL fabrics have been purchased to create big lounging pillows, table runners, stretched-fabric artwork, wedding accessories, slipcovers, drapes and much more!

Got any good home decorating ideas that I can use LILL Fabric for to spice up my home décor?

Email me - lilly@1154lill.com, I'd love to hear your ideas!

-Lilly S.