Ryanimals

I'd like to tell you about Ryanimals.

Ryan is an artist from Leeds whose hand made quirky creations can't help but bring a smile!

 I discovered his work having seen it at a local arts market...

...and then via a mutual stockist - The Stalls in Harrogate.

Ryanimals has a fabulous Facebook page and includes pictures of the personalised animals he has made. I decided to ask for a bear with my husbands face and a chick with my face! I wanted to give out as many handmade Christmas presents as I could this year.

It was easy to order, I just emailed him some photos and a description of what animals and colours I'd like. The hard bit was waiting until Christmas Day to give them to my husband!

He loved them, thank you Ryanimals!

Boxing Day News!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas Day? Did the turkey cook on time? Did you get a stocking? Were there any comedy moments?! If you have blogged about your news I'd love you to leave me a comment so I can nip over for a read!

I'd like to send lots of love and thanks to Rin from Papered Thoughts, your mail was wonderful. It's been so nice this year to make some new friends from all over the world who share the same interests as me. It can sometimes be rather isolating being a creative mind! I'm always so grateful to receive the mail, I love reading about different people's lives, sharing arty crafty tips and the swaps we do!

I really like this card, there was a little tear in my eye when I read it. I'm less self conscious than I was but I still sometimes wonder what people think of my crafty ventures and endless adventures! Although more recently I've gone with the flow and done what makes me happy without worrying myself too much!

I watched Lady Gaga's 90 minute tv show "A Very Gaga Holiday" today. I am a big fan of hers and what I especially loved about this programme was that she explained a lot about the meanings behind her lyrics. I loved "Hair" already but now I love it much much more. It reinforced to me that we (as far as is possible) should be happy with our unique differences, identities and the things that make us who we are.

I'll be back tomorrow giving some more thank yous out and sharing more news!

Night night

xoxo

Tis the season to be jolly

The husband and I took ourselves out for a nice cuppa...

        

Incoming Mail!

And today is...

Thank you so much for my mail lovely pen pals! Sorry it's taken me a few days to post this... I'm going to sit down with a nice pot of Yorkshire Tea and read them. Can't wait!

Bree! The postman redelivered this today! I missed it the first time...I love the "you're already different" tape! I'm saving opening it until Christmas Day so its under my tree as we speak.

This is on my dining room table. I just felt like sharing because I'm playing with my new phone and its camera settings hee hee.

xoxo

Oh its Christmas prep crazy around here!

I don't think I've stopped for breath recently! Here's a few pictures of recent happenings.

I've an advent calendar strung on my door...

I'm insisting on wearing festive socks every day!

 We visited the Festival of Light in Huddersfield.

 Pretty!

 I had a stall at my friends Church.

 I bought this little chap for my new tree!

 My tree so far! I've yet to put the lights on!

 And I managed to do some baking...

 ...but I've yet to decorate the biscuits.

 It's the X Factor final on Saturday so I thought this popcorn and tub would be fun for my friends!

I love December!

Please can you help with my Mail Wall?

Oh wow! A  Mail Wall what a fabulous idea! I'd love to do one. I'll start by putting me on!

If anyone would like to send me any mail art to contribute to my wall, I'd be very grateful.
I'll send something back to you too!

Great wall Jenna! My Life As A Magazine: Mail Wall

To my pen pals - check out this outgoing!

I've done some organisation in my craft room and came across my letter rack. I had some letters to reply too and some Christmas preparations to complete so I cracked right on! I didn't want to be in a rush when it comes to the International Christmas delivery dates (I don't like being under pressure!).

 Tomorrow I shall be going to my local post office...

...to post these! They have taken me all weekend to complete, I'm pleased with how they look!

I've put a quote I love on your parcels! Happy mail day to you!

They're a bit too big to fit in the post box though!

Having re-read all my latest letters, there was a theme going on! Most of you have mentioned stamp collecting and getting excited when you when you see the gold stamp. I thought you'd like to see Royal Mails 1st and 2nd class Christmas stamps!

I also prepared the Christmas presents that I need to give out in the next couple of weeks to the friends/family that I won't see again before Christmas. Hope you all like them.

It's been great making some new pen pals this year. I love that you are spread all over the world and very best wishes to you all. Hope my mail reaches you soon and look forward to speaking to you again soon!

Lots of love

xxx

Craft Room

We have been decorating for months now to make an arty crafty room. The house is still in chaos with boxes scattered everywhere and things to put away, it feels like its never going to end! I have been ruthless in what to keep, sell and give away. It's at times like this you realise just how much STUFF you accumulate! Luckily there's a local table top sale I'm doing soon.

This is the wallpaper I chose...

And my husband hanging it!

After the new carpet was fitted he took all my craft things up but we lacked storage so...

we went to Ikea and got another 3 bookcases (there's 7 in there now!).

Then I attempted to find a home for everything!

There's still a lot to do but I think we're making progress. I baked him some buns to say thank you for working so hard on it!

I shall give you a guided tour when it's all done and dusted!

The Curiosity Project: Our Curious Christmas Project Has Arrived!

Super excited to take part in the next Curiosity Project!

The Curiosity Project: Our Curious Christmas Project Has Arrived!: The clocks have gone back, nights are drawing in and the heating's gone on. Already the shops are decked out in their Christmas finest and t...

Lou La La goes Christmas crazy!

Good morning everyone! I have made lots of Christmas crafts, kits and cards.

You can find them all here! Please take a look and tell your friends.

There are lots of Christmas Card Holder Kits available in different colours and designs. They include suction hooks and twine for your window display.

Peg It! Christmas cards. Various designs that can include wooden tree decorations and magnetic pegs!

 Decorative peg set with vintage buttons and vintage inspired coordinating paper.

 Decorative pegs attached to a pretty vellum sheet. Magnetic backing can be added so you can use the pegs on your fridge and add your shopping lists and Dear Santa letters to them!

 My popular 'to do' pegs...

 I can create personalised items too. Please contact me via Facebook or via email loulalacrafts@yahoo.co.uk

 I love these 'Takeaway Peg It's!' My takeaway leaflet drawer is no longer in a complete mess now I have

attached the menus to these.

 I also have a variety of Cath Kidston coasters available - perfect for stocking fillers and sent in a pretty organza bag.

Thanks for looking!

Introducing the Craft Soup Zine - Issue 1 Out Now!

I have joined a group on Facebook called 'Craft Soup' along with lots of Yorkshire based artists, makers and crafters. We decided to make our own Zine which has been very exciting. The Zine includes 'meet the makers' with bios and links to websites, craft tutorials, craft fair and events information and lots of fabulous designs. If you would like a copy Issue 1 is available to purchase now for only £1 and it is sent first class. What a bargain! Please let me know if you would like a copy, I have 9 left! I will be giving away a free copy with any purchase from my Lou La La Facebook Page and my Folksy Shop.

If you're a Yorkshire crafts person let me know and I can add you to the Facebook group. You can keep up to date with all local arts and crafts news and also make some lovely new friends. Spread the soup love!