Jenna Lou Loves You

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Jenna Lou Loves You : Blog moving to Blogger

Today 2 big things are happening. 1. I completely redesigned my web site... and 2. I will be packing up this blog and moving over to blogger with it.

I decided that while I love love love Typepad, it just wasn't the right spot for me anymore. I've become an unpredictable blogger, sometimes posting several times a week and other times weeks or months apart so I really just wanted to move back to a host that doesn't have as much of a commitment financially.

So I designed a new look for the blog to so things are looking cohesive again. And I hope that the fresh feeling will have me posting more again too.

If you are a subscriber please be sure to add the new address to your reader. You'll be able to find me at http://jennaloulovesyou.blogspot.com from now on. I've already transferred my old blog posts over there - so this blog with only be online for a couple more weeks until I'm positive everything is smooth on Blogger.

Hope to see you there!!

xoxo,

Jenna

Subscribe to the new blog here.

Grateful for her

The house was too quite while Zoey was gone so we were beyond happy to get the call that Zoey's surgery had gone well and that we could come pick her up the following day. She is now happily at home recovering. Dogs are so good at dealing with pain, I really can't even imagine how much it must hurt, yet she waddels around and her tail still wags when we talk to her. So far things have been like I expected. She is much more still and quiet, but I'm sure that won't last long. In about two weeks we get to go back to remove the big bandage covering her body and remove stitches. I think she will be so happy to have it off and I'm sure will be almost back to feeling like normal again by then.

Thank you God for giving us more time with her!!

 

 

This morning I dropped Zoey off for surgery. We found a very well known and highly respected Veternarian in Southern MN who recommended doing both opperations at once. Really that made more sense to me so I'm really thankful for the second opinion. Things sound optimistic for the surgery, and only time will tell. I think the recovery will be the hard part.... at least for me to watch. It's amazing how strong love can grow for an animal.Thank you all for the wishes.

I then returned home just long enough to grab my mail and leave again. My Grandpa has been sick for months with heart failure and he was back in the hospital today. After managing to leave Zoey without a tear shed I was already emotionaly charged to the brim and wasn't able to hold back a thing in the hospital holding Grandpas hand. There is something especially hard after spending years appart to come back finding he has aged so much. It's like waking up too fast from a dream. Or maybe more like running head on into a wall. Everything seemed so fine, but then reality is just right there in front of you. It's sudden and scary. We know that Grandpas days are limited, but only God knows the number. 

For now I just want to try to be present in life as much as possible. It's too easy at these times to slip under the covers and tune life out.

Love you Zoey, Love you Grandpa!!!

 

Words are hard to come by today.

Today we found out that Zoey will need surgery. One to remove 3 large tumors on her stomach and another to spay her. Apparently it is common for female dogs who have never been spayed to expreince this, and in most situations the tummors are not harmful.

I'm not sure yet when we will do the surgeries. Maybe in a week, maybe two.... the doctor said it isn't life and death at this point, but to take care of it as soon as we can. My heart goes out to her and I really feel somewhat like the mother who can't help her hurting child (or in this case will be hurting from the aftermath of scars).

So I just want to ask that God protect her. She has been my companion for 8 years and I truly feel like she is a part of me. And if you too could just whisper a kind thought for her I would be grateful.

Weddings are Bliss

Wedding season is just around the corner and so I've had my hands full with orders for custom clutch sets. When I opened my email to find that my clutches had been professionally, and beautifully I might add, photogrphed I was speachless. Anna Page photographed this stunning wedding in Wisconsin and graciously agreed to allow me to share it with you. I love everything about this.... especially those amazing shoes the girls were rocking.

Custom orders are streaming in so if you are interested in a set for yourself consider planning to order early.

Are there anyother brides out there with wedding photos featuring Jenna Lou Designs clutches?? If so I would LOVE to see them!

To view more photos from this wedding you can see it featured on the Style Me Pretty Blog.

 

Waking Up

I think I've been in denial. Denial of the fact that 10 days ago the year changed. Denial about how much work I have to do both at home and on the job. Denial about how neglected I let this blog get. I've never been really great at keeping my blog up to the minute, but when I visited the site and realized that both a Christmas post and a Halloween post appear on the front page in January it kind of struck me as obvious.

So I'm trying to wake up. To have my hands out, my eyes open, my mind allert. A reminder to live in the moment, take time for myself - yet complete my tasks with joy and vigor. And all I can do is try, try my best.

Happy 2011 everyone. I think it is going to be a good year.

Decking the Halls

I'm so thrilled for Christmas this year. Mostly because last year I was on that amazing road trip with my mom and Maria, so I missed all the decorating, and baking, and family stuff. So this year as soon as Thanksgiving day was over our tree went up.

I've never been a big Black Friday shopper (only managed to really go once and it wasn't my thing). So I was extremely happy to just sit at home decorating the house with Christmas tunes in the background. And I still managed to get some great deals for gifts because I did a lot of my shopping this year online.

CSN has been great to me all year sponsering lots of giveaways for those who follow along and products for me to sample from time to time and so when it came time to fill stockings and put gifts under my tree I shopped in my pj's on CSN.

I'm not about to spoil any surprises, but I did have a good time looking at kitchen gatgets, linens, and Christmas wouldn't feel complete without toy shopping like your a kid again! And there may have been a little shopping for myself too.... I spied this cool kitchen stool which would be perfect for my ironing station! I always get tired legs when I'm ironing purse parts for hours at a time. Hint hint to my hubby.

And now it's back to my little elf work shop. The orders are still rolling in at Jenna Lou Designs and I'm working very hard to be sure that they all make it out in time for Christmas.

Stay warm everyone!

 

2010 shows

2010 was a really crazy year for me. I took on a ton of new shows to try to "get out there" and it seems to have worked. I'm more busy than ever before and things are just buzzing along. As a result my blog has suffered, but I know that those of you who stop by from time to time understand. This place has never really seen regularity and I'm guessing that it will continue that way as I focus on both keeping my shop up to date and making new products not to mention trying my very best to have a life away from the computer too.

So for those who didn't get to see me in person this year here are a few shots from my 2 most recent shows.

 ( Fall Festival 2010)

 ( No Coast 2010)

No Coast Craft-O-Rama 2010

Yes it is that time of year again. The first weekend in December and I'm lucky enough to be participating for my 4th year running in one of Minneapolis' finest craft fairs: No Coast Craft-O-Rama.

Come see me and about 100 other amazing artists this weekend Friday 3-8, and Saturday 9-5. I promis you will not be dissappointed. I'll be in the mail hall in booth D-11... same place as last year!

Hope to see you there!!

New Jenna Lou Designs: Scarves and Totes for Fall 2010

With only 2 days left until we pack up the shop and head up to Shakopee for the Autumn Festival, I'm in disbelief with the progress that has been made. I am so happy with the inventory I've been able to make in the past months and feel very confident that this may be my best show to date (fingers crossed and more importantly prayers said!).

And I know a lot of you are not from the area, so I thought I'd share my two latest creations that will be making their public debut at the show. Whatever is left afterwards will make it's way into the shop, but there are no garuntees so if you see something you have to have, please let me know and I will put it aside for you :D

The first is my new ruffled scarves. These ladies are so sweet to add to your fall and winter outfits. They can be worn lots of ways to either feel light and breezy or warm and snuggly depending on how many times you wrap her around. They are all sewn in a really great fabric called moleskin, but I can assure you the name comes from the texture, not the origin. They are so smooth and soft you'll want to wear yours everywhere. Price is $20 each.

My second new design is the Pleated Tote. These are made from sturdy heavy weight cottons, my favorite luxerious faux leathers, and hight quality hardware. The insides are fully lined with a large zipper pocket on one side and two big slip pockets on the other. It closes with a magnetic snap. Price is $60.

I'm not 100% set on the name "Pleated Tote" for this new design though because I usually prefer to choose girly names for my bags so I need some help chooseing. Any ideas? So far I'm already using: Ella, Amy, Mabel, and Gwen for my other current designs.

 

psst. Did you know that I offer special discounts to my facebook fans?? Become a fan to find out the latest news and get the best deals. Join here.