Jenna Lou Loves You

What a week.

Whew... what a week!! We had an absolutely lovely and lazy Thanksgiving. Most of the food was prepped the day before so Thanksgiving was smooth sailing. We had a nice BIG meal at noon and spent the rest of the afternoon taking naps, watching the game, and chatting away.

 

We didn't do any Black Friday shopping. I was thinking about it, but really I'm not ready to get up at 4 am for some mass produced sales.... I did that one time two years ago and it just brings up nightmares to think about it. I did however manage to peek into our neighborhood thrift store. They just redid the whole place and it was really quite nice. Clean and organized.... but not too clean... just right so you can dig a little, but not get grossed out. I found a set of six mugs that I couldn't turn down. After all they would be just perfect for my tea party. I'm not sure who made these... The only mark I could find was "Japan" on the bottom side, so I can't imagine that they are too special... but they are absolutely darling to sip from.

And... inside you'll find some homemade caramel. mmmmm.... I'd never made caramel or any candy for that matter, but after stumbling upon Martha's recipe for Gingerbread Caramel I decided now is as good of a time as any to get started. It was a bit hard as I don't have a candy thermometer, and they stuck REALLY badly to the paper, and I didn't boil them long enough so they are a bit gooey.... but they are a HUGE hit with the family!! The flavor is spot on and they just melt away in your mouth. I'll definitly be making more of these after I pick up a candy thermometer and some better wax paper.  Maybe they'd be good as some yummy Christmas treats to add to gifts too.

I'm sorry to say that I'll be a bit absent around here this week. I'm preparing myself for No-Coast on Friday/Saturday. There is a TON of work to do yet, so I'll see you on the other side with the extras from the show.

xoxo,
Jennalou

PS. A HUGE thanks and hugs to all who bought a pattern!! All the patterns that sold have been shipped and I can't wait to see how they all turn out :D If you haven't picked up one for yourself yet, so worries... there are lots more in the store.

Patterns Available.

I made a quick note of this in my post yesterday, but I thought I'd do a formal post. Yesterday I picked up my patterns (YEY) and they are now available in my shop!

I'm off now to start the cleaning and baking and cleaning... and gardening and cleaning... did I say cleaning??

John's entire family is coming over for Thanksgiving tomorrow and I want everything to be just perfect.

I hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving!! There is so much to be thankful for this year!!
xoxo,
Jennalou

Holiday Ornament Swap

This is my first year participating in the Holiday Ornament Swap put on by Kathleen of cake & pie and Nicole of freshly blended.

I decided to do some recycled sweater mitten ornaments. The sweater was picked up at my local thirft shop for a couple bucks and I felted it at home. Then to give it an extra touch I embroidered the first initial of each girl onto a little piece of felt. Each mitten is strung with a bit of vintage ric rac to hang it on the tree. I went with some untraditional colors, green and hot pink, and now I'm thinking of decorating my entire house for the holidays like this. I'll have to convince the boyfriend of it, but I think hot pink and dark green are swell for Christmas.

Yey for the Holiday Ornament Swap! I had so much fun making these little lovelies and hope all you girls in swap group 23 love 'em.

xoxo,
Jennalou

P.S. The Fiona patterns are READY TO GO!! They will be available in the shop today!! WHOOO!

 

The Big Reveal: Fiona Handbag

I know I've been going on and on and on about this big secret project. Teasing with photos, but not a good solid hint. It's been in the works for several months now, and I've made you wait and wait.... well... wait no more! I can't hold it in any longer!!

All this time I've been researching and writing and drawing and photographing the Fiona for it's grand reveal as a pattern!! Yes that's right. I finally wrote a pattern!! It's been a dream of mine since I started designing almost two years ago. Due to some rather unfortunate events I kinda finally fell into the project of my dreams. And once I started I knew I had to follow through.

It was a quite interesting process. As a designer you only have to think for yourself. You know your limits and you know what you are good at, but as a pattern writer you really begin to look at how other people sew. At how your techniques will be received by beginner, intermediate, and advanced sewers. It has really opened up my eyes. And not only to sewing, but also to photography and graphic design and dealing with printers and ordering all the little things that will bring it ogether and on and on and on (I've learned SO much). It has been a truly amazing experience and if all goes well with this first pattern I will be planning many many more to share with you in the future.

The patterns aren't quite available yet, but they will be... and SOON. I'm scheduled to pick them up on Wednesday of next week (right before the holiday) and I will get them listed in the shop as soon as I possibly can so those who want to make Fiona as a holiday gift will have time.

Thanks to everyone who patiently awaited the reveal!! I hope it's more than you expected.
xoxo,
Jennalou

Brrrr.

Brrrr. Today has been a COLD one! It was gray and cold and windy... and did I say cold?? I just got back from my run to the Post Office and my little toes are numb.

To warm myself up I've been doing quite a bit of knitting and crocheting. It chases away the cold... all that yarn. I made another Sensations scarf this time in pinks and grays. I'm thinking it'll be a gift for a special little girl in John's family. Then I made this crocheted scarf in colors that just sing fall. Chocolate and Cherries.... mmmm. This one's waiting in the shop for one lucky girl (or guy :D)

Thanks for all the comments on the Fabraholic posts!! It was fun to see that there SO MANY other fabraholics out there!!

xoxo,
Jennalou

You know you're a fabraholic when... Part 2

You know you're a fabraholic when you're having a glum weekend. Nothing is going as you planned... and then a HUGE box of yummy fabrics show up on your doorstep. You open the box to a brilliant stack of freshly cut off the bolt fabrics. You just take a deep breath and gaze at each print... all 20 yards... slowly taking in the beautiful details. And then just like that you start to feel better. Much better. Life will go on. Life is good once again! I think I'm on a fabric high.

xoxo,
Jennalou

You know you're a fabriaholic when....

You know you're a fabriaholic with a serious addiction when you are watching tv and you spot a fabric. At first your not sure, but upon a second look you recognize a pattern and wait... now just wait a second... I HAVE THAT FABRIC... I HAVE THAT!!! It's Denyse Schmidt's blue dots from the Katie Jump Rope collection

 See look... I was watching online and took a screen shot. I'm not crazy I promise... just an addict :D **screen shot was taken from ABC's Grey's Anatomy.

xoxo,
Jennalou

Oh So Close

I'm getting closer and closer to sharing my secret project with you all. I'm hoping that within two weeks I'll be able to blab all about it!! I just can't tell you how hard it has been for me to keep this under wraps, but no worries.... the big reveal is oh so close and I thought I'd share another little snippet of my secret!!

xoxo,
Jennalou

Sale Day and New Items

Yey... I'm so excited... it's SALE DAY!! I decided to get my butt in gear and put some new items into the shop as well. So you'll find a new handbag and a couple wristlets along side the FALL SALE extravaganza. I'll be marking prices way way down around noon (12pm CENTRAL TIME). I hope to see you there!!!

xoxo,
Jennalou

Fall Sale

In order to clean up a bit in the shop. I'm going to be holding a Fall Sale. Sale items will include bags, zippies, and maybe a few wallets. I've never put wallets on sale before, but in the spirit of clean a few may show their faces.

Please visit my shop tomorrow at 12:00 pm ** I'm changing this to CENTRAL** time for the extravaganza.
xoxo,
Jennalou