Happy New Year!

So excited to ring in a new year! I just love the hope and promise that a new year brings. So much to look forward to in the new year. The snuggle time a snowstorm brings with an unexpected day off, and the thrill a fresh spring day brings after a long Michigan winter. Summer fun and camping and the crisp feel of fall in the air with the holidays looming on the horizon. There is much to look forward to for our family in 2012. We have new niece or nephew arriving this summer! I so love planning a layette to send that matches the new baby's nursery. New plans are underway to expand the reaches of Laurie Lou Studio and new merchandise, too. This year also brings the promise of living for my Dad and enjoying the things he used to before he fell sick and needed a transplant. We are so blessed that he has this extra time and is responding so well to the new liver and kidney. Happy New Year and may blessings be many in 2012!

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Sweet Sixteen

Well she did it, she went and turned sixteen. Such a sweet girl she is, and such a hard worker. We went with a Parisien theme since she has recently discovered a love of the french language. So this year she is taking an accelerated 2nd and 3rd year combined french just so she can go to France as a junior next year! When she sets her mind to it she accomplishes whatever she wants! So proud of you Bailey! Happy Birthday my sweetie pie!

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Girls Weekend in Montague

Omg the best time ever at the beach even though it was a blustery 24° in Montague. My girlfriend invited us to hang this weekend for some time away from our numerous kids and what fun we had in this beautiful beach house. We dubbed our selves the Rah Rah girls as our daughters all cheer for the high school competitve cheer team. Its rare for such great bonding time especially since 2 of us have 4 or more kids (Julie has 5 including a set of triplets) ! There is always a sporting event to attend or for me the possibility of a craft show which the one this past weekend I was wait listed for thankfully! I felt so guilty going but I found my patience while I was gone! Amazing how that happens!

Hope you all are finding some for yourself during this time of year with all the stressful hustle and bustle. I can face the week ahead with a smile as my daughter turns 16 yikes! and last minute presents to prepare and ship! Have a great one!

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Its craft show week

I spent Saturday in lovely Hartland Michigan and met some great people. Caught up with my sister-in-law who was nice enough to help me out. My mother in law is helping me out tomorrow here in Plymouth at the Farrand Elementary Santa Shop and we always have grand time cackling away. What are you doing 18 days before Christmas?

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Girl time in Lake Forest

Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Bailey and I had a great time on a girls only trip to Chicago over the Thanksgiving holiday! We used my new phone to sneak a picture of this cool bike in the store window in a Lake Forest bike shop. It was my favorite robin's egg blue and had great slashes of orange in retro designs with a groovy white seat and handle bars. The only thing I didn't love was the 900$ price tag. Yikes! More later just wanted to try posting from my phone, and yeah! it worked! Now off to finish preparing for my show this weekend, in Heartland Michigan. Wish me luck!

Black Friday Coupon!

While you are out shopping on the Thanksgiving weekend don't forget there is lots of shopping to be done from the comfort of your favorite chair, online that is! Stop by Laurie Lou and take advantage of a 15% discount all weekend long!  BlackFriday15  Enjoy! Discount start Friday November 26th and run until Monday November 29th at 10pm.

Whew what a week!

Halloween, 2 birthday's, 1 broken finger and the flu hit our house this past week.  The boys all pulled their Halloween costumes together last minute and I have to say I love Joann's 70% off sale before Halloween and Bailey's butterfly wings were like $4!

Wednesday brought my son Quinn's birthday as well as my own, (not telling how old I am, but he's 9). Love sharing our day because I can pretend he's the only one getting older! Thursday Max broke his finger at wrestling practice, which meant of course he couldn't play in the weekends playoff game for Varsity Football for the youth organization. Luckily they still managed a win with 5 injured players and he will head to the superbowl next weekend. Keeping our fingers crossed that he can play. Lastly my husband who never gets sick came down with the flu over the weekend and the poor thing is still under the weather. Hoping he's on the mend soon, but for now it's a good few day's for him to get some rest and get back on his feet. One more birthday coming up for my youngest next week and then Thanksgiving arrives and we'll get to see my Dad who is really a trooper and finally getting released to a care faciclity from the hospital! Can't wait!
Ok time to head to the studio and get some sewing done! Have a great day!

Giveaway Winner!

                                                                    And we have a
                                                                       WINNER!
                                                                        
                                                                            Jess
                                                                            from
                                                                      QuiltsbyJess

Contact me at laurielouco(at)yahoo(dot)com with your contact information and I will get to you all the things you will need to download and start using your free software! Congrats!

As for everyone else, don't forget you are winners too! So stop by http://www.mymemories.com/ and use the code MSV210D to get a 10$ discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a 10$ coupon for the MyMemories store - $20 value!

My Dad's Struggle and Giveaway reminder

Just thought I would post an update about my Dad. I know  in the past I have given a small glimpse of what he has struggled with and since then I have had a hard time putting in words what has transpired in the past month. Dad has be suffering for the past year and a half with kidney failure and more recently liver failure also. He has been such a trooper as the Doctors have struggled to keep him comfortable and figure out what to do to help him.  As it turned out, transplants were the only option and that was yet another struggle to learn about and find a hospital willing to help.
My brother flew my parents in to Chicago to look at hospitals there as the one's in San Diego didn't seem to be willing to take him on. Amazingly in this journey Rush Hospital took him in when he fell ill in Chicago with an infection and declared they would keep him til they found him a liver and kidney. They ran every test necessary to confirm he was a good canidate and within six days of being put on the transplant list he was matched with a donor.
We couldn't believe out ears that this was happening so quickly especially since my Dad called with the news at 2 o'clock in the morning and when we really were feeling it to be a hopeless quest. Well its been almost 3 weeks since his lifesaving surgery and he is physically doing miracuously well. Mentally its been a surprising stuggle for him, although quite common, he is experiencing severe depression and struggling to eat. I am torn about not being able to be there for him and also to relieve my brother and sister-in-law of the daily need to visit and encourage him. I am trying to go on faith that things will work out, as they have just kept linning up, to make it possible for my Dad to receive these organs and have a second chance. Physically he gets stronger everyday, I just hope that he can get to a place where he mentally moves past this debilitating depression. We are so thankful for his chance, to enjoy whatever extra time he has been given.

On a happier note don't forget to enter my Giveaway before it ends on Wednesday! Can't wait to giveaway that great scrapbooking software!

http://laurieloustudio.blogspot.com/2011/10/giveaway.html

Giveaway!

I am excited to share with you all my very first giveaway on my blog today! Many of you are busy Moms and crafters like me and want to scrapbook the memories you make with your families, friends, careers and pastimes or hobbies. the holidays are coming up and many new pictures will taken and memories made. So it is my pleasure to offer a chance to win a free copy of award winning scrapbook software that is easy and fun to use! Using this software you can create digital scrapbooks, photobooks, cards, calendars and gifts!
Here's what you have to do to win:

-Visit the Website http://www.mymemories.com/ and tell me what your favorite product on the website is or a project you want to make with this software. http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software
-Then leave a comment on my blog
-Head over to my Fanpage and leave comment there.
-Like my Facebook Fanpage.
-Like the MyMemories Fanpage (they are giving away an IPad when they reach 10,000 likes!)
-Follow MyMemories on Twitter
-Follow me on Twitter

Here's another great part of this giveaway, even if you don't win you still win because all my readers will get a 10$ discount off their purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a 10$ coupon for the MyMemories.com store a 20$ value! The Promo code you will need is MSV210D

So get started and come on back and leave your comments here on the blog and I will pick a winner next Wednesday! 

New Schedules

Slowly I'm getting used to this new schedule of no kids from 8:30 to 2:30, but I've barely gotten a chance to enjoy having the extra hours with one thing or another going on.  So far I have held a garage sale, enjoyed a few days off with my husband, entertained my Father in Law who is visiting from Florida, made and shipped new orders and volunteered for my daughter's cheer team. Not bad for the first 2 weeks of freedom.

I have to admit though today I treated myself to a scone and coffee at a local coffee shop all by myself and it was devine! Tomorrow is my first full day in the Studio, and I can't wait to see how much I get done!
I'm really excited about my Paris themed set and am looking forward to adding the first new product to my shop when I complete and post the first of many, I hope, diaper bags. I think the design will be great for diaper bags or a large carry all purse, knitting bags, oh the uses are endless.

Here's a picture of a custom diaper bag I made and then a picture with the Paris, Poodles and Ooh La La fabrics that will be used in the first bags available in my shop. Ofcourse I'm keeping one of those fabrics a secret, shh! I promise there will be a big reveal soon!

2011 JR Fresh vs Redford - Plymouth Canton Steelers

2011 JR Fresh vs Redford - Plymouth Canton Steelers


My little Quinny going for a touchdown!

Heading to Chicago

Can't wait til Friday when we finally get to head out on vacation as a family and visit my brother's family in Chicago. It's a trip we all love, seeing family, playing with cousins and boating on Lake Michigan. Mostly I'm ready for a break in the routine around here and having time to just hang out with everyone and watching the kids have a blast with their cousins.

I've been busy in the Studio these past few weeks working samples up so I can get them photographed and posted on Etsy. My newest niece Nola will be modeling them for you and I can't wait to see everything on her. Are we ready yet for the craziness of the Holidays? Hard to believe we have to think of these things already but I've been sewing Halloween items all week! Not ready to give up the hot, hazy "slow" days of summer yet! Hope you are enjoying yours!

Still waiting.......

So my hard drive was toast. Geek squad wanted a ridiculous amount to repair something they said was probably covered under warranty, which of course was not. My brother-in-law sells and repairs used laptops and has been so kind to us with his expertise and "family" discount but we just couldn't ask anymore so when my husband found a great deal at Best Buy last summer he picked it up for me which was great until my hard drive fried. So I'm thinking a Mac is my best bet and I saved up the money but apparently used Macs are in great demand around here with some of the school districts giving them to students after raising taxes to fund them. So the parents of all these students really like their kids Macs and want one for themselves, which means supply and demand is skewed in this neck of the woods.
I'm really trying to be patient, but my photos of new fabric finds are waiting to be rolled out and my sewing room is filling up with merchandise that is anxious to find new homes, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a MacBook gets found soon and I can share all these new things.
In the mean time I'm enjoying my first stress free summer with my kids in years and the days are happily laying out ahead of us to be filled with spontaneous plans with friends and family. Hope your having one of those summers too!

Another computer bites the dust

Arghhh! Another computer down for the count. So frustrated! Of course was it backed up? A little but not recently. Shame on me! Should know better! So should I invest in a Mac? I'm thinking yes. In the mean time hubby wants to get an Ipad to play with. Not sure if it will do the trick but sounds like fun!

Last 6 weeks of school and then summer freedom and hopefully more action in the Studio and new blog posts more often. Well I do know there's going to be more sports action happening once again now that May is here. Hang on for the ride!

HAPPY EASTER!

Just back from a trip to California to visit my family, especially my Dad. He's been fighting kidney and liver failure for the past year. It was wonderful to be there and enjoy the sunshine and warm temps that we Michiganders are still waiting patiently for! I'm sure the time change has something to do with it but I am finding myself both physically and mentally exhausted this week. Hope to be more with it next week.

Happiest of Easters to you and yours! Looking forward to entertaining my husband's side of the family at our house this year!

Standing Still

Yep that's how I'm feeling today like I'm standing still. So anxious for the changes that are on the horizon, some really positive ones, but I'm feeling like an impatient kid waiting, waiting, waiting. I have all these ideas to work on and I really just have to wait a bit longer, but its so hard. I guess the biggest change is coming in September as my final duckling joins the others in all day school. I've waited 16 years for this and I'm not complaining but just feeling like that race horse ready to bolt out of the gate! Happy to welcome April tomorrow! That also brings a birthday with it so HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my twin neices! Can't wait to come see you in 2 weeks!

Helloo...Psst...It's me again!

Just wanted to stick my little neck out here and say Hi! I'm still here. Not such a great start to 2011 here in our house with one after another of us succumbing to the midwinter ills. Been living in a little bubble here and have to say I am ready for Spring! Beautiful sunshine out there today but alas my littlest crawled into bed with us this morning declaring both ears hurt and he felt hot. Hm-mm, didn't that doctor I saw Saturday know this would happen? I did. But with all the resistant germs out there I listened to her and waited for the full blown infection to set in so we weren't taking antibiotics for nothing. Not really upset with her just tired of visiting the doctor and wishing my little one could be at his 100's day celebration today with the rest of his kindergarten class and me well I wish I could be in the studio with all those delicious new fabrics. They do say good things come to those who wait right? Well I'm waiting and ever so patiently if I do say so myself. Got lots to show you when there's time to finish like a new living room and a powder room redo, new fabrics and hopefully lots of new projects this year. I hope your Valentine's Day was full of love! I know I enjoyed the kind of cuddle up love that comes with being cocooned in sick bay with my kids upon our new sofa. Hope to be back again really soon!

Sending prayers

A sweet young girl we met through friends just found out she is losing her battle with cancer yesterday. Her name is Lisa and I would love it if you said a prayer for her and her family as they process this information and face what is ahead. She had a head full of curls before her chemo started and through all the pain and suffering has offered such hope and smiles to those around her. She has truly blessed the McMaster family that adopted her and her older siblings and all of us who have had the priviledge to meet her in her 6 short years. God bless you Lisa and your family and friends. Her story. 

Getting Ready

Well we started off the New Year not feeling so well but as the last of us shrug off the ills (insert hubby milking it for all its worth) we are looking forward to freshening up some of the house. Painting to be done, finally a new sofa and chair for the well used living room, and a much needed washing machine to reduce the water usage in this house of 6! It has already reduced the number of loads I am required to do to keep up with these kids and I am greatly thrilled! It even plays music when its done which delights me every time I happen to catch it at the end of the cycle.
I'm thinking the before and afters might just become only the afters because I'm embarrassed to show you how shabby things look around here due to the abuse of 4 kids and a giant dog. In retrospect there has been lots of living in this house and it is well loved but I am looking forward to not being embarrassed to welcome visitors into my home.
Lots of color especially my favorite pale turquoise blue with red, chocolate brown and creamy white accents. Of course I should probably add some of that color to my wardrobe instead of the black grey and cream I found in my closet to dress myself in over the holidays. My other New Years Resolution to eat better and get more exercise, so I'll keep you posted on my progress in house and body. Let the progress begin! Happy 2011!