I Met Beyonce'....

Chances are if you read this blog, you know who Beyonce' is...and I don't mean a voluptuous R&B singer...

Well, on a recent trip to Ponchatoula, LA with my sister on a shopping trip, I ran across a cousin of Beyonce's. She was awesome. I wanted her. But alas, she could not come home with me. So, we took a snapshot to memorialize the beautiful moment.

 Yes that's really me....

It was an awesome day....saw some great things like this awesome green door on the side of the building that houses Nest Interiors.

And this great sign in downtown Hammond, La.

I also scored big that day...this vintage farm set that I remember playing with as a child. I also found this rocking chair that I have been hunting for for years. We had one when I was a kid, and I loved it! Best part?? Found it for 30 bucks!!

Have to love an afternoon of antiques hunting and quality sister time!
~~Amy

Team Update

Handmade Louisiana...it's my baby. It was founded in April 2009 by myself and two other artisans who were from a former Etsy La based team that fizzled out. Although a majority of our team members sell on Etsy.com, we were adament that members need not sell on Etsy to be a part of the team. Although I do continue to run one shop on Etsy, I quickly learned there are more venues than Etsy to be a part of and one should never put all their eggs in one basket! We wanted our team to be open to anyone who created handmade who was in or from Louisiana, even if they didn't sell their creations.

So, here we are! Still chugging along on our blog and with an Etsy Team . We've all been quite busy lately, so we've not had as much time to devote to the team as we'd like, but that's a good thing! That means our shops are doing well, and our lives are full!

The Craft a Long Challenge will be back in November. Watch for it on the blog at www.handmadelouisiana.com

Artists of the Month should be continuing as well as our Team Picks! :) Thanks for all the support over the years!

~~Amy

girl, disconnected...Slidell on Food Network!

Well this is cool, I didn't know this was going to be on!

Best Local Gifts--New Orleans

Thank you nolaParent.com for including Mama's Little Monkeys in your gift list :)

Best Local Gifts Made by Moms
Monday, 06 December 2010
The nolaParent Mompreneur Community is creating, writing, designing, developing, educating, baking, blogging, crafting, drafting, publishing,...

© 2010 - nolaParent.com

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday Deals!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I hope you have a great day with your family and friends and enjoy the day to reflect on what blessings you have in your life!!

We'll be enjoying our food, watching the Saints kick the Cowboys butt (hurry and enter my giveway!!) and just relaxing.

Will you be going out on Black Friday? I can't because my husband works and I sure do not drag kids out shopping at 4 am.. LOL. Nor do I WANT To fight the crowds..I prefer to shop online! So in honor of that, here are my special coupon codes and deals you can try out! :)


Shop: Mama's Little Monkeys on Etsy
Code: blackfriday
Sale: 15% off any order (ends 11/29/10)

Code: handmadelouisiana
Sale: 15% off any order (ends 12/10/10)


Shop: Badge Reels on Etsy
Code: blackfriday10
Sale: 20% off any order (ends 11/29/10)

Code: handmadelouisiana or cafemomteam
Sale: 15% off any order (ends 12/10/10)


Shop: MicroMops on Etsy
Code: handmadelouisiana or cafemomteam
Sale: 15% off any order (ends 12/10/10)

Code: blackfriday20
Sale: 20% off any order (ends 11/29/10)


Shop: Mama's Little Monkeys on Artfire
Code: blackfriday2010
Sale: Free Shipping on Orders over 5.00 (11/25/10--11/30/10)


Shop: Badge Reels on Artfire 15% off sale Through Monday also!
Code: cafemomteam
Sale: 15% off


Shop: Micro Mops on Artfire
Code: cafemomteam
Sale: 15% off


I hope that's all of them!! Happy Shopping! Be sure to check www.handmadelouisiana.com and http://cafemometsymoms.blogspot.com for more deals from great sellers!

Cards4Cancer...What it Means to Me

If you've not heard me talk about Cards4Cancer, well then you apparently don't pay attention to anything I facebook, tweet, plurk or talk about.

Cards4Cancer is from the awesome people at Spirit Jump. The goal is simple:


On Saturday April 10th, 2010 Spirit Jump and the team leaders around the world will deliver bags of uplifting cards to their local cancer centers to be given to those battling cancer. Cards can be collected by asking family members, friends, neighbors, schools, youth groups or just about anyway you can think of getting them. Cards can be handmade or store bought and should have a positive message to help JUMP the SPIRIT of someone who is battling cancer.
Our purpose is to bring hope and comfort to the many men, women and children battling cancer! Not just creating awareness but also having a direct positive impact on the lives of those that are hurting.
Spirit Jump has set a goal to collectively deliver over 100,000 uplifting cards. Join us and together we can reach this goal.

Here are my thoughts on C4C and why I really want you to pay attention and get involved.

Our lives are busy, that is apparent. There are COUNTLESS charities we can donate too, volunteer for. I, myself hold cancer and Autism as top priorities in my charity work, for personal reasons. 

You may think that there are already so many people doing things, donating, volunteering that you don't NEED to help. Perhaps you are a single parent, caring for an eldery parent, work full time, have a large family, or just feel you don't have the money or time to help.

I beg of you to THINK AGAIN. Let's be real....the DOLLAR store has beautiful cards you can nab for just one dollar. If you are in the Slidell/Pearl River/ St Tammany area I will personally PICK UP YOUR cards from you if you can't afford to mail them to us.  


If you have children this is a wonderful lesson for them. Your cards do not have to be 'perfect'. The simplest drawing from a child can warm the heart of a person suffering from cancer. Do you REALLY not have 5 minutes to draw a heart on a card and write "Thinking of you". REALLY?


Time is precious...I do agree. As is money in these very uncertain times. But if you are someone who is relatively healthy.. I can pretty much promise you have MORE time and probably more money than someone who is going through chemo, taking meds, losing their hair and possibly, preparing for the end of their life, or at least a very different life than what they were used to.


If YOU had cancer wouldn't YOU want to receive a thoughtful card of hope?


So please, please take the time to join a team, and send in some cards. If you'd like to join our team, Handmade Louisiana, that is fabulous. If not, please join a team near you!!


How to Join:


Here is a current list of teams if you want to find one near you
http://cards4cancer.org/?page_id=1003

How to Particpate:
http://cards4cancer.org/?page_id=40

No Time to Make Cards? DONATE!
http://cards4cancer.org/?page_id=553

And get to making some awesome cards!!
~~~
Amy




**I made cards for my MawMaw, my sisters, and my good friends who have endured or are enduring cancer.

BLACK AND GOLD SUPERBOWL!

THAT was FREAKING AWESOME!

43 years in the league....a HORRIBLE team for years...years of fans wearing paper bags on their heads...and can you believe it? The New Orleans Saints are going to the SUPERBOWL!! I am so proud of the team, New Orleans, and Louisiana!!!

WE CAN DO IT BOYS!!

My Faves: Red

Some lovely things in RED...
I could go on and on with these, I could make one a day practically! Hmmmm...