Celebrating September Birthday Month 2022!

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes - Artist and Bricoleur

After a horrible summer of 2022 - that started with the 5-day power outage in July and included the deaths of my father and stepmother within 2 weeks of each other in August - I somehow made it to September.

I celebrated at a weekend scrapbooking retreat with my sister and a crafty friend, Becky, at a suburban Chicagoland hotel. Becky and I went for sushi lunch on first day of retreat. 

My sister, Marcy, and I stayed in a king bedroom suite since we both snore. We enjoyed the indoor pool and hot tub both nights and we both got a 60-minute full body massage on night 2.  Marcy went after dinner, I went at 9:45pm. 

My stress is just melting away - finally!

Becky's sushi lunch

Becky's lunch after

My sushi (lunch and enough for leftovers at hotel later)

My sushi lunch, After

After retreat, hubby took me out on my birthday Sep 27th for late breakfast, a movie and dinner at our fave steakhouse, Longhorn.

Dinner

Longhorn Steakhouse on Sep 27, 2022

Shaky photo by hubby

My surf & turf dinner, After

Hubby, Dave

I'm finally starting to get my mojo back. Energy level is slowly returning. I'm trying to tidy my home studio so I can do some craft projects over my winter hibernation.

Thanks for stopping by - and please leave a comment!

Peace,

LuLu

'Halloween Weekend Retreat 2017 (near Chicago) is rapidly approaching!

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Hello Crafters, 

Do you need some crafting time before the holidays? We still have a few retreat tables available for the weekend of October 27-30, 2017! If you need to get some crafting done before the holiday rush, then Scrap-A-Thon 9 / Crafter’s Paradise 4-day Retreat is the place to be in 2017! 

The cost of the Full Weekend Pass (4 days – 40 hours) is just $50.00! Or come for a day.

Friday $35. Saturday $40.00. Sunday $45.00. Monday $50. 

The Full Weekend Pass includes complimentary use of all studio tool and supplies and materials! Unpack once – leave your stuff setup all weekend! Easy in/out. Come when you can – leave when you need to.

 

For info and to register visit  www.scrap-a-thon.com   

Hope you can spend time with us in a couple of weeks!

 

Mary Lou ‘LuLu’ Haynes

Producer / Creative Director / Founder
www.scrap-a-thon.com


tags

2017, art journal, ATC, books, Chicago, crafts, crochet, crop, fabric, Halloween, Illinois, knit, needlepoint, October, quilt, scrapbooking, sew, washi, weave, weekend retreat, bujo, journal, planner

 

 

 

 

'October 2017 Retreat near Chicago!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

I'm hosting a Ladies Only Weekend Mini-Retreat and Getaway at my art studio in October 2017!

For details visit www.scrap-a-thon.com.

Hope you can join us.

Peace,
LuLu
www.lulu-too-beaucoup.com

2016 Scrap-A-Thon  Mini Retreat

tags

2017, art journal, books, Chicago, crafts, crochet, crop, fabric, ATC, Halloween, Illinois, knit, needlepoint, October, quilt, scrapbooking, sew, washi, weave, weekend retreat

'4-day Weekend Retreat Getaway in October 2017 near Chicago!

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome!

'Stretch Break - at  S-A-T 8'

I'm hosting Scrap-A-Thon 9 Mini-Retreat in October during the 2017 Hallowe'en weekend!

4-days for $50 USD!

This is a no-frills, ladies only getaway!

For details or to register, visit www.scrap-a-thon.com

Thanks for stopping by and please become a Follower. Only Followers are eligible for my Giveaways.

Peace,
LuLu

tags
2017, art journal, books, Chicago, crafts, crochet, crop, fabric, ATC, Halloween, Illinois, knit, needlepoint, October, quilt, scrapbooking, sew, washi, weave, weekend retreat

'What's On My BuJo Desk - Washi Edition!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,


Here's a tiny peek at part of my washi tape collection. This is washi storage on my BuJo desk in my office where I do planning. I love journaling, Fountain Pens, stationary, and bullet journals.

YOUR TURN
Do you BuJo? Do you washi?

Please leave a comment and become a Follower. Followers get first announcements about the events, classes/workshops I teach, and retreats that I host!

Thanks for stopping by.

Peace,
LuLu
www.thesplayce.com

'You're Invited to Craft with LuLu - Summer 2017!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Woven Scarf I created for my weaving guild's 65th Anniversary weaving challenge!

Close up - my challenge entry scarf has crocheted and knitted warps - plus

sparkly crystals and glass beads!

 

Welcome  Ladies,

What’s your craft? Do you need space to work on your projects? Are you hankering for a lot of crafting time? Want to come play for a leisurely ‘Crafter-noon’? ‘The SPlayce’ offers a generous amount of time PLUS ample table space for you to play and do your crafty things!

 

Here is the summer 2017 calendar for ‘The SPlayce’! A few seats are still open.

 

JUNE 2017 at The SPlayce

Ø  Fri, June 30^th, celebrate National Beading Month at ‘The SPlayce’! All lady crafters welcome, not just beaders. (2 seats open - $20 p/p) www.thesplayce.com

 

JULY 2017 at The SPlayce

Ø  Sat, 7/22/17: Workshop - Art Journaling: 101 at ‘The SPlayce’ (4 seats open - $45 p/p). For info and workshop registration visit www.lulu-too-beaucoup.com/events

 

Ø  Tue, 7/25/17: Celebrate Chicago Crochet Conference by crocheting and knitting at ‘The SPlayce’! All lady crafters welcome, not just knitters and crocheters. (3 seats open - $35 p/p) www.thesplayce.com

 

AUGUST 2017 at The SPlayce

Tue, August 8^th: Celebrate Weaving at ‘The SPlayce’! All lady crafters welcome, not just weavers. (3 seats open - $20 p/p) www.thesplayce.com

 

 

FOR ALL EVENTS AT THE SPLAYCE

 

·        Time is 1:30pm to 11:30pm - come when you can, leave when you need to. All lady crafters, 18 and up,  are welcome.

 

·        Sherpa - our Helper (Dave) is available at 1:30pm and 11:30pm to carry stuff from/to your car!

 

·        Accessible! No stairs - easy ramp to ‘The SPlayce’.

 

·        Food

 

Ø  Snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, ice, and utensils are included.

Ø  BYO – fridge  /  freezer / microwave oven are available if you want to BYO food.

Ø  Pizza Meal – to eat pizza dinner about 6:00pm, send your $10 non-refundable payment via PayPal  at least 72 hours in advance to: www.paypal.me/maryloululuhaynes/10

Please include:

1.  DATE you are attending

2.  your pizza preference (meat OR veggie OR cheese).

Ø  Menus - Complimentary menus are also available if you prefer to order out on your own.

 

·        Secure - Call upon arrival for entry to ‘The SPlayce’.

·        Registration - Advance online registration is required. Payments are non-refundable.

 

 

Don’t let your craft languish. Come join us!

 

Mary Lou ‘LuLu’ Haynes

www.thesplayce.com

Historic Downtown Blue Island, IL 60406 (located on southeast border of Chicago, IL USA)

''Celebrate National Scrapbooking Day and other 2017 Crafting events at The SPlayce (near Chicago, IL)!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

 

Ladies!

Are you hankering for a lot of crafting time? Want to come play for a leisurely ‘Crafter-noon’? Do you need space to spread out your project? We offer generous time slots PLUS ample table space at ‘The SPlayce’ for you to play and do your crafty things!

 

·        MAY 20, 2017 at The SPlayce

Sat, May 6^th is National Scrapbook Day, and we are celebrating at ‘The SPlayce’ on Saturday May 20^th. We would love for you to join us! Not just for scrapbooking – all crafty ladies are welcome. (3 seats open - $15 p/p)

 

·        JUNE 30, 2017 at The SPlayce

Fri, June 30^th, celebrate National Beading Month at ‘The SPlayce’! All lady crafters welcome. (2 seats open - $20 p/p)

 

·        JULY 2017 at The SPlayce

·        Sat, 7/22/17: Workshop - Art Journaling:101 at ‘The SPlayce’ (4 seats open - $45 p/p). For info and workshop registration visit www.lulu-too-beaucoup.com/events

 

·        Tue, 7/25/17: Celebrate Chicago Crochet Conference at ‘The SPlayce’! (3 seats open - $35 p/p)

 

·        AUGUST 2017 at The SPlayce

Tue, August 8^th: Celebrate Weaving at ‘The SPlayce’! (3 seats open - $20 p/p)

 

For all events at The SPlayce:

 

Time is 1:30pm to 11:30pm, come when you can, leave when you need to. Helper available at 1:30pm and 11:30pm to carry stuff from/to your car! No stairs - easy ramp to ‘The SPlayce’.

 

We now have a fridge/freezer and microwave oven if you want to bring food for your Crafter-noon play day at ‘The SPlayce’!

 

Ladies only. All lady crafters and all crafts are welcome. Seating is limited. Advance online registration is required.

 

Hope you can join us!

 

Mary Lou ‘LuLu’ Haynes

www.thesplayce.com

Historic Downtown Blue Island, IL 60406 (located on southeast border of Chicago, IL)

 

 

tags

2017, art journal, ATC, books, Chicago, crafts, crochet, crop, fabric, Illinois, knit, needlepoint, October, quilt, scrapbooking, sew, washi, weave

'Exciting News - New Studio and Gelli Plate Workshop at BAC!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome!

Exciting news! 

The Beverly Arts Center in Chicago has added one of my mixed media workshops to their summer 2017 curriculum! I will be teaching a monoprinting workshop using ‘Gelli’ gelatin plates at the BAC on June 20, 2017.

Stay tuned to my blog for details in 2017 and updates at www.lulu-too-beaucoup.blogspot.com

My new studio in historic downtown Blue Island, IL is almost ready. I'll be celebrating my birthday there next week with a Ladies Only Game Night and a Crafternoon Soiree.

In late October, if all goes well, the studio will be ready for Crafternoons on three days a week! I've waited a long time for a larger studio space. Can't wait to unveil it!

Meanwhile, here is a new digital collage I made today.

'Big Bang Galaxy' -
 digital collage
using Microsoft Digital Image Editor

Thanks for stopping by. Please become a Follower and come back soon. Giveaway is coming in October!

Peace,
LuLu

Mary Lou ‘LuLu’ Haynes

'Our 40th Anniversary Present from Mother Nature!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and welcome!

Like clockwork, every spring in mid-June, just before my husband and I celebrate our wedding anniversary, the cacti on our property bloom in a profusion of fragrant, yellow flowers.

For our 40th anniversary this year they started to bloom on June 11th and the last flower closed on June 21st. This cold-climate species of Prickly Pear cactus, named Eastern Prickly Pear, that grows like a weed here in Chicago, IL is described here.

Our patch grows, from a small neighbor's cutting taken 20 years ago, between our house and driveway, in an area sheltered from winds. These cacti are bathed in full sun with both south and west exposures. They brilliantly survive the cold weather and being buried under mounds of snow during our long winter months.

 

When we first bought our house, the previous owners had planted a wild rose bush where the cacti are now. But the ground was such a dry desert there that hubby removed the roses and we planted succulents - and later the small cactus cutting that started it all.

The cacti took over the succulents. Good thing we have the house and driveway and 'landing pad' as barriers on all sides. Otherwise those cactus plants would overgrow everything!

The yellow cactus flowers are gorgeous and their aroma is intoxicating. We enjoyed over 50 blooms this year!

YOUR TURN
Do you have cactus plants on your property? Do they flower? What is your climate? What city, state or country are your cacti in? 

Did you checkout my FREEBIES and FREE Tutorials while you're here?

Thanks for visiting - and please become a Follower and come back soon!

Peace,
LuLu

'Grab Your Seat for Art Journaling Worklshop in Chicago, IL!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

A few seats are still available for the 2-day workshop I'm teaching at the beautiful Beverly Arts Center in Chicago, IL on Tuesday 6/14/16 and Thursday 6/16/16.

It's a Mixed Media Art Journaling workshop - an intense and immersive 2 days.

This fun workshop is 3 hours each day from 1pm - 4pm with 15 minute setup before class and 15 minute cleanup after class on  both days. Doors open at 12:45pm each day.

Hope you can join us.

Click here to register

Info here

'Incredible News - My New Studio!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

I've been swamped and not able to post much. And for good reason - I finally found my new studio space!

It's walking distance from my house in Chicago - and just a short, 5 minute drive. Here are some before pix. I'll post more pix when I can. For now, I'm deep in the throes of packing and moving multiple rooms from my house to the new place.

I'm exhausted - but so far I'm loving the new space!

Before - photos of the front porch at home, where I stored many supplies.

 

 

First Stage of Moving

into new space below.

 

 

 That's me in my new space. View East.

 

 

View East from 'zone' 1 - a.k.a. the 'Foyer'

View West of doorway.

View South West

View West with doorway.

 

Dimensions of this space are  about 27'L x 18'W x8'H. I need multiple workstations - so I had my helper, Kevin, measure and adhere painters tape on the floor to divide it into 9 'zones'.

Each of the nine zones is about 9' x 6'.

 

Kevin, my helper, does all the heavy lifting. All those boxes are in 'zone' 9 - the center of the room. I named it 'Central Processing'.

 

 

 

Furniture placement after movers left. Most everything has changed and is different now.

 

'West Wing Warehouse', view South from 'Foyer'

'Office' on the South wall = and shelving units on East side of  'Warehouse'

 

 

'Kitchen and spray painting 'booth' along south wall in the 'West Wing Warehouse'.

 'Office' on South wall, next to a free mirror hutch!

Long 8' counter was a gift from the building janitor, Scott, who is also a musician.

His counter was in a larger space that I looked at, but decided not to take. Too cold!

Scott, also a carpenter,  put casters on it for me.

 There is only one small, clerestory-type window.

So hubby bought some full-spectrum fluorescent lights.

We installed the lights in front of mirrors that we confiscated from home, to reflect more light into the room.

My husband and Carpenter, Dave. What a trooper!

 

Carpenter Dave attached casters on just about every piece of furniture in the space.

 

The 'Foyer' and 'Janitor Closet'. Dave laid the tile in a checkerboard pattern for me.

 

View EAST along South wall

The 'Library Nook'  for reading, research, and day dreaming.

The chair was free - and very comfy.

 

 

 My fave dog, 'Spot' usually sits on the arm of this chair. Spot is my fave dog because being stuffed, he doesn't affect allergies, asthma and bronchitis.

The radio/cd player was a gift from a couple who relocated to Arizona a few weeks ago.

I 'inherited' a lot of their stuff - including a laptop computer, that works!

 

We have a lot more work to do, but I wanted to let you know what I've been up to lately. Thanks for stopping by. Please come back soon!

 

Peace,

LuLu

 

BAPA Press Release - 2016

BAPA Press Release 2016

Week of May 29: West of Western

---

Events

Registration is open for a 2-day mixed media art journaling workshop with local artist Mary Lou Haynes, Tues., June 14 and Thurs., June 16, 1 to 4 p.m., Beverly Arts Center (BAC), 2407 W. 111th St. Registration/info.

Marcus Jones, author, Chicago cable talk-show host, motivational speaker, to speak Wed., June 1, 6:30 p.m. Free. Chicago Public Library Beverly Branch, 1962 W. 95th St. 312-747-9673.

Beverly Unitarian Church, 103rd and Longwood Drive, will host a Flea Market on the Lawn, Sat., June 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendor spaces are available for $25. Save the date to join neighbors who are looking for bargain! Info: 312-618-1814.

The Super Sunny 5K, an event that benefits adults with intellectual disabilities at Garden Center Services, will be held Sat., June 4, 8:30 a.m., Newcastle Park, Burbank. Info and registration.

' Exciting Announcement - New Art Journaling Workshop this Summer 2016 - and You're Invited!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes



Howdy and Welcome,

I am pleased to announce that I have been selected to teach another Mixed Media Art Journaling class this summer in Chicago at the Beverly Arts Center. That's two years in a row that I will be teaching at the BAC.

And I would like to invite you to join us
!

"We're Not In Kansas Anymore"
Tangling Doodle by LuLu Haynes
 

'Fan' of an art journal I created

A Page in an art Journal I created

Hope you will plan now to join us!

Registration and Art Journaling Workshop Details here or click the CLASS tab above.
Limited seating. Workshop size is limited to 8 students.

LODGING
Closest hotel is the Hilton Chicago / Oak Lawn, IL. This Hilton hotel offers a FREE Scheduled Shuttle in addition to an indoor swimming pool and other amenities. Hilton Hotel in Oak Lawn, IL

Thanks for stopping by - and please become a Follower.

Come back soon - two more exciting announcements are coming soon. (Shhhhh! Could one announcement be a Giveaway?!!!)

Peace,
LuLu

'Mixed Media / Art Journaling Workshop - Summer 2016, Chicago!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

This summer,  for the second year in a row, I've been invited to teach at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago!

I'll be leading a 2-day mixed media workshop focused on Art Journals. Here are some samples of my Art Journals.

Paris Commission 1 - Back Cover

 

AJ - Front Cover
 

 

AJ - Silk Ribbons on wire binding

Save the date and mark your calendars now!

Starts: Tues June 14, 2016 - 3 hours

Concludes: Thu June 16, 2016 - 3 hours

Time: 1pm to 4pm both days.

Doors open: 12:45pm both days

Doors close: 4:15pm both days

Hope you can come to Chicago for this fun workshop.

Registration info coming soon!
Thanks for visiting - please become a Follower and come back soon!

Peace,
LuLu

'Freebie! and - It's Official! I'm a Celebrity! Well, sort of....Art Journal Class I'm Teaching!'

by Mary Lou 'LuLu' Haynes

Howdy and Welcome,

'Globe on Steroids' -

architectural building sculpture digitally enhanced by Mary Lou Haynes

Photograph by D. C. Daruszka

Used with permission from the photographer

I'm in the newspaper! I'm officially a celebrity!
well, sort of a celebrity...One of our local newspapers here in Chicago, featured an article about me and the mixed media Art Journal class I'm teaching next week at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago, IL.

We'll be using all sorts of goodies, including washi tapes, scrapbooking paper and doing all sorts of techniques including: collage, frottage, laminating, doodling and more!

Would love for you to join us if you are in Chicago, Illinois the week of  June 23 and June 25, 2015!

Click here for the article.

Click here for the workshop info (Adult Mini Camp by Mary Lou Haynes) scroll to bottom of page.


Meanwhile, here's a freebie background I created. This is a black-and-white version of an excerpt from a tangle/doodle I drew in one of my sketch journals. You have my permission to use this in your artwork - for your own personal art, but not to sell. Enjoy!

 'Moisture on Mars (BnW)' -

by Mary Lou Haynes

 

Please become a Follower and comment. I love to see your comments. SPread the word about the fun Freebies you find on my blog! Come back soon.

Peace,
LuLu