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Take time out to be creative!

Welcome to Hello! Hooray! - a blog about the things I love to make and do. My name is Clare Albans, and I am a mama, maker and author living in Newcastle upon Tyne. I am passionate about living a creative life, and hope that through my website you will find lots of ideas of how to bring creativity into your own life too.

IMPORTANT POSTAL INFO

All items are dispatched 2nd class from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Postage upgrade for 1st class delivery and signed for is available.

Current dispatch time is 3-5 business days.

Please note that from April 2025 I will no longer be posting outside the UK - sorry!

(Updated 10th May 2025.)

Buy my new book!

The Modern Embroidery Handbook features step-by-step instructions for over 70 hand embroidery stitches plus 20 modern projects.

Treat yourself or a pal and order your copy today.

You'll also find my first book, Colourful Fun Embroidery, in my shop too!

Shop now!

Latest blog posts

Newcastle’s Central Arcade

11 August 2013 |

In issue 8 of The Simple Things magazine, there was a wonderful feature about shopping arcades around the UK. I was fascinated by the stories behind them, and it inspired me to go out and take some photos of my local arcade – Central Arcade in Newcastle. If you’re a visitor to Newcastle it’s definitely…

The Hummingbird Bakery Traditional Brownie

24 July 2013 |

This week I have my last class with my English students, and as a special treat I’ve decided to make them some cake. I couldn’t decide what to make, and ended up with two choices – the first is chocolate brownies (I know, not really cake, but they will be easy for me to carry…

Making Softpots

22 July 2013 |

This weekend I went to York to spend some time with Mum and Dad before our wedding, which is now less than 2 weeks away! Mum wanted us to do something crafty and booked us into a workshop at Softpots on Stonegate. Softpots is run by the lovely Annie Austen-Meek, who invented the concept over…

I am proud to be a supporter of the Just a Card campaign.

The team work tirelessly to promote the work of indie makers, small businesses, artists and designers. Please support them by liking posts and helping to spread the word!

Hello! Hooray! nominated for another Amara blog award!

I was delighted to be nominated for an Amara blog award for the second year running in 2019. Thank you to whoever nominated me in the 'Best Creative & Skill' category.

Have you ever wanted to learn hand embroidery?

Then you've come to the right place! Start with my book and sign up my free course #TheHappyStitchProject!

#colourfulfunembroidery

You'll find everything you need to stitch your own #colourfulfunembroidery in my online haberdashery!

Follow me on Instagram

Follow me @hellohoorayblog on Instagram for behind the scenes photos and more!

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