Happy Wednesday to you all. Our 3rd birthday celebrations are creeping up on us. Only 2 weeks to go now :-)
I had never made an ATC before and as you know I love a challenge so when Julia suggested it for our birthday celebrations I was ready to give it a go. I eagerly made my first ATC ready for the swap but now I'm hooked and have now made several....no pics of course as yet....so if any of my regular visitors would like to swap ATCs with me can you please email me your address to wipso@toucansurf.com and I will happily do a swap with you [If I get more swap offers than I've already got made then I will happily make more :-) ]. This will of course be extra to the pass it forward recipient who will get one whether they want one or not :-) :-) :-)
I've really enjoyed being creative in my spare time and it has helped me not being quite so creatively frustrated....my arthritis has flared up in my hands at the mo and it is stopping me knitting [something I love to do while watching the telly in the evenings] :-(
So? What have I been doing that I can actually share with you?
I've cut out 6 little dolls for the twins to have at home. The two on the left are some of the ones I made years ago and they have become firm favourites with the munchkins when they come to play at Nanny Annie's.
Here is a snap of one of my latest posh frocks that I've been working on lately [sorry it's such a poor pic]. It has a beaded bodice and a very full layered and gathered skirt [and is a size 26!]. I've had to shorten it and take it in on the bodice to fit snug.....yes, quite a challenge!
The patterned turquoise you can see hanging behind the black dress is gorgeous silk fabric that I'm making me a new top with....I'm adapting the neckline from the pattern so will have to pick it up to finish it when I have a little more time to fiddle with it but I'm really loving working with such fab material.
My 'to do' rail is full and I have already had three more new customers again this week so I have a busy day ahead of me for today....there is never quite enough hours in the day is there? Thank you for calling in to read my WOYWW post. Please leave me a little 'hello' message before you pop off the link up at Julia's and I will do my best to do a return visit during my coffee breaks :-)
Don't forget to email me if you fancy swapping ATCs in 2 weeks for our birthday celebrations. I feel so very blessed to mave made so many wonderful friends in the last 3 years so it would be really fab if some of you would like to swap with me......as you can see I have lots here in this little box waiting to find new homes :-) Hehehe I'm such a tease?
I've just nipped out and snapped you this pic of my bluebells in the sunshine that I'm sat looking at while I sew.....enjoy :-)
I've just nipped out and snapped you this pic of my bluebells in the sunshine that I'm sat looking at while I sew.....enjoy :-)
Good morning Annie, lovely post, and gorgeous posh frocks. xxx
ReplyDeleteI will swap with you - but then you probably knew that anyway! x Jo
ReplyDeleteLove that blossom, can almost smell it!! You are sooo busy, you must have more hours in the day were you are! What a fabulous posh dress someone has!
ReplyDeleteHave a crafty week! I know you will! HaPpY WoyWw!!
((Lyn)) #46
Have you sewn your ATCs? I haven't made a start yet cos of recent events but would like to join in. I won't be making many, I don't think, but will have a go next week when I'm back home.
ReplyDeleteHugs, LLJ #48 xx
Hi Annie. You are busy this week! and organised too. The fab frock looks like a lot of work but my favourites, like your munchkins are the cute cuddles! WOYWW Hugs to you Helen 34
ReplyDeleteOh heck - I would not know where to start with that black dress. You are so talented.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of the twins below in the car - gosh aren't they growing up!
Hugs, Neet #11 xx
My Mum was a tornado of a knitter. I know when her arthritis played her up and she couldn't knit so much of an evening she said she really didn't know what to do with her hands when watching TV (not for long - she took up embroidery! I would've thought that would be just as hard but she was a stubborn one!)So I do feel for you.
ReplyDeleteThat blossom up top there is just gorgeous. Have a fun WOYWW :) Not posted yet - reckon it wont be till after lunch now!
Love the blossom pic at the top of your blog... and the twins below in their Ferrari (must have missed that on Friday!) Hope you have a great week. Helen, 4
ReplyDeleteGlad to see business is booming. I have mailed you to swap ATCs. Your bluebells remind me I haven't got out to photograph any yet, I think I may be in danger of missing them again this year.
ReplyDelete** Kate **
Beautiful blossom! Thanks for the peek
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW
Zoe #36
Fab things going on Annie - and I feel for you with the arthritis. Knitting the fish and chips tops and hats is a real slog for me but not as hard as the life those little ones in Africa have.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the ATCs - am going to have a play once home so watch this space as they say - it'll be a first for me too.
Hugs,
Di xx #54 (snort, right after you this week I think)
OOh I'll swap too...but I haven't made any yet. Surprise!!
ReplyDeleteIlove the look of the slkky turquoise fabric you're working with...but oh my lord, slippery fabric makes me swear!! Hours in the day? never enough..I'm having coffee before launching into another VAT quarter which isn't difficult, but the paperwork for changing our business status looks as though I may have to read, and then write a small volume. Argh! (Just changing from a sole trader to a partnership you understand, nothing major really!). Anyway, am thrilled that your customer numbers grow so - how many you up to now?
Looking at sunny bluebells in my garden too... Just been for my ANC (all top knotch and head down!) and now off to Shrewsbury for the scan. I live opposite Ludlow maternity (midwife led) but at a vintage 41 I will be in S'bury for the big event but with the chance of transferring back here same or next day if all goes well. Hubby works at Cruckton School so the best choice too. Big sis trained in S'bury too and loved it. The whole Mother and child unit is being moved to Telford to a new building (not without protest). It is admittedly a bit dated there now and the ante-natal and scanning unit looks like a row of huge swimming cubicle...you can hear (and often see) everything! But I am a big NHS fan (especially after a life abroad...) Righteo - got a hundred check lists to work through... Enjoy the sun and thanks for the wishes! Sarah.
ReplyDeleteGoodness,I have been out of the loop for 6 weeks now but i think i will be back on track soon.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you are having arthritis problems in your hands ...for you it must be hell....hope things get better soon.
I have just had a catch up on your May posts ...omg ...the twins are growing and are soooooo cute ...love the helmet shot.xx
What is an ATC? Surely you're not going to swap Air Traffic Control?
ReplyDeleteBTW (I DO know what that stands for) I love your blossom header!
Seems bluebells are a theme this week Annie. As well as the photo on my blog I have a big clump in my garden which originally came from my Grandma's house many moons ago so are definitely the english type and not the spanish interlopers.
ReplyDeleteThe black dress looks stunning and I'm sure your silk top will be equally beautiful.
Ann B
#38
oh my gosh so much going on, the dolls are so sweet, but tose dresses, are you repurposing them, creating something new from them, or are they jobs to do for someone else.I just creating things from something else, its always been a challenge.I so much enjoyed your post this morning!
ReplyDeleteHope your hands are feeling better soon. Your to do rail certainly looks like a challenge! I wouldn't know where to start with that dress!! I'm hoping to make extra ATC's but I'll wait and see how they turn out before I commit to swapping them :o) I'm hoping to do some this weekend. x April#86
ReplyDeleteHi Annie, lovely post to read this week, such a lot going on. Empathise with you over your painful hands although mine are not too bad currently - hope yours improve quickly. Love the photo of the bluebells ... such a cheery sight. Hope you've had a great WOYWW. Elizabeth x #42
ReplyDeleteSome fab makes and beautiful flower pic! Take care & enjoy WOYWW. Zo xx 66
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting! Hope that your hads feel better. I know what you mean. I feel like I have made a bunch of cyber pen pals and love to visit them all! The dolls for the grand babies looks fabulous. I would tove to ATC trade with you. Look for an e-mail from scrappnbee :) -Amanda x89
ReplyDeleteHa Ha youour've been bitten by the atc bug. I've just spent the afternoon making some Atc's . Happy crafting jill #62
ReplyDeletehope your hands get better soon Annie. Would love to swap an ATC with you. Never done one before so where better to start than some of my WOYWW chums.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can sell some for CHAS charity night too, who knows lol.
caroline #87
I love busy crafty women
ReplyDeleteI love looking round great workspaces
I love it when a plan comes together so hope all yours do especially your business ones.
My dream has just taken off this week, I built and launched my own website. Not bad for someone who was only average at school eh.
Lynn 32
One I Made Earlier Today
Fabulous work.
ReplyDelete#101
lovely post as always, I do hope your hands get better soon.. fabulous makes!! Hugs May x x x#24
ReplyDeleteAnnie you look like you have a busy space, the black dress looks lovely, thanks for sharing, hugs
ReplyDeleteErika.
I hope your hands will feel better soon. I see that when you can't knit, you can still do loads of other projects! Probably a good thing ... keeps you out of trouble :)
ReplyDeletexoxo Karen #168
Lovely post today. Lots to see. Plenty going on (for a change!). Great posh frock, sounds fabulous. Bluebells - ah I'm jealous, we haven't got any here x
ReplyDeleteSo cool that you got bitten by the ATC bug. They are quite fun. I am hoping to (fingers crossed) have spares to send out too. I really need to get cracking on that. And thank you, somehow your post jogged my memory to add my email addy back into my profile since we'll be needing it! I was quite proud of myself for sewing a button back onto my shirt this morning so I'm not quite ready to tackle that post frock or even a doll quite yet. Happy WOYWW!
ReplyDeleteThose dolls look so fab who wouldnt want to play with them. Those dresses are gorgeous. Hugs, Amanda #76
ReplyDeletehmmmm...if I want to try a swap..I'd better get busy and do some for the WOYWW thingy...still haven't done any....sigh....and now it is golf season...hahhah.... in which I do very little crafty stuff.... no time and not enough energy to do that and golf as well... oh, and do suppers, laundry and keep house...arrgghhh...where are the dusting fairies when one wants one?
ReplyDeleteI love visiting your blog and seeing that glorious blossom at the top. Now there are bluebells here I feel even happier :o)
ReplyDeleteThose little ones are growing so fast and I'm sure they are going to love the new dolls you're making for them xx
i there sorry to be so late but have been spending a few days with my son,DIL and grandsons - had a lovely time. Love the blossoms in your header. You always have so many things on the go I don't know how you do it. Haven't made my ATC's yet but intend to join in. I would like to swap with you as well.Thanks for visiting me Anne x
ReplyDeleteHi Annie, Ok I'm told off, yes I should rest as the doc says, but sometimes life gets in the way, the accounts from work are due at companies house by 31st May or else and my son who was 13 at the end of April has become extremely challenging. I'm afraid there was a problem during the procedure which has given me extreme pain at times but keeping fingers crossed that soon it shall pass. It must be awful for you suffering from arthritis, my mum loves knitting but can't do it anymore (she is in her 70's now). I love your dolls, and the posh dress is gorgeous, but I bet it's not easy to do lol. I'm loving the fabric for your top, will you take a pic when it's done? Hope the garden party went well, those cakes looked yummy delicious and I wish I lived near lol, the munchkins always make me smile their so super cute. Love all the beautiful flowers, your right they are stunning. I definitely want to swap with you, I'm planning on starting mine in the next few days as I would like to send a few. Take care Annie, hope your week is fantastic. Happy woyww :-) Kerry xxx
ReplyDelete