Wednesday 22 February 2017

WOYWW.....

Hello all.  I've got lots to share with you today cos it's been a busy, productive week here at Sewing by Annie's so here goes....

Having, eventually, sold my industrial sewing machine I have now bought a new table to go where it stood in my sewing room and have set it up for my embellishing machine....it had stood pretty much neglected under it's dust cover since we moved houses and to be honest I had forgotten the pleasure had by using it.  I really enjoyed making these little note book covers.....a bit of dumfing [check R.side bar if you don't know what this is], some machine embroidery and a few beads and hey presto......



I then looked at my full to overflowing box of scrap fabrics and decided to use some of them.  I chose colours that toned/matched and made two pieces of crazy patchwork, embellished it with machine embroidery and....





....made two fabric book covers with it. 


These little owls were another idea I made as little gifts suitable for teachers at the end of the school year....They are little paperweights and used up more of my fabric scraps.....I do have rather a lot of fabric scraps don't I?





The rest of the week I have been making more of my Memory bears.  I feel very honoured helping grieving families by using special items of clothing to remember much loved members of their families. 


These three were made from a much loved husband and father's trousers, scarf and coat lining and the little red ear on each of them is a little fabric taken from a hat that was his all time favourite......it was very special for me to learn a little of the character of the man before I incorporated some into the three bears.



This one was made in memory of a much loved dad and it was by special request that I added the buttons on the front.....I rather like this effect don't you?  The pinstriped grey on the right side was from his trousers he had worn at his wedding.

There you go....sorry I took so long this week but I knew some of you would want to see what I've been up to.  Please leave me a little comment to let me know you've called by and I will do my best to pay you a return visit.  I do read all the blogs but am unable to leave comments on some....sorry.
Hugs,
Annie x

25 comments:

Neet said...

Oh Annie, you put me to shame with all that you have been doing. How on earth you fit all of that into a week I will never know.
Love the memory bears and yes, the buttons are a lovely addition to the last one you showed us. The little owls are a true delight and will be snapped up I am sure.
Love the book covers, both the patchwork ones and the dumfed ones. Watch this space I have an idea I might be doing a bit of patchwork on a book cover shortly. I need to learn to use my sewing machine all over again and I so need to be able to sew in straight lines.
Hugs to you
Neet 8 xx

glitterandglue said...

Morning Annie. I think I need a sit down! All that work you have managed this week - well done. Everything is just gorgeous. Those little teddies must be very special to folk.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #6

sandra de said...

Hi Annie I am always amazed at how much you achieve in one week. But, the story behind the memory bears brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely idea and I imagine they are treasured by families. Have a lovely week.
sandra de @19

Lunch Lady Jan said...

It's the stories behind the bears that get me..sniffle sniffle. They're working out a treat, I'm glad they've taken off so well. You have lots of beautiful sewing to see but my favouritesa re those owls, they're fab. I can see how you've made them, it doesn't look too tricky. I might have a go at those for the RNLI craft fair here later in the year. Looking forward to seeing you!!
Hugs, LLJ 13 xxx

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Your memory bears are so lovely. What a privilege to be able to make them.

Fiona #4

Sarah Brennan said...

I'm a teacher and I would definitely appreciate one of those fantastic owls. Love the notebook covers too! Happy WOYWW Sarah #23

Lynn Holland said...

Crikey woman if you were on piece work you would be worth a fortune.
I love everything you have created, what a shining example you are to us all.
Now don't be neglecting our little Milly when you are being a human mean machine with all your projects.
Love Lynn xxx

Judys Lace Creations said...

So many lovely sewn projects this week. The memory bears are very touching.

Unknown said...

You're a very special lady to make memory bears. How sad but so lovely at the same time. It's crazy how much memory a piece of cloth can have. Keep up the great work! EmbroidRage #2 x

Tilly Tea Dance said...

Corr what a productive week! Lovely bit of dumfing and the book covers and owls are fab! What heart-warming stories your memory bears bring with them - love them! Have another brill week, Max xx

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Annie, it's always a pleasure to visit, and to see what you've been doing. You have so many wonderful creative ideas. love the owl paperweights- they are awesome. Love reading the stories behind the memory bears, they are always so touching. Have a great week, hugs, Shaz#5 xxx

Christals Creations said...

Lovely to see what you've been up to. I've neglected my blog since the Christmas rush but I love reading my regulars. :)

Elizabeth said...

Hi Annie, lovely post today - you've been very productive this week. The notebook covers are brilliant, as are your patchwork book covers and those adorable owls - such a clever way of using up your fabric scraps. The Memory bears all have such lovely stories attached to them. Thanks for visiting earlier. Have a great week. Hugs, Ellie x #30

Melissa said...

Those Memory Bears are fantastic - such a thoughtful way to preserve memories! I also really like the notebook covers! You've certainly been busy.

WOYWW#3 Melissa

Lindart said...

OMG, everything is so sweet! I love the bears, what a wonderful idea! I wish I had one of my dad, I'll bet the smell of that person is now on the bears!Thanks for sharing, Lindart #37

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Annie,

Oh, I love the memory bears! If I had any clothing from mom who passed in 1991 I'd send it over to you to make one. I'm sure the families love them and they are a great comfort. I love the buttons on the last one; adds a bit of style.

Also, can't get over the cute little owls. They are adorable!! Well, everything you've showed us today is special. I'm glad you have LOTS of scraps of fabric and are clever to think of ways to make them special!

Happy WOYWW
Hugs,
Kay
(35)

Tracy said...

I'd never heard of a memory bear but i think I might need one from you for my lovely Gran, this is such a beautiful idea. I love your owls and the noetbook covers.

Sharon said...

You have been busy! I love the owls and the notebook covers. Just beautiful.

Happy WOYWW
Sharon K #31

Twiglet said...

Fantastic makes this week Annie - I feel I have been very lazy by comparison. xx

Helen said...

oh my, what beauties you have created this week! Love the tartan, the fabric book covers look amazing. thanks for visiting. Helen #1

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Annie, your teddies brought back some memories. I used to make teddy bears (still collect a few) and my favourite fabric was old Mohair coats. We used to go to the jumble sales looking for them and my hubby has never forgotten being pushed out of the way by several old ladies who were trying to get to the tables they were less than half his size but nearly knocked him over.
Have a great woyww, Angela x 18 x

Dorlene Durham said...

I love those bears! Great post. Dorlene #39

craftyani said...

You've changed your header picture must mean Spring is around the corner. Love your scrap material makes. I really wish I had known about Memory bears as would have loved to make one for my grandson when my son died. Now there are no clothes of his left to make one.

BJ said...

Love all your sewing, first the great idea of the crazy patchwork book covers, might try that then the owls I could do that too. However your memory bears and the stories are just so precious. Really ought to get my sewing machine out to create rather than just mend or alter!! BJ#10

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Glad I worked my way up on your posts. LOVE the note book covers. I so wish we had classes on different things in our area. Then your treasured bears and I like the button idea. Who could resist the cute owls. You are so talented and energized ! Off to see your Friday smiles and this weeks post.