Friday, 8 August 2025

This week's smiles....week 427

 Here we are at our weekly catch up of things that have made us smile.  As always I have had many smiles and our little Peggy has given us many this week...






We like to take her up onto a hill near us and let her off her lead to play ball with a ball launcher.  She loves it and runs like a rocket to fetch the ball and brings it straight back to us....if you can see the red arrow in the top left pic you can see just how far she runs.



She's a real little poser and loves sitting out in our garden.









I have a few funnies to share with you of course.  I hope you find something here to make you smile and will then leave me a little comment before linking up to your own smiles below.
Hugs,
Annie x


Wednesday, 6 August 2025

WOYWW.....

 Hello all.  For the first time in weeks I've actually felt like sewing....my Mojo has come back off his holidays....and I'm so thankful.  I've kept up with the sewing that has come in through my door but not felt like looking for other sewing.  I've not sewn for charity for ages so this week I pulled out the box I keep donated fabric in and ...


...I managed to cut out 7 story book cushions...they have a pocket in the front of each of them when made to hold a child's reading book.

I have also cut out loads of pieces ready to make some hair scrunchies.



I then set to and filled a basket with finished scrunchies....I know these sell well for the charity so feel pleased with my efforts.




I thought I'd share what came up as a memory on my Facebook page.....it really made me smile.    This was the first Memory bear I made having designed the pattern to see how much interest I would get for them.  This was 3rd August 2016.....and since then I've made 932 so it was well worth the effort wouldn't you say?


That's all from me for this week.  I will do my best to pop to see what you've been up to this week....hope it's been a good one for you.

Hugs,

Annie x

Friday, 1 August 2025

This week's smiles....week 426

 I've had a lovely week filled with smiles.  I have had a few customers and met some really lovely people....I love my job.

We had the boys with us last weekend...




Saturday they went to Bewilderwood with their daddy and had a fun time together...the photos they shared made me smile a lot.






On Sunday the three of them went to Little owl wildlife farm...they loved all the animals and activities....so many smiles all round.






The only other thing I have to share with you are these funnies...I hope something here makes you smile and you will leave me a little message before linking to your own smiles below.
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x


Wednesday, 30 July 2025

WOYWW...

 It's been a lovely week here at Sewing by Annie's.  






I made this lovely Memory bear in memory of Bruno a beloved boxer dog that had died leaving his owner with a huge hole in her life.  I made the bear from his favourite blankets and it will be going away on holiday with them in place of Bruno.



I can now share with you these pictures I have been working on.  They are for my son for when he sets up his new home.  They are rather better in real life because the glass on the pictures caused glare in the photos.

If you can read them you will see that they are all little sayings with special meanings...the one on the bottom right says 'Love you to the back and moon' which is something Louie says :-)




That's all from me for today.  I will do my best to call by on as many as I can to see what you've all been up to this week.

Hugs,

Annie x



Friday, 25 July 2025

This week's smiles.....week 425

 It's been another lovely week here at Sewing by Annie's.  Most days have been a little cooler and I have enjoyed a steady flow of customers.  I must say sorry for not leaving you all comments last week [I did read all your posts]...my computer was playing silly games and refused to post them...I hope it plays nicely this week.




Our gorgeous Peggy celebrated her first birthday on Sunday and very quickly mastered the new educational toys we bought her....she's a clever little thing.





Our garden continues to bloom and give us lots to smile about.

My hubby has been replacing some of the sleepers in the garden while it's been a bit cooler...it will all look lovely when he's finished.






That just leaves me to leave you all a few funnies to make you smile.
Please leave me a little comment so I know you've called in and I will do my best to return the visits.

Hugs,
Annie x



Wednesday, 23 July 2025

WOYWW....

Hello all.  I hope all is well and happy with you all.  I've had a steady trickle of customers so far this week but it has still allowed me to finish the creative projects I've been working on....but I'm sorry to say I can't share them with you yet.  [I have taken pics so will share them soon].


I spent a little time getting my Memory bear file up to date and my Memory bear count is now up to 931, and counting because I have more on their way soon.

I did some special sewing this week for a lady who had had a mastectomy a couple of years ago and had treated herself to a bikini and swimming costume for an up and coming holiday but she came for me to adapt both to take her prosthesis.  I love a challenge and it was so lovely to see the smile on her face at what I was able to do.

That's all from me for this week.  I hope to be able to call by to see what you've all been up to this week.

Hugs,

Annie x

Friday, 18 July 2025

This week's smiles.....week 424

 I've mostly been smiling this week because it's rained at times and it's been rather cooler.  I've only had one bridesmaid this week so I have been able to enjoy some creative time and we have popped out a few times for coffee and even lunch...bliss.  This retirement lark is ok :-)



For those of you struggling in the heat Peggy says you can come and share her cool mat with her....she loves it.










The only other thing I have to share with you this week is a few funnies.  I hope you find something here to make you smile and you will then leave me a little comment before linking to your own smiles below.
Hugs,
Annie x



Wednesday, 16 July 2025

WOYWW.....

 Hello all.  I don't have a lot to share with you today because business has been very quiet.  I have been enjoying some creative time but a lot of it can't be shared on my blog.



I did applique a special card for a friend who has just qualified as a paramedic....we are so very proud of her.




I'm working on some special projects that needed some fussy cutting of flowers that are backed with bond a web.  I've really enjoyed a bit of quiet time so I can be creative.....if only I was a bit less indecisive [I'm a true Libran lol].

That's all I can share with you as yet but I will take pics of the fiished items and share with you when I can.

Hugs,

Annie x


Friday, 11 July 2025

This week's smiles....week 423

 It's been a mush quieter week this week with sewing so we have been out and about most days making the best of the lovely weather.




One of the days we had lunch at The Boathouse by the side of the river...the food was good and the scenery was even better.




Lexi shared some of her latest professional photos with me and said I could show you too.

I really love this latest set and would love them papered on the walls.




Lexi's artwork has been chosen by her school to go on their Instagram page....she's not only a talented dancer :-)





This was Peggy's latest new toy...alas Froggy is no longer repairable....but it did make us giggle when she covered the floor with it's stuffing.





Here's the latest collage of the flowers in our garden....lots of pinks at the mo.

I do love how the colours change through the year and the fact there is always something to make us smile.






To finish off, here's some funnies to make you smile.  I hope you are all enjoying good health and making the best of the sunshine.
Hugs,
Annie x





Wednesday, 9 July 2025

WOYWW...

 It's been a quieter week with work this week so I've been being creative but sadly I can't share any of it with you as yet.  We have also enjoyed little trips out for coffees and lunch when I was free which was lovely....it's not all work, no play on weeks like this

I have shortened and altered a pretty bright pink bredesmaid dress and have others booked in plus I finished the Memory cushion I told you about last week....

....and here it is finished.  I used the front of the pink shirt for the back panel so it could be used as the fastening for the cushion cover and the front was made up of the memories of a much loved Dad.
Not the most inspiring fabrics but each one held special memories for my customer and she was thrilled with the results.

That's all from me for today.  I hope you are all well and enjoying the sunshine.
Hugs,
Annie x


Friday, 4 July 2025

This week's smiles...week 422

 Here we are at the weekly catch up of the smiles from the week.  I manage to get my sewing machine fixed for £40 instead of the £220 plus parts quote I had been given....and that certainly made me smile because it's now running better that it has for a long time.  It's also been a week filled with pride for me.



Lexi was at a dance competition all weekend and came away with...

  • 1st for her Lyrical dance 
  • 2nd for her Contemporary dance
  • 2nd for her Jazz dance and
  • 2nd for her Commercial dance
Not only that her dance school won the overall first prize for the best dance school. :-)





Sam sang one of his solo exam pieces from Billy Elliot at the Shrewsbury Food Festival....his confidence keeps growing.

These twins never fail to make us proud.



This made me chuckle....I'm sure I'm not the only one who's going to live for ever :-)




Finally a few funnies to make you smile.  I hope you will leave me a little comment and link up to your own smiles below.
Hugs,
Annie x

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

WOYWW...

I'm sorry to say I was MIA again last week but we had only just got back from a lovely long weekend near York in our caravan and I didn't have anything to share with you....plus I was under demand from the customers who had missed me while I was away :-) 

Just before we went away my main sewing machine went caput on me so I had to swap machines until I could either get it fixed or replaced [depending on the expence involved].  On Monday I went back to where I bought my machine and they said I should take my machine back to themto be fixed...£220 for the service plus further for any replacement parts required!!  At that price it meant replacement....but I have another repair man that I use when needed.  Yesterday we took my machine for him to have a look at it and he has repaired it for £40 :-)

I have been busy making more bears this week...




These were made in memory of a much loved Grandad and are now at their new homes in the Wirral.






This little school memory bear is for the same school as the last one I showed you but instead of using the school shirt this one uses the school summer dress.

That's all from me for this week.  I have a memory cushion to make today so, if I remember, I should have one of thos to share with you next week.

Hugs,
Annie x



Friday, 27 June 2025

This week's smiles...week 421

Hello all here we are to share our happy smiles from the previous week....and there's been many.

We had the boys last Thursday and while Theo was at school we took Louie to Elsemere Lake to feed the ducks....you can buy a bag full of duck food and there were loads of ducks, geese and even swans there to feed. .....a few too many for little Louie really but he felt safe holding his Grandad's hand. 


 I was MIA again on Wednesday because we had another long weekend away [to get over the last one with be being poorly].  

We went to a really beautiful campsite near York for 4 nights and I have to say it was the best site we have ever been too.  We were given a corner pitch so that there was a huge area of grass for Peggy to play on and the facilities were the best ever....8 huge individual shower rooms each with a 3 foot x 8 foot shower in, a wash basin, a toilet and each also had it's own hair dryer in....and all were spotless.


It was very hot on the first couple of days so we bought a paddling pool for Peggy [and us] to cool off in....she loved it.

The photo in the top left was taken by the man in the next caravan to us who was a photographer and I love it...so much so that it is now my phone screen saver.

We enjoyed the AC in the car and found several nice places to chill out in for nice meals and drinks.





Our garden continues to make us smile including the huge purple poppies at the top that were self seeders.










Of course it wouldn't be a Friday without a few funnies.  I hope you are all well and happy and have a few of your own smiles to share with us by linking them below...all welcome.

Hugs,
Annie x


Friday, 20 June 2025

This week's smiles....week 420

 Happy Friday to you all.  We're here to catch up on the smiles from the previous week and even though I have been very very busy I've kept smiling. 

My biggest smile was seeing my bride trying on her wedding dress, that I had done major alterations on, and it fitting to perfection.  She is life limited and has just had major surgery to extend her days as much as possible to spend time with her young children.  She is a really lovely lady and I feel very honoured to work on such special clothing.

My other big smile is that, because our last weekend adventure wasn't quite as planned because of my shingles, we are having another adventure this weekend.  We are travelling to a campsite near York today and really hope for a restful few days.....I may struggle to comment on your blogs depending on the internet available. 










That just leaves me to add a few funnies for you.  Please leave me a little comment and then link to your own smiles below.

Have a great week all.
Hugs,
Annie x



Wednesday, 18 June 2025

WOYWW....

 It's been another really busy week for me....nothing new there I here you say.  There used to be a saying that if you want a job doing then to take it to a busy person....and I think the word has gone out :-)




The Memory bears are coming fast and furious.... this one is another School Memory bear for a child that is leaving and going on to Secondary school.





This one is for a 30th birthday present using a piece of her 6 children's clothing to make it...hence one of the front panels uses two items and so does one of the back panels .

This is now in the post on it's way back to the customer.




I've now got the interfacing cut out ready to make 5 Memory bears today.  The clothing for these arrived in the post yesterday from Birkenhead.





This stunning silk prom dress [the 12th this year!!] arrived yesterday for shortening.....it has to be ready to be collected later today for her prom on Friday!!!  They don't give me much time lol.

On top of all that I have also ...

  • shortened several dresses
  • shortened a jumpsuit
  • shortened a nurse's top
  • Shortened a pair of jeans
  • Put a new zip in a pair of trousers
  • Shortened the straps on 2 tops
  • Shortened a pair of trousers and put a new 20" concealed zip in a dress.




I will be head down making bears today when I've done the prom dress so forgive me if I am a little late in visiting.
Hugs,
Annie x