A stitch in time

My family is growing...

2012-01-27T09:03:00.000Z

I try to find a picture every Friday to put smiles on faces ready for the weekend. I'm not sure this one will do it for you but it makes me smile :-)

You will have seen that I have been making dollies and that I had bought material to make covers for our two new 'V' cushions for the Grandbabies to use. Here is how my table is looking this morning....

The covers are made and you can see the 3 dollies I have now made have made themselves at home here :-)

My latest Doll is a little boy one as you can see and I think he's rather cute. I'm planning to possibly make a few dollies to go in our blog shop so if you are interested in buying one I would be happy to make you one to order.

I do hope my pic has made you smile and that you all have a super weekend. Stay warm and well.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW.....

2012-01-25T06:30:00.000Z

These weeks are flying by and here we are at another fun Wednesday link up with over 100 crafters who expose their ~~messy desks~~ creative spaces to all who call by. I love Wednesdays.

This week has seen a house move for our daughter A, her hubby and their lovely family....long may they be happy in their new home [It's a rather gorgeous house they have moved to :-) ]. We had a lovely time Sunday helping them set up with a telly wall bracket, window blinds, plumbing in and setting up of washing machine and and tumble dryer......it's what Dads do :-) [Whilst I helped make lunch and played with my gorgeous grandchildren :-) ].

Monday morning was ~~totally wasted~~ spent measuring curtain fabric for one of my customers to finally decide that we couldn't do what was wanted with the material she had brought.....big repeat of pattern, 2 pieces of ~~same~~ fabric but both different so patterns didn't match, insufficient fabric to match patterns to make double width curtains out of......yes, a nightmare!! An hour plus wasted and still nothing!! Guess customer won't want to pay for our wasted time. Now you can see why we don't like making curtains.

We did make up for it though and had another fun afternoon with our friend T. Thanks for the scrummy cake Jo. Both Jo and T created little characters with socks and I started to make another little rag doll.

Here you can see the chaos on my table this morning.

1 finished doll
1 new doll in the making.....blue/yellow fabric this time.
2 packs of Pro Markers used for doll face details [never used for card making though :-) ]
2 new pieces material [1 blue and 1 pink with teddies on] to cover 2 new 'V' cushions to be used for grandbabies.
2 pair of pink snippers [I'm never satisfied with just one :-) ...in fact I have them by every machine I use normally! ] , scissors, piece of tailors chalk.
ball of wool used for doll hair.

I put curly hair on my little finished dolly but my girls didn't like it [comments about short curly hair were chuckled about!].....so I took it off.

Here she is with her new hair style and I have to agree with my girls that she looks much nicer now.......what do you think?

This week I've also made pockets for more little African dresses. I've now sewn them on and nearly made the next 7 dresses .

Here you can see that I'm hoping to sew the last of the bias strips in place today on 4 of the latest little dresses.

Well that's about all I've got to share with you today. I hope you've all had a creative week....I shall do my best to call by to see what you've all been up to but if I fail hopelessly then please forgive me cos life here does get rather hectic at times......hmmmm actually quiet moments are rather rare :-)

Please leave me a little 'hello' comment before popping over to visit our wonderful organiser, Julia.

Hugs for you all,

Annie x

Your Friday's smile.......

2012-01-20T07:50:00.001Z

I bet you're smiling now :-) Here is the twins having some tummy time. What a lovely age they are now.....lots of chuckles and they only get a little grumpy when they are tired or hungry. Such happy babies......long may it last.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW.....

2012-01-18T10:43:00.001Z

Good morning to all who pass by here :-) Brrrrrrrrr it's a cold one. I hope you're all tucked up in the warm today and all those that have been feeling poorly are now feeling much better.

I have a few pics today to show you what has been going on in the world of Annie this week...

Monday was another fab fun day with, much older sister, Jo and our friend T. Jo and I set to in the morning and cut out another 14 dresses with the latest donated bedding parcels.....Jo has already made loads from the 88 dresses we cut out from the Saturday mammoth cutting session that featured in my celebration fun quiz [alas my work load has been manic the last two weeks so I haven't manage to make even one little dress].....

For those that haven't already seen....Crafty Womble was the lucky winner and these little parcels are now winging their way to her. Thanks to all that joined in the fun.

We had a fun afternoon catching up with news, giggling and crafting [drinking coffee and eating chocolate!].

I cut out and started to sew a little dolly made using an 'Oh Sew Dollin' pattern that I bought in 2009 and hadn't got round to using. I love dolly making and really enjoyed making the latest Mr Tumble lookie likey so thought I'd give my new pattern a go. My youngest daughter A bought me the gorgeous tiny print fabric pack to dress the little dollies in so here you can see the pretty pink one I've chosen for my first dolly. She is a bit fiddly when it comes to the stuffing and I still have to give her a character with her facial features and hair etc so she has still to grow on me. I shall be adapting the pattern so she is suitable to be played with and not just a collectible because I know that certain little people in my life just may want a play with her. Speaking of which.......

This is how we finished off a wonderful Monday. My two gorgeous girls, Brent and my 5 very special little people came to spend the evening with us. Our room was filled with fun, laughter and lots and lots of love. [from the left the babies are Sam [twin], Steve [youngest], Phoebe [eldest], Louise and Lexi [twin]. This picture really makes me smile.....I'm such a proud mum and nanny and I really love my family times.

Most of you have left me lovely comments about the baby blanket I've been knitting so here is a quick update on it's progress.....

I finished knitting the 30 squares and laid them out on my table to space out the colours. [sorry about the poor lighting]

I stitched the squares into rows and then the rows of squares together in my chosen pattern.

I have since spent my evenings crocheting the border round the outside.....I like to do 2 rows of each colour in double crochet to give a nice wide band and as you can see last night I finished it :-) I'm so thrilled with the finished result too. Can't you just see a summer baby wrapped in those sherbety colours?

I hope you will all leave me a little 'hello' comment before popping over to see Julia and link yourselves in to the fun. I hope each and every one of you will stay warm and well and have a wonderfully creative week.

Hugs,

Annie x

And the winner is......

2012-01-16T08:07:00.002Z

As promised I am here today to announce the winner of my celebration fun quiz. It took a while for you girls to raise your numbers to be close to just how many this Scissor Sister's team can cut out in probably no more than 5 hours....the rest was spent drinking coffee and laughing :-)

We work like clockwork when we get together and can usually know exactly what the other one needs doing next to get the job done. Quilt covers get spread out on my table and very quickly we decide whether to make lots of little dresses or a few less of rather larger dresses....we aim to make dresses of all sizes so that all girls can have a special dress. We have plain fabrics and patterned and do our best to team up the colours so that each dress makes the little girls feel special. We also cut out all our own bias strips from the sheeting because it is softer and nicer to wear than the bought stuff. We give each one a pocket or two....just because we can plus all little girls like a pocket and you will have seen the latest ones Jo has appliqued on her blog [I think we have made so many dresses now that it makes them more fun for us to make if we use our skills to make them all a bit different].

Right, enough waffling. I guess what you really came here for is to find out who won. Well.....

The actual number of cut out dress packs you could see on that table was....

So the winner is.....drum roll please......

Crafty Womble

Well done to you. Can you please email me your snail mail addy and I will get a little something in the post to you asap.

Thank you to all who joined in the fun.

Hugs to you all,

Annie x

Mr Tumble is finished...

2012-01-14T08:00:00.000Z

You will have seen on my Wednesday's post that I had another order for one of my Mr Tumble lookie likey dolls.

Well, here he is finished. I promised to put a pic up to show his new owner before I send her an invoice so I really hope she is pleased with him. :-)

You can see I have put felt 'buttons' on the front because he is for a 2 year old little girl.

Getting closer but not there yet and a smile or two.....

2012-01-13T08:54:00.001Z

I think my yesterday's clue helped a few. We have a guess or two in the right area now but still no correct answer as yet.

Today's Clues.....In this decade dolls came from the vegetable patch, a dividing line fell in a European country and music was being made by Duran Duran, Dire Straits, Genesis and Queen to name but a few.

Good luck folks x

I missed to post my 'make you smile' post last Friday so to make up for it I have a couple of snaps to make you smile today.

'What a mum will do to amuse two babies at once'

.....M was definitely not going to let the twins watch Mr Tumble but it seems that needs must and in fact they certainly seem to be loving all the bright colours.....I can see orders for two more Mr Tumble dolls coming next can't you?

I know this one will cause a few Awwwwws. It came via text to my phone with the caption....

'I'm in love with my beautiful boy'

....and who can blame her? A says Steve is the easiest of her three babies to care for. I have to agree with her cos he eats and sleeps and smiles and makes gorgeous noises when he's awake.

I hope these have put a smile on your faces for the weekend and that you will all have another guess in my celebration quiz. I will be back Monday to name the winner......good luck x

Hugs,

Annie x

Keep on guessing and here's a clue....

2012-01-12T16:41:00.001Z

I have had lots of guesses in my competition now but so far no one has guessed the right number. If by Monday the exact number hasn't been guessed I will be giving the prize to the one with the nearest guess.

Clue......'The Scissor Sisters top the charts'

If you are still struggling then I may give out more clues between now and Monday.......do feel free to use your other guesses if you have done the following and linking requested :-).......and good luck.

Leave your guesses in the competition post

WOYWW

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000Z

Hello to all my wonderful blogging friends. Since last Wednesday I have sewn and sewn til my hands ache and

.....my 'done rail' is now full to capacity

.....plus there are 6 motor cross bike trousers in a huge bag below it that have all been finished too [and what a job they were!....stiff and heavy]

....but my 'to do' rail still looks like this and I have much more still in bags waiting to be done.

Plus my ironing board looks like this today...and that can mean only one thing....wahoooooo I have another order for one of my Mr Tumble lookie likey dolls. The last one you saw sitting here keeping me company went to a really good home just before Christmas.

So, I would have to say business wise it's been a really good week and long may it last cos we have a Wedding to pay for this year as you will have seen in the last post :-)

Church and Reception venues...... booked

Flowers...organised

Photographer....booked

Cars...booked

Wedding dress.....bought [needs altering]

4 Bridesmaids dresses....bought this week [pretty coral pink and need altering]

Wedding stationery....in the planning stage.....Thinking....Ivory / Coral / Pink / Gerberas / Butterflies.....any suggestions for a simple design are very welcome.

So? You see I'm leading a pretty hectic life but that's pretty normal here. I've still managed a bit of knitting and now have only 4 more squares to make before I can join them together and then crochet the edging on the latest baby blanket. Do pop over to Julia's blog and check out all the other crafty spaces [I'm sure there are many more far more exciting than mine this week] but do leave me a quick hello comment before you go and I will do my best to pay you a visit in between my sewing jobs today.

PS don't forget to pop to the prev post and make your guess to join in my celebration fun to be in with a chance to win. No one has got it exactly right as yet....folk just don't realise what a great team we make and how much we can get done in a day [well 5 hours of it anyway] :-) :-) :-)

A Count up for a Competition to help me Celebrate.....

2012-01-10T09:04:00.000Z

I have so much to celebrate....

My first born child was 28 on Saturday. You will know her as M, Michelle or Shell, and a beautiful new mum of two gorgeous babies. She has had 12 months of extreme highs and lows as you know but has thankfully survived and has sooooo much to celebrate.

Here you can see her with her gorgeous 'husband to be' on Friday night with another wonderful birthday cake made by my very talented son and his girlfriend. They get married in July so we have lots of exciting planning going on between now and then.

I have now posted over 500 posts here on my blog and would like to thank all that have encouraged and supported me.
I reached 200 followers over the Christmas break but life got in the way and I was unable to celebrate it.
I have just been asked to make another Mr Tumble doll. You will be able to watch him develop here over the next couple of weeks.
We are having a sale over in our blog shop so do pop over here to grab a bargain.
I have made 91 little dresses for the 'Dress a Girl' charity and would like to thank all that have donated the fabric to make this possible. I mention this because it is an ongoing challenge for Jo and I and this Saturday was spent cutting out more dresses.....which leads me to the competition.

The Competition

Jo and I had taken a short break from making the little dresses for the charity we support over the last few weeks because Christmas, New Year, hospital admissions and life just generally got in the way and alas there are still only 24 hours in every day. We had been kindly given very many sheets, quilt covers and gorgeous pieces of material by so many people that I was struggling to store the huge mountain that they made. This Saturday our men left us for the day and travelled north to watch their footy team play in the cup [alas they lost 1-0] so we were foot loose and fancy free for a whole 12 hours!

So? What do two sewing sisters do for 12 hours?....

Answer .....we cut out dresses :-) :-) :-) :-)

Here you can see all the little dresses that we managed to cut out. What I am asking you to do is to guess how many we managed to bag up. We have cut out the dresses plus bias strips and pockets and trims for each dress and bagged them up ready for sewing. Do note that there is more than one dress kit in each bag.

Rules to enter the competition

Guess how many dress packs we cut out on Saturday and leave your guess in a comment below
Be a follower of here and in our blog shop and you can have another guess
Pop a link to our blog shop on your blog and you can have a third guess

There will be a prize [or two] for the nearest guess and you will have a whole week to get there :-) :-)
I will be having a count up and will post the answer with the name of the winner next Monday.
.....and I'm not telling you what you will win yet.....cos I haven't decided :-)

I do hope you will join in the fun and help me celebrate.

WOYWW.....we survived :-)

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000Z

As most of you will know 2011 was a real challenge for us. We seemed to go from one emergency to another. We thought Christmas with little Lexi in hospital would be the last emergency of the year but her daddy managed to squeeze in one more! He was rushed to hospital New Year's Eve morning in an ambulance with severe kidney pain [and those that have suffered it will know just how painful it is]. We had an early morning call to help with twin care and another day was spent feeling anxious worrying about another loved one. He was given an injection to relieve the pain, blood tests, xrays etc and then sent back home with more pain tablets and antibiotics with instructions that if it got worse he would need to see the urologist after the holiday break!!! [Do people really not get proper care during the holidays?]. Thankfully his pain seems to have settled down now and he returned to work yesterday so we are all hoping that the new year has arrived with better health and rather less emergencies.

So, on my desk today you can see a pile of Christmas cards....yes we have taken down all our decorations [have a feeling we were both just glad to have survived it all]. I will be cutting up my cards to make labels ready for next year's pressies when I have a spare few minutes.

Also you can see the progress with the latest baby blanket. I've just had them all out to count how many more I need to knit...20 made and just 10 more to go now :-) It's been a real God send to me cos I have had something to grab when shooting out the door on emergency call out.....I don't need a pattern now cos I have knit so many that I can almost knit them in my sleep.....and have been really glad to have something to keep me busy.

So folks it's a really Happy New Year to you all. Thanks you for your wonderful support over the last twelve months. Life just wouldn't be the same without each and every one of you. Special thanks must of course go to Julia who holds us all together [she's like the Wednesday super glue :-) ]

Hope you all have a really creative year ahead of you. I will enjoy popping in to see what you're all up to so do 'show and tell' all the wonderful things you're making. Having shut up 'Sewing by Annie' for the festive celebrations I had a steady flow of customers yesterday but also had little twinny visitors with their Mummy for the day so my 'to do' rail is now full. I promise I will call in on as many as I can in between my sewing jobs.

Love and hugs to you all,
Annie x

My Fridays smile....

2011-12-30T08:35:00.001Z

Having had the awful week we have just had I wasn't sure that I could find you a pic this week to make you smile.

Yesterday we called in to the 'house of poorly' to drop off the turkey that they failed to have on Christmas day last week due to spending the day taking turns to care for a very poorly little girl in hospital. We were greeted by something that I'm sure will put a smile on every face that sees this pic.

As you can see our little angel is feeling much better and she sent you this big smile to say thank you to each and every one of you that sent us kind thoughts and prayers. She still has a cough but the Drs say she may have that for another couple of weeks but it is soooooooooo lovely to have our smiley little girl back.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend celebrating the arrival of the New Year. Please let's all have one with better health and just a few less traumatic trips to hospital.

Hugs to all,

Annie x

WOYWW....

2011-12-28T21:58:00.000Z

So? Did the big man in red bring you all you asked for?

We didn't quite manage the Christmas we had planned cos more bad luck stepped in the way. Poor little Lexi was rushed to hospital last Thursday night struggling to breathe. She was quickly diagnosed with Bronchiolitis.

She needed oxygen tubes up her nose to help her to maintain her blood oxygen levels and a feeding tube because she was unable to suck and breathe. Her Mummy or Daddy had to take it in turns to stay with her day and night and the Drs said that there was every chance Sam would catch it. The back up team stepped in to help care for Sam at home and thankfully our little angel recovered well enough to come home Monday.....and so far Sam has caught a cold but so far so good and he is managing to fight it!

Here they are Monday having only just opened their Christmas presents on Monday....and as Shell says the best present is sitting in the pink chair :-) Mummy now has their cold and Daddy is suffering with his kidneys [probably from the lack of drinks whilst at the hospital cos they weren't allowed hot drinks in Lexi's room!]. I think they have had their share of bad luck now and really hope 2012 is a better one for them.

Here is a quick snap of the last minute knitting finished just in time for wrapping for those little darlings in the pic above. If you want a link to the pattern you will find it here...
http://twinsknit.blogspot.com/2009/01/spring-bunny.html
Its a brill site with lots of lovely patterns.

This is one of my wonderful presents....this one was bought for me by Sam and Lexi.....have a feeling they think they should keep Nanny Annie busy :-)

And of course I can't sit idle so my latest project is a baby blanket using all these gorgeous colours....I like to find a white wool with flecks of colour in it and then use all the fleck colours to tone with it....fab colours eh?

Well folks is just leaves me to wish you all a very happy new year. Hope you can all enjoy good health and can have many happy creative times between now and next year.

Much love to all.

Annie x

A double smile this week....

2011-12-23T07:44:00.000Z

As you can see today Lexi and Sam have been playing dressing up all ready for the festive season. I will let you decide today which one of these pics makes you smile the most. You can have Mr and Mrs Santa or a pair of cheeky little pixies. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that 2012 brings you all you wish for yourselves.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW......

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000Z

Here we are....the last WOYWW before the man in the red coat arrives. The running around doing all the last minute things will be coming to an end very soon and I hope we can all enjoy the festivities with our feet up at least some of the time. I shall be shutting up 'Sewing by Annie' tonight and have no plans to open up again until Tues 3rd Jan so am planning at least a little 'me' time :-)

I am able to show you a few of the things I have been up to over the last few weeks because they were opened during our family celebrations last Sunday [you can see a few pics in the post under this one].

Here you can see the two knitted dollies that I made for Phoebe and Louise. I really wish I could have captured their faces the moment they opened them.....Lulu just said the biggest WOW :-) [she's only 20 months old so says it just as she sees it.....what more could a Nanny wish for Christmas? ].

I made these for their Daddy for a bit of fun....he tells them Goldilocks and the three bears as one of their bedtime stories so just knew these would add to their fun.

On the label I had written....A little something for bedtime. Amy says you're bigger than most so I hope I've got the size right......I can't imagine why you're all giggling.... he does have rather large hands so I knitted them in double knitting instead of the 4 ply!

My 'to do' rail is empty and I can't show you what I'm making at the mo because, as you can imagine, I am still busy making the last of the presents and they wont be opened til Christmas day :-)

I would just like to say a huge Happy Christmas to you all and hope 2012 brings you all everything you wish for yourselves. Stay well and happy and I will hopefully 'see' you all next week.

Hugs,

Annie x

Party fun....

2011-12-19T08:25:00.000Z

As most of you will know we had our family Christmas party here yesterday. The house was filled with lots of love and laughter for the afternoon/evening. Memories were made and I have a few pics I would like to record on my blog and am happy to share with my blogging friends. I know there are lots of 'adopted blogging aunts' that will want to ooooh and awwwww over these.

A new farm from Nanny and Granddad was opened with a big 'WOW' and even the cow got a big kiss.

A fab new painting / drawing / black board from Auntie Shell and Uncle Brent was well tested.

Daddy was beautifully drawn by Phoebe....not a bad likeness by a 3 year old :-)

As always, the wrapping paper was one of the best toys. :-)

Then came time for pyjamas on and of course a few more snaps.....

Anticlockwise from the top are Sam, Lexi and their cousin Steve.

Photo call coming to an end....Little Lexi is yawning whilst lying between the two boys :-)

But of course before we finish the two big girls have to join in the fun.....

What more could any Grandma want for Christmas?

5 happy, healthy little Grandchildren all full of love and fun. I am soooooooooo blessed.....and of course we had all had a wonderful day together with lots of spoiling but 10 mins later they had all gone home to bed and the house was tidy and quiet again. :-).....bliss :-)

Hope you've all enjoyed a quick peep into our fun family time and for being such great friends I've even left you a bun......

.....do help yourselves to one with your coffee.

Hugs,

Annie x

Wahooo I came second....

2011-12-16T12:14:00.002Z

The voting for Christmas draw is now finished over at Craft Blog UK and I came second. The winner was a little owl made by stupidcats. Huge congrats to her. She makes some really fab felties so pop over to check them out.

Thank you so much to each and every one of you that voted for me.

Hugs,

Annie x

Your Friday's smile.....

2011-12-16T07:46:00.000Z

Now girls wouldn't you just love it if Santa filled your stockings like this?

These babies are certainly going to grow up with wonderful senses of humour. Can't you just imagine what Mummy will have them dressed as on school dress up days? She has such a fun outlook on life.....I can't imagine where she gets it from ;-)

It's our family Christmas get together this Sunday so our house will be filled with fun and laughter and ohhhhhh so much love this year. Hope you all have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Annie x

WOYWW....

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000Z

I'm a bit like a duck on water this week...I remain calm on the surface in front of my customers but underneath the surface my feet are paddling like mad :-) I'm sure I'm not alone.

Yesterday one of my customers had to make 2 journeys to her car to bring in all she had been begging from her friends. She has previously already brought Jo and I several piles of bedding for our 'dress the girl around the world' dresses that we have been making and yesterday's pile way outweighed anything she had brought before. As you can see my ironing board was loaded up with some really pretty sheets, quilt covers and pillowcases. We have had to put the little dress making on hold to find time for all our Christmas activities but we do promise to get back to it after Christmas so this will all be put to good use.

Also this week this gorgeous little gift came through my door from the ever lovely Jo[zart]. As you can see she has made me [and Jo] lovely pin cushions that attach to our sewing machines...they also have a place for my snippers to sit in....this just might stop me loosing them :-) Thanks Jo.

In between my many sewing jobs I am also knitting like mad for the special little people in my life. This is the second of these I'm knitting....the other has sneaked into the corner of the photo above. These have to be finished by Sunday because this is our family day to all be together for Christmas so I'd best keep knitting ...and quick!

As you can see I still have a Mr Tumble doll looking for a home. He is sitting here watching me type but would really love to find a new home for Christmas so if any of you know of a little boy or girl who would love him then please get in touch...he was made as an order but the lady let me down at the last minute so he is still for sale if anyone would like to buy him and I can post him straight away so he would arrive in good time for Christmas. :-)

Well folks that's it from me this week....I have a 'to do' rail to clear and rather a lot of knitting to finish so I must keep moving. Please leave me a little 'hello' message before you pop over to Julia's blog to join in the WOYWW fun.

Also if you would like to give me your vote for my favourite dumfed poppy pic [and I know a lot of you loved it too] that I have entered into a Christmas party draw please follow this link and click on vote under my pic. [many thanks to all who vote for me x]

Click here to vote and give me your support.

Hope you all have a great week and manage to get all your Christmas crafting done in good time.Hugs,
Annie x

The elves have been....

2011-12-12T08:28:00.001Z

I had my little elves here Saturday morning to decorate the tree. I keep my Christmas decorations separate so the little ones can be let loose to decorate Nanny's tree. I have a tin full of knitties that adorn the tree each year.....the Santas were knit by my mum so even though each one is different [even though knitted from the same pattern!] my tree just wouldn't be the same without them. As you can see we don't go for the colour co-ordinated sort of tree but ours is one full of memories and love.

Here you can see the elves at work....magical moments. Their little brother slept through all the excitement :-)

Their mummy has always been my big elf and she was in charge of the glass baubles so between them the finished result is just perfect :-)

Our little visitors were joined by their little twinny cousins [Nanny was doing a bit of babysitting so their Mum and Dad could have an afternoon and evening off]. I fed the twins, Amy fed baby Steve and then we all enjoyed lunch together.....3 adults and 5 grandchildren....bliss. Its what memories are made of.

As you can see here this babysitting of twins is such hard work :-) They were just as good as gold. Granddad was able to put up the rest of the Christmas decorations and finish painting the bathroom while Nanny Annie was able to sit knitting while watching two beautiful sleeping babes.

When it comes to bed time you wouldn't find two more different babies though. One is up with the larks in a morning and the other is awake with the owls at night. Here you can see Lexi all ready for bed but as you can see she thinks otherwise [think she just doesn't want to miss anything :-) ]. Her brother is fast asleep in his cot!

It just wouldn't do for us all to be the same would it? :-)

Your Friday's smile....

2011-12-09T07:30:00.000Z

It looks like Santa has three new little reindeer this year....and one of them is even giving us the thumbs up. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Hope my pic has made you smile today.

Have a great weekend.

Hugs,

Annie x

Sari silk update....

2011-12-08T12:12:00.001Z

So what did I do with the sari silk you saw on my WOYWW post? I machine embroidered it as a whole piece, cut it up into little triangles added Christmas papers and a bit of glitter glue and hey presto..... a quick batch of Christmas cards. Every one is different and I must add they do look rather better in real life than in the pic cos the day is dull and rainy here.

Don't forget to pop over to ebay and grab yourselves a bargain or two before the time runs out.

WOYWW.....

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000Z

So, another week has passed and we are creeping closer to the big day. My 'to do' rail keeps filling and getting in the way of the seasonal preparations so every spare minute I seem to be playing catch up.

Here you can see the beginnings of my next batch of Christmas cards. I've used bond a web to attach Sari silk ribbons onto a base fabric and will work on this with machine embroidery etc before cutting it up and embellishing it further to decorate some cards with. Watch this space as they say.

This is the latest little knittie I've made with some wool M bought for me to knit for Sam. It's knit up a bit small so not sure whether it will fit but if not one of her best friends had a little boy on Sunday so it will go to a good home. :-) ....welcome to the world little Oliver.

Jo[zart]....take note of the fab buttons....we all love them. Thanks so much x

I treated myself to a 'comic' last weekend for being a good girl and just know the knitters out there will love it if you have littlies like mine to knit for. It's the Woman's weekly special collectible series and it has some real favourites in it to knit/crochet such as Angelina Ballerina, Peppa Pig and Raa Raa the noisy lion and in total it has 39 great pattern in it so I felt it was well worth the £9.95 I paid for it. I am trying to make a few special knitties as Christmas pressies. [wonder if you can guess which ones I'm knitting?....I won't share then til after the big day but will take some pics].

Another stocking in the making. I'm taking orders now :-) Sooooooooo many new babies during this year in my life.

I have two little elves who are desperate to decorate our Christmas tree.....Amy has always loved doing the tree and this year she has two little helpers [Stephen will prob sleep through it...he's such a good baby]. It was far too soon to bring a real tree into the house so this year we have treated ourselves to an artificial one and here is is waiting for the elves to arrive :-)

So folks, that's it from me today. My heaving 'to do' rail is calling me to clear it [....again!] so I shall pop over to see what you've been up to in my coffee breaks....if I can fit one in :-) Please leave me a little hello comment before you pop over to join in the WOYWW fun at Julia's blog and here's hoping you all have a really great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

Question...What do you do with.....?

2011-12-02T12:08:00.000Z

....A few cuttlebugged flowers?

Answer....you add a bit of ribbon and maybe a button and you make a quick batch of Christmas cards. :-)

And, me being me, each one is slightly different :-) That's what I did yesterday when my 'to do' rail was emptied.

And to put a smile on your face this week.....

Here's a pic of little Lexi helping her mummy make their Christmas cards while her brother takes a nap :-)

Hope you all have a fun time over the weekend.

Hugs,

Annie x

Christmas is coming...

2011-12-01T08:36:00.001Z

I cleared my 'to do' rail yesterday and then made the 4 new stockings I had on order so thought I'd share a quick snap of them all hanging together..

Don't they look fab? Three of course are for our new family members but the other one was ordered for another new baby brother due to arrive very soon. I wonder what Santa will find to put in these this year. :-)

So? What did you get up to yesterday?

WOYWW....

2011-11-30T08:50:00.001Z

Wahooo. It's been another productive week for me.

My customers keep coming and, as always I've had lots of new folk coming to my door for sewing bringing my customer count up to 1131 this week. So many new 'friends'..... if only I had a good memory for names! My 'to do' rail has filled and emptied several times since I spoke to you last week but I won't bore you with those pics :-)

My crafting table has also filled and emptied a few times too so that's what I'm gonna share with you today in my 'show and tell'.

I had a very special visitor who called after having had an accident....I think he fell off his sleigh on one of his practise runs. As you can see he had bumped his head so had called in at Sewing by Annie's to be fitted with a protective hat [think someone told him I used to be a nurse].

I measured him up and set to and knitted him a nice warm hat ready for Christmas eve.

I then did more snipping, turning, stuffing and stitching up of the second collection of little stuffies for the second ABC bag that Jo[zarty] bought for one of the new babies here.....Yes much coffee was drank too :-) As I like to say 'Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can, often found in women but never in a man'...and thankfully it's one I have plenty of.

My next job was to make the two ABC bags with all their pockets to hold all the little stuffies. So I filled my table and ironing board with all the ingredients to make them. There was interfacing, stuffing, 4 zips and wadding and with a lot of deciphering of the instructions [I wouldn't suggest you attempt making one of these without lots of sewing experience] I got to work. It took me a whole weekend of crafting time but I have to say I am truly thrilled with the results.

Here is the front and back of the one completed bag and.....

.....here you can see that when the 2 zips each side are opened out fully it will hang up to show all the little pockets holding the stuffies.

I'm sure you will agree with me that it was well worth all the hard work and that I have some of the luckiest little Grandies in the world....they are gonna get lots of fun out of these [and so with the grown ups too :-) ].....and yes I have now completed both bags :-)

Thanks so much Jo.

Now folks it's time to leave me a little 'hello comment' and then I will let you pop over to Julia our 'Queen of snoop's blog' to join in the wonderful WOYWW fun.

Thanks for calling in. Have a great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

Your Friday's smile....Is this really what I wore?....

2011-11-25T07:39:00.001Z

Last Saturday I took M to look for her wedding dress ready for their wedding next July and after trying on very many dresses and lots of ooohing and awwwwing she found THE one. We could tell it was THE one because it fit to perfection, looked amazing and I had to find a tissue....think I had something in my eye :-) The dress was bagged up for us and we brought it home. Since then it has had to be tried on several times already and if B doesn't get to see it before the big day it will be a miracle because M is just the worst at keeping secrets...plus of course she is so excited about it all. :-)

I'm sure by now you will all have picked up that she has a wicked sense of humour and while she was here on Wednesday I had got my Wedding dress and veil out to show her. She was amazed that the train on the dress was so long and the veil was even longer. 30 years ago it was all long sleeves and high necks and this caused her much hilarity.....and yes I actually made it too.

Of course she just had to try it on and get me to take a picture of her wearing it [yes I really was a size 12 back then but obviously not as tall as M cos I wore it with high heels! ]......but her fun didn't end there! She sent her picture to B pretending that this was THE dress and she had sent it to him in error....and waited for his reply. Bless him he had opened his text message and shut it quickly so as not to see it in detail! I have to admit M was not the only one giggling but was pleased that she did own up....as she put it.... 'just in case it was enough to put him off turning up on the day'!!!!

I hope this gives you a smile on this rather gloomy Friday morning and you all have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Annie x

WOYWW.......

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000Z

Good morning and a very happy Wednesday to you all. You are saved from a lot of reading here today because life is, as always, pretty hectic. My 'to do' rail is heaving and I have two little apprentices here this morning to help but with Phoebe being 3 years and Louise only 20 months I'm not allowed to get them working on the machines as yet :-) .....it's a couple of hours of Nanny Annie time for me with lots of fun and giggles so I'm doing a quick 'show and tell' in pictures for you.

This is my, now finished, Ark that Jo from Jozart bought for me to make for one of the twins. Thanks again Jo....I've loved putting this together and the little ones will have such fun with it [and their mummy]. It's now filled with all the little animals too.

Here are the first set of ABC bag contents all stitched, snipped, turned, stuffed and gaps sewn up. :-)

This is the first 12 Christmas cards I've made with a close up of one of them for you.

Here is the next 12. Another set made using a scanned x-stitch done by one of my daughter's many years ago.A bit of machine embroidery and a layering up of fabrics and ta da!

And a close up of one of them for you.

There you go. Hope you enjoyed the quick peep at my desks today. My 'to do' rail is calling.....I must do some of it before my little Granddaughters arrive so I will try to pop round to do my WOYWW visits later. Have a great week and stay creative.

Hugs,

Annie x

Your Friday's smile.....

2011-11-18T07:47:00.000Z

'I've heard Nanny is building an Ark. Do you think my baby bath will float Mummy?'

Louise loves dressing up and the best toys of the day today are an old sun hat and her baby bath :-)

Who says you have to spend a fortune on expensive toys?

Also for those wondering how her little brother Stephen is getting on here he is. He, and his two big sisters, had a cold last week but is now thankfully feeling much better.

Isn't he just gorgeous?....but of course I am biased. :-)

Hope you all have a great weekend.

WOYWW....

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000Z

Happy Wednesday to one and all. These weeks are really whizzing by aren't they? I'm having a catch up day today cos I had a 'Nanny Annie' day yesterday. M popped out for the day with the twins so the sewing was firmly put on the 'to do' rail....it can always wait cos my little Grandies will be all grown up before I know it.

So folks whats on my desks today?

Here is my table covered with the gorgeous fabric kits Jo from Jozart bought for our new arrivals so I'm busy working on these in between other jobs....I know the babes will have to be rather older before they will play with them but I really am enjoying all the snipping, sewing and stuffing.

My kitchen is smelling wonderful cos these have just come out of the oven....Parmesan and sun dried tomato rolls today....please help yourselves to one for lunch.

My sewing desk is showing off two new Really Useful Boxes that now hold my cones of thread used for overlocking.....these should keep some of the dust out [that is if I ever put the tops on! ]

Here you can see two lovely pieces of fabric that I intend making a couple of little dresses for little Lexi. Twiglet took a pattern off a little dress that fits Lexi well and has already made her 3 little dresses so running up a couple more will be easy.

My ironing board is covered with Christmas fabrics. I have so many! I plan to make my Christmas cards and stockings using these :-)

Watch this space as they say :-)

This is a pot full of Cuttlebugged flowers cut from some of the Christmas fabrics and a sheet of cross stitched little robins.....wonder what these will become?.....even I don't know yet :-)

And finally for those that like to see how the twinnies are growing here is the latest photo.... awwwwww. I snapped this quick for you yesterday while they were here with me for the day with their Mummy.
Their Mummy and Daddy are doing such a great job that they now weigh in at...

Sam 9lb 13oz
and
Lexi 7lb 14oz

So folks that's what's on my 'desks' today. Clutter clutter everywhere and lots to do on my 'to do' rail too :-) Please leave me a little 'hello' comment before you move on to the 'Queen of snoop's' blog and join in the WOYWW fun [and of course to find out more if you are the one person in the world that hasn't heard what WOYWW is yet].

The need to adapt and an update...

2011-11-14T15:32:00.000Z

I'm sure most of you will know that the lovely Jo from Jozart sent me some fabric panels to make up into a Noah's Ark and a couple of ABC bags for my new grandies. I have been snipping, sewing and stuffing to my heart's content in my spare time making lots of little animals etc but needed some 1/2" foam to make the Ark with.

Last weekend I managed to get to Dunelm but as I was also going there to find a new blind for our 'being decorated' bathroom I managed to arrive home before realising that I had forgotten to look for the foam....it's an age thing!

So, this weekend it was a 'try again' and better 'luck this time' shopping trip. Well, that's what I thought! They have foam of every description....rolls of 1" and 2", seat pads of 1", 2" and even 3" but.....yes you've guessed it not one piece of 1/2"!!!!!

So? What did I do? I bought myself a piece of 1" foam and have spent my spare time over the weekend cutting out the shapes required then I've sliced them in half with a really sharp craft knife! It's not perfect but as it will be sandwiched between two layers of fabric no one will see it so I'm rather pleased with my efforts......now all I need is some lining fabric for some of the pieces and I can then make the Ark......bet you didn't realise just how much you would be challenging me Jo :-).....and I'm loving every minute so thanks again for the fab gifts.

Twiglet will be coming down this morning for our Funday Monday so I'm not sure how much more I will get done today. Hope your day is full of fun and laughter too and if you're passing our door then please pop in for a cuppa and join in the fun.

Update.......Wahoooo it works too.....

I've not felt very creative today so have been following instructions and have been working on the Noah's Ark. It's easier to follow instructions than to have to think of ideas for yourself :-)

Here is a little of what I've been doing. The hand made 1/2" foam works a treat. I have made the drawbridge and the little house with it's roof that goes on the top of the Ark. The roof isn't stitched down yet and I'm not even sure it's the right way round but you will get the idea.......I'm having fun :-)

And the shopping goes where exactly?........

2011-11-11T07:30:00.000Z

'Hello Nanny. Mum says we have to hold the shopping or get out and walk!'

Amy sent me this snap to share with you today. Me thinks she won't be doing much shopping this week :-) Is there a need for tandem shopping trolleys? Maybe a bit like a 'push-me-pull-you'.

A special gift from a special friend....

2011-11-10T11:44:00.001Z

Have I met her?....No.

Could I pass her in the street without knowing?....Maybe. [Her accent might give her away if I heard her speak :-) ]

How long have I known her?....Seems like years.

But one for sure is ....She is one very special lady.

I met her through blogging and have followed her blog and she mine for what seems like years. She is arty and creative. She is, like me, a very proud Grandma who knits and sews for her gorgeous Grandchildren. I've even spoken to her on the phone. She knitted a gorgeous cardie with ladybird buttons on that I admired when she put it on her blog a little while ago and, today, this is what came through my door....

A gorgeous card....I have no idea how she's made it but it is really tactile and clever.

And a packet with all these gorgeous buttons in. I am always knitting for our little grandbabies but the shop near us sells buttons for silly prices so I am really grateful for these gorgeous buttons to use. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Know who it is yet?

Yes its that wonderful lady from Liverpool. The wonderful Jo from Jozart. I certainly owe you that coffee and cake now Jo and look forward to meeting you in real life. Hope you are having a really special time with your gorgeous family over from Germany at the mo. Do give that little Grandie a big hug from me.

Thanks again Jo. x

WOYWW....

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000Z

Good morning to one and all. These weeks certainly are whizzing by for me at the mo. What with sewing, knitting, baking, and the occasional bit of housework of course and fitting all that in between cuddling my gorgeous Grandbabies at every opportunity and enjoying our little Granddaughters 3rd birthday celebrations [see Monday's post]. It's been another busy week for me.

Here's a few pics to share with you....

Here's my rail today...it's a sign of the times when it's full of winter coats, warm skirts and thick cord trousers isn't it?

Brrrrrrrrr it's cold.

This was my table on Monday .....lots of fab activity and coffee drinking going on there [thanks for the chocolate brownies this week Jo].

Jo made a gorgeous diamond wedding anniversary card [she might show you a pic of it on her blog], T made several dumfing creations and I made a little African dress [msg for Jo from Jozart....I know I told you I was gonna make up some of the little animals for my ABC bags but I got waylayed....so what's new I hear you say :-) and huge thanks for the phone call ....it was so lovely that we could all chat together while [much older sister] Jo was here.....we will meet up for that coffee and cake one day :-)]

Here is my, now finished, advent calendar from last week just to show you I actually do get some things finished :-)

Here's little dress number 91

I failed to snap numbers 88, 89 and 90 before we posted the latest parcel [27 dresses and 5 pair of shorts made by Jo and 10 dresses made by me] to Louise on Monday and they were 3 more gorgeous bright yellow ones made with the gorgeous fabric Tricia sent us....sorry Tricia. I will try to let you know when Louise puts them on her blog so you get to see what I made with your gorgeous fabric.

Last night my darling hubby took me and that much older sister of mine to see Paul Zerdin at Oakengates Theatre. Paul is a brilliant ventriloquist who appeared in the 1999 'Royal Variety Show' in the presence of the Queen. and here is a pic of him with the puppets he had with him last night. What a talented young man he is. I love the magic world of puppets and have to say I am still grinning. If you get the chance to see him then I would guarantee you a great evening's entertainment.

Right folks, I have to get my head down to sew now cos I have 7 flat sheets here that I have to make into fitted sheets today......hours of straight stitching, overlocking and a bit of threading in elastic....not much of a challenge there is there? Do pop over to Julia's blog to join in the WOYWW fun but not before you leave me a little 'hello' comment.

Thanks for popping by and leaving such lovely comments always. I will try to pay you a return visit as soon as I can get these sheets made :-) Have a great crafty week.

Big hugs,

Annie x

2011-11-07T10:59:00.000Z

Happy Monday to one and all.

Yesterday was our oldest granddaughter Phoebe's 3rd Birthday and I just wanted to share a few snaps of the happy day with you.

We started off the partying at the Ballpool at the Flash in Welshpool for an hour of fun and laughter. This was perfect because there were lots of little ones and Phoebe was the eldest.

Then we drove back to the house and had the party food and presents. As you can see the first parcel that was opened was new wellies and she wore them for the rest of the day. :-) Here is the birthday girl entertaining us singing 'Postman Pat' on her new mike.

She had a new bike too for her birthday from her Mum and Dad and you can see she loves it.

The birthday cake was made by clever Auntie Gina [my son's girlfriend] and what an amazing job she did with it too don't you agree?

Here is little brother Stephen showing off one of the new bibs that Louise sent me for him. Thank you so much Louise...they fit to perfect and are a big hit with the family.

Hide and seek.....

2011-11-04T07:58:00.000Z

"Do you think Mummy has seen me?"

Louise loves to get up to mischief and she has got into her little brother's moses basket to hide from her Mummy. Of course Mummy has failed to see her and has put baby Stephen down for his nap. :-) Happy memories.

I hope the pic has made you smile too and you all have a great weekend.

What a brilliant company...

2011-11-03T08:55:00.000Z

My postman just knocked on my door with a parcel of goodies I ordered from Cari Crafts yesterday. They never fail to amaze me with the, always speedy and brilliant, service they provide. Being a dependable company is one of the main reasons I use Cari Crafts because I need to let customers know when their sewing will be ready for collection. They never let me down and that means my reputation as a sewing business has grown with thanks to them too.

As most of you will know Twiglet and I are making lots of little dresses for the 'Dress a girl around the world' charity and a little while back I asked Adrian from Cari Crafts if he would be willing to donate any spare bits and bobs for the great cause.....back then he sent me a huge bag of trims etc and said he would keep me in mind for any other bits he could find. My box this morning was not only full of all the things I had ordered from them but he had put yet another wonderful bag of ribbons and trims in for us to use.....What a brilliant company! Do pop over to their site if there is anything you need for sewing / knitting / crafting. They are very competitive with their prices and the service is second to none.

Thank you Adrian. x

WOYWW....

2011-11-02T07:00:00.000Z

Good morning to one and all. It's another of those wonderful days when we all buzz round the world dropping in on our blogging friends who have exposed all to share their space with others. Our wonderful leader Julia is still doing a brilliant job of linking us all together so I thank her for that. Before you pop over to Julia's please leave me a 'hello' in the comment box and I will do my best to pop over to as many of you as possible to check out your spaces.

So? Whats been going on in my space this week? The answer is lots...as always :-)

As promised yesterday this is what is now on my desk today thanks to an industrial weekend and a very busy Funday Monday. The lovely Jo from Jozart sent me several fabric panels to make up for my new grandchildren and I have been preparing them all...the ABC bags have 26 little pockets for 26 little toys to fit in and each has two sides to cut out, the Noah's Ark has lots of pairs of little animals to make too so it's taken quite a while to get this far [I need 4 x16"zips, lining fabrics, wadding, some 1/2" foam and some stuffing to complete them so will get to work on these soon]. I have also now nearly finished making one of the new Advent calendars that I bought on Saturday...it just needs wadding, backing and hanging loops.

This is the latest little knittie I have finished...it just needs a button. Isn't it pretty wool? It's a Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter wool and I love the Fair Isle effect it gives.

This is a new top I made this week and a little pic of the machine embroidery detail on the front....of course you will have seen that I have now bought 3 more pieces of fabric to make some more in my spare time.

These are two more little African dresses I managed to make too this week. These are numbers 86 and 87 for me. I will soon reach my 100 :-)

This is my 'to do' rail today so I will have to clear this before I can enjoy catching up with you all but I will get there as soon as I can. Hope you all have a really great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

This week's Funday Monday...

2011-11-01T08:08:00.000Z

As most of you will know we plan to have a Funday Monday here at Sewing by Annie's every Monday and yesterday was no exception...In fact it was a rather productive one.

As you can see my table was filled with machines, fabric, threads, reels of elastic and the odd mug or two [we must have eaten the chocolate] :-) Twiglet sat busily making little African dresses, our friend T sat dumfing a brooch as a gift for a special Aunt and I sat at the ironing board pressing, snipping, pinning and eventually even doing some sewing.

What a truly fab afternoon we had. Thanks girls for making my day so special. It never fails to amaze me how crafting really lifts your spirits.

Here are the 4 gorgeous little dresses Twiglet made while she was here. Aren't they gorgeous? Behind my chair and to the right of the picture you can see boxes, boxes and yet more boxes and they are all full of material to be used for the little dresses.....we will be dressing lots of little African girls wont we?

I'm not sharing what I sat doing til tomorrow There are lots who have asked me to post my makes on my WOYWW post so I'm saving it til then so watch this space.

Happy halloween

2011-10-31T07:30:00.000Z

I would just like to wish you all a Happy Halloween and share with you our little pumpkin.

Amy brought her three dressed up in their Halloween outfits round 'trick or treating' so thought I would make you smile with little Stephen's pic.....I have a feeling this will be one for the album when he is 18 don't you? :-)

I own up....I've been shopping...

2011-10-29T14:37:00.001+01:00

My name is Annie, I'm 54 years old and I'm a materialolic.....and I believe there is no know cure for it. :-)

I've been to our local shop looking for a new advent calendar panel and a bit of red fabric to make some new Christmas stockings for the new little family members and I have to admit I got a bit carried away....like you do in these shops. :-) :-) :-)

I ended up getting enough to make 4 new Advent calendars [cos normally when I need one I struggle to get any], some plain red cotton material and white fleece to make the Stockings out of [I probably got enough to make stockings for half the village!] and of course I just had to buy enough shirt / top lengths to make 3 new winter shirts out of for me. Think I have enough to keep me busy now don't you?

So? What have you been up to today? Anything you'd like to own up to?

Multitasking.....

2011-10-28T08:00:00.000+01:00

"Help Nanny. I'm still wearing them!"

Today's smile is another pic of little Lexi. When washing and baby need carrying down the stairs at the same time then Mummy has to multitask of course. I just hope Mummy remembers that Lexi has to get her clothes dirty AND take them off before they go in the washing machine :-)

I hope my pic has made you smile and you all have a great weekend.

Wooly wellies!

2011-10-27T08:34:00.000+01:00

Most of you will have seen on yesterday's post what I would have classed as a knitting failure....and here's the proof.

"Oh Nanny. What have you knit me now? They won't fit me 'til I'm ready for school and they let in the rain!"

WOYWW...

2011-10-26T06:00:00.000+01:00

Well folks here we are on yet another Wednesday.....where do these weeks go?

I'm doing a picture heavy post today cos I had another wonderful 'Nanny Annie' day with the gorgeous twinnies yesterday so that means I will be playing catch up today with my sewing.

Firstly I'm sharing my birthday flowers with you all. They were just too lovely to keep all to myself :-)

On funday Monday this week we decided we would all enjoy a dumfing session [for those that still don't know what we call dumfing then you can click on the link on the right hand side to find out more :-) ]. I'm still not feeling very creative and spend most of my crafting time lately following a knitting pattern so that my lack of mojo hasn't been really missed.

Our dear friend T, that joins us on our funday Monday sessions, bought me this gorgeous birthday card to give me some inspiration so of course it would have been rude not to have used it.

So, using my card as inspiration this is what I came up with during our fun afternoon and I'm rather pleased with it. I snapped it before framing it so you can enlarge it to see the beading it in detail.

This is the black frame I have put it in but of course it reflects the glass when snapping it.

Not all my knitting is as successful as I hoped...these are supposed to be a prem size pair of booties for Lexi but I feel they have turned out more like knitted wellies :-)

This is what is on my desk today so if I fail to pop over to your blog to say hello this week please forgive me...I shall have to clear this mountain of sewing first.

Of course my Wednesday blog post wouldn't be complete without an awwwww moment. This is a copy of the photo of the twins that was taken professionally in hospital.

I just love it. :-)

So folks, before you pop over to Julia's blog please leave me a comment if only to say hello. Hope you all have a great week and I will do my best to pop over to see what you've been up to when I can.

Hugs,

Annie x

I'm sharing a first...

2011-10-24T09:32:00.001+01:00

As some of will have noticed on Jo's blog, I had an annual event yesterday :-) I have to say it was up there with the best too. Jo popped down at morning coffee time with a bag full off goodies and I feel the need to share a couple of them with you cos I was so blown away by them.

This was the birthday card she made for me. It's all machine embroidered and of course is meant to be me with my, now, 5 little grandchildren. I love it. Isn't she just so clever?

This is the other pic that I want to share with you. It's well worth clicking on it to enlarge it cor a closer look. She has done us one of her amazing collage pics of the front of our house. She has chosen the fabrics to perfection and done a truly amazing job of it. There is just no doubt of where it is a pic of and it will be framed up to take pride of place in our home. Thank you so much Jo. You really are so talented.
If anyone wants one of their home then do let her know.

The only thing I ever really ask for on my birthday is to get all my family together and we have often all gone out for a meal but as you can imagine it's not so easy with 3 new little family members so this year I decided to celebrate by having everyone here for a buffet tea. It's my son Mark's birthday on 25th too so we always have a party at some point.

So, my first is that it was the first time all my 5 little grandchildren were together since the latest arrived. Jo had big ideas that I would be able to get a photo of me with all 5 but it's just not that easy....one being a little shy with all the people around, one not sitting still for more than a few minutes and any one of the other three needing feeding :-) So I just snapped away and have put them all together as best as I could :-)

Hope you have enjoyed my celebration post as much as I have :-)

The postman has just called....

2011-10-21T09:18:00.000+01:00

My postman has just called with two amazing parcels from a very special lady. Most of you will know Tricia from Tricias Confetti and my parcels are from her today. I have filled my ironing board to overflowing with all she has sent us. It includes.

14 Pillow cases
2 Double quilt covers and
3 Double sheets

to be used for the little dresses we are making for the Dress a girl around the world scheme. It is such a truly generous donation and we will make big efforts to get little dresses cut out and made as soon as we can....life just seems to have got in the way for me lately but I promise it will all get used in time.

What gorgeous bright colours too. Thanks so much Tricia.

Also as promised here is a quick snap of the 5 little dresses that I managed to make on Wednesday

Numbers 81,82,83,84 and 85

The lighting was poor this morning but you will probably notice I am certainly in the pink :-)

Yesterday was spent filling my 'to do' rail with work while I had special 'Nanny Annie time' with M and her gorgeous twinnies so today is a catch up Friday to clear my sewing mountain. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Hugs,

A x

WOYWW....

2011-10-19T08:10:00.000+01:00

Actually on my work desk [ table ] today is....

Nothing and on my 'to do' rail is....

Nothing :-) Shhhhhhhhh I'm hoping to get some little dresses made today for the little African girls.

What I will show you though is this gorgeous wool. We all need a little passion from time to time don't we? :-)

I ordered 3 balls from Cari Crafts and it arrived last Wednesday morning. It was to knit two little body warmer type cardies for Amy's two big girls so they had a little parcel to open when their little brother arrived....best made plans eh? Of course you will all know by now that 'little' Stephen arrived rather rapidly later on last Wednesday so I had to knit rather more quickly than planned.

Amy brought her little family here Saturday morning and by then I had knitted two rather gorgeous knitties for the girls....and they loved them :-) [Yes, it did mean some rather late knitting but it was worth it to see their little faces]. Here is one just before I put the buttons on....doesn't the wool knit up lovely? It really lends itself to this knitting 'on round needle' pattern and they looked even better when trimmed up, one with purple buttons and the other with turquoise buttons. [I forgot to take snaps of them both finished...basically cos I was still wrapping them as the girls pulled up on the drive!!] If anyone wants to have a go at this pattern it can be found on Ravelry.

The other thing I would like to share with you is a parcel that arrived yesterday from my blogging friend Jo. She sent me parcels for the little twinnies and has now also sent me another gorgeous fabric panel to make into an ABC bag for 'little' Stephen :-) Thank you so much Jo. You really are such a generous lady....I promise I will get them made as soon as I am able :-)....I really love your card too.

Now folks that's all from me today. I'm hoping to get my head down to make some little dresses but will do my best to call in as many as I can. Do pop over to Julia's blog and join in the WOYWW fun but leave me a little comment before you go :-) Have a great week everyone.

Hugs,

A x

Family and friends time.....

2011-10-18T09:04:00.000+01:00

It's been a fab few days of family and friends and I have a few pics to share with you including a couple to show you the generosity of others.

On Saturday my youngest daughter Amy brought her little family here. She is amazing. She had only given birth to Stephen on Wednesday and life is already back to 'normal' for her. She loads her car with the three children and all the bags, bottles and bits you have to bring with you and drives herself the 45 min journey to get here. The two little girls are so proud of their baby brother and are such good little helpers for their mummy. After a couple of hours of really special family time Amy then loaded them all back into the car and set off to meet her sister in law and baby nephew Jack in town for lunch and a bit of shopping!

As you can see 'little' Steve is is being carefully watched over by his big sisters in top left pic, being cuddled by Great Auntie Jo in the middle and hugged by his cousin Jack in bottom right pic. It's as if he has been around for ages :-)

Yesterday we had a wonderful Funday Monday because we were joined by Michelle, Sam and Lexi :-) Brent had gone back to work so they came out for a bit of company and to brighten our day :-)

We were joined by our friend T [bottom left] and Jo's daughter M [bottom right] and of course there is no Funday without Jo and we share everything so it was such a special day for us all. Michelle is doing a brilliant job with our gorgeous little twinnies....they are being weighed today and I'm sure they have gained lots since their last weigh in :-)

All three of our new grandbabies have been so spoiled with gifts from so many kind people. I feel I just must show you the huge parcels that came through my door for them from my dearest blogging friend Keryn.

Both my girls were totally blown away by her generosity cos in each parcel was...

A beautifully crocheted blanket for each of them and a selection of knitted cardigans. Aren't they truly wonderful?
Thank you so much Keryn...we all love you so much.
I'm sorry but I failed to snap Steve's parcel when opened.

The other gifts I received for the twins were two beautifully parcelled little bibs sent to me from Louise. Michelle really loves these and they were commented on several times when she took the twinnies into her school to show them off to the staff she works with. Thank you so much Louise. Louise makes these bibs to sell so keep a look out for her next batch in her folksy shop if you're interested in buying some.

Some of our dresses are off on their travels...

2011-10-14T07:52:00.000+01:00

Louise has written a wonderful post about a Backpack project by Mary's Meals - a charity that provides daily meals to children in school in developing countries like Malawi and Liberia to encourage school attendance. They are an amazing country currently feeding over 500,000 children in 16 countries!

Her little girl Izzy is taking part with her school so Louise has contacted the charity and they are putting one of the little dresses for the Dress a Girl around the world scheme in each backpack........and some of the ones we made are in the 50 that are going :-) :-) Please pop over to Louise's blog and read all about the wonderful charity work and check out the gorgeous pics of the little girls that some of our dresses are going to.....do leave her a comment to support her in all the amazing work she does to organise this making little dresses scheme.

If it doesn't make you want to take up sewing then I will be surprised..... if only to make a little dress for one of the gorgeous children who have so little in life. We will continue to make dresses for as long as we have fabric to make them.....and thankfully we have so many wonderful friends who have donated gorgeous fabrics that we will be sewing for a while yet.

All ready to go home....

2011-10-13T08:37:00.001+01:00

For those that missed my post of last night. Here is little Steve all ready to go home from hospital today.....he looks like he has been here before doesn't he? It sounds like Amy has had a really good first night with him and our latest addition to the family is feeding and doing all he should.....I changed his big sister's first dirty nappies when they were born and Amy asked if I would like to pop in to change Steve's :-) When I declined she asked me if I would like a photo? :-)....you will be pleased to hear I declined that too hehehe

Yahoo more great news to share...

2011-10-12T21:32:00.002+01:00

Amy and Dave would like me to share with you all their great news. Stephen David was born at 4.52 this afternoon weighing in at 8lb 10oz. Amy text me at 3.50 to say she was on her way to hospital having contractions every 3 mins. Next text said....'My waters have just gone in the car and we are still 10 mins from the hospital!'. Thankfully she managed to safely reach the hospital but was only on the ward 22mins before our gorgeous little grandson arrived! Both are doing really well [and doesn't she look amazing?].....he looks enormous up against his little twinnie cousins :-)

WOYWW.....

2011-10-12T08:11:00.000+01:00

I'm a bit late today but I have a really good excuse. I normally type up my Wednesday post on Tuesday night and put it to launch automatically so I can start my day's sewing first thing on a Wednesday morning but last night I had some rather special visitors that filled my house with love. The two new additions to our family came to visit with their mummy and daddy and so did their big cousins with their mummy [still playing the waiting game for number 3 to arrive...it won't be long now] and to join in the fun their Uncle M and Auntie G came too. The first fun gathering of the clan with all our children and grandchildren and very probably the only one while we only have 4 grandchildren cos little Steve will be coming out to play very soon. :-)

How much love can you fit on one settee? It's only a 3 seater but I can count 8 on there if I can count the one tucked up inside his mummy :-)

Big cousins enjoying a cuddle with their baby cousins. :-)

Here is one very organised new daddy showing us how to transport twins. :-)

The health visitor is really pleased with the twinnies cos little Lexi has gone from 4lb to 5 lb and her big brother Sam has gone from 5lb 13oz to 6lb 8oz. What a great job M and B are doing.

On my desk today you can see the two boxes full of little African dresses all cut out ready to make....and this is just some of them cos Twiglet has lots more cut out and ready up at her house......looks like I have a bit of catching up to do with my dress making doesn't it?

Sitting watching me is the last Mr Tumble doll that I was asked to make. Yes he is still here....because the lady that ordered him just never emailed me back! Why would anyone order something and then just disappear?

So if you know any little person who would like to own a Mr Tumble dolly then please email me for details....he will have red buttons when finished but these will be made of felt if the child it is wanted for is under 3 years old for safety reasons.

Well folks thats all from me for today....I have sewing waiting for me and the postman should bring me more gorgeous wool today to knit some chunky cardies with so I had better get moving :-) Thanks for dropping in. Hope you all have a great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

Another 64 reached Louise and what Nannies do...

2011-10-10T18:57:00.000+01:00

Louise is the lady who is our UK organiser for the dress a girl around the world appeal and she has just posted our last parcel of little dresses on her blog. Please pop over to check them out if you are one of the very kind people who donated fabric to us to make the dresses with. You will see that we have put it to good use :-) Louise has also given me the heads up with my little bears. She very kindly bought 7 of them for her family after seeing my bags full on my last post.

I would also like to show you what to do if one of your new grandchildren arrived rather smaller than expected. Little Lexi was supposed to be over 5lb on the scan her mummy had 2 weeks before she was born but surprised us all by being only 4lb and nearly 2lb smaller than her big brother. M has struggled in finding clothes to fit her so Nanny Annie has been knitting.

This is the first that you saw in the making on Wednesday's blog. These little cardies only take a couple of days to make and make lovely little body warmers.

And these are two more I've made since. What makes them even more special is yesterday I popped into Tesco's [one of the very few places you can buy tiny baby clothes] and managed to grab some real bargains. They had a rail full of half price baby clothes and I managed to get 3 tiny little outfits that will not only fit her but match the little knitties to perfection :-) Of course I couldn't miss out little Sam and just had to treat him too. :-) .....isn't that what being a Grandma is all about? :-)

Of course we then just had to call in to see them on our way past and give them a cuddle too. You will all be really thrilled to hear M is now looking and feeling much better and those gorgeous twinnies are just adorable.

Also don't forget that baby number 3 for my youngest daughter A is due this week too so more excitement is yet to come :-)

WOYWW and someone special has a BIG birthday today...

2011-10-05T06:00:00.000+01:00

Firstly girls I must say a Happy Birthday for someone special in my life that has a BIG birthday today.

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to Twiglet,

Happy Birthday to you,

Yes, it's a really BIG one for her today and I know you will all want to sing along with me. Happy Birthday Jo. Really hope you have the best of days. I have sooooooo much the thank you for especially of late.

Now girls you will all know that M is now back home with her gorgeous babies and life is returning to 'normal'....slowly and steadily. She has asked me to say a huge thank you to all of you wonderful bloggers who have supported us through the last two weeks and has allowed me to share with you this really special photo of the happily little family now enjoying special times together at home.

I have done a lot of catching up with sewing jobs this week and still have more to go yet so blogging has been pushed right to the back for me. I will do my best to get round as many of you as I can but please forgive me if I fail hopelessly. I will get there eventually.

I've done the sewing job for the lady who lives in Scotland....if anyone needs sewing doing I am more than happy to do any sewing jobs as long as you are happy to pay the postage and will happily give you a quote for any job....it often works out cheaper than getting it done locally cos I charge very reasonable prices. :-)

My WOYWW post is going to be a picture heavy to let you all see what I've been up to....

These are pics taken Monday of the latest little dresses we have made for the African girls. My little sewing room was completely filled with them. There is another 64 here bringing our total now up to 193!! They are all colors and all sizes so I'm sure there will be lots of happy faces on a lot of little African girls. A huge thank you to all that have sent us fabric to make them with. I hope you can see we have used it wisely. These are all now winging their way to Louise so I'm sure will be featured on her blog soon.

Ive singled out this pretty little dress so you can see the lovely job our friend T did to make this one. She is very new to sewing and learned a lot while working along side us to make her first little dress. What an achievement and how lovely of her to choose to give it away to the great cause.

Twiglet and T spent Funday Monday afternoon working on making a bag for T from a felted cardigan.....I will do my best to put a pic on here when the bag is finished.

I spent the afternoon knitting another little cardie for tiny little L. At 4lbs it's not easy to find clothes small enough to fit her :-)

Today my desk is covered with my little bears. My baskets are needing filling up for the craft fair that Jo and her daughter are having a table at on Saturday in Montgomery. Please call in and give them some love and support if you can. I have declined to help this time as we are still awaiting the arrival of our other daughter's baby [due 14th]. So much happening still in this mad world I live in :-) :-)

If anyone wants little bears for a special person then please pop over to our blog shop to check them out and email me with your order. I write the little poems that come with each little bear and they have been known to work real magic by bringing smiles to those needing them most.

Well folks, that's it from me for this week. I will try to get round to your blogs when I can I promise.

Hugs,

Annie x

She's home....

2011-10-03T08:05:00.000+01:00

Just a quick update for those that have been, like me, waiting for this moment. M was given the all clear and was allowed home with the twinnies on Saturday. It's just so lovely to see the little family learning to get into their routine. It's been a really eventful couple of weeks but it was all worth it for this moment.

I just want to wish them so many special happy family times together.

Twiglet will be down later and we may even be tempted to try for a 'Funday Monday' :-) ....that is when she has helped me make a huge canopy to cover a barn roof!!!! I do get all sorts of jobs to tackle. :-) Oh, and I've also got a sewing job from a lady who lives in Scotland....postal service too now. :-)

Phew....

2011-09-30T08:12:00.000+01:00

I'm almost afraid to hope but the faces that greeted me last night at the hospital were very different to the ones we have seen all week. M was up and dressed and had bathed and washed her hair earlier in the day. She was sat on her bed grinning from ear to ear :-) Many many Dr's had paid her a visit during the day and each and every one was thrilled with her progress. By this morning she will have been off the tablets to stop her fitting for 48 hours with no problems and they are hoping to let them all go home tomorrow [Saturday]. The B that had looked exhausted with all the stress and worry of it all was also looking a different man. I am so very proud of him and how he has coped with it all. He took control of the babies while M was so very poorly and is so hands on and confident.

M says she feels like royalty because she is having visits from every member of the team that has looked after her from the top Consultants and the Hospital Manager to the Junior doctors and the lovely cleaners and every Midwife, Neurologist, Registrar etc etc in between. What a wonderful team they are up at Shrewsbury Hospital. We owe them so much and can only sing their praises. Because M is such a unique case she has now become the case study of several students so is pretty special to the Drs as well as us. :-)

Please may this situation continue to improve from now on. Thanks again to one and all for your wonderful support. I feel so very blessed to have you all as friends.

Hugs,

Annie x

A message for you all.....

2011-09-29T07:59:00.000+01:00

We visited M last night and I'm pleased to say she was looking much better. She is able to get up and about now and do rather more normal things. B is able to stay with her day and night to help with the babies and he is doing an amazing job.....he really is a natural and handles the tiny babes with such confidence. M was a bit tearful but that is very normal as I'm sure most of you will remember [and normal is good :-) ]. She sends her love to you all.

I was sent this from a friend in an email and felt I should share it with all of you wonderful blogging friends out there that has carried us through such a difficult time.

Every single evening
As I'm lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head:

God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm
And safe from harm
For they're so close to me..

And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don't mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too.

Now I know that it's unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you, Lord.

You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.

I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.

By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew..

Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That's filled with so much love.

Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail inbox
And each person who hits 'send'.

When you update your Heavenly list
On your own Great CD-ROM,
Bless everyone who says this prayer
Sent up to GOD.Com
Amen

WOYWW....

2011-09-28T08:12:00.000+01:00

I'm determined to keep life 'normal'....well as normal as it is ever here :-)

Firstly a quick update for all my wonderful blogging friends that have kept me going through the worst week of my life....and yes Donna the rock does crumble at times but with all the wonderful support I have I know there will be better times ahead so we just have to 'do what needs doing at the time' and 'hang in there'.

When we called to see M last night she was still on the labour ward where they could keep a close eye on her because she had become very light sensitive and had another headache but things seemed to be settling down again and they were planning to move her back out onto the main maternity ward later....I've not heard from them this morning as yet. They have told her that there has not been another known case like hers in the whole of the country and the only written cases they can find are American so although I have always said she was one in a million it seems now the percentage is actually much higher! :-)

We took a 'put you up' bed in with us last night so B could be a little more comfy as the one they gave him was awful and of course he needs his sleep too......If you haven't seen the pics then scroll down for your awwwww moment.

Now as to what is on my desk today.....

This is a play mat I am making for the new babes to use while they are here at Nanny's. I've quilted it and added little ribbon loops to attach toys to....now all I need to do is add a few more toys :-)

These are two wonderful kits to make a Noah's Ark and an ABC Play Bag that my very special friend Jo from Jozarty sent me to make for the twinnies. They are going to be really colourful and so much fun to make but I need to feel a little more creative first.

Thank you sooooo much Jo. x

Well folks that all from me today.....bet a few of you are surprised I'm here at all :-) It will take a little more time yet til I feel 'normal' [as if I ever was!] but we will get there. Huge hugs to all that have left me comments and for those that have been praying for us...it really is working so please keep up the good work.

Hugs,

Annie x

It's been so long since I was here....

2011-09-27T09:38:00.000+01:00

Where do I start?

Firstly I must say a huge thank you to one and all and of course the biggest thanks must go to Jo for keeping you updated while I was on the biggest roller coaster of my life. What a week it has been....everything from total euphoria to terror and fear and no knowing what would be round the next corner at any minute. I still feel a little shaky so please forgive me if I keep this short.

I just wanted to share a few collages of pictures I have taken to allow M to be in touch with her babies while she recovered. Last night as most of you will know M was transferred back to a special quiet room in the Maternity hospital. They are still monitoring her blood pressure closely as she is still on many oral medications to maintain her condition but it means she can have her wonderful fiance and two very special little people in the room with her. They have put a bed for B in M's room so he can stay day and night and help M feed and change the babies and finally become the family that should have been a week ago.

And finally these are the latest set. The two on the left are of M being back on Maternity and being able to have special times with her two babies so are really special ones for me. Yes she still looks poorly but believe me when I say she looks soooooooo much better than she did.

Latest update is.....M has just rang me to say they are stopping the drug that they gave her for the fits today and moving her to the GP unit end of Maternity [where pretty normal things go on :-) ]. She is being given a large side room with a bathroom by the nurses station so the midwives can keep a close eye on her but life can start to get more normal for them. She will probably be in another week for her body to recover but who cares....it's just so good that we can now all look forward with a little more confidence to hope for better things to come.

Once again....thank you all for the love, prayers and positive vibes that have got us all through this really awful time.

Thanks to all...

2011-09-22T15:38:00.002+01:00

Just a quick update. M is now breathing on her own but will be on intensive care ward til they can stabilise her blood pressure properly.

I'm certain all your positive thought have helped a lot....they have def helped me...so thanks a million to you all.

The two little darlings are totally oblivious to it all and are feeding well and doing all they should....and of course getting lots and lots of love and attention from one and all.

Thanks again.

Hugs,

Annie x

Needing lots of positives and prayers please...

2011-09-22T07:26:00.003+01:00

M's pre-eclampsia didn't settle down with the birth of her beautiful babies and she is now in ICU following a massive fit. On my way back to the hospital now so please keep an eye on Jo's blog for news. Please keep her in your thoughts.

Love and hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

2011-09-21T05:30:00.000+01:00

It's Wednesday again and I know you would all like to know what's on my work desk....hehehe as if?

Today I am not going to show you and I know I will be forgiven cos I have something this week that I know you will want to see much more. Without saying more I am going to just leave you with a few pics. They speak for themselves and if you want to know the details they are in the post below :-)

Come everybody...say awwwwwwww :-)

Thanks for calling by and all being so patient playing the waiting game with us. Hugs to you all.

The news you've all been waiting for.....

2011-09-20T08:31:00.000+01:00

Michelle and Brent would like me to let you all know that they are the very proud parents to two beautiful babies. Lexi Sophia was born at 2.02 am weighing 4 lb and her much bigger brother Sam Jacob was born at 2 23am weighing 5lb 13oz. They were delivered normally with just a little suction. Mum and Dad are on cloud nine [and so are Nanny and Granddad]. Lexi is in an incubator but just to keep her warm and neither are needing oxygen so good news all round.

I will post photos as soon as I can :-)

Another night in hospital....

2011-09-19T07:39:00.001+01:00

M's feet have been swelling [one of the signs of pre-eclampsia] and last week during one of her many hospital visits they told her to carefully monitor any headaches so last night when she had the first signs of a migraine coming on she contacted the hospital.....again. Bless her, I think she has now slept in most of their ward beds and has become a bit of a celebrity up there. On admission her blood pressure was raised and she had +++ of protein in her wee again so they had to keep her in on bed rest. I'm guessing they will make more decisions on the morning Dr's round but as she is 37 weeks tomorrow I'm really hoping they can start to make decisions on when these little darlings can come out to play.

In the pink...

2011-09-16T15:39:00.000+01:00

I've had a day of finishing off clearing my 'to do' rail full of sewing and then I moved on to making a few more little dresses. As you can see I've been in the pink all day.

These are numbers 77 and 78 and were both made with pretty pink pillow cases one of my customers gave me. I have prettied them up with trimmings off other fabric and ribbons.

Numbers 79 and 80 were made with yet more of that gorgeous pink sheeting Di sent us. I really love this material and can just imagine little African girls loving it too.

My latest knittie and a night out...

2011-09-16T09:10:00.002+01:00

Just a quick post today to show you my latest knittie......it's what you do while you are playing the waiting game :-) It is knitted in Merry Go Round by Stylecraft and you know how fussy I am.....I had to undo half a ball of wool to match the pattern on both sleeves :-) It was well worth the effort though cos the stripe was of varying widths and the sleeves just wouldn't have looked right different. I've now started my next little knittie for a baby girl in Crofter baby Fair Isle effect wool and am really loving the fun way the pattern emerges....you will see that another day. I seem to be knitting every time M tells me she has started contractions and I've never seen my needles go so fast. :-)

Last night Twiglet came with my darling hubby and I to the Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury to see The Bohemians and The ACM Gospel Choir from the Last Choir Standing in Queen Rocks Gospel.
It was a really fun night with great music and by the end everyone was up on their feet waving their hands and singing very loudly [well, nearly everyone....I think some had gone thinking it was just a gospel choir evening]. We all love our live entertainment and try to go the the theatre as often as we can ....we have another treat there in just two weeks :-)

Just a quick snap to show you all that she is still going strong. 36 1/2 weeks now so M has done a brilliant job of growing the twinnies. She is still getting strong contractions every day/night and the little girl's head is engaged now so she really shouldn't be long .....well, we all hope she isn't for her sake. When you're not much more than 5 foot tall you don't have much room for two 6lb plus babies!

Getting steamy and sewing while I wait...

2011-09-15T12:13:00.000+01:00

I know lots of you like to see the posh frocks I have here and yesterday I had to steam a really pretty Wedding dress so thought I'd sneak you a pic. What a lot of material to steam....things certainly got pretty warm in here but isn't it stunning?

Here is the latest couple of dresses I've made this morning. Numbers 75 and 76 for me. They are made with more of the gorgeous sweet pea quilt cover one of my customers gave me. You will have prob seen more little dresses made out of this over on Twiglet's blog....we share everything. :-) These are so pretty.

The Nanny waiting game is still ongoing. M was contracting again last night and got them down to every 4 minutes and lasting 80 secs but yet again they fizzled out and she managed to go back to sleep. One day??? She is on her way out here as I type to have lunch with us ....I am really loving our special times together while we wait.

WOYWW...

2011-09-14T05:30:00.000+01:00

Phew. Another week has passed and it's been so hectic here. Poor M has been in and out of hospital more times than we can remember....each time her contractions have been a little stronger and more regular but they still manage to ease off and she ends up being allowed home with her ever growing baby bump. One day she just might come out with two little babies :-)

Last night we had our other daughter A here with her two little treasures and her ever growing baby bump. Bless her she is almost as big as her sister now and is only carrying one baby! [and you know me, I just had to snap a quick pic] I have a feeling he will be an 8lb plus little boy :-) ...she has just 4 weeks left now.

Here is a quick snap of A's two little treasures. They are such gorgeous girls and are both real little entertainers. We had a very special evening.

So? I hear you ask. What is on my work desk today?

More b****** curtains. I have to cut off the 3" tape off the top and replace it so it's pretty straight forward.....just a lot of material to handle so not one of my fav jobs. I've had a pretty busy week with my sewing business and juggling being an expectant Nanny and the disturbed nights that goes with it so have made very few little African dresses. Twiglet is making enough for both of us at the mo though as you will have seen over on her blog.

This is one little dress that I have managed to make though. It's made with some of the fabric given to me by one of my customers and I've added some machine embroidery and a little bow to the pocket. Cute eh?

Well folks that's about all from me today. I need to get my head down and get my sewing done before I'm called upon for Nanny duties again. Please keep your fingers crossed for M that her twinnies arrive soon and I promise you will will post pics as soon as they come out to play. Thanks to you all for your lovely comments.

It's exhausting being an expectant Nanny...

2011-09-13T07:51:00.000+01:00

M had to go back to hospital tea time yesterday with yet more really strong and very painful contractions. Midwife assessed her and said she felt we would have 2 new family members within a day or two. Bless her she has contracted all night but they are now less regular again and she only managed to nap a little in between. I am really hoping that the Dr will assess her this morning and maybe give her a little help to establish her labour. I don't know about her but I'm exhausted....anyone got a couple of match sticks they can loan me to prop my eyes open so I can see to sew today?

Do you think if we all concentrated really hard that we could wish these babies out for her?

A message from my Lady in waiting....

2011-09-12T14:25:00.000+01:00

Hello! Thanks mum for that awful photo of me! Yessssssssssss I have been let out...........for now anyway! Latest update: Doctor now concerned about pre-eclampsia as I have protein in wee and my blood pressure is rising slightly. Got to keep a close eye on things and get straight back into hospital if anymore symptoms show up. One day I might just leave the ward with twins in tow....................one day! hehe! Thanks for all your lovely comments and well wishes. I'm sure mum will keep updating you and putting photos of me in the SAME outfit!!! I do wash it I promise but refuse to buy anymore expensive maternity clothes as I hope to shrink back down to a size 10! hahahahahahaha I can hope!!! xxxx

Last bit of summer and another night in hospital...

2011-09-11T19:25:00.000+01:00

I wanted to capture the last bit of summer so here is a quick collage of the last bits of colour around our garden that I snapped yesterday. The hollyhocks have been really beautiful this year and the little bees were still enjoying the last few summer blooms.

For those awaiting updates on M....she was admitted to hospital again last night in a lot of pain but was found to still be only 1cm dilated so they put her to sleep again with pethidine. They have found lots of protein in her wee now and have done blood tests for pre-eclampsia....we should know more later. Oh to be a mum eh? Such an anxious time and more so cos I know too much, being a midwife. Let's hope those little twinnies decide to come out to play very soon.

The latest update.....

2011-09-09T08:45:00.000+01:00

I know M has so many expectant 'aunties' out there watching and waiting for developments. She reads my blog and would like to say a huge thank you to all for your lovely comments of care and concern.

Yesterday morning she had an appointment with her consultant. Having had one with her midwife the day before that left her disappointed she was hoping for better attention. [she had told her midwife how uncomfortable she was and how she was unable to eat or sleep etc and her midwife had written in her notes...Looks well, feels fine!!]. Her consultant was a different matter all together and after her appointment she rang me and sounded a totally different girl.

She was scanned and the babies now weigh 5lb and 5lb 8oz. The little girl's head is now well engaged and the little boy's head is also very low down [I think he is trying to overtake his sister :-) ]. The consultant has booked her in for her delivery at 8.30 on 27th September and said he wouldn't need to see her in clinic next week but that he felt he would be seeing her in in labour before her induction date!!! He also said that they would very probably now not need neonatal beds when delivered. She was of course very excited and much more able to cope with all the discomfort.

Here she is in the afternoon with my son's girlfriend G playing with designs for her wedding stationery for next year. She can just about get close enough to the table to craft. :-) :-) Blue is the colour. She likes the vellum affect if only we can get it to stick without seeing the glue through it [thanks Di for all your help and advise...and for the chat on the phone :-) :-) :-) ].

Here are some of the designs they came up with. Not sure what she will decide on but I will say it was wonderful distraction therapy and it was so lovely to watch the two of them chatting and giggling and getting excited at all their future events.

Just so you don't think I was just sat idly watching here is the little dress I made while my girls were here. This is number 73 and is made with some more of the lovely fabric Sue sent us. Thanks Sue.

And here is the latest little waistcoat I've knitted for A's little boy. Cute or what? It's to fit a newborn and I can just imagine him in a little shirt and his jeans with his waiscoat on...We all have so much here to look forward to. :-) :-) :-)

69, 70, 71 and 72

2011-09-08T07:30:00.000+01:00

Just in case you think I have been slacking lately I thought I'd best show you the latest 4 little dresses I've made for the little African girls. I've been pretty manic with my sewing business lately and spare time has been minimal but I like to run up a little dress in what ever free time I've got.....think I'm using them as distraction therapy while we play the waiting game with these babies.

Number 69 was made with a pillow case Suz gave me and I've added some of the lovely ribbon that Adrian from Cari Crafts sent us.

Number 70 was made with some of the pretty material Julie sent us. I've trimmed it up with a pretty pink pocket with an appliqued flower on the front to match.

Numbers 71 and 72 were made with pillow cases one of my customers gave me. Aren't they a lovely sunny yellow on this dull damp day?....just what we all need.

Our last parcel of 49 dresses has now arrived with Louise in Bristol and she has blogged them for us. If you would like to check them out then please pop over to Louise and leave her a comment.

WOYWW...

2011-09-07T07:30:00.000+01:00

It's been a week of restless nights and lots of work for me. My 'to do' rail is still full and as yet I've only managed one little African girl's dress this week. Most night's M starts contracting after tea and has got them down to every 3 minutes before yet again they ease off and she manages a restless night's sleep. This means the rest of us as you can imagine are waiting for a phone call 24/7. These little twinnies really are playing games with us all aren't they?

So? What is on my desk today?

My 'to do' rail has....

5 dresses, all needing altering
1 pair jeans needing shortening
a really nice pair white trousers that need shortening [or was it the owner of the trousers that was really nice? :-) ]
a top that needs repairs

Looks like another busy day for me doesn't it?

My box that I keep the cut out little dresses is now full to overflowing. Twiglet and I keep cutting out dresses from all the lovely material we've got to play with and bagging them up into dress packs.....then she has taken lots of them home with her cos just lately she has been the only one with any spare time to make them. I am desperate to delve into my box full to run a few up but something always seems to get in the way. No rush....they will get made and little African girls will always need dresses wont they?

This is the only little dress I've managed to make this week. It's number 68 for me and I've made it with a lovely yellow pillow case Elizabeth send me. I've prettied it up with some of the lovely material Sarah bought for us from Holland. I'm sure this will make one very lucky little girl smile.

I snapped this pic on Saturday and thought you'd like to see that even Boots is setting up their offers just for us....buy 2 packs of nappies get 1 free......just perfect for Grandparents expecting 3 new grandchildren within the next 5 weeks eh?

M will defiantly be having the twinnies within the next 3 weeks cos they are inducing her at 38 weeks and A should have her little boy in about 5 weeks.....ooer it makes me all excited just thinking about it :-) I can't wait.

My last pic is one of our yummy fresh tomatoes just picked....red ones, green ones and orange ones....all warm and sweet and tasting like nothing you buy in the shops......Please help yourself and enjoy one with your lunch today.

Thanks for dropping in. Please leave me a message before you pop over to visit Julia and all the other WOYWWers. Have a great week.

Tilly Tea Dance...

2011-09-05T08:25:00.000+01:00

Today my post is to let you all know about my really talented niece M [note this is not my very pregnant daughter M....same initial different name :-) ]. She opened up an Etsy shop a little while ago and is slowly filling it with really amazing creations. Some of you will have seen it over on Twiglet's blog but for those that as yet haven't checked it out it is well worth a visit. Here are a few of the wonderful things you will find over there so please pop over to check out the rest.....such lovely items that will make really special gifts, that is if you can manage to part with them. :-)

This is M's latest little pic which she has finished and framed, ready for her Etsy shop. She used some vintage linen as a background and collaged little snippets of fabric, free machined in place, to embellish these little Baboushkas. I think the pale ash coloured frame sets it of nicely and wouldn't it look good on a nursery wall??

One of M's mounted and framed lighthouse collages. It's a sweet little picture worked on a piece of vintage cloth using tiny snippets of fabric and lace all free machined in place to add detail. It is mounted on blue linen and then set in an ivory mount within a satin silver-look 8" frame.

Original free machine embroidered textile collage depicting Cottage Doorway scene. Created using a mixture of repurposed fabrics. Beautifully mounted ready to frame. Would be a perfect home accessory or special gift. She is really happy to recreate a favourite doorway so don't be afraid to ask.

This is one of her gorgeous handcrafted buttoned heart cushions. Perfect as a wedding gift or as a finishing touch for your home to enhance any piece of furniture. Created in grey/silver chenille fabric with a heart motif containing a feast of vintage and recycled buttons in mother of pearl, glass and other materials.

Please click on the link on the right to pop over to her shop and make sure you save it in your favourites so you can check it out if you need that unique gift for a very special friend.

Another restless night.......

2011-09-04T11:40:00.000+01:00

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz Yes that's me. Another restless night waiting for a phone call. M was contracting every 4 min last night and when she rang the hospital the midwife told her to go to bed at home and to ring again if she couldn't sleep!

She was still having contractions every 4 min til about 2.30 but then turned over and went to sleep.....think she is hoping to sleep through her labour and is doing it in installments. :-) [can't say I blame her]. So no babies as yet.

Watch this space as they say. x

Tumbling while we wait...

2011-09-02T16:37:00.000+01:00

As some of you will know from time to time I get orders for a look-a-like Mr Tumble rag doll and all day today I have been head down making this latest one. [in between pacing the floor and taking phone calls :-) ]

I like to pop them on my blog so the buyer can approve him before paying so thought you'd all like to have a peep too. It's been wonderful distraction therapy for an anxious expectant Nanny :-) The only thing he needs now is red buttons on his top but I am waiting to know the age of the child he is for because if they are under 3years I usually make them out of felt rather than putting proper buttons on for safety.

For those following twinnie progress....M has been allowed home because the contractions have eased now but with strict instructions to go straight back if any further developments later...they only live very close to the hospital so I'm sure she will rest best at home while they wait :-)

The latest delivery....and it's not babies.....yet

2011-09-02T14:09:00.000+01:00

I know, I know we all want news of the safe delivery of these twinnies but as yet it's still a waiting game. M is still niggling in early labour but there is no further news for me to share yet. There are still no neonatal beds available in Shrewsbury for the babies so there is no rush. I will let you know when there is more news

My delivery that I wanted to share with you is one that Suz from Suz Place blog has just brought to my door.....6 more pillowcases to make little dresses out of. She dropped them off on her way for a few days away. It was really lovely to see her even if it was only a quickie and I really hope they both have a well earned few days break after all they have been going through with the flood damage in their house lately. Thanks a lot Suz.

Another donation and the latest pic...

2011-09-02T08:07:00.001+01:00

Yesterday afternoon I was given another 3 pillowcases by one of my customers to make 3 more little dresses with. My customer was apologetic that she couldn't find more but as I said to her that will be three more little girls with smiles on their faces and every one is greatly appreciated. I really love the one with sunflowers on too.

Also I'm sharing the pic I took of M while she was here for lunch yesterday.....every picture tells a story as they say :-) She is pleased to have reached 1st September cos the twins will now be counted in the next school year....can you tell she is a teacher? :-)

Surely she can't go much longer?

We had a house full of love here last night. We had all our family here together probably for the last time before the twins arrive so of course Mum just had to insist that we had a bookend pic for one last time. It amazed everyone that A can still suck her tummy in and her bump almost dissapears....not so with M.

For those watching developments....M went straight to the hospital from here last night. I could tell she was pretty uncomfortable so I insisted....thankfully. She was found to be 1cm dilated but still only 34 1/2 weeks so they gave her some pethadine and hoped things would settle down....and so do I cos when they got to the hospital they told them that if she went on to deliver they would have to transfer them to another hospital because they didn't have neonatal beds available for the babies! She has just text to say things settled down a little through the night but she is still getting contactions this morning so I guess we will know more when the Drs do their rounds. Keep everything crossed girls. x

Oh no it's happened again.......and a latest update

2011-09-01T09:56:00.000+01:00

Yesterday Twiglet popped down to help me cut the fabric for a curtain for one of my customers and while she was here we had another little dress cutting and preparing session. We only turned our back for a few moments and look what happened!!!!

Yes folks they started to take over my little sewing room again. As you can see they covered every surface and hung around in every possible hanging space. It was like an invasion so we had no choice but to attack the problem. We parcelled all 49 of them up [another 17 made by me and 32 made by Jo] and have posted them to Louise. Doesn't it have a wow factor just seeing them all together like this?

Here are my latest two [numbers 66 and 67] that were popped in the parcel. They were both made with some of the lovely material Sue sent us. Thanks so much Sue for sending us such lovely material to play with.

Thanks for dropping by.

Today's update

The postman has just arrived with yet another wonderful parcel. This time it is from Julie from K C's Court blog . Thank you so much Julie....I can't wait to get cutting out dresses using all this...such pretty colours. We are still happy to received parcels of any pillow cases/ bedding or cotton /poly cotton fabrics and will keep making little dresses whilst ever we have material to use so please email me if you have any you would like to donate to the great cause.

WOYWW...

2011-08-31T05:47:00.006+01:00

Happy Wednesday to each and every one of you. This last week has been a really manic one with lots of customers and even more sewing. Each one seemed to bring me several jobs and all of them were needed to be done yesterday! If only there were a few more hours in each day. I am going to take you through this week in pictures so you don't have to get bogged down with reading.

This morning my 'done' rails are all heaving [the 'to do' rail as yet is empty but please tell no one]....lots has been done and it's all waiting for collection.

The rail at the left is full of little dresses for the African girls.

The one in the middle is full of the shorter length customers items...tops, trousers, skirts etc.

The rail on the right is the longer length rail where I hang all the long dresses and, when I have them, the wedding dresses.

This is my latest little knittie for one of the twinnies. I knitted a little waistcoat for the little boy so I've knitted this short sleeved cardie for the little girl. I love this wool and am now knitting a little waistcoat for A's expected little boy in blue and cream fleck.

Penny from The Hen House saw my post about making the little dolly dresses and asked if I could make her some to clothe the dollies for the charity shop she works in. As you will all know I run a very busy ship here and I had to say sorry but I just couldn't commit myself to any more projects so I quickly ran her up one little dolly's dress and made her patterns and simple instructions so the lady that sews for the shop could run more up. I've posted this little dress to her so hope she doesn't mind me declining the request.....Mitzi really has started something hasn't she? :-) I'm always willing to do my best to help but there just aren't enough hours in the day to do more.

For those that like to see a little of my garden here is a quick snap of some of the wonderful tomatoes that are now ripening in our greenhouse. There really is nothing quite like picking a warm, fresh tomato and just eating it is there? We have several different sorts out there....red and large, small orange ones that are just soooooo sweet and even green ones....yes they are green when ripe but do change colour slightly so you can tell when they are ripe.

Here is a little bit of the early signs of autumn. The crab apples are such a gorgeous colour now and the horse chestnut tree is already changing to it's autumn wardrobe.

For those that know what a difficult time I have been going through I just wanted to share this picture of this gorgeous rainbow that showed itself to us on Friday. At difficult times in my life I often see a rainbow and really believe it to be a sign that all will be well. Please keep everything crossed for us for the next few weeks and thanks to all who have supported us.

For those that are waiting for news on the twins....as I am typing this they are still keeping us waiting.....34 weeks now....Poor M is pretty unfomfortable all the time now and is finding sleeping pretty near impossible....she 'WANTS THEM OUT' :-) That's one large bump she has now and if you look closely you can actually see that the little girl this side is pushing her bump this way on the photo! I remember this stage well. As her Granddad would say to her...'the apple wont fall til it's ripe'. She is getting pretty strong braxton hicks contractions now all the time and I really don't think we will have too long to wait but when it's you who is doing the waiting every day seems like a week I'm sure.....Hang in there M xxxx

Now, here's hoping you all have a wonderful snoop around the other work spaces that Julia links up every Wednesday.....thanks Julia for all your efforts even when you're really not feeling at your best. Really hope you get well very soon. Have a great week and thanks for calling in on me.

Nothing gets wasted here....

2011-08-28T15:06:00.000+01:00

Mitzi did such a good job modelling her new dress that I am now taking orders!. This what you do when you don't even had a big enough piece to make a pocket for a little girls dress with!

You patch pieces together and make dolly's dresses :-) We popped over to see our little granddaughters yesterday morning and I took orders for two new dolly dresses. 'Pleaseeeeeeeeeee Nanny' How could I say no? I have just set to and made these two tiny little dresses to fit their baby dollies. Let's hope they fit :-)

My latest dresses....

2011-08-27T08:36:00.010+01:00

Here are dress numbers 62, 63, 64 and 65 that I managed to make in the last couple of days. It's been a really busy week for me so spare time has been rare but I've loved making these little dresses.

Dress number 62 is a pretty pink print fabric that the lady who follows my blog but as yet doesn't have her own blog sent me. Thanks CM...it's made a really pretty dress.

Dress number 63 is made using some of the pretty fabric Tammy sent me. This was really lovely material to use and has made a really cute dress. Thanks Tammy.

Dress number 64 was made using some of the pretty pink floral material Sue sent us. I've teamed it up with a bit of bright pink and doesn't it look lovely? Thanks Sue.

Number 65 is a little pink dress and was made using another of the lovely pieces Sue sent us. I've prettied up the pocket with some of the lace trim that came from Cari crafts. I'm still looking at the wonderful bag of goodies they sent us to trim up these little dresses and really struggle to believe just how generous some people can be.

We have had lots of wonderful support from so many people with wonderful donations of fabrics and would really like to say a huge thank you to you all. We are still happy to accept pillow cases, bedding or cotton /poly cotton fabrics from anyone willing to donate to the cause and will keep making for as long as we have fabric in what every spare time we can find. Please feel free to email me at wipso@toucansurf.com for details of where to post them to.....do bear in mind it will take us a little time to get through all this wonderful fabric but I do promise to blog each and every dress I make to show you what we do with it all.

Every little girl loves a new dress.....

2011-08-26T08:46:00.000+01:00

And Mitzi Monkey is no different. She has watched me making the last 63 dresses and asked if I would make her one.

Of course the first step was Mitzi's fitting. Like most women she insisted I used inches cos the number was smaller!

She was so excited when I said she could choose her fabric. Oh decisions decisions! Would it be plain or.....

....patterned. She loves purple and blues and decided a little of both would be nice. She loved the trimmings off one of my tops and asked if I could make a little blue pocket to match.

She is rather pleased with the results. What do you think?

'Oh Mum, does my bum look big in this?'

A little madness makes the world go round....and I'm madder than most as you all know :-) I really hope my little bit of madness has made you smile on this cold, damp dreary Friday. Have a great weekend.

Support from a brilliant craft company......

2011-08-25T12:36:00.000+01:00

I have just received a wonderful donation of really pretty trimmings from the on line shop I use for all my sewing / crafting needs and would love to share this wonderful company with all my blogging friends. The service they provide is second to none. If I can't find what I am looking for in their shop they will normally put it there for me to buy and every order is very quickly sent to my door [usually the very next day] which, of course, when you run a sewing business like I do it allows me to run a very efficient service thanks to them.

My ironing board is literally covered in the most gorgeous ribbons and trimmings as you can see so our little dresses will certainly look pretty when trimmed up with some of this. A huge thank you to Cari Crafts.....as they say 'if you don't ask you don't get' but this is generosity beyond my wildest dreams.

I am hoping you will all pop over and have a good look round their shop and give them your support for all your crafting needs. They do come highly recommended :-)

Cari Crafts
A fast and friendly online craft shop with over 30 years in haberdashery and craft. We stock all kinds of craft products, Buttons.Knitting Yarn, & Knitting Patterns, Embroidery, Haberdashery, Cake Accessories, Airfix and a wide range of craft sundries
We are constantly expanding our product range daily.
All orders are shipped by first class post.
The shop is situated minutes away from the local post office which means we endeavour to dispatch any order received by 3.00pm on the same day. The exceptions are Sundays, Bank holidays, and special orders.

The parcels keep coming and this is why we are making them....

2011-08-25T07:23:00.000+01:00

It's just like having all your birthdays and Christmas come at once here. The postman seems to bring a parcel to my door nearly every day. Yesterday was no exception.

This was sent to me by Elizabeth over at The Silver Scrapper's Craft Space. As you can see it's full of lovely pillow cases to make our little African girl's dresses with. Elizabeth was bothered about them being so plain but as you will have seen in other parcels we have had lots of gorgeous smaller pieces of materials that will trim these up to perfection so thank you very much Elizabeth for sending us them.

Yesterday I managed to finish all those b****** curtains I had to make and clear my heaving 'to do' rail of all my customers sewing [and there was a lot] and before the end of the day I managed to make my dress number 61 . This was made using some of the fabric Tammy sent us and I have to say it was gorgeous fabric to use and it is my favourite one. I really love the colours so thank you for sending such lovely material for us to work with Tammy.

Lots of you have asked where the little dresses were going to and I've promised as soon as Louise put photos up on her blog I would let you know. This morning Louise has posted the first set of pictures of little girls wearing some of the dresses over in an orphanage in Malawi so please pop over and check them out. The joy on the faces of those little girls is what make our efforts all worth while.....so you keep sending me any spare pillow cases/bedding or material and I promise we will keep sewing.
http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.com/2011/08/this-makes-it-all-worthwhile.html

WOYWW.....

2011-08-24T05:52:00.005+01:00

It's been yet another eventful week here for us. We have......

Had M in and out of hospital again with contractions. These little twins seem very keen to make an appearance. [All is ok at the mo thankfully and the twins have hung on in there for another week....just another two or three would be lovely so please keep everything crossed for her].
Been to my hubby's sister's 60th Birthday and had a really special family time catching up on everyone's news.
Made another 10 little dresses [so far!] bringing my total now to 60.
Have had a huge order for curtains and cushions [hence only 10 dresses being made!]
Spent the biggest part of Funday Monday cutting and sewing that huge mountain of curtains!
And of course I've cooked, cleaned, knitted,and done all the other jobs that needed to be done

On my desk / ironing board today is.....

.....yes! b****** curtains.

There is a huge door curtain that has had to be made with 3 pieces of fabric that have all had to be pattern matched carefully! There are also a pair of curtains for a window but that too has had to be made from a width and a half of fabric so again the pattern has had to be matched! All the curtains now have to be hemmed, lined [don't forget the lining has had to be measured and joined too!] and header tape sewn on! There is also 8 x 20" squares of fabric cut out ready to be made into 4 zipped cushion covers to match the curtains........Can you tell just how much I enjoy making curtains?

On Monday afternoon we also managed to cut out another batch of little dresses from some of the gorgeous fabrics we have been given this week. They are all bagged up ready into little dress packs so these will be the dresses that will be appearing on my blog over the next week or so. Please pop over to Louise's blog over at Sew Scrumptious and check out the lines full of little dresses she featured this week. :-)

This is my rail of little dresses so far this week. I just love to see the different colours....every one is different. Yet again I would like to say a huge thank you to all who have supported the great cause so far and have sent us such lovely fabrics to work with....You know who you are :-)

That's about all from me for this week. As you will guess I will be head down making b***** curtains today but will try to pop in on as many of you wonderful WOYWWers as I can. Hope you will all leave me a message before you pop over to visit Julia and I hope each and every one of you will have a great week.

Thank you for my blog award Keryn....

2011-08-23T14:08:00.000+01:00

I was very kindly given this lovely award by Keryn from Poppy Dog blog. Keryn has become a really good friend through our blogs and last weekend we even managed a 'chat' via MSN so to receive this award from Keryn has of course made it all the more special. Thank you so very much.

I think I am supposed to pass this on to 3 other bloggers but of course Keryn would be one that I would put in my top three so I'm only choosing another two :-) Top of my list of course for the one who is more than often top of the list of comments just has to be that much older sister of mine, Twiglet. She is not only an appreciated follower on the blogs but also in real life :-) The other blogger I would like to pass this award on to is Di from Pixie's Crafty Workshop. She is another blogger who follows my blog closely and who I greatly appreciate the friendship of. She is always there for me with lovely supportive and encouraging comments. Thank you to you all. Please pick up this award from me and pass it on to others who you, in turn, appreciate.

Our dresses have featured again and another wonderful parcel...

2011-08-23T07:51:00.002+01:00

The last 50 dresses that we posted to Louise have arrived and she has featured them on her blog. Please pop over and leave her a message because she is working very hard as the UK partner for the 'Dress a girl' charity in America.

She has added the links to her blog so I have pasted them here so you can check them out.....

'Other news - We now have a facebook page! 'Dress a Girl around the world - UK' Please come over and say hi. I'm also now the official UK partner for the 'Dress a Girl' charity in America and can be found on their website. There is no stopping us now. Lets show them what we can do UK bloggers!! '

If you are able to help in any way please get in touch with her [or us of course]. It would be really lovely if every little girl could have a dress of her own and I know Louise is working very hard to make that happen.

Update

My postman has just brought me another wonderful parcel of gorgeous fabrics to make little dresses with. This is from Tammy over at Turquoise Ocean blog. What gorgeous colours. Thank you so much Tammy....we will be looking forward to cutting out the next batch of little dresses :-)

Just the one.....

2011-08-22T08:13:00.000+01:00

It's been another hectic weekend of more 'rather too soon contractions', thunder and a 'big number' family birthday party.

Saturday evening M started having contractions again and had to spend the night in hospital....thankfully they have stopped again and she was allowed home Sunday morning after seeing the Dr but was given strict instructions to go straight back if they start again so they can monitor the little ones. Bless her, she has never been one to make a fuss for nothing and doesn't like to go in and be a 'waste of time'. The staff at the hospital have all been really lovely and have reassured her that this is just what they want her to do because they need to get everything ready in plenty of time when these two little ones decide to arrive.....especially as they look to be very keen to make an appearance......It would be really nice if they would just hang in there for another 3 weeks so please keep your fingers crossed for us.

Having been awake til midnight waiting to see what decision was going to be made with M in the hospital we then went to bed only to be woke very soon after by thunder....the storm was right over the top of the hospital too just 10 miles from us [just what M needed!!]. I don't mind a thunder storm while I'm tucked up in bed but we have 3 little dogs that really don't like it.....they scratch the doors to get out of their room and then bark!!! This went on til nearly 2 o'clock!!! Not a good night was had by all.

Sunday morning was spent catching up with housework and getting the Sunday lunch whilst waiting to see what decision was going to be made for M........Heart monitors on both babies [when they would stop moving!] showed all was well so she was able to go home.

In the afternoon we collected our son, when he finished work, and called by and picked up, a now rested and refreshed, M to go to my Hubby's big sister's 60th Birthday party. It was so lovely to have a gathering of the clan for a happy occasion like this and M insisted on coming. We carefully wrapped her in cotton wool [I did suggest I could deliver the babies alfresco on the new decking but it wasn't needed thankfully] and everyone was really thrilled to see her still intact but it made us all realise by the time most of the family members see her next she will be 3!!....It's getting so close now.

Of course I couldn't go a whole weekend knowing that one more little dress would bring my numbers to 60 so on Saturday afternoon while my hubby was at the footy match I set to and made this little dress. I decided number 60 should be a statement so I've used the gorgeous red material Anne sent me. Isn't it bright and cheery? I love it.

Saturday's post....

2011-08-20T14:51:00.000+01:00

I've had two more wonderful donations of fabric today

This parcel is from Sarah from La-De-Da blog . Sarah lives about 20 miles from me so it's really lovely to link up with a local blogger like this....though as yet we haven't met. Thank you for this gorgeous pack of Dutch fabric Sarah....such gorgeous bright colours and they will really brighten up our little African dresses a treat.

This gorgeous ironing board full of scrummy fabrics was sent to me by Sue from ScoopyStuff blog. Sue has been begging any spare fabric for us from friends and relatives and this is a beautiful parcel full that she has sent us. We will have such fun making little dresses from this lot so a huge thank you Sue for your efforts.

Friday's effort.....

2011-08-20T08:42:00.004+01:00

I had a good day of sorting out and finishing off all my customer's sewing first thing yesterday morning....I even got all my books up to date and, wow! I now have 1107 customers on my books. They keep on coming and when they go away they tell their friends to come too :-) Business is booming as they say and I'm loving every minute of it.

I even had time to make a few more little dresses for the little African girls.

Here are numbers 57, 58 and 59.....

Number 57 is made from the pretty sheet Di sent us. Hasn't it made up into a pretty little dress? I've added a little pocket trimmed up with an appliqued flower.

Number 58 is made using some of the pretty material one of my customers gave me. Ive added a little pocket trimmed up with a pretty little flower and button.

Number 59 is made using some of the pretty sheet Penny sent me from France. I've added a little pocket with appliqued flowers on the front.

As you can see we have such pretty fabrics to work with and I really think both Twiglet and I could now make these little dresses in our sleep :-)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

The latest batch....

2011-08-19T12:03:00.001+01:00

Yes folks they keep coming :-) Here are my latest makes....

These 4 are all made using fabric one of my customers gave me and I've trimmed them up with bias and pockets made from smaller pieces of fabric donated for the dresses.

I love the fact that each and every one is different and can just imagine all those little girls smiling to have their own special dress. This brings my total now up to 56 :-)

And for those that can smell what else I've been up to this morning.....

It's nearly lunchtime so please help yourselves. We will be having ours with bacon in....can't you just smell it? Yum yum :-)