WOYWW....

 Happy 16th WOYWW Anniversary to you all.  What a wonderful thing Julia started all those years ago and Sarah has taken over the running of for the last year....I thank them both.  I love my Wednesdays and know that I'm not the only one to have made some very special friendships because of our weekly link ups.

As suggested I am now sharing the photos of the ATCs I have made to celebrate plus a back to print off for them if anyone would like to help themselves to one.  I wont be posting one as Sarah suggested because the postage is now so expensive...I hope you like them.

The only other thing I have to show you this week is a delicate job I was asked to sew on one of my Brides veils.  She lost her Nan recently and decided to have this made to go on the side of her veil....she wanted to feel her Nan was with her at her wedding in Cyprus [but hasn't told her Dad who's Mum it was so I have a feeling it's going to cause some emotions when he sees it].  I had to hand sew it on and then trim away the surplus net it had been embroidered on.

That's all from me for today so that just leaves me to say a big thank you for your continued friendships...long may they last.

Huge hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

Didn't we have a lovely day,  the day we went to Stoke?   After an emotional day at the funeral on Friday it was so lovely to spend a day surrounded by wonderful friends.  I managed a little embroidery but mostly it was spent talking, drinking coffee and eating cakes.

I'm sure there will be many much better photos taken of the day but here's just a few I snapped.

These are the lovely ATCs etc that I was given....each one different in it's own way but they are all special.  Thanks so much to you all.

These are the raffle prizes I won....the gorgeous pic on the right was made by Angela...It will be going up on my wall of memories because I love it.

The fabric will be put to good use I am certain....just not yet because I came home with bags full of jumpers from Sarah to make some special memory cushions with,

Caro sat making a gorgeous cord while at the crop and she made it look so simple so when I got home I ordered a kit to have a go.  Sadly mine came with no instructions so Caro sent me a copy of hers [Thanks Caro] ....as you can see I've had a go but havent mastered it yet.  I will get there but it may take me a few goes to get going lol.

Thanks for calling in.  I will do my best to pop over to yours ASAP.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

 

• 

Happy 15th Anniversary to you all.  I made a box full of ATCs for the crop but thought Is should make this one special ATC to celebrate our 15 years together so this will be going to the one after my name on the list.  What special friendships we all have made thanks to Julia's wonderful idea all those years back....and I thank you with all my heart Julia for the effort you put in each and every week my friend.  I can't wait for the crop on Saturday.

I was poorly last week so wasn't up to joining in the Wednesday fun but am thankfully much better now and wouldn't miss this week of celebrations for the world.  I have had a busy week with sewing this week.....

• I've shortened two long dresses
• Shortened several pair of trousers/jeans
• Shortened a dress etc etc

My desk today has all the things I've been getting ready for Saturday's crop....

I've filled two little fabric boxes with Celebrations ready for the raffle on Saturday....they are now wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon :-)

I've made a badge to wear so everyone knows who I am....not that I think anyone will be in doubt :-)

Julia asked us to make/wear one and who would argue with the boss? :-)

I've hunted out some random patchwork that I am embroidering on to bring with me to do while I'm there ....I can't imagine I will get much done but I do like to look willing :-)

[too much talking, laughing, drinking coffee and eating cake] 

That just leaves me to say Happy 15th Anniversary to you all and I hope to see at least some of you in Stoke on Saturday.  Thanks for all the love, care and friendship over the years and here's to the next 15 :-) :-)

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Here we are at another weekly catch up with our creative friends all around the world....It's the best day of the week for me.  I'm really hoping to go to the crop later in the month even though it's the day after my brother in law's funeral.....I am sure a day with friends is just what will be needed.  I checked with Sarah as to how many she expects to attend and decided I needed to make some ATCs to take with me so that's what's on my desk today.

I started by strip quilting a long length of fabric and then machine embroidered down each strip, cut them into ATCs and embroidered around each one.  I then added tiny flowers.  If I'm honest I wasn't feeling very creative but I'm rather pleaded with the finished results....I hope everyone that comes to the crop will like them too.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Hello to all my Wednesday friends from around the world....I love my Wednesdays.

I have a few more ATCs to show you this week....some were here last week but were hiding [it's easy to get lost amongst my stash here lol ].

Each ATC is a little work of art and I love them all so thanks for thinking of me.

The other thing I have to share today is my latest little school Memory bear....I must get my folder up to date and see how many I have made now [when I get the time ].

I have altered 2 pretty pink bridesmaids dresses and shortened a pretty navy prom dress this week as well as the normal alterations/repairs so it's been rather a lovely week.

I will do my best to call by at as many blogs as I can in between my sewing jobs so please leave me a little message so I know you've called by.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

 Hello all.  What a lovely day of celebrations it was last Wednesday.  I managed to call in on everyone to wish Happy Anniversary to all and have already recieved many wonderful ATCs....

Thank you all so much for swapping with me.  I really appreciate the work you've all put into making then all.  They are all so different but special in their own way.

Here's to many more year of fun and friendship.

It's been a manic week this week and I have already.....

• Taken in a dressing gown
• Shortened a lady's top
• Shortened 2 pair of trousers
• Rehemed 2 pair of trousers and
• Taken in a dress to remove the zip fastening

I had little Louie as an extra afternoon yesterday and will be starting my morning today making another Memory bear....Louie was too tired to do it yesterday :-)

Many of you were interested to know what I was making a baby's graduation cap for.  I've been allowed to share these photos with you....how gorgeous are they?

It's always lovely to see how my makes get used.

That's all from me for this week.  I hope you have all had a great week.  I will do my best to call on all I can once I've caught up on my sewing after enjoying my play day yesterday.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

 I hope you've all had a lovely weekend.  We enjoyed lots of family times so it was very special.

On my desk today are...

The 14 WOYWW ATCs I've made ready for this year's swap.  Jo and I have both made 14 and will be sending them out together to save on the postage so if you'd like to swap with us please send ours togther to either of us...two for the price of one :-)

Mine are a little different this year but I'm not revealing all yet :-)

The other photos I'm sharing today is of the lovely time we had last Friday....Lulu had asked me to teach them both to crochet so whilst the men were at football that's just what I did and by the time we had finished they had both mastered making a granny square.....just look at the concentration on their faces  :-)

We all really enjoy our crafty times together and I love passing on my knowledge to another generation. ....special memories :-)

It was Lulu's 13th birthday on Monday so we now have two teenagers in the family :-)

It was an open house at Gina and Mark's at the weekend to celebrate Louie's 1st Birthday [he's one today] so I baked a box full of mixed cakes to take with us to be enjoyed by all that called and we popped over on Saturday morning [photos to be shared on Friday].

Please leave me a little message so I know you've called in and I will pop over to your's to see what you've been up to this week.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Hello all. Hope you've all had a good week and enjoyed the Jubilee celebrations....ours hasn't been quite as planned as my darling hubby has sciatica.  As I'm typing this he has gone for some acupunture...and I really hope it's helped because he's really suffered since last Friday.  I've had it twice so know just how painful it is so I'm hoping it goes very soon for him.

Since last Wednesday I have taken the scissors to the colourful piece you saw on my desk last week and here the results...

I have really enjoyed being creative and have made a batch of ATCs ready for thr crop in October....yes I know it's a long way off yet but I like to be prepared :-)

This is what I made with the Ikea tray and green sticks.  The holder I made years ago for my bobbins was too small and just didn't hold them and kept getting tangled up so I needed an upgrade....I'm well chuffed with the results too.

This is the latest School Memory bear I've made....he's now on his way to his new home in Scotland...Another new school for me and Annie's love has spread a little further :-)

On Monday Jo popped round for a coffee and catch up and while she was here she cut my hair for me.  The plastic pouch I keep my hair cutting scissors in had perished so when she had gone I took them into my sewing room and with a piece of fabric I had just cut off a dress I ran up a new poppered pouch to keep them in....No pattern, it just came out of my head.  I'm easily pleased and this really made me smile.

Finally last, but by no means least, is my latest ATC from the swap....this one had a long way to come as it's from Susan over in Australia....thanks so much.  I love the thought that our friendship travels so far thanks to our Wednesday link ups.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Hello all and happy Wednesday to each and every one of you.  I have a couple of pics to share with you today and a mystery.....

I have another couple of ATCs to share with you from the swap..

Many thanks to Neet and Sylvia....I just love them all.

I've two more Memory characters to share with you today...this time an elephant and a cat made in memory of a much loved mum.

I always love how different they all turn out made from all the different items of clothing I am brought.

I've been busy having creative fun with lots of little pieces of fabric and thought you'd like to see how it's turned out so far....it's really a masterboard to cut up at some point but I loved the effect of them all together.

Now here's your mystery....we went to Ikea yesterday and this is the tray I bought [two of them actually and maybe a few more bits fell into our bag too].

What do you think it will be? The sticks are a clue.

I have a mother-of-the-bride and two prom dresses coming for fittings today but will visit you as soon as I'm able to.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

 Good morning all.  It feels a bit like the morning after the night before this week.  What a wonderful week of celebrations we had last week....and I'm going to share pics of the ATCs I've received so far [I know Jo has some for me so I will share those next week].

I've had so many little works of art through my letter box.

Many thanks to...

Julia

Lyn

Angela

Helen

Diana

Caro

Jo

Catriona

Ali

Tracy

and Jan

They are all so very different but each one is made with love and I will treasure them so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The only other thing I have to share with you this week is a lovely new hang about I made to match my cushion.  My old one was looking very old and tired and it really wasn't until I had taken it apart to reuse the sand etc that I realised just how much I use it....I kept going to drop my snippets of thread in it!!

I hope you have enjoyed your visit.  Many thank again to those who have sent love and friendship through my letterbox.  I really do appreciate it all.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Hello all.  Did you miss me?  I was MIA last week while we had a few days away in our motor home on a wonderful, adult only campsite in Llanidloes....it was one of the many Tranquil Sites that can be found around the country and it was simply perfect.

I'm back this week and have been playing catch up with all my sewing. ...it's been coming out of the woodwork this week so I've been kept very busy.

These are the latest 3 Memory bears I've made but still have two on my desk waiting to be made and many more due to come very soon.

These three were made from a Grandma's favourite jumpers/tops.

I was asked to repair a seam on a settee but as you can see it would only stand on it's end in our hall because of it's size and I had to sewing it by hand, with a curved needle and using extra strong thread.....never again I say!!

I have also, in my spare time, been working on my ATCs for the up and coming swap.  I have made about a dozen so am willing to swap with anyone wanting to [first come first served].  Jo and I will be sending our swaps together to save on postage so please anyone who wants to swap please send ours to either Jo or I...we wont fall out as to who gets them :-)

Please send your addresses to wipso2310@gmail.com to save me hunting out the details.

That's all from me for this week but I must say the system here has been playing up for sending comments and there have been several blogs that I have visited that wouldn't let me leave a comment....I promise I do try.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

 Hello all.  What a week I've had since I posted for last Wednesday.  I had no work on Monday or Tuesday, as you know, but on Wednesday I had a bridesmaid's dress to do major alterations on plus 2 dresses, a dressing gown and a pair of cropped trousers that needed shortening.  On top of all that I also had 3 Memory bears and a Memory cushion cover to make....and these all needed finishing by Thursday as we were setting off on another adventure in our motor home on Friday morning. On Thursday I also had a pair of shorts also needing repairing and a prom dress to shorten so it was a very busy couple of days for me.....I hope you will all understand why I didn't manage to get around you all to leave comments last week.  I promise I will try harder this week but I already have .....

....these two posh frocks hanging on my rail and lots more promised to arrive this week too.  It's certainly an all or nothing life I lead here at Sewing by Annie....and I love it :-)

We both enjoyed our long weekend up near Coniston Water up in the Lake District....it was certainly a break well earned :-) I may have a few pics to share with you on Friday.

Since we got back from our few days away I have had delivery of new threads....I know just how excited some of you get when you have new pens and that's just as excited as me with my new threads even though they are just to restock my thread drawers.

I've also had this ATC and card through the post from Catriona....I know she was beginning to think it was never going to arrive but it had been damaged in the post and resealed in a poly bag by the post office.  Thankfully the contents weren't damaged so thank you Catriona very much.

That's all from me for today.  Thank you so much for the love and understanding in my comments last week....it really hadn't been the best of weeks for me so your thoughtfulness really helped.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Here we are at another Wednesday catch up with our creative friends around the world...I love my Wednesdays.  I've had a lovely week making Memory Cushion covers in memory of a very special dad using his favourite shirts....each one has a 'hug' using the sleeves.

I had one very happy customer and a lot of interest in having more orders.

Happy days :-)

The other thing I'm sharing with you today is the proof I had 'me time' over the long weekend.  I decided the best way to learn a few of the techniques of how to use my new set of Arteza pens was to cut a sheet of my watercolour paper into ATC sized pieces and have a play.  I am really loving my new painting pens and can see many more happy times ahead using them.

I may choose the best of them to use for the up and coming ATC anniversary swap so please email me at wipso2310@gmail.com if you'd like to swap.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

Didn't we all have a wonderful day Saturday?   Well I know I did.  To be in a room surrounded by so many wonderful friends was simply perfect.  Since then my feet haven't touched the ground [I took the day off work on Monday to spend it with Jan while she was close by and then had lots of Grandparent duties] so I'm afraid to say I am writing a very quick post today mainly to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all concerned.

During the day on Saturday I didn't get the chance to take a photo but I know many that have so please go over to their blogs to check out all the fun that was had on the day.

I came home with a bag full of ATCs and other wonderful shared gifts and as yet still have to find time to check them all out properly but I've spread them over on my desk for you to see them all.

I won a fabulous bag made by Elizabeth Worthington filled with goodies plus a selection of books for colouring in the draw.

These were the items of stash given to me.....trust me girls they will all be put to good use so thank you sooooo much.

I came home with orders for three Memory bears....so guess what I will be doing today?

For hosting our party Jo and I were both given these wonderful pictures that will be very proudly be hung on the walls in our sewing rooms....thank you so much girls.....and a big thank you must go to the wonderful man holding the picture for me for all his help and support leading up to and on the day to make it all go so well.

I hope you can tell just how blown away I am by the generosity, love and friendship shown to me on Saturday....hopefully normal service will resume next week but for now I have to clear my desks of all my wonderful gifts and get sewing.

Love you all lots,

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW.....

Here we are at the last Wednesday catch up before our Crop10 celebrations.  I have lots going on here but sadly not a lot I can share with you as its in preparation for Saturday and I like to keep surprises.

We were away on another little Motor home adventure last weekend so there was a lot of....

...rest and relaxation in the day time in between enjoying lovely dog walks and enjoying amazing sun sets each evening before pulling the blinds down and snuggling up each evening.

I'm sure in a former life Milly was a traveller because she loves the life in the Motor home and really enjoys watching everything going on around her.

There's nothing on my desk I can share so I will just let you know that replacing 39 white buttons with black ones so he can wear them while playing in the band was quite a challenge.....its not all exciting sewing here :-)

The last thing I'm sharing this week is the two lovely ATCs that have arrived with me this week from friends who wanted to share but can't come to the crop on Saturday.  The left one is from Zsuzsa and the one on the right is from Angela....thanks so much both.  I love them both.

That's all from me for this week....I will try to post a smiley post on Friday but I may be a little busy sewing and baking so we will see.  To those coming to the Crop10....see you there.....wahooooooo.

Hugs,

Annie x