WOYWW.....

Here we are at yet another Wednesday catch up with our creative friends.  The crop in Llandudno is fast approaching and I've been getting a few bits ready to bring with me to that plus it's been a busier week for me so far.

As promised last week here are my, now finished peg dolls....hope you like them as much as I'm certain Theo will.

On Saturday afternoon Jo came round to play while our men were at the footy.  As she left I thought I'd tidy up and put my beads back up in the cupboard but alas they didn't make it......and don't beads go a long way on laminate flooring?

They covered the whole of the floor, under all my cupboards too.....I didn't know whether to laugh or cry cos many of my bead containers has shattered!

After a trip to The Range on Sunday to pick up new storage Jo popped round on Monday morning to help me sort the gathered up beads into their new home.....it's surprising what you can do over a cup of coffee....it wasn't as daunting as I first thought.

Since then I've been enjoying cutting into some of my new fabrics.....can you guess what I'm making?

Little Theo has learnt to throw so of course he needs something that's safe to be thrown in the house.  I have previously made our other 5 grandchildren 10 bean bags each and I know they are still played with so I'm sure Theo will get a lot of play out of these.

Of course when you've cut into new fabrics, and Aldi's have some for sale this new pack just had to fall into my trolley at the weekend.....I'm sure fairly neutral greys will go with most things aren't you?

I couldn't resist temptation.

This is my latest little bear.  It's for the lady who won my latest gift draw over on my Facebook Page.  She sent me a really lovely message telling me all about the memories he will hold safe and I just know he's going to a really good home.....sometimes things happen for a reason and this is def one of those situations.

That's all I have to share this week.  Please leave me a little message so I know you've called in and I will do my best to pay you a return visit.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW.....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW.....

So you're here to see what's on my desk today are you?  Well here it is in all it's glory but it would be a shorter list to say what isn't on my desk today....

There is.....

• a pile of felt
• a box of beads
• a pile of now written Christmas cards.....and most have now been posted
• a box full of fabric....too big to throw away but too small to fold
• a diary
• a box of note papers
• a bag of wool
• a selection of Memory bears
• a new pack of blue tac
• my Memory bear pattern

As you can tell it's a busy desk today [but I'm sorry to say the finished projects can't be shared as yet].....and I have customers coming later so guess who is going to have a good tidy up before they come?

 That's all from me for today.  Short and sweet just the way Julia likes it but feel free to have a good rummage on my desk.  Hope you all have a good week.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

Hi folks.  It's been one of those weeks when I really can't wait to get my new sewing room set up and organised.  "Why Annie?" I hear you ask....you did didn't you?

Well.....

....this beautiful dress came through my door requiring a little job that was crying out for a few sequins and gems.

"Where were they?"

Well!!! .....they could be just about anywhere as this was my first wedding dress through my door since the house move.  So out came boxes, tins and jars!!

So my room today is looking like this!!!!....click on the pics if you dare for a closer look :-)

Chaos reigns! .....but, as I know you will want to know, I did eventually find what I was looking for and yes you guessed it....they were in the last place I looked!!

Oh how I long to get this lot organised and all sorted in places I can put my hand on everything.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit today.  If you would like to leave me a little hello comment to let me know you've called in then I will call by at yours as soon as I'm able.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

Happy Wednesday to all my wonderful blogging friends who call in every week and leave me such lovely comments.  I really do appreciate all the encouragement, love and support you leave.

My table is full of yumminess this week....

On one side you can see some of the yummy fabrics and threads I've sorted out ready to go with me on a day of crafting and fun with friends.  We have a day being taught by Maryke from Batiks n Beads.  She makes the most wonderful felt books with embroidery stitches, buttons, beads and other embellishments....I can't wait.  :-)

The other side of my table is covered with yummy fabrics I've bought to use for the little LillyBo quilts that I'm making.  I am really loving filling my spare time creating quilts, bags and little friends to go in the pockets of the bags.

My first two have already arrived with Jo[zart] and will be going to little children needing a bit of extra love very soon.  :-)

My ironing board is draped with LillyBo quilt number three...this one is all pink and girly and I'm really enjoying patching together all the pretty colours.  :-)

I need to pull out my table to pin the quilt layers now so I can stitch them together.  I have already made the front and backs of the bag ready to put it in so need to finish that too.  :-)

Now all I need to do is to decide what little friend will go in the pocket of the bag....that I've yet to make  :-)

[Yes Jo I do plan to make the pocket and stitch it in before putting the bag together....easier that way.  :-) ].

Well folks that's it from me for today.  Before I can play I have a coat to shorten the sleeves on for a customer so will pop over to say hello to you in between my jobs.

Don't forget to link up your smiley posts each week on my Friday post so we can make the world a happier place to live.

WOYWW....

Here we are again folks.  Another week has whizzed by and our day of snoop is upon us again.  Be sure to pop over to Julia's blog to join in the fun when you leave here.  As I updated my blog yesterday with all my news today will be a short blog. [Phew I hear you all say :-) ].

This is my desk this morning.  As you can see it's all tidy and organised now since it got it's lick of paint on Monday.  On the front are the 4 brooches for my followers to choose one of if they are lucky enough to win the draw next Monday.  In the middle of the desk is my Tax return still waiting to be filled in and sent off.....groan groan.....it really doesn't take me long but it's one of those jobs that is easy to put off til tomorrow.  Feel free to have a good snoop round  :-)

I've had my buttons and beads out searching for the perfect ones to go in the middle of my brooches.  

This is the button box.  It's pretty full of utility buttons for replacing clothing buttons but hiding in there are some really lovely ones too and I love looking through and sorting them.

This are my bead containers.  I have beads of just about every colour but must make a note to self that I need some bigger feature beads cos most of mine are too small for my brooches.

Thats all for today but don't forget to put your name in the draw if you are one of my 100 followers. and don't forget to let me know which one you would like to win if you're the lucky one.  If you're not a follower yet then I'm happy for you to become one to join in the fun....the more the merrier.

Felting fun....

Yesterday was another quality day with Twiglet. I was up early and had done all my customers sewing, all my ironing and had even done all my business books up to date before she arrived. This is my plan now for a Monday morning [she always says she likes doing my ironing but that's not what we should be doing in the quality time we spend together so it has to be done before she arrives!]. We set our machines up one each side my work room table and we spent the day embellishing :-) Customers came and went and lots of interest was shown in what were doing. As you know I have sold the first bag I made and now I have possible orders for 2 more and a definite order for yet another one. The orders are coming in before I can finish them. I am so excited as I am really enjoying creating them. I managed to finish the embellishing on the fronts of two more yesterday. Each one will be different [cos that's what I do]. I don't mind working to colour schemes but I rarely make two of anything the same when it comes to creative crafts [unless i am specifically asked to of course].
So here's a show and tell....



.....this is one with blue flowers that will be put on the front of a turquoise satin bag.....

.....and this is a maroon design that will go on the front of a black satin bag.

The Finished bag...

I have had requests to 'show and tell' my finished felt embellished bag so here is a photo. The main bag is turquoise satin and is fully lined and the front is embellished with hand felted flowers and beads. I'm not very good at putting colours together so I got my inspiration from the colours in the wool that I used to make the strap with. I just love the finished result. Not sure the photo really does it justice but it's the best I can do.

..........And what makes it even more special is I may well have a buyer for it already :-)

Happy to take orders :-)

WIYWW.....

Well!! This is an honest start to my day. First confession...we were late getting up. Not like us 'cos nornally we are all up at 7am without fail. It was nearer 7.30 when the bathroom was eventually free for me [the others all have to go out to work and I just have to be 'available' for customers at 8 so not such a rush for me. I do aim not to greet them without drying my hair but what the heck :-) ]





Second confession...This is what my floor looks like after a day's sewing. I'm a very messy worker so aim to hoover every day to keep it to a minimum [and it's all clean and tidy now 'cos I had to make that my first job of the day]. It does of course mean I had a busy day with sewing yesterday so that is a good sign. :-)










Third confession....the reason my floor was sooooo bad this morning was because I spent time embellishing and finishing off my bag instead of hoovering it up at the end of my working day yesterday :-) A girl just has to have some 'play' time.
As it happens I am enjoying my new machine very much and may already have a buyer for my first bag although, as yet, I haven't made the fastening for it. I am so excited.






This is my bead box [you can see it on the back of the table]. I just love the colours and spend a lot of time chosing the right beads when working on a project like this.