Another week and there's been plenty to smile about. The Memory bears have come flooding in, I now have 5 sitting finished on my desk and I still have more arriving today.....that has given me lots to smile about.
I also have a few snaps to share with you...
One of my orchids has new blooms and the other two plants behind it also have shoots heading upwards.
A little cyclamen that I thought was dying has burst into bloom....there are 6 already and several more to come yet....I'm sorry to say it had been rather neglected but has survived thankfully.
Phoebe and Lulu have just finished going to Brownies and Amy sent me the photos of their first and last days....oh how they have grown over the last two years....they tell me they would like me to make them cushions out of their hoodies now with all their badges on. :-)
And finally here's a couple of funnies I found on Pinterest. The sun has been shining over the last week or more now and there are so many people about who have overindulged.....it's all or nothing here in England. :-)
I hope you've enjoyed your visit and found something to smile about. Please share your smiles by linking them below.
Another week has passed and we are creeping closer to our Crop10 celebrations. A lot have already put their names down to say they are coming [I think we are up to about 22 already :-)]. If you are planning on joining us and haven't already said how many of you are coming then can I ask that you please pop off to this post on Julia's blog at the Stamping Ground and check out the details....the more the merrier. It should be a great party day of celebrations to celebrate 10 years of fun and friendship.
I've had a busy week so far here at Sewing by Annie's. On my desk today is....
It's Easter holidays this week so Phoebe and Lulu have brought me their latest 11 badges earned between them for me to sew on so it's been more proud Nanny sewing for me....I love hearing what they had to do to earn each badge.
Monday morning saw this rather sad looking teddy bear arriving much in need of a restuff....at this point I had already restuffed his legs with the stuffing from his tummy but I had to delve into my stuffing supplies to find enough stuffing to refill him....where does all the original stuffing go to?
Here he is all restuffed and looking rather pleased with himself don't you think? His 9 year old owner had already had one night crying herself to sleep without him so I had to work fast and get him ready to go back by Monday afternoon....I'm sure there will be one happy little girl now.
The only other thing sitting on my desk this morning is this pack of fat quarters....shopping in Aldi's this week and it just fell in my trolley.....there was actually several different packs so I was really restrained and only slipped one pack in my trolley! These were the brightest and actually a little out of my comfort zone but I do like to challenge myself from time to time.
So there you go. That's all from me for this week. I have been busy making little gifts for all coming to the crop and have already made my draw prize but wont be sharing those with you.....can you tell I'm getting excited? Really hope to see you all there.
Before I finish I would like to wish my darling hubby a very happy 37th Wedding Anniversary....and they said it wouldn't last ;-) Thank you for the last 37 years and here's to our next adventure together as you retire in July....can't wait. xxxxx
Oh what a week filled with smiles it's been for me this week. It's been half term holidays for my grandchildren so there's been busy, fun filled days for them and of course they share them all with me so here's a few collages of what they've been up to this week...
Lexi and Sam had a few days taking in the sights of London with their mum and dad and were so excited at all they saw....
London eye
Science museum
National History museum
Madame Tussauds
...to name but a few.
Steve had been encouraged to attend a goalkeeper training day because the trainers at his after school sessions had seen real potential in his playing. So on Friday he attended a day of goalkeeper training ....and at the end of the day he was given yet another award for player of the day....he really loves his football and we are all so proud of his achievements.
On Tuesday night Steve went for his matchday experience at the Shrewsbury Town ground for the Shrewsbury v Doncaster match. He was one of the flag bearers when the players came out onto the pitch and then, during half time interval, the children played a game on the pitch...Steve in goals of course.
He not only made several really good saves but the crowd cheered him when he did....trust me when I say there was a very proud Daddy and Grandad watching him play....he's a star.
Not only that but Shrewsbury Town went on to win their game too so a very happy hubby came home Tuesday night.
Lulu was really chuffed Tuesday night when she gained her Golden badge at Brownies....more sewing for Nanny now I guess. :-)
We have a new family member this week too....meet Molly puppy. Amy and family have been searching for a while now for another puppy, a friend for Poppy dog. They searched and chose very carefully and managed to find the perfect litter bred with children in the house and fetched little Molly home on Sunday morning.
We popped over to see her on Sunday afternoon and she is simply adorable and as you can see has settled in very well at her new home.
On top of all that excitement we also went with Mark and Gina for a second viewing at a 4 bedroomed house they fancied and I'm really pleased to say they have now put in an offer and it's been accepted....please keep everything crossed for them.
So, as you can see it's been a really busy week for me and the family...and it doesn't stop there because Sunday is 3rd March and my darling hubby will be 65....he will be retiring in July so there will be lots of smiles and celebrations up and coming. Happy Birthday gorgeous man....love you to the moon and back.
Here we are at our Wednesday catch up with our blogging friends around the world.... it's my favourite day of the week.
I'm pleased to report that my Mojo has returned from his holiday ...he's well rested but isn't feeling much like work as yet. I certainly didn't waste my time while he was on holiday. I used it wisely and...
Got the records up to date of my sales on my Memory bears....I've now made 190 in total so far.....and more in the making :-)
I got my business records up to date....I'd not done them since last April so they had been badly neglected....I have now had 303 customers to my door since we moved house and many of those have been many times so business is good :-)
I wrote several posts for my Sewing by Annie Facebook page and now have 873 Followers on there....if anyone is wanting memory bears making don't forget to check out the January special offer that's pinned at the top of the page :-)
Theo has outgrown the travel cot he sleeps in here during the day so we have set him up with a little day bed but couldn't get fitted sheets for it so we bought a single flat sheet and I made a fitted one out of it....as you do :-)
So, what pics have I got to share with you this week?
I've been at it again...Phoebe and Lulu save up their Brownie badges for me and I've just stitched another 21 on between them....I'm such a proud Nanny at their achievements.
On my desk today is my next order for 3 Memory bears cut out ready to sew....so that's what I will be busy with today.
That's all from me for today. Please leave me a little hello message to let me know you've called in and I will do my best to pay you a return visit ASAP.
I'm not sure where it all comes from but I have so much sewing on my rail today.....
2 bridesmaids dresses....shortened and altered to fit
6 pair of trousers....reduced from 40" waist to 38" waist, pockets repaired, one pair re-hemmed and another pair shortened
skirt....shortened
dress...taken up on the shoulders
top.....off the shoulder frills reduced in size
2 nurses dresses....shortened
lady's trousers....shortened
Hmmmmm yes I think it's been a busy week here and that means I've got nothing very exciting to show you today but this is what is on my desk...
Phoebe and Lulu's latest 19 badges to sew on their hoodies for Brownies.....have a feeling that will keep me busy for today don't you?
So that's all from me for today. If you leave me a little comment to say you've called by then I will pop over to yours to see if you've got something more exciting to share with me.
Hugs,
Annie x
So, here we are again meeting up for our Wednesday catch up with our blogging friends from around the world.
I was bag making for Margaret last week and several of you asked to see them when finished....
I had to chuckle when making them because, as you know I can sew but I obviously can't count. I had cut out and made 12 bag outers and straps but had only cut out 11 linings :-)
I have since made up a red lining and made up the 12th bag now. Each lining is a different colour so each child will feel special.
I'm not sure where I would be without my sewing during challenging weeks and it's so good to know these bags, not only uses up some of my fabric stash but they will be put to good use by the charity....and that's more than enough thanks isn't it?
Since making the bags I have had a few more orders for Memory bears....these two were made from a much loved mum's blouses.....a third blouse was used to make the scarves tied around their necks.
My customer was thrilled to bits with them and that always makes me happy.
This little bear was made out of tiny babygros...they always make a lovely soft, cuddly bear even if I have to cut out very carefully to find pieces big enough to make a bear.
I take a photo of every little Memory bear/dog/ rabbit I make and make collages of them for record and to be able to show my customers what I could do and have just printed off the last two pages and laminated them.....I was excited to count up and see that I just need to make 6 more and I will have made 100!!!....that's a lot of memories captured isn't it?
The other thing that's on my desk today is some proud nanny sewing I've been doing....sewing on lots of badges for Amy's three little ones.
6 badges each onto the girl's Brownie hoodies then more badges onto all three of their swimming badges.....it's so lovely to see them all achieving.
That's all I can share for this week and it's going to possibly be a busy and challenging week for me so I will do my best to return your visits but if I don' get to you this week please forgive me.
Another week has passed and we are here at my round up of the smiles from this week. Many thanks to those who join in each week....I love to see what's making you all smile,
My week's smiles have been many so here's a few pics to share with you all....
My two little brownies went to the Remembrance service at their local church on Sunday and were given the job of laying the poppy wreath for their Brownie group.....proud moments.
Little Theo loves his books as you can see....he's reading while his mummy changes his nappy :-)
There's such a wonderful world out there to explore when you've just learnt to walk....here he is enjoying some family time with his mummy and daddy at Attingham Park at the weekend.
My happy post for the week was this stack of gorgeous cotton laces.....I've got to stop stroking them and find a special job for these now.
And this is the gift that just keeps on giving....we were given it for last Christmas and just look at it now. It's simply stunning and I don't think I've even seen one with so many blooms before.
There you go. Those are my smiles now please leave me a little comment then share your smiles with us by linking up below.
It's been a week of partying and celebrations here for me.... My 60th was on Monday and it's my son Mark's 30th birthday today. I've been spoilt rotten and we still have a 80s/90s fancy dress party for my son to come yet.
I had party with all my family and many of my close friends last Sunday tea time and I was made to feel very special....many thanks to all who sent me cards and birthday messages. I'm sharing the gorgeous oil painting my hubby had done for me of a certain little special friend of mine....simply because I love it and know many of you will appreciate the talent of the artist....he's a local artist called Andy McIntyre of McIntyre Studios and I must say he is one very talented man. He's not only got a perfect likeness but he's managed to get her character into the painting....
I'm also sharing the gorgeous flowers my youngest daughter and her hubby sent me....because they are just too gorgeous to keep them all to myself....they are just all my fav colours.
There's not a lot on my desk this week because as you can imagine I've not had a lot of time for sewing but.....
I did make these new design tooth fairy pillows on Monday as a special request and have already sold two of them and....
...having had a visit from two very special little brownies yesterday I will be sewing their badges on today.
So there you go....I've shown you mine now if you leave me a little comment to say you've called by I will do my best to pop over to see what you've been up to this week.
Well! These weeks sure do fly by don't they? It only seems like 5 mins since I was sat here uploading pics for last week's smiles. Many thanks to all who joined in the fun last week. I hope you all enjoy a little time each week focusing on the smiles you've had.....I know it does me good. So I will get straight to my smiles for this week....and there have been many.
Birthday celebrations continue in our family this week. Little Theo's mummy, Gina and these two all have their birthdays on the same day so, as you can imagine, there has been lots to celebrate.
It really only seems like 5 mins since Sam and Lexi arrived in the world but yes, as you can see on their cards, they are now 6!! Their birthday party is at the weekend and I'm on duty to make the teas and coffees there....it's my excuse for hiding in the kitchen because they have the Animal man coming bringing snakes and other exotic animals for the children to handle!! [I really don't like snakes but I'm sure the children will have fun!!].
Phoebe and Lulu started Brownies this week and here they are showing me their new Brownie outfits....they have changed a lot since I went....just a few years ago!!
They have already got their first badge to sew on their hoodies [so I guess Nanny Annie will be sewing those on soon]....it was their First aid badge and Lulu even got the special award for being the best at putting someone in the recovery position so I'm really proud of them both.
Gina sent me this pic of Theo playing on the activity mat I made him for his birthday....as you can see he loves it so that really made me smile.
My other smiles are of this bundle of mischief. It was suggested by one of my blog followers that I would always find a way of repairing her favourite 'Little brown dog' toy and that's just what I have done this week. I made a pattern from her original toy and made a lovely brown 'cover' to go over it. Alas within 5 mins she had chewed a hole in it as the fabric wasn't very strong so I made another one in denim. As you can see she is really pleased with the now 'Little blue dog' and I have kept the paper pattern I made because I have a feeling I may be making more as she chews her way through each one!!
She has also been modelling my latest range of Doggy bandanas for me and her photo is now on the wrapping of each one I've made.....fame at last eh?
That's my smiles for this week. I hope I have found something to make you smile too and you will leave me a little message before linking up to your own smiles below. Have a great week.
