WOYWW....

 It's been a different kind of week this week for me.

On Friday I met up with two school friends for coffee, one I've known for 64 years and the other 58 years [seems like a life time :-) ].  It was so lovely catching up....they really haven't changed a bit apart from, like me, getting older and as I always say only the lucky ones get there.

I wanted to take then each a little home made gift so I made them both a covered book.  I used applique, free machining, and machine embroidery and was pleased how they turned out.

They both loved them too.

On Monday we went to an Aunty's funeral.  She had had a long life, dying at 96 so it was more a celebration of her life really and it was really lovely catching up with our cousins.  It's always sad that these events seem to be the only time we get to see some of them.

The only other thing I have to share with you is what arrived through the post box on Monday.  I like to keep my fat quarter box well filled and it was looking rather depleted so I messaged Denise Newman from Cabin Crafts and asked her to put me a parcel together of various coloured ditzy printed fabrics...and she never disappoints.

I like to let her decide on the colours because I wouldnt choose some of them and it pushes me out of my comfort zone....aren't they pretty?

That's all from me for this week.  I hope you are all enjoying the cooler temps...I know I am.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

Happy Wednesday to you all and I really hope you're feeling rather better than me.  Last Thursday we had a poorly Louie with us all day and he needed lots of cuddles [and calpol to keep his temperature down].  Needless to say he shares everything and since the weekend we have both been full up with the bug....high temps and a streaming head cold :-(  Hopefully it will go soon and my energy levels return.  I do have a few things to share with you [and no, I don't mean the head cold ].... 

This is my best news....I found my needle holder with all my favourite needles in it....and yes of course I had bought new ones!!  It was in the bottom of my handbag with some red thread and some snippers....I have no idea when I put it there or what I had been doing :-)

Just glad I've found it.

More good news....I've been restocking my fat quarters.  I used so many at Christmas time that my box was nearly empty.

A customer called in Monday morning with clothes that belonged to her father in law hoping I could make her 5 Memory bears for the family....two of them were to have little ties made out of his favourite blue tie.

I really enjoyed making these even though I was feeling pretty rough and, because of that, they took a little longer than normal.

I did have a little help from my bear stuffer and he had two fur babies interested to learn....actually Peggy usually chews a hole in her toys and pulls the stuffing out so I'm not sure they would make good bear stuffers lol

That's all from me for this week.  I will do my best to pay you a visit if you leave me a little message [head cold allowing of course].

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 It's been another busy week here at Sewing by Annie's and I'm buzzing.  I also have something special to share with you today.

Since I was here last week I made these three gorgeous little Memory bears.  They combine clothing that belonged to a much loved Mum and Dad that both died last year and I was thrilled with how well the fabrics combined....as was my customer.

I was then looking on Pinterest for a new project for the charity I support and as you can see on the logo there is a little frog and I thought I might make a few little frogs for them to sell.

Harry's mum Sally called in to collect all the latest things Jo and I had made for 2 up and coming sales and I mentioned to her that I had cut out 10 little frogs to make for the charity.  She could then tell me why there was a frog on the logo.....2 weeks after Harry died she had found a drawing that Harry had drawn in his bedroom drawer hence the design.  She then told me that they give a little frog to every newly diagnosed child with cancer and they had previously had searched the internet to buy them.  I asked how many newly diagnosed children they normally had and she said it was 10-15 a year so I'm thrilled to be able to supply the next ten with my little frogs [and am more than happy to make more when needed].....it was as if I knew :-)

Of course with all the fabric I have there was little or nothing in green to make them with so I had to buy some...these were the best I could buy and I have to say I am pleased with the results...

I always said I was as mad as a box or frogs and now there's no doubt :-)

I've managed to use up some of the donated fabric to make these cushion fronts.....just got to find something suitable to back them with now.

Lastly, but by no means least,  I just want to share this photo of the latest puppet Sam made this week....I just knew he'd enjoy making his own dalmation with that fabric :-)

I'm such a proud Nanny :-)

I hope you have enjoyed you visit this week and will leave me a little message to let me know you've called in and I will do my best to pop over to see what you've been up to this week....but please bear with me as it's a Louie day today and I do have another huge bag full of factory trousers to replace the zips in [this will be my last thankfully because I retire in 39 days...not that I'm counting :-) ].

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 I've not got a lot to show you this week cos we had a couple of nights away testing out our new caravan.  We went to the super site we went to last time in Llanidloes...it's not too far from home and was a good place to trial everything out...the result was that we are thrilled with our new purchase and planning many more trips now :-)

So I thought you'd like to see the results of my lastest teddy  refurbishment....

He enjoyed his wash and once dry I restuffed him and made him new feet and hands.  Then, when his new eyes arrived, I was then able to give him a new face and finished him off with his new new red ribbon.

I'm thrilled with his new appearance and so is my darling hubby :-)

The only other thing I have to show you today is this fat quarter pack that fell into my trolley at Aldis....I'm seeing a new Fidgety quilt in the making...just not any time soon cos I have about 6 customers coming today and each of them are bringing several jobs for me to do [and one of them is wanting 2 memory bears making].

This is what happens when you take a Monday off so I'm not complaining and there will be spare time at some point in the not too distance future for creative sewing.  If you leave me a little message I will do my best to pop over to yours ASAP...it just might not be today lol

Hugs,

Annie x
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

WOYWW.....

Hello all and Happy Wednesday to you.  It's my favourite day of the week when we blog hop around our creative friends around the works.  We expose our desks and share what we've been doing on them each week.  If you'd like to join in the fun [you will really love it] then just pop over to Julia's at The Stamping ground and check out the details.  We will all be meeting up too on 1st June so why not check out where and join us for a fun day....here's the details.  My much older sister and I are hosting the crop this year and it should be a fun day of celebrating 10 years of friendship.

So you've here to check out my desk aren't you?  It's been school holidays here this week so it's been a quiet week with few customers so I've been using my time wisely....

A lot of you have exploding boxes of paper scraps, well, here for me it was an overflowing box of fabric scraps and the funny thing was a lot of them I'd been given by one of my customers [so they weren't even my scraps!] and lots of them weren't big enough to even be usable! So I've given my box the 'Jan treatment'.  I've thrown out all that's unusable and folded all that is.....

....my box now looks like this cos all this is here....

....a bin bag filled with scraps.  How did all that fit in that box?

Of course I had now got the sorting and tidying bug by this stage so.....

Out came all my fat quarters and I've sorted them into colours....much easier to use them like this and the colours are so inspiring.

Now doesn't that look better? And now I need a few projects to use some of it [If I can bring myself to cut into it all!].

I have managed to find a couple of hard backed books that I rather fancy making crazy patchwork covers for....what do you think?

That's all from me for this week.  If you leave me a little message I will do my best to pay you a return visit to see what you've been up to this week.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

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

Hugs,

Annie x

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 my lovely blogging friends.  Here we are at yet another Wednesday show and tell day.  My post today comes with a health warning and a warning for the squeamish further down the page.

First I'd like to introduce you to my latest creation....

Meet my new design for a  Memory friend.  I have designed a little rabbit this time and have put him up for an Easter draw for my followers on my Facebook Page so if you'd like to be in with a chance to win him then please pop over and join in the fun.....good luck folks.

Confession time.....Jo and I had an afternoon together on Saturday while the men were at the football match and we popped into our favourite fabric shop in Shrewsbury [in fact it's the only one really!] and this gorgeous material just stuck to me like a magnet....it would have been rude not to pay for it before leaving the shop.

Here's my desk in all it's glory today....I'm busy making some ATCs for the up and coming 9th anniversary swap for WOYWW...but I've hidden them from view cos I'm a tease.

If anyone wants to swap with me then please send me your postal details to wipso2310@gmail.com 

nb this could well be a new email address to you so take note.

Now for the health warning....please look away now if you're squeamish.

NEVER under any circumstances get your finger under the needle when you are using a sewing machine!!!

I have always been very proud of the fact that in all the years of sewing I have never caught my finger under my sewing machine....that is until last Friday!!!

What a funny experience that was!!....I felt really sick and nearly fainted and it's not something I plan to do again in a hurry.....I will add it looks far worse than it is and is  healing well now, if still a little tender, but it amazed me just how many things I do in a day uses that finger....ouch!!

There you go that's all from me for today.  If you leave me a little comment to let me know you've called in I will do my best to pay you a return visit as soon as I'm able.  Have a great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW.....

Here we are again on the best day of the week when we all catch up with our blogging friends all around the world....if you don't know what I'm talking about what cave have you been living in for what seems like for ever?  Pop over to Julia's at the Stamping Ground to find out more and to join in the fun.

My desks today involve quilt making.  I have had a break from the demand of sewing for my customers for a few days and as my head was full of cold bugs I needed what I call a bit of mindless sewing to keep me busy without great demands being put on my brainpower so I decided to make a couple of eye spy quilts.

I got out my boxes of fabrics and carefully cut out 108 4" squares....enough for 2 quilts.  Each square is different to the next so all 54 has something different to search for and talk about. 

I then sorted out enough fabric to make the borders for each quilt and had sufficient wadding but didn't have enough fabric for the backing pieces so ordered some on line from the company I use.

 

My name is Annie and I'm a fabricolic....

While shopping in Aldi's on Saturday morning they had fat quarter bundles in stock again and they are always far too good to miss out on so they fell into my trolley and when we got home from shopping my parcel of plain cotton fabrics I use for backing my quilts had arrived too....a girl can never have too much fabric ....can she?

As you can see I've already put some of the plain backing fabric to good use as I've now completed my two quilts....but you may notice the fat quarters are stacked on the top of the photos as I may need to stroke those just a little more before I cut into them.  😁😁😁😁

That's all from me for this week....I wonder what I will have on my desk next week to share with you?  I will do my best to get round as many of my visitors that I can and until then I hope you all have happy, healthy and creative times during the week.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW.....

Here we are at another Wednesday catch up with our friends and their creative spaces around the world.....I love seeing what you've all been up to.

It's been another manic week here at Sewing by Annie's since last Wednesday...

• We were out Thursday night enjoying some quality time together with my life long friends to celebrate her 60th Birthday...she has moved recently to Chirk which is just 40 mins away from us so we hope to catch up on a more regular basis from now on.
• Friday night was our son Mark's 30th birthday party....it was an 80s / 90s themed fancy dress party and I hope to share some pics with you on my Friday smiles post so if you need a giggle then please pop back then and why not share your own smiles too and link up with us?
• Saturday morning was supermarket shopping and then in the afternoon we had our daughter Amy and her three here for a couple of hours.
• Sunday morning we enjoyed a walk around Attingham Park with Milly....she loves catching up on all the doggy news with the many dogs that walk there.  In the afternoon we enjoyed the sunshine and had a good tidy up in the garden ready for winter.
• Monday it was back to work for a rest and this is what I've been sewing......

A friend of our daughter Amy gave me a bin bag  filled with old jeans because she felt I might make use of the denim so as a thank you I made a memory bear out of one of the pairs for her 6 year old little boy.....washed denim really is lovely to sew with and it made a really lovely little bear.

One of my customers brought me a pale blue cardigan and a navy cardigan that used to belong to her one Grandma and a beautiful cream embroidered nightie that used to belong to her other Grandma and these are the two Memory bears I've made out of them for her.  Both very different but they hold very special memories of the two much loved ladies.

The other thing on my desk is this selection of fabrics that I have sorted out to make a lap quilt out of for an elderly aunt who will be celebrating her 100th birthday just after Christmas.....I may add/edit them yet before making the quilt but thought these were rather pretty.

That's all I've got to share for today so if you leave me a little message so I know you've called in I will do my best to pay you a return visit to see what's on your desk this week....and don't forget to call back on Friday for your smiles of the week and join in the fun if you can.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW......

Here we are at another Wednesday catch up.  If you would like details about WOYWW then pop over to Julia's at the Stamping Ground and join in the fun.

Many of you last week asked how the craft fair had actually gone and did I sell out....We all had a lovely day but footfall was really poor and I brought home almost all I took with me.  I made enough to cover the cost of my table and a little extra and was able to hand out lots of my fliers so got the word out locally to a few more potential customers where to find me so all was not lost.  Because of this my Mojo has gone on holiday.....and until he returns I guess I will have little to show you.

I have made a lovely pair of Memory Bears this week....

They are in memory of a much loved mum and dad.  The clothing used to make the bears held special memories, plus Mummy bear has a bow made from one of her favourite scarves and Daddy bear has his own little tie out of his favourite tie.  The results caused a few emotional moments and I was given a big hug so I feel it was a job well done.....they are rather cute aren't they?

Apart from that I have a few more new fat quarters to show you....I couldn't resist.

And I have a rainbow of new threads that Jo saw being sold off as random bags of 5 reels for just 50p so of course these were just too good to miss....and they will all get used at some point I'm sure.

So, that's all I have to share with you today.  Life has thrown us a few challenges this week so I will be stroking my new fabrics while I'm waiting for Mr Mojo to return from his holidays and I hope I have more exciting projects to share with you soon.
Hugs,
Annie x

WOYWW....

Hello all.  Here we are at our weekly catch up with our creative friends from all round the world again.  Time sure does fly when you're having fun doesn't it?

Firstly as promised here's a quick snap of the little Flop eared bunnies I was making when you called in last week....

I cut a full bunny out in each of the 6 fabrics I was using and then mixed and matched them to make up the bunnies.....I rather like how they have all turned out don't you?

We have a little craft shop close by that has now been taken over by a really lovely lady so I popped in to say hello this week.  She is happy to send customers to me if they ask about alterations and is planning to stock lots of lovely fabrics so I have a feeling I may need to call in often.  These were 6 fat quarters that just jumped into my hand while I was there too....well you just have to don't you?

As you know there are never two days the same here at Sewing by Annie's and this week has been no exception.  I thought you might like to see what I've been busy doing.....

One of my customers brought me two 5 foot x 6 foot fabric panels to make wall hangings out of....they wouldn't fit in my home but she says she has high ceilings and fell in love with them.  I had to hem all 4 sides and make tubes of fabric at the top so they will hang on poles.

The other thing I thought you might like to see is my new banner I've made this week.  I will be using it at the craft fayre I have a table at this Sunday so if you're popping in you will know what to look for 😀

I had a lot of fun appliqueing the letters etc on and am really pleased how it turned out.

There you go.  That's all from me for this week.  Please leave me a little comment and I will get over to yours as soon as.....  Have a great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

Did you miss me last week?.....hehehe  I doubt it but if you were wondering where I was then I will tell you....we took the day off and went to Tywyn for the day.....Milly's first trip to a beach  :-)

Well, as you can see I'm back now and I'm another year older so on my desk are some of my many birthday pressies....

I was well and truly spoilt and as you can see I have friends and family that know how to make me smile.....of course it's all at the stroking stage as yet but one day I will find something special enough to make using some of it.  I just love new fabrics.

I have lots of projects on the go at the mo but most of them are for presents so I'm sorry but I can't share the pics as yet.  I have, of course made more Memory bears since the last time I joined in so thought I'd add a pic here too...

These are two little Christmas bears using babygros....aren't they cute?

I have rather a lot of orders for Memory bears pending now [think it's 13 at last count!] so guess I could get pretty busy between now and Christmas.....plus all the other things I plan to make that I have buzzing round in my head in the middle of the night.  :-)

That's all from me for today....short and sweet just the way Julia likes it.  Please leave me a little message to let me know you've called by and I will pop over to yours to see what you're up to this week.

Hugs,

Annie x