This week's smiles....week 504

 Friday is the day of the week when I look back over the last week to find smiles to share with my friends.  It was supposed to be a busy week for me as my diary was filled with customers but, after burning up all Sunday night and testing positive for Covid on Monday morning my plans all changed and this came up on my Facebook page...

....just about says it all don't you think?

I had to cancel the fittings for 2 brides and 2 bridesmaids but have been able to accept items of clothing to make memory bears [socially distanced of course] so when I've felt up to it I have had work to do.

It's an awful virus and I will be very glad when it moves on now.

This little smiling face came in a message to say get well Nanny....works like a treat eh?

The grandchildren [and dogs] enjoyed the snow we had earlier in the week.  I'm not a lover of the cold white stuff but always love to see the children enjoying it.

Theo enjoyed making a family of snowmen on their front garden wall.

I had a pretty little visitor this week.  We have never had a white dove feeding in our garden but he's paid us a visit every day this week...he made my heart sing.

Of course it wouldn't be a Friday without a few funnies.....hope they make you smile.

I hope you're all keeping well and happy and have lots of smiles to share with us all this week.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

 What a difference a day makes!!!!

I had no customers all last week but on Saturday morning I had messages from 7 customers and filled in my diary for this week with...

• A bride and two bridesmaids for fittings on Friday
• Another bride for her fitting on Wednesday followed by
• 2 memory bears coming Wednesday afternoon, one of which is wanted for  Mother's day
• Thursday morning a further 4 memory bears to make from babygros
• another customer was dropping off her wedding dress on Monday afternoon to have a memory bear made from it....and two more messaged me wanting memory blankets making [which I don't do !]

To say I had a busy week ahead of me was an understatement!!!

Saturday night I started with a head cold and felt pretty rough all day Sunday but, after a burning up all Sunday night I did a Covid test and guess what? Yes it was positive so I had to contact all my customers to let them know.  I would be unable to do any of the wedding fittings but the items fo the Memory bears would still be dropped off for me to make them as and when I felt well enough.

So the only thing I have to share with you today is this gorgeous little Memory bear made from the wedding dress.

It was an embroidered satin fabric so not the easiest to sew but I love the finished result.

I hope you're all keeping well and happy.  I will do my best to pop over to see what you're up to in between naps and paracetamols :-)

Hugs,

Annie x

This week's smiles....week 503

 Here we are at my weekly catch up with the smiles and I can always find something that has made me smile and I hope you can too.

Saturday Mark, Gina and the boys came for a birthday lunch with my darling hubby and they stayed for the afternoon so the men could watch the football together on the telly [Shrewsbury was playing away].

While the men watched the football I got my big box of wool out and the pom pom makers and Theo and Gina enjoyed learning how to make them.

Obviously the football wasn't that gripping because, as you can see, my little boy enjoyed a nap with his little boy :-)

Theo was so proud of his string of pom poms and it now hangs up in his bedroom.

Yesterday morning we woke up to this on our security camera and we were supposed to be having Louie for the morning but as Theo's school was closed because several of the teachers were unable to get in we had Theo too.

So out came the toys and we really enjoyed a morning with the boys.

We don't get to spend a lot of time with Theo now he's a big school boy so this made us smile a lot.

I was supposed to be having a Bride and her two Bridesmaids for their fittings but they had to cancel because of the snow so that was really handy...they are coming next Friday now :-)

Of course I had to find a few funnies to share with you...I hope you all find something to make you smile and will leave me a little message and then link up to your own smiles below.

I hope you have a week filled with smiles.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

 Hello all.  I hope life is good with you and you are enjoying the signs of Spring that are now appearing around us.  I had a quieter week this last week with customers but have a bride and her two bridesmaids coming tomorrow for fittings.

I have used my spare time to make a few more sets of coasters for the Harry Johnson Trust.

Having enjoyed making the first two sets I thought a few more in different colour ways would be a good idea...that was until I cut out the 24 backs an inch too small and had to recut another set!!!

A little annoying but guess my head was busy thinking of other things and I'm sure the other squares will get used at some point.

I have nothing else on my desk to share with you today so will love you and leave you for now and will do my best to visit all those that leave me a little message.  Have a great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

This week's smiles....week 502

 It's been another busy week here at Sewing by Annie's but a different sort of busy.  Not so much sewing but more family times...and of course that makes me smile. Also today is my darling hubby's birthday so I'm hoping he has a lovely day.

Saturday saw me enjoying crafty time with Phoebe and Lulu [photo on Wednesday's post].  I love that the girls enjoy delving into my stash and being creative.

We had two mornings looking after little Louie....but yesterday it included an adventure to sort out a flat tyre for Gina.  On her way to us in the morning with the two boys and dog in the car she had a blown tyre so had to be rescued and we took on the job of sorting out the car with Louie in tow....it was a fun morning and Louie was as good as gold.

Louie loves his Grandad and always loves to snuggle up to him for his morning nap [often Grandad has one too].

Louie and Theo went to a celebration at Messy play and it looks as though Louie really enjoyed it....I will add that all the 'mess' was edible :-)

Milly went for a hair cut this week and is so proud of her new look....I always love how it exposes her stripes and makes her look like a puppy although she's nearly 7 now.

Of course we have to have a few funnies and this week I have left them a little larger...I hope that helps Elizabeth.

I hope you have all found something that makes you smile and will link up to your own smiles at the bottom of the page.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Hi all, it's been another busy week here at Sewing by Annie's and I have lots to share with you.

I've spent more time sewing for The Harry Johnson trust and have made two sets of coasters this time....I may make more if I get the chance.

I made this little bear using a young man's nurses tunic to celebrate him qualifying and ending his training.

I was thrilled to be asked to make these two lovely bears for Lisca. She was pleased with the last two I made her and I really love it when I get repeat orders.

I enjoyed an afternoon with Phoebe and Lulu on Saturday.  They really love being creative and this time they delved into my felt stash and made themselves little 3D felt cacti....such a lot of fun was had by all.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit.  If you leave me a little message to let me know you've called in I will do my best to pay you a return visit.

Hugs,

Annie x

This week's smiles....week 501

Hello all. It's Friday so, of course, it's time to look back at your week to find as many smiles as you can and to share them with your friends. It's been another busy week for me....and you know I'm happiest when I'm busy.

Last Friday night we went to watch Titanic The Musical at the theatre in Shrewsbury.  It was put on by Wigle and they might be amateurs but it was brillant....there are so many talented singers around Shrewsbury....and it was made even more special for  us because the twins were two of the children taking part.  Lexi was a first class passenger and Sam was third class but thankfully they both managed to get on a life boat when the ship sank.

Well done both...you have two very proud Grandparents :-)

Tuesday was a very special day for me.  We had lunch with my best friend and her hubby...I have known Dawn since we were 4 years old....that makes it over 60 years!!

We started school together then went to the same grammer school and even started our nursing training together....so I'm she knows me well and we both know secrets to never tell ;-)

Our garden is coming into life in every corner now so I walked round and snapped a few pics to share with you.....I love Spring and it really feels like it's just round the corner for us now.

Of course it wouldn't be Friday without a few funnies...and this week there is rather a lot but I decided we can never have too many and what one person finds funny another doesn't so I hope you can all find something to make you chuckle here.

Have a great week all.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Hello all and welcome to my Wednesday share of my desk and what's been going on here at Sewing by Annie's this week....and it's been a pretty good week for me...hopefully you too.

For those that didn't see the Memory bears I shared on Friday, these are the two very special bears I made for Lisca in memory of Graham, her lovely hubby.  They were made even more special to me when I saw Lisca had shared a photo of Graham wearing the clothes I made it out of over on her blog on Friday...here is a link for those wanting to see.

In between shortening the wedding dress and sewing her 28 buttons down the back and prom dress fittings etc I found time to make 6 zipped and lined makeup bags for The Harry Johnson trust.

I had a funeral on Monday morning and caught up with family members, as is the norm at these events, and several requested my details about my Memory bears while I was there.

My sister in law wanted to buy some bunting so was calling round after the funeral. I filled my cutting table with all the things I've now made for her to see.

Whilst it was all out on my table I had a customer for a dress fitting and seeing all I had made she asked if I had any peg bags...I haven't made any yet but I have sorted out some coat hangers to make her one....and will probably make a few more.

I counted up the money I've made so far and already have over £100 in my pot so I'm thrilled to bits. I've now made..

• Reversible bags
• Fabric boxes
• Aprons
• Bunting
• Makeup bags
• Glasses cases
• Popper purses
• Key rings
• Pin cushions

and there will soon be peg bags to add to the list :-)

My hanging rail has a wedding dress in it's bag, a dress belonging to the Mother of the Bride and a Sage green Prom dress to alter plus I have 2 Memory bear labels to remake [because a little dog got hold of the last two!!]...and of course I have peg bags to make :-)

As you can see, I'm being kept busy and loving it.

If you leave me a little message so I know you've called by I will do my best to pay you a return visit ASAP.  Have a great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

This week's smiles....week 500

 Another week and lots more smiles....thankfully.  I hope you've all had a week filled with smiles too.  I have lots of photos to share with you this week so I will make a start.

We had another walk around Attingham Park at the weekend and what a difference a couple of weeks makes....what was a hint of white the last time we went is now a beautiful blanket of white.

My boys went to watch Shrewsbury town play football on Saturday ...I love this photo of Mark and Stephen.  The men have decided Stephen should go every week because they always win when he goes :-)

Little Louie is growing so quickly.  He thought it was funny that he could stand up under our kitchen table and we all had a good giggle at him ordering his Chinese for tea off the menu.

I love how the sun has opened up this beautiful crocus in our garden and I even took a photo of our snowdrops using my phone but look how it came out.....

I'm not sure what happened but when you love rainbows like I do you you treasure happy errors like this one.

I normally keep the sharing of my Memory bears for a Wednesday but these two are rather special and it's far more appropriate that I share them here.  They are made in memory of Lisca's husband Graham and they were very special to make.

He was a lovely man and I felt very honoured to be asked to make them.  I really hope they bring lots of comfort to Lisca and her family.

Of course it wouldn't be a Friday without a few funnies...I hope you enjoy the ones I've found this week.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Another week has passed and I have more to share with you.  Last week I had the emotions of the perfect fitting wedding dress that I'm working on and this week there has been more emotions but different ones.

Firstly, I have more items I've made for the Harry Johnson trust to share with you.

Another batch of key rings....cos I've sold some of the last batch :-) 

I've made another couple of fabric boxes because I have already sold one of the last ones I made....and that has made me smile.

I found a pattern to make some aprons and made one and have 2 more half made.

My emotions came when I was asked to make this latest little Memory bear.  It is made in memory of a very special little girl who died aged 4 years using the gown she wore in intensive care.....I really hope it brings lots of comfort to her family.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit and will leave me a little message so I know you've called by and I will do my best to pay you a return visit.

Hugs,

Annie x

This week's smiles....week 499

 Happy Friday everyone.  I hope you have all had a good week and have had lots to smile about.  Please share your smiles by linking up at the bottom of the page.

It's been a good week here at Sewing by Annie's.  I've had a steady flow of customers and have been kept busy with my sewing jobs. 

 My biggest achievement of my week was working on a wedding dress....I had taken on major work to alter the shape of the bodice and to remove unwanted pleats and folds. The bride had bought her dress having been told that the alterations could be done, only then to be told that the bridal suppliers alterations lady couldn't do what was wanted!!  She brought it to me to see what I could do and although I could see it was going to be a lot of tricky work it was def possible. Having spent an hour taking the dress apart whilst she was wearing the dress and repinning it how she wanted it to look I then had to work out how I was going to do it.  I have now spent 4 hours on it, and when the bride called in to collect the surplus fabric to be used to cover her buttons, she tried her dress on.....I'm honestly not sure who was the happiest.  The dress fitted to perfection....now I just need to shorten it when she has bought her wedding shoes and then to sew on the covered buttons as a feature down the back of the dress.  I've never taken on such difficult alterations before [and probably wont again] but I am sooooo thrilled with my achievement.

I'm not the only one pleased with my achievements this week.  Theo goes to a gymn club each week and this week he was given a certificate for his work on the floor and the rings....well done Theo.  I'm so proud of him.

Our little Milly never fails to make me smile.  Her coat is very long at the mo but as the better/warmer weather comes she will be getting her hair cut.  She had just had her bath and had had a good brush so is looking at her best so was happy to pose for a photo.

Now for the funnies.  I know they make you smile.

I hope you all have a lovely week with plenty to smile about.

Hugs,

Annie x