WOYWW....

 It's been another busy week here at Sewing by Annie's.  We had the funeral of another family member last Thursday...there seems so many lately.  I'm determined to make every day count.

Both Jo and I have been doing more sewing for The Harry Johnson Trust...although this year is going to be a little different.  The charity usually has a couple of craft stalls but, because of extra family commitments, they wont be having them this year so I have said I will put our crafts out in my sewing room and hope to sell some to my customers so we can give the money to them.

I've made a batch of Christmas coasters [40 in total] and these are now tied into 10 sets of 4 coasters.

I love all the different tartans.

I next had another idea and cut out lots of these....Can you guess what they might be?

Did you guess right?  They are tiny popper purses that will each hold a a £1 coin or shopping token and made into key rings so that you always have one when you need it.

I have a special Autumn sale on my Sewing by Annie Facebook page...there is 10% off for the first 10 to order their Memory bears and this is the first to take up the offer.

It's even more special for me because this customer has already previously ordered 10 other bears and this one is a school bear for the school I went to as a little one.

The last thing I have to share with you this week is an idea I saw on Pinterest.  I never like to throw anything away so I have used the narrow ends of some ties I had left to make these 8 into key rings.

That's all for this week.  Today I will be working on a bridesmaid dress that arrived last thing yesterday and then I plan to make some Christmas gnomes using the paterns Jan sent me through the post....thanks Jan.

Hope you're all well and happy.  I will pop by to say hello ASAP but please be patient with me.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Hello all.  Such a lot has happened since I was here last Wednesday.

I finished the 5 Memory bears I was making on Wednesday and the went to their new homes ...each one had a panel of the 4 favourite items of clothing that belonged to a much loved Mum and each one has a little silver charm sewn on the front from her charm bracelet....such a lovely request and they made them even more special.

Thursday Jo and I visited Jan in her holiday home and we had a lovely time together...there certainly were no awkward silences :-)

I took up some crafty bits with me and we managed a bit of crafting together...these are to raise funds for the charity we support.

Friday my darling hubby and I set off with our caravan on another adventure...this time we headed to a campsite near Lytham St Anne's.  Not a site we had been to before and it was pouring down with rain and blowing a gale when we got there so we got rather wet setting up our caravan.

Monday we visited Denise at Cabin Crafts near Blackpool.  I have 'known' Denise for years and ordered many metres of fabrics from her over the years...I even made 2000 face masks using her fabrics plus many quilts etc 

I have never met her before but she was every bit as lovely as I imagined.  She has an amazing cabin in her back garden filled with gorgeous fabrics and haberdashery and I would highly recommend her if you're looking for fabrics...some just might have dropped into my bag [it would have been rude not to].

You can find Cabin Crafts here....it's well worth a look.

That's all from me for today.  I will do my best to visit all who call by ASAP.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Wow it's been a busy week....yes, another one :-)

We enjoyed birthday celebrations for Theo at the weekend.....can you believe he's 10 already?

It was really lovely to enjoy some family time...we make the best of every moment.

I had been waiting for months for these 7 to arrive and my customer eventually came on Friday, telling me he needed them ASAP.....so apart from family times I spent all weekend sewing them for him.  He came and collected them on Monday :-)...that's what you call service :-)

In my spare time [yes there was a little lol] I have finished the latest army of frogs...I love them when the are all layed out like this....They will be off to fight the battle against cancer soon.

On my desk today is another 5 Memory bears being made...they arrived Tuesday.  I must try to get them finished today because I am having the day off tomorrow to spend the day with Jan and Jo...I'm sure there will be lots of chat and giggles .  Can't wait to catch up with them both.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 What a lovely week it was last week celebrating 900 weeks of joining up with old friends and the usual ones.  Long may the friendships last.

This week I've altered two bridesmaids dresses, Shortened a few trousers and managed to sew the body parts of an army of 10 more little frogs...

These all need snipping, turning through and stuffing before putting them together...lots of fiddly frogs legs!

I've treated myself to a new little crafting iron...it's so handy when you work with fiddly jobs like I do...I love it.

It's been an exciting back to school week for our Grandchildren....Sam seems to have grown lots during the summer holidays and, as you can see is now a good bit taller than Lexi.

Our youngest, Louie has just started school [he looks such a little tot in his uniform] and Theo has just had his 10th birthday...Don't they look smart together?

The other thing I have to show you this week is these yummy cheese and courgette scones....such a great way to use up the glut of courgettes at this time of year....If you want the recipe please shout.

We have had another death in the family sadly and this week I have had health problems that have required lots of tests so it's been a challenging week.

As they say 'Live every day' !!

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...Number 900!!

Hello all.  We are celebrating the 900th Anniversary of WOYWW, a brainchild of Julia's.  I joined in on 3rd September 2009 so have been going for quite a while and have seen so many different folk joining in the fun over that time. Sarah over at Sarah's Craft Shed took over the running of our group from Julia and it's wonderful to join in the fun each week.  Sarah suggested we shared one of our blogs with 00 at the end so I have been looking back over the years.  I'm not certain of the number as I never number mine but it seemed around the right time and look what it is.....

Wednesday, 10 August 2016

WOYWW.....

So on my desk this week is....

Curtains, curtains and more curtains......talk about a labour of love eh?  :-)

I've also shortened some really pretty window blinds to make them more just window dressing......rather more tricky than planned too cos the main fabric pulled out of shape while trimming the bottom [cut into a 'v' shape] and both blinds [yes there are two little windows] had to be done twice!!  I'm rather chuffed with the finished result though and now just hope they look as pretty as we hoped when up at the windows.

 This is the other project I've been working on this week. It was something I had in mind to do at some point but a friend gave me a shove in the right direction and this week has seen me designing the pattern for a Memory bear and making a few prototypes to get the pattern how I wanted it.  Plus I have designed a label for those wanting special details on the bear.

The idea is to use special fabrics to make them out of to keep memories together...

• A first babygro
• A special outfit from a toddler
• A junior school uniform when the child moves on to big school
• A special family member's clothing when they die

....in fact any clothing can be used [up to 4 different garments] to keep a memory safe.  I have put the pics in my Sewing by Annie Facebook site and have already got orders for 6 so they are proving very popular.  :-)

There you go....that's all from me for this week.  If you'd like to leave me a little message I will do my best to pay you a return visit as soon as I'm able.  Have a great week.

Hugs,

Annie x

                                                                                                                                                                   

It's my first Memory bear I made!! and so much has happened since then. 

On my desk this week was....

These were the rainbow of favourite silk ties [opened out and ready to use] belonging to the husband of one of my customers. She wanted them made into two Memory bears for her Grandchildren.

.....and this was the result.  They were really lovely to make being in silk and are so bright and colourful.

These bring the number of bears I've made up to 1015!!!! now.  What a lot has happened since August 2016 eh?

Each little bear I've made has had his photo taken and they are all put together in my Bear file :-)

So.that's all from me for this week.  Happy 900th Anniversary to you all and thanks for all the love and friendship over the years.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW.....

 Hi all.  What a lovely week it's been.  I've had a steady flow of customers and have also enjoyed some special family times.

Last Thursday we met up with 4 of our gorgeous grandchildren and their mummies at a local sunflower field.  It was so special to spend time with them and to watch them enjoying time with their cousins.

On Saturday our men went to the first football match of the season so I spent the afternoon with that much older sister of mine....I've missed our Saturdays together.  Love her to bits.

In the sewing room this week I have...

•  shortened and altered a pretty Wedding dress
• shortened 3 pair of trousers
• let out a gent's trousers and...

....labelled this pile [plus the jacket]  of school uniform ready for a young lady to start her new school next week.

I have also got some memory bears to make from silk ties so that will be a lovely job to do.  I will pop over to yours ASAP to see what you've been up to.

Hugs,

Annie x

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...

 Hello all.  I was missing last week because we didn't get back from an escape weekend in our caravan until Tuesday and I had nothing to show and tell.

We went to a lovely little campsite near Monmouth with only 12 pitches and really lovely facilities.  As you can see Peggy loves the camping life. It was a little too hot and the internet signal was poor but who cares...a lot of nothing was done and batteries were recharged.

I was really missed and have spent the last week catching up with work.

This customer said she was coming for 2 memory bears and when she arrived she decided to have 4 made :-)  They are made from a Dad's/Grandad's favourite shirts and turned out really lovely.

One lady came on Wednesday morning [a week early by mistake lol], ten minutes before I was expecting a Bridesmaid and an evening dress to arrive!  She came with a bag full of dresses and skirts but was well prepared so I managed to fit her in before my other customers arrived.  :-)

 In fact this week I have....

• Made the 4 Memory bears
• Shortened an Evening dress
• Shortened a Bridesmaid dress
• Shortened 5 summer dresses and 2 Skirts
• Took 2 dresses up on the shoulders
• Top stitched up the front of a blouse
• Shortened 2 pair of leggings to make them cropped length
• Cut up the front of a fleece top and put a zip in
• Shortened the sleeves on a Demin Jacket

....Phew.  And there's more to come yet. 😊😊😊😊  I've had lots of new customers lately as well as my regulars...I don't know where they all come from?

On top of all that this is what's been going on at the end of our front drive.  3 weeks ago we reported a water leak at the end of our drive.  During the next 3 weeks it got worse and was reported several times. It took 4 teams and 3 weeks to deal with it!!

1 guy came and drew a blue box round it!

3 weeks later the next team came and dug a hole and repaired the leak.  Another team came to backfill the hole and the next team came to tarmac it all.

Eventually the road sweepers came and washed the road and pavement.

No wonder there's a drought eh?

That's all from me for this week.  I will do my best to pop by at yours to see what you've been up to.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

 It's been another busy week for me here at Sewing by Annie's.....I've been so grateful for the cooler temps.

My rail has filled, emptied and filled again....everything from trousers to Jumpsuits and dresses.

The customer that asked me to make the 5 Memory bear came back this week with more tops to have 3 more made :-)

They were really lovely to make and my cystomer is thrilled with them.

The other thing I can share this week is that the twins have been to Disneyland, Paris with their Mum, Dad and lots of friends.  Lexi and her dance troop danced there at the weekend...what an exciting time for them all.  I have seen a few videos of their dancing and they all did very very well.  Something they will never forget I'm sure.

That's all from me for this week.  I will do my best to pop over to see what you've been busy with this week.  Hope all is well and happy with you.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 It's a little cooler for me this week thankfully because my customers have been coming fast and furious.

I have...

• Shortened 2 layers on a stunning long, bright pink maternity dress
• Shortened another dress
• Took a dress up on the shoulders
• Shortened 6 pairs of trousers
• Took in a pair of trousers on the waist and seat and made...

... another lovely school memory bear.

And it's only Wednesday!!

I've been keeping busy as you can see :-)

Two of my customers this week were pregnant so my midwifery skills are never wasted :-)

Saturday I was treated to a lovely afternoon lunch by Michelle [our eldest daughter].  We had a lovely time together and even managed to pop into the two fabric shops in town while we were out....I just might have bought a few fat quarters while we were there :-)

What a treat. 😍😍😍

That's all from me for this week.  I hope you've have had a lovely week too.  I will pop over to see what you've been up to ASAP.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

Phew it's hot.  I don't know about you but I'm ready for some cooler weather.  We were away last week in a lovely little cottage up in Yorkshire and boy was it hot.  The air conditioner in the car was certainly put to good use.

We came home Friday and since then my phone hasn't stopped going....I think my customers missed me :-)

I have....

• Shortened a bridesmaid dress
• Took in a dress for holiday use
• Shortened a pair of trousers for a page boy and.......

....made these 5 gorgeous Memory bears for a much loved Mum, Nan and Great Nan.

The lady who died had 6 daughters and these bears are for just one of them so there could well be more orders coming soon.

And all that has been done in just two days!!

Peggy was as good as gold away with us in the cottage last week but seems to be enjoying being at home now.

She has sat here every morning since we got back but by the time the sun moves round to the back of the bungalow she will be found stretched out on the floor tiles where it's nice and cold.

I hope you have managed to keep cool this week.  I will pop by to see what you've been up to ASAP.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 

It's a celebratory post from me  this week because I have now made my 1000th Memory bear.....  This week I made..

...another school bear for a child leaving the school nearest us.  I made one for his elder brother a couple of years ago.  I so love repeat orders.

I also made these two lovely bears in memory of a special Aunt....these were lovely to make and were so cuddly when finished.

Our garden is making us smile in every corner....most survived the heat and I'm sure I could here them drink when we had a shower of rain at the weekend.

That's all from me for this week.  Please raise a glass to help me celebrate. I hope you have a fun week and I will see you soon.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW.....

 Phew.... it's getting hot in here...and I can't take off all my clothes cos it puts off my customers :-)

I hope you are managing to keep cool and hydrated.

I've had a steady flow of customers even though it's been a hot one.

I managed to finish the bear you saw I was going to make last week and the lady who brought those clothes loved the bear so much that she asked me to make another one with the left overs [for her other daughter].....

...this time adding a green jumper her daughter wore as a deputy head girl.

She's shared these two with her friends who also have children moving up to big school this time so maybe I will get more orders :-)

The pile of cut out frogs has grown and I've even started sewing some of them but it's been too hot to do much more.

That's all from me for today.  I will pop over to see what you've been up to as and when I can.

Stay cool and drink plenty folks.

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW....

Hello all.  I hope you've all had a fab week....I have.

Sunday we went to Birmingham to see Les Miserables with that much older big sister of mine.

Whilst there we walked into a friend of our Grandson, Sam.  I've known Aled from nursery school where he went with Lexi and Sam and have watched him grow into a lovely young man...he goes to Wiggle with Sam and as you can see he's now much taller than us....he's playing a part in Wiggle's Les Mis later in the year.

It was an amazing show and a lovely time was had by all.

Our garden is blooming in every corner so I had to share them with you...I know so many of you like to see them.

This is what's on my desk today.  This is the first of my school Memory bears for this year [the first of many I'm sure].

If you leave me a little message I will do my best to pop over to see what you've been up to as and when I can....I have another prom dress coming this morning :-)

Hugs,

Annie x

WOYWW...

 Hi all.  It's been a bit of a butterfly week for me.  I've gone from one job to another.  I've had a steady flow of customers and as soon as I've done their sewing they have come and collected it so there has been lots of coming and going.

I added twiddlers inside and out of my latest twiddle mitt and finished it off....I think my 3 will go with Jo's up to the hospital's dementia unit at some point.

In between sewing jobs I have started cutting out another batch of frogs for the charity...it's been a while since I made some.

These are the latest pair of Memory bears I've made this week...this means I just need to make 5 more to reach my 1000. :-)

Finally the last thing I'm sharing today is this lovely Bridesmaid dress that arrived yesterday afternoon...I will be shortening this today so will be visiting all those that call on me in between jobs.

I hope you all have a great week.  I will be thinking of Jan tomorrow when she goes in to have her cataracts done...really hope all goes well Jan.

Hugs,

Annie x