Just can't get enough...

of my sewing machine, so I am afraid, another lay out with stitches !!

These pictures were taken last October on Amelie's birthday, seems like a while ago now but couldn't find the right papers to match. I really love the result ! The sketch is from Creative Scrappers



so here is it..

The blue green paint is the paint left over from my front door !!

Have a n ice weekend everyone.

Anne

Still in love....

with my sewing machine ! And here is a little card I have made for a friend who is moving house, again !

I hope she likes it and wishes her happiness in her new home.

Anne

And here is one...

I didn't make earlier !!

No I didn't make this card. The lovely Cat sent it to me full of good wishes !! I really love it, look at the snow and this gorgeous little village punch ! that might just have to go on my next Christmas list !!

Thank you Cat, you are a star !!

Anne

Mini book.

Today I will show you a mini book I have made with pictures we took while we were skiing. I am not sure you can remember but a couple of weeks ago I had made a book for a friend using leather and instructions from Kirstie Allsopp. I knew I wanted to use this method again but I had ran out of leather so I decided to use Denim instead. The result is still good and I am happy how the mini book feels. If I am completely honest I wish I had done the binding of both parts closer but apart from that it is a nice souvenir.
So here are the pictures. And I am still undecided about adding a title to it. What do you think?

I thought I would also show you a dress I made for Amelie's doll but in fact the pictures make it looks even worse than it it is real !! But Amelie loves it !!


Take care.

Anne

Lovely weekend..

At home trying to catch up on cleaning and seeing friends. I also managed to make a page for Sketchy Thursdays. I can't believe it is the last challenge. These ladies have been so good to me. I still remember the first time I entered one of their challenges and they didn't pick me. I was so upset !! How could they not like me !! What a lesson that was. But I decided to try again and again. Their sketches have always inspired me and I was very lucky to be chosen as a favourite a few times and these times, I felt very honoured and proud. It is a real shame they are stopping but I would love to finish on a high so I have made an extra special page, including all the skills I have learnt while working on the past sketches. I have used paint and ink, stamps and stickers, ribbons and masking tape, pens and sewing. I really love the result and I hope they do to. But, hey, this time I won't feel sad if I don't get picked, I will just feel sad to say goodbye to these wonderful ladies who always took time to write a little word on your blog. So good luck ladies and hopefully see you soon.


Here was the sketch:



And here is my page...

I especially like the masking tapes that my dear lovely beautiful kind and generous sister !! bought me for Christmas and the little badge I got a while ago.

I also came across this new challenge site called Craft Origine. I think that they have just started but I like them already. This was their sketch.





And I thought Harry's page worked a treat so I have sent it to them. I hope they like it too !!

And while I am at it, Scrapbookers Anonymous and the talented Lea are challenging you to use masking so I think I will send them my page too !!

 Take care everyone.


Anne XXX

No stopping me now !

I was chosen as one of the favourites over at Sketchy Thursdays for my first page with sewing, so thank you very much ladies and since you like it so much here is some more !!
This page is for the new challenge over at Scrap365. I have never played with them before but I like the new magazine so I thought I would give it a go. There is a sketch to follow ( which I kind of did !! ) but most of all it was an excuse to use the sewing machine again !!

Now, about the sewing machine ... My husband has often toyed with the idea of having a tv in our bedroom and I have always objected to it. We hardly ever watch tv anyway and why would I want to watch it in our bedroom. Surely there are more exciting things to do in the bedroom........ like sewing !! yes I have found a prime position in our bedroom for my sewing machine !! But you might guess, my husband might need a bit of convincing !!

Take care

Anne

Happy new year !!

Happy new year everybody, may it be full of lovely crafty projects and ideas.

I should really be working so this post will be quick. But just to show you my first page using my sewing machine, this is soo cool. I will easily get addicted and my mum and my sister will be amazed that I still remembered how to switch it on ! ( Although, if I admit, I had trouble threading the thread with the machine so I ended up doing it by hand. !! ) Still very proud and if this page won't win me any prize for best sewing, it is still one of my favourite. This picture was taking last week in La Clusaz. Did I tell you we went skiing ? Did I tell you Rachel that there was lots of snow !! ( private joke !! ) ( or actually not so much of a joke ! ). Anyway, here is my page for Sketchy Thursdays and Bird Is The World Challenge  ! ( two into one, yeh good start of the year ! )

Not too sure what that black thing in the bottom left corner is, I have tried to clean the camera but it didn't help. And just to show that I can use different stitches on my machine, a little close up or two !!

I hope you like it as much as I do !!

Anne

And all there is to remember...

Christmas has been and gone and all there is to remember is recorded in my precious little mini book. I have really enjoyed making this book. In a way, it has helped me appreciate Christmas more, making every moment special enough to record.
I hope that you are ready for quite a few pictures !!

I like this mini book because it has lots of tags with things to read at the back. I am not sure I will make another one next year but I think that the trick to get your Christmas mini book finished is to have it prepared before December. I had all the pages made and I had mostly planed what would go on each one. Things did change and the finish product isn't quite what I expected but I like it all the more.

Now for another picture of something a friend gave me for Christmas. I especially love home made Christmas gifts and I thought this tree was gorgeous, simple but effective.

I will definitely make some more with the kids next year.

If I don't get to speak to you before the new year, have a lovely happy and crafty new year.

Anne

Little Book of My Favourite Things...

Here is a little book I have made following instructions from Kirstie Allsopp. Has anyone ever seen her programs? Most of my friends have and they are divided into two very separate groups. Those who think that Kirstie is a complete waste of space and and an insult to modern women, (who in their right mind would ever have the time or the inclination to make such useless things as a felt bird or a heart garland!).. And those friends who like me, think that Kirstie is an inspiration and absolutely can't wait to try and make all the Christmas decorations and gifts that she makes in her programs.

So, with my new sewing machine ( I know I haven't updated you recently but I got a new sewing machine from my mum for Christmas and I know it isn't Christmas yet but we have already celebrated !! ). So anyway, with my new sewing machine and my mum's expertise, a little help from the program and a good stash of leather and paper from my scrapping supplies, I made a Little book and I gave it to a very special friend for Christmas. ( someone who I know would appreciate my effort and excitement at creating such a cute little thing ! ) so... tadadadaaa...

This is the first of many, watch this space.. the teachers will get one for their summer presents and everybody I know for their birthdays !! I have ideas of making mini books with them. I am sooo excited about this, it looks and feels gorgeous, even if I say so myself.

I have also been busy with my Christmas mini book and added pages of our early Christmas dinner, our trip to Winchester, our winter ball and carols in the barn. It is too late to show you pictures now but I will try tomorrow.

Have fun everyone and Merry Christmas if I don't get to speak to you sooner.

Anne XXX

It is starting to look like Christmas !!

We have been busy decorating the house and it is now really starting to look like Christmas. Here are a few pictures of what we have done so far..

All these decorations gave me an idea for a page. But since I am way behind writing my Christmas cards, it had to be a very quick page ! And that is so difficult for me. I choose the sketches from Sketchy Thursdays and Sketch in Thyme.




They are quite similar, with three pictures. I decided to use pictures of my new wreath. ( I can spell it now, you will understand when you see my page ! ) I made this wreath last Friday when I went to see my anonymous friends Claire. A friend of hers is a florist and taught us how to use wire and ribbons to make Christmas decorations. This is so clever. I really enjoyed it and my newly painted door looks even better now. But anyway, here is my very quick page with a very obvious corrected spelling mistake !!

Finally I have been busy making a Christmas mini book and here is what it looks like so far..

That was busy me!! How are your preparations going?
Anne