Reminder...Giveaway closing Monday Evening

Just a quickie to remind anyone who would like to enter the Halfway giveaway but hasn't done so already to do so ASAP as I will be closing this on Monday evening- ( English time!)
Feel free to reply to this post to enter and click here to read how to gain more entries!
Thanks to all who have entered my first Giveaway linking my Blog to my Facebook group...I am taken aback by all of your support with posting links, joining the group and following too..I now have well over 300 members of my Facebook group and getting close to 80 followers on here! I'm hoping to open my website and shop in the New Year..as soon as I hit that 100 target!! ;~)
Thanks Again
Annie x

I've been Featured!!

Hello!
Just a boast post...teehee!!
Better After blog showcases some Wonderful Makeovers and I am chuffed to bits that my birdcage makeover made it onto there this week!
Lindsey picks some really fantastic transformations so to have mine featured is a real honour x
if you haven't visited and love seeing the mundane turned into fabulous then it really is worth a visit! Thanks Lindsey x
Also while I'm here I had a lot of compliments on the paper I used in the trays of the birdcage...I have to tell you that they were paper napkins from Sainsburys!! but..designer ones!!
They are by Nina Campbell and so I came across her website and WOW!!! Its just LOVELY!!!
With pics like these.....Its well worth a visit! Lots and lots to see and buy!! ( also a wishlist on there too!)
Be back soon with some new handmade pretties from Sew Lolly!
Byeeee xxx

Over whelmed and 7 random facts about me....

Hello!!
Well WOW Blog and Net friends!! can't believe how many of you have entered my giveaway!! Thanks so much!!It blows me away that you even wanna enter to win my lil ole blocks!! Had tons of entries so far and my little vintage tin of entries is filling up fast!!

The thing I am MOST chuffed about is the fact that I have felt a warmth of loyalty from my blog friends and found new peeps and blogs that I may have never found before now...I do try to reply to all who comment or if its from a no reply email than try to visit your blog to 'have a nosey'!!
SO there is one week left to enter! I have decided to close this on Monday evening (Edited to add: this means Monday the 2nd November) so if you haven't already then don't be shy, please go and visit the post!!
So I have been busy making stock to take to the Vintage and Homemade fair in November! there will be a preview post with some advanced look at stock that you may want to buy before hand and collect on the day and also will be posting a 10% voucher for my stall to print off for anyone who decides to come and visit us!! My Mum has been very busy too for her stall- Sew Lolly designs and she has some gorgeous gifts and goodies for the home at very reasonable prices too...I have sneaked some pictures so will show you some of that soon too!!
I also have an award to collect!!
Thanks to this lovely lady Kelly from Recipes For Life who has kindly awarded me this

The rules of the award are:

1. Thank the person who gave this to you

2. Copy the logo and post it on your blog

3. Link to the person that nominated you

4. Name 7 things about you that no one would really know

OK so 7 things that no one will really know..hmmmmm I'm pretty much an open book so I'll try and be a bit more random!!

1)OK....I lived in Australia for a year when I was 21-22.....
It was the best thing I ever did as I am a real home girl but seeing that side of the world opened my eyes to how beautiful new places could be

2) I am scared of Spiders and...people dressed up in those big character costumes!!

I know a bit random but they freak me out completely..even pudsey bear...if I see one my hands go clammy and my heart starts racing!! funnily enough though Disney characters would be fine!!

3) I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan!!

This has now been transferred to my son also who loves Harry too! I am saving my pennies to visit the new Potter theme park in America!! Sigh... one day Annie!!

4 ) I am United Nations!

With my colouring and eye/hair colour I often get mistaken for Asian ( Indian) but Actually in my family I have...Dutch, Portuguese, French, Scottish, English and a lil German blood too! unfortunately I only speak English..what a shame :~(

5) I had a pierced tongue!!!

When I was 19 I decided to have my tongue pierced...very random for me but I loved it and had to take it out for my job as it just wasn't 'professional' enough! I used to change the ball to different coloured jewels to match my outfit!!

6) My wedding Dress was PINK!!

I had my wedding dress made for me in Australia by the most kind and lovely designer called Lesley, she made it in a pale shell pink for me and even dyed the tulle for my veil the slightest shade of pink to match....when I got back to England My mum and I beaded and adorned the dress with crystal and glass beads while we sat on her bed catching up about the year we had been apart.

7) OK another piercing confession.....

I had both my tregus pierced..they are the nobbly bit in between your face and ear! I got it done as my best friend just trained as a piercer and I wanted her to pierce me...It hurt like Hell!! I don't wear the bars in them any more but still have the holes..

Nothing too shocking I hope!!
I have decided not to pass this on but give it to all of you I really can't pick at the mo cause you all are amazing x
Take care and back with some stock previews!
Annie x

Giant Birdcage Makeover!!

Hello!!
Ok Finally heres the Birdcage Makeover I have been talking about for ages!! The weather has delayed things somewhat!! But heres the before.....

Hmmm...bit shabby looking and the gold and black not looking too classy....So Antique White Spray Paint, some elbow grease, ageing techniques and some imagination........... you get this!!

The stand has a revolving tray attached now..

...and Decoupaged some gorgeous birdcage paper onto the tray and...

in the bottom of the cage on the removable trays!!

Adorned with a few shabby roses, Crystals and a sweet lil birdie and we have a finished makeover!!

Will be featuring this makeover in a few places such as...

So if you are visitng from here then Thanks for taking the time to visit and make sure to click on the giveaway button on the right Or here for a chance to enter my Halfway giveaway to win some Vintage blocks!! Everyone's welcome!!!

Until next time..Take care

Annie xx

Halfway point giveaway!!

Hello!!
So as promised if I got to 50 I would have a halfway point giveaway! I usually have a seasonal giveaway on my Facebook group but this will be my first on my blog...so Instead of having seperate one for each site....I'm going to mix it up a bit!!
Ok so I have around 250 members of my fb group and now 55 followers here....I know thats a lot of peeps so I'm gonna give you more options to enter more than once to boost your chances of winning!
SO this is how it works.....
1 entry = reply to Facebook group OR Comment on this post
1 entry = posting a link to this blog on your Facebook wall OR Posting a link to your blog
1 entry = becoming a follower of my blog or join my Facebook group- link in side bar

I can see who has replied or commented on Fb and here but if you have posted a link or followed me then please let me know by e-mail annmarie_vaughan@yahoo.co.uk and i will add your extra entries in the hat!
Maybe I should tell you what you can win eh? Well the general opinion was that the Vintage style blocks would be a good prize....

so I have 2 sets to giveaway and a cinnamon scented decoration for 5 runners up

The giveaway is open to international visitors too! I will be closing this in approx 2 weeks!

Good luck everyone and thanks for your support.....

EDITED TO ADD: This Giveaway is now closed..Thanks so much to everyone who visited and entered...It was great fun!
Annie x

Feeling Thankful!

Hello!

Yes I know you have heard this before but I have been busy!! Hence the lack of regular posts but unfortunately its the same every year in the run up to Christmas! So before I make my Giant Birdcage Makeover post I just wanna take the time to tell you what I'm thankful for at the moment!

Firstly Thanks to the Lovely Sharon from Clover Cottage for unwittingly picking my name from the hat for her Fab giveaway! This Gorgeous little handmade bag ( above) full of goodies arrived on my doorstep!!

There was the most gorgeous shade of purple beads, a scrummy smelling yankee candle tart, a gorgeous angel decoration and a beautifully scented handmade soap...Oh not forgetting some choccies for my lil boy Aidan which clocked in nicely in time for his birthday!! Thanks so much again Sharon!! xxx

Speaking of my lil boy...Ben 10 I mean Aidan, turned 5 on Friday!!! So I am Thankful for my baby boy and the wonderful friends and family that gave him beautiful cards, presents and helped us celebrate this special day!

I'm thankful for the vintage goodies that get sent my way from Kaye in Aus...these lil goodies came with the fab pressies she sent for Aidy! I'm a lucky gal xx

Thankful for the lovely lil catalogues that are in my magazine rack and that I find on my doormat when I get in from the school run, just in time to be read in my comfy chair with a coffee before I start my work!

Thankful for my Lovely hubby who took the hint and made it so that this great read drops onto my doorstep every month...AND.......

...That its addressed to 'MR' Annmarie Vaughan because it make me giggle every time I see it!!

Thankful that someone thinks my blog is worthy of this Award! Thank you Lucy from Vanilla Ivy

I love reading her blog and often identify to her as both of our lil boys started big school this year and I just find her blog is always so honest and warm...please pay her visit and see for yourself xx

The Splash Award is given to "alluring, amusing, inspiring, bewitching, and impressive blogs"

Suggested rules are:

1. Post the award on your blog.
2. Nominate up to 9 blogs.
3. Let your nominees know they've won.
4. Link back to the person who gave it to you.

EDITED TO ADD......

I cant beleive it but I have somehow managed to bag myself another award??? Still amazes me that anyone actually reads!! I owe Wendy from this Fantastic blog  a HUGE thankyou!!! 

Feeling very chuffed and very honoured..BLUSH

Although I am addicted to blog reading and jumping I fall in love with different blogs every month!!I’d like to pass this to the blogs I have enjoyed reading the most this month.

Sharon at CLOVER COTTAGE

I loved reading about Sharon's trips out and her latest projects!!

Lindsay at BETTER AFTER

This blog is Fantastic for inspiration and a fave if like me you are a fan of makeovers!!

Lajoni at PAINTING NEW MEMORIES

This lady is TALENTED!! Go and check out her makeovers!!

Felicity at JOSHY AND BELLE

This blog is so Enjoyable to read... the way this Lady posts...its so Poetic!!

Cindy at COTTAGE INSTINCTS

A new read for me which I have to say found myself going back to the archives and Reading ( a sign of a great blog )

Thankful for the visitors from overseas that have visited my blog recently who have found me due to my participation in the days that the above blogs host! You can go there directly through the pictures in my side bar...there are some inspired makeovers there and you can find some really great blogs too! Thanks for clicking on my link ladies, you make my day when I see your flag on my visitor bar xx

AND LASTLY but certainly not LEAST...THANKYOU!!!

I have now hit over my halfway target to get to 100 followers!! When I do that I will have a HUGE giveaway and be opening my own website online shop! Please help me get there by clicking on the follow button xx

I really really do appreciate that you take the time to visit and read my ramblings!! YOU make me feel very blessed x

Will be back after the weekend with the GIANT birdcage Makeover---finally!! and details of the halfway giveaway!!

Look after yourselves and loved ones...back soon...I promise!!

Annie x

Sparklies and spray paint...the makeover begins!

Hello!
I have been a busy bee....My collections of little frilly bits have got a tad outta hand so had myself a little organisation session starting with my crystals!! (My beads are another matter completely!!!) also amongst the 'rubble' I found some vintage necklaces and a blue flower crystal necklace that I had made awhile ago..so hung them by the side of the window so I could see them sparkle!!

So after hoping for a 'nice' day to spray my birdcage I have given up waiting and decided that today was the day!! bit damp and windy..( not ideal conditions ) but hey a girls gotta do... so this is the before....It consists of an old Giant birdcage ( well to my standards anyways!!) an old candle stand and revolving tea tray!! UM Kinda decorated the patio as well....DOH!!! I'm not finished the Make over yet due to lots of these to transform....

But here's a tiny little peek!!Be back soon...ish!
Annie x

freebie..

just in case you missed it as it was on the end of my last post! For your personal use..you can swap it about for patterns of your choice you can see what the finshed card looks like here. Thanks to all who have followed me...please please keep spreading the word for me as I will be having my first giveaway when I reach 50 followers maybe for some of these???
Hopefully I'll reach 100 soon but only 20 odd more peeps before I reach the halfway point!!! TEE HEEE I'll probably get it done soon anyway but now its down to principal!!! LOL!
Will be back with some thrifty finds and that giant birdcage.....
Annie x