She wore a Raspberry Beret.......

 Hello!!

Well Thought I'd get round to showing you a few of my pretty Birthday Pressies!! Seems a lot of my fellow bloggers are September Babies also (which probably explains a collective love for Autumn which I see so many posts celebrating!!) SO if you have recently Celebrated a birthday in September or are about to then Happy Birthday!!!!

My Darling Hubby bought me a Fantastic little digital Camera which I am finding my way around...My 5 yr old however seems to have got the hang of it pretty easily...he took the above picture when I was on the phone gossiping to my girly!!  And the Beret I am wearing is from my friend the lovely Nana Maja who was actually listening rather more closley than I thought when I was telling her in passing one day that I always wanted a Raspberry beret...(the kind you find in the second hand store) Like the Prince song!! I also got my fave perfume from her also...wont tell you what it is but its sweet and smell like blackberries and vanilla!!

My Honorary Brother and his beautiful Girlfriend ( I do strongly suspect that actually she had more to do with the picking)  bought this cutie patootie Hairdryer which is not only Cute as a button but the perfect size for my new fringe that my lil sis kindly cut for me!!!

 My Sister got me this gorgeous monsoon bag which somehow goes with anything I'm wearing!!!!

My Newlywed Dad and his wife sent me this lovely bracelet which I'm sure I'll have fun collecting beads for!!!

I also got money from my Mum & Her fiance and also from my Cousin so I got myself a nice pair of boots and a checked shirt as a treat!! Some tickets to Swan Lake from my Girly, some gorgeous Lush goodies from another of my Girlies and My Sis in law bought me the last 2 books in the twilight series so that had me captured for a while there!! OMG!! Breaking DAWN is AMAZING!!!!!! Loved every single moment of it...did not want it to end!!

SO I  also got more lovely pressies and cards too but If I post them all then you'll be here all day!!! But I am very Blessed!!

Will leave you with a picture of me and My soon to be 6 yr old lil man Aidy...who has started a new trend of making strange faces at the camera ( unbeknown to me) and then cracking up when he sees the result!! It kinda makes me giggle too!!!!

Back soon with some recent commisions x 

Annie xx

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

Catching up!!!

Hello!!

Well its been a while! Please excuse my absence...I have no excuse though I'm afraid!! Just been enjoying life really, with all of its highs and lows it really does keep you busy! Although I really could have put together a post I feel it would have been half hearted and that's not good enough for my friends in blogland really now is it?

Well firstly A HUGE thank you to all of you who read and also commented on my vintage blocks post...I had such great feedback and orders!! I also had a lovely lady Susan Ashman
Enquire about wanting a set to go into the Children's attic playroom for a place that she is currently involved in the refurbishment of. It's a beautiful country house in Somerset that's grade 1 listed...make sure to visit her blog for more info, Its an interesting read!!

I taught a crafting class on Sunday and had a lovely afternoon with them...there are preparing for a wedding with a vintage style ( a girly after my own heart!!)
They made some Cupcake cards and did a fantastic job of them! Heads down all working hard!!Chloe making the smallest paper flowers..fiddly!!!!WE also made some paper flowers and threw around some wedding decor and invitation ideas! Can def see some production lines being started in time for the wedding next September!!
Thank you all so much ladies it was lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon...you were all a pleasure to teach!

As you can see from the 1st pic of the card It was my nephews 13th birthday this month but I always seem to struggle with designs for males whilst keeping true to my style!! So I came up with this design as He ALWAYS seems to win anything we play..especially cards!!!
Lots of monopoly money signifying the masses of times he has whooped us at games!!

Also I have a friend who teased me to say that no one would read my blog! He is now eating his words HA HA but has said to me that if I get close 100 followers he would build my website Birdcages and Butterflies for me! I hope to open a shop on there so I can sell some of my products online. SO I'm begging you who hasn't already please please please please please with tons of cherries on top so I can get my website up and running!!!
As a little thanks, here's the layout I used for the game card for your personal use!
This was made to fit an a5 card but of course feel free to add cut and use as template for your own patterns papers etc. Will be doing a giveaway when I hit 50 followers too...feel free to send me suggestions as a prize..was thinking a set of blocks maybe? Let me know, as always would love your feedback!! Oh and some pics and a link if you do make it too!! TA!
Enjoy!!
Annie xx
P.S Next time I'll tell you all about the giant Birdcage I'm transforming!!!

Distressed!!

Hello!
Well I'm not personally distressed but thought i would post about this
little tool that I have fallen in love with working with!Anyone who is into paper crafts will know that there are tools out there that you can use
to distress paper with inks but can also be very pricey!! I have used these pricier tools and
have to say that sometimes the bargain is better!! Firstly let me tell you how to use it ......
First you place a bit of felt on the block and press down on the Velcro...

Then you get a normal stamp pad... ( I am using brown here to give it a vintage feel )
dab the the block felt side down on the ink pad a couple of times then on your chosen print or card
( making sure you have a bit of scrap paper under your print) then make small circles starting
from the scrap paper to the print rubbing and smudging the ink all around the edges
So it looks something like this, basically less is more and its best to build up the colours...

I also added some colour from a Teal ink pad, Autumn Leaf and pale Aqua too
and now it looks a tad more authentic!
It was a good friends Birthday Today too and I made her a card
in her fave Colour Purple but thought I would use a bit of teal in there too..
...LOVE THIS LOOK!!!
The Craft shop that I work for( Fantasy Crafts ) sell this magic little tool for the bargain price of ....£2.49!! YES I know!!!!..It also comes with some spare Felt pads too
but have to say these do not disintegrate easily so will last you a while too!!
If you would like to try one then just email fantasycrafts@hotmail.co.uk and I can send
one out to you for this great price plus £1 P+P only....
...If you do please show me the finished projects you use it for..
.by the way I have also used this on painted frames too!!
Oh and yes I have been playing with my blog background
but still have lots to learn and tweak so all feedback and advice would be much appreciated !! ;~)
Annie x

Birthday BBQ and an Update

Hello!
Ok Well I had a BBQ to celebrate A) My birthday on Thursday and B) the fact that for the first time in 2 years we have something that resembles a back garden! SO I er kinda forgot to take pictures mainly due to copious amounts of this Demon below!!SO I thought I would take some pictures of the aftermath!! We had such strong winds that the Gazebo nearly blew away!! but managed to clear the rubble before Taking this picture..I found some lights for £6 in the sale and painted some polka dots and strawberries on a paper light shade and cherries on another and the hung a few lights in them for the evening.

and these little Strawberry Bird feeders were too cute in the B& Q sale so I put a tea light in the bottom and they made cute candle holders!!

SO I got a few pressies from my Lovely friends and family... and YES I KNOW It's not my Birthday till Thursday but It would be rude not open them when they want to know if I liked them or not!!!! Of course I did as my friends all know me too well!!
Theres some fab C k goodies there..one I'm saving to open on Thursday! Some Breathtaking Crystal Necklaces and great little goodies.....all sitting on a fab bedspread made by Mummy along with the heart cushion I was swooning over in this post!!
and YES that is a birdcage necklace you can see there!!
This pretty little card was made by the lovely Aisha, my friends Daughter and I just think its so cute!! Love the colours together!!..def an artist in the making!
Having my family and friends altogether in the same place just made me feel so happy...I have friends that have known me since the teenage years and some that have just come into my life but every one of them bring something extra to my life....I feel so blessed.
Speaking of blessed.....I have a NIECE!! Her name is Casseta Angelique and is just gorgeous! My Husbands Twin Sister had her a couple of days ago and they are both doing well...She is a natural earth mother!!
SO I had some lovely baby cuddles over the weekend too!! Hopefully we'll be blessed with another in the next year!!
Ooh OOH here's my pumpkins too!!
This is what it looked like last time I posted....and now it has grown and been joined by another!! I have a pumpkin patch!! Can't wait for them to turn orange!! I planted them quite late in the season so they are a bit behind some other plants i have seen. I read that to get a nice round shape that you have to stand them on end so that's exactly what I've done...if anyone is growing them too I would love to hear from you so we can swap notes!!

SO Hubby is taking my Birthday off so we can go and take a trip to London...I know Spitalfields Antique market is on that day but can anyone give me any secret spots that will hold vintage treasures that they would like to share with me? Consider it a birthday gift!!!!
I will try and post at the end of the week if I am not busy preparing for the wedding in Birmingham the next day!!! Until next time oh gorgeous ones.....BYEEE! xxx
Annie x