A catch up...

  Hello, 

Well Ive been missing from blogland a little while now....3 years to be exact....I suppose I should catch you up on a few things!

I turned my back on crafting for a little while...I just lost the heart for it....simple as that really....It became a struggle and I decided to have a little break from it which actually turned out to be longer than expected!!

I became a respite carer for my friends little boy whom Ive known from birth...he has Williams syndrome hes nearly 9 yrs old and caring for him makes me a better person....then into my life...along came another little boy on the school run in his buggy with his mummy...much younger but with the same beautiful elfin features and big broad smile Id seen before....before you know it I'm caring for 2 little boys with Williams!! Ive been caring for them nearly 2 years now and they light up my life I love them like they're my own...They were sent to me to make me smile x

My own Little man Aidy is nearly 9 now! still gorgeous and still drives me nuts but wouldn't swap him for the world!! ha ha

this is him on the right with Justin the Eldest boy I care for.

Then there's me....I went through a bit of a transformation due to health reasons...(I have the Diabetes gene chasing me) I lost 4.5 stones with Paul Mckennas book I can make you thin....going from a size 24-26 to a size 18....I'll never be a skinny Minnie...but I'm happy 

I also celebrated 10 years of marriage September 2012......

...and celebrate 20 years of  being a couple this November x 

My Childhood sweetheart xx

So that's a few updates....now onto the business,.....Why did I decide to come back to crafting?

Well I was starting to miss it..but thought I could live without it.....but then little things kept happening.. Little signs...making a present for a friends baby shower and my friend being so touched with what I made for her princess it made me really emotional...and the new friends I had made since not even knowing I could craft full stop was eye opening, that used to be one of the first thing they associated with 'Annie'!!

Then one day me and Aidy were talking about a subject they were discussing at school...( what gifts has God given us) he turned around to me and asked me outright....Mum why don't you craft anymore? I tried to fob him off in all honesty...because I just couldn't answer the question......then the smarty pants came up with well your gift is that you make everything nice.....that's when it spiralled!!

I had left my Fb business page open and abandoned to be honest and decided one evening in January to post a test message to see if anyone was still there?......The response I got was astounding...so many encouraging comments asking if I'm coming back to crafting etc.......then a good talking to from my nearest and dearest friends encouraging me not to waste my skills was the final straw!!!!! I had no more reasons not to!!

I relaunched in January with just over 400 likers and now a short while later i have over 700 likers and had an AMAZING response!!! 

Unfortunately my old hard drive with all my old designs such as the 4 seasons blocks  has been corrupted so I took it as an opportunity to start from scratch! New logo new designs new beginnings!!!

Back soon

Annie x

Celebrations and New product!

Hello!!

Well a little catch up here!

My Lil mans surprise birthday celebrations went rather swimmingly for a very last minute affair!! It was lovely to see his little face when he saw his friends waiting there when he got back from watching his first football match with his Daddy!

 Then we have Sundays Halloween happenings.....setting the scene.....

 This was our Dinner today...West Indian style Pumpkin soup, Sticky Maple Sausages, crispy bacon, Brie and Crusty Tiger bread!!

 After a spot of trick or treating at the neighbours we came back and watched Roald Dahls 'The witches!! Loved the movie...needless to say Aidy woke a few times with bad dreams....maybe a bit much for him!!!

Then another celebration not for me this time but a friend whose Mother was celebrating her 50th and wanted something special......

These will be appearing in the blogshop soon...Personalised blocks...makes a great gift x 

Until next time x x

Annie x

RIGHT THATS IT!!!!!

Hello!!
Well your lovely comments on my 'SCARY' Picture not only made me blush lots ut also inspire me to go a little further...so without further ado....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
MWAH HAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Annie x

One Perfect Autumn Sunday....

Hello!
Well its half term already...how did that come around so quick???? With my lil 6 yr old hanging with me in the day I'll not get much computer time...so....
...As I said Recently I owe you some back posts!!! Heres one of a most perfect sunday with some of my besties after a sunday roast. It was Cool and crisp with the sun blaring down on us!!! Bliss!!
I'll let the pics do the talking...

 Hope you've enjoyed this Autumn....Halloween will be upon us before we know it!!
back soon x Annie xx
P.s dont forget to Enter our mini Giveaway on the blogshop!!! Closing soon! x

Award!!! YAY! BIG CHEESY GRINS!!!

 Hello!
Well the Gorgeous Amy from Blighty Boutique has Kindly given me this great Versatile blogger Award which of course I'm chuffed to bits about!

The rules are to link to the blogger who sent you the award and to share 7 interesting facts about myself.  EEEK!! Well, here Goes....erm....please forgive me if I have recycled these from my last blog award but Its been at least a year so I'll refresh your memory!!!

1. I am a Twilight Fan

I have in the last month just finished the Twilight saga ( pretty later than the rest of the world ) however I fell in love with the story and Characters and would just think it would be AMAZING if Stephanie Meyer wrote the saga from Edwards point of view...whether or not that happens remains to be seen!!! By the way I'm Team Edward...until  Jacob takes his top off!!!

2. I used to dress Stores and Windows for Debenhams

 I studied Fashion & Textiles in College and progressed from junior Visual Merchandiser to Top Level before jetting off to live in Australia for a year!! Loved my job EXCEPT for hanging those dreadful sales signs!!! DEF don't miss that!!

3 Pancake Wednesday

 Every Wednesday I make these mini pancakes for My friends. We all chip in and play our parts ( everyone has a job) and we drink coffee, gossip and eat lots of pancakes with crispy bacon and Maple syrup!! Us women have to stick together and our little support network we have built up with each other is great as most of us don't have any grandparents that are close enough to watch kids when needed!

4 I am a Norah Jones fan

 I Love her voice and could listen to her albums on repeat quite happily! I used to sing to her album all every day of my pregnancy and It was the only music that would soothe Aidy to sleep when he was a bubba...I used to sing 'Dont know why' all the time to him and when I went to see her in Concert a couple of years ago I was felt my eyes weel up and a big lump formed in my throat...I turned to my husband in awe and was faced with a mouth open, almost snoring Jonas fast asleep!!! Clearly not a fan!!!!

5 I Honeymooned in Montmarte...

This was the hotel we stayed in, it was next to the home of Van Gogh where he studied with other french artists and was a short walk to the Moulin Rouge and the Sacre- couer...Montmarte is beautiful and if you are not Familiar with it than the Film 'Amelie' has lots of beautiful scenery of it

6 My Wedding dress was pink!

..OK maybe not as pink as Cinderellas but this book was def an inspiration!!

Mine was more of a shell pink and was bespoke, made in Italy but was bought whilst in Australia!!!

7 With my Husband for 17 years

Yes this November it will be 17 years as a couple....I'm only 32!! This makes him my childhood sweetheart, we started dating at the age of 15......truth be known he used to really pick on me before we became friends, funnily enough this truce coincided at about the same time the booby fairy came to visit!!! hahhaha!!! This pic was taken of us on our 2 year anniversary when we were 17....ahh young love!!

I'm passing this on to 2 ladies who I have had the pleasure of getting to know better lately due to me using their stock on our latest Photo shoot. I hope you visit and enjoy their blogs x 

Karen from Tilly Rose

Rose from Victoria Rose Crafts

Lastly just wanna say Thanks again to Amy and wish her all the best for the Vintage and Homemade fair in Northampton on Saturday...Wish I was going for this one to meet you all x x 

Annie x

I.O.U......& Happy Birthday my lil Boy X X

Hello,

Well As the title suggests I Owe you a load of posts that I have stored and waiting to go out but have been put back due to finishing the back log of orders, the photo shoots and Editing for Vintage Thrifted & Refashioned and a couple of Weddings too!!

But For now I am gonna go and start baking lots of goodies for My Sons Aidans 6th Birthday today x
Hes having a day out with his daddy and a surprise disco this evening!!!

I will post some party pics next time, in the mean time dont forget to grab a bargain in the new Autumn winter range HERE! Up to size 22 and sizes 8-10 will be posted in the week x x

Heres a few of me and my handsome fellow  x x x

Cant remember life without him......Have a great weekend friends x x
Annie x

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

6 WEEKS & Counting!!

Hello!!
Well they have officially started! Summer holidays are here!! The school reports are in, The teachers gifts have been given, the tears have been shed and the 'MUM I'M BORED' phase has def started!!!!
 Thankfully I have these little 10 day old cuties to keep us occupied!!! And loving the fact that we must handle them for a little bit of time every day!!! ( as long as Bumblebee the mummy doesn't mind too much of course)

There are 5 kitties, one set of Grey Tabby Twins, This half white and tabby in the pic above, a White cat with near identical patches to her mummy and a Dark Blue Grey boy with a white belly!
We haven't named them yet as I'm a bit scared of getting too attached before they set off for their new home when they ready to leave their mummy...but I'm sure some nicknames will spring up soon!!!
Please excuse my poor pic quality. I haven't got any pennies to buy a new camera yet so using my phone camera!!
Last weekend My sister had a Rare Saturday off so we jumped on the train to London and pottered around for the day around Covent Garden ( obviously via the Cath kidston Shop which was PACKED!!!) We had Lunch and then bought some Crushed Meringues with Strawberries and fresh cream while we sauntered off to Leicester Square to people watch..
...we then decided to something off the beaten track on a whim!! So spoke to the little tourist info guide there and found a Ghost bus tour for under £20 leaving from Trafalgar Square in an hour!
Booked that and had an iced coffee then headed off to Trafalgar Square where we watched a little bit of street dancing  then took a pic...Hmm looking a bit serious there!!! LOL!!

We then headed towards our pick up point in Northumberland Ave when we noticed that this rather creepy looking chap was staring at us.....

 ( he did actually pose for this one!)

Then this Came into our view!!!! The NECROBUS!!!

Its history is a tad Macabre!
Here's the info from the website.....

Earth to earth…

The Necropolis Bus Company began in the 19th century as a private funeral bus service. The Necropolis vehicles or ‘Carcass Coaches’ as they were known to Londoners were able to convey the deceased, pall bearers and up to 50 mourners (no standing) to the final resting place. Each bus had an onboard conductor/chief mourner and a special siren or ‘mourning whistle’ to warn pedestrians of the bus’s approach. The sound of the whistle prompted gentlemen to remove their hats and bow their heads as a mark of passing respect.

Ashes to Ashes…

Regular service ran until 1967 when a tragic fire at the company depot in South Dulstead razed the building to the ground and destroyed almost the entire fleet of buses. Only one vehicle was salvaged from the ashes and was locked in a storage facility for 40 years. It has now been restored to its original design and is operated by NECROBUS as a sightseeing service in central London. 

Bus to Bus

The bus is painted in the company’s traditional colour of midnight black. The interior seating is arranged in ‘railway style’ for comfort and so that passengers can grieve openly and offer condolences to each other. Decorative features include lamps and window curtains, which were always drawn if a coffin was stored in the vehicle overnight. This is based on the superstition that a departed spirit might be trapped by its own reflection in the glass and would be unable to pass on to the other world.  It also helped to keep the bodies cool in the summer months.

So we decide to actually get on this Bus for a different kind of tour!! I wont spoil it for any of you who might want to go on this fab tour but let me tell you it was one of the Scariest/funniest /Coolest thing we have done in London!!And Under £20 too!!

There was a picture of me and sis with the Bus conductor standing on the back entrance however.....It Didnt come out very well...for some strange reason...........

Well Will be back soon with a reminder about the giveaway...soon to close

Bye for now xx

Annie x

Paradise in England!

Hello!
Well as promised here are the holiday pics! We had a fantastic time ( once we got there- car troubles set us back!) WE arrived in Cornwall and I had asked the universe for some Sunshine for us and you guys to think positve for us...and thats exactly what we got from Day 1!!! SO THANKYOU ALL!!
We were staying in Hayle and the beach was on our doorstep...this was taken at 7pm!!

We went for a walk and to fly a kite when Aidy decided to go for a paddle.....

  ........and then jump in fully clothed!!!

Hayle was not far from St Ives....heres a view from the train ride round the bay

 St Ives is home to this little shop you may have heard of ??!!!!

Its shop used to be a cottage and is just too Cute!! ( fancy a little peek?)

Prettiness EVERYWHERE! 

Heres the little  crooked stairs leading to more loveliness...so cute

I found a few more gorgeous little shops with pretties in and I could have taken pics forever..however I'll show you what my fave object of desire was......

surprise surprise.....

I cant remember the name of this shop as I forgot to take a card but I left mine so if you are reading this please contact me so I can credit your lovely shop!

I found a little craft fair in the local community centre of Hayle and met this lovely woman called Maureen who painted the most lovely pictures and I bought this beautiful piece from her..

...I asked if she was local and she replied that she came here on her honeymoon 45 years ago and never went home!! I LOVE THAT!!!

Heres me and my (not so little any more) man

This is what I spent my last day Doing...

Sitting on the beach reading Twilight ( i'm hooked) and eating cherries...

until Sunset

Well I hope I didnt bore you too much...I have a lot of catching up to still do with my work so bear with me, I'll make it worth your while!!!!......Thanks to all for helping me reach over 200 followers in time for my 1 yr anniversary from blogging....Thankyou to all who read my ramblings now and over the last year....I'm BLESSED xxxx