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

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!!!

Building prettiness!!

Hello!
Well please excuse my absence this week..obviously if you read the last post you will know that My baby has made his way to BIG school and has been doing afternoons all this week and then Monday he does ALL DAY!! EEK!! I have also had my Hubby at home for the week before he starts his new Job so we been making the most of some child free hours every day by hanging out, shopping and drinking coffee and eating cake in Cafes!! So again not much work done again!! But have designed a new product which I think would make a lovely Christmas or birthday gift for somebody to display on their dresser or mantle.
They are Vintage style Building blocks that I have made to display the 4 seasons and some words to inspire appreciation of your surroundings!!
Well lets start with....

HOME SWEET HOME
Take a step back wherever your home should be and admire your surroundings... this is the place you come back to every day, the place that protects you and keeps you warm.

SPRING
Easter eggs, beautiful flowers, new beginnings and arrivals

SUMMER
Sunny days, light evenings, blue skies, juicy strawberries,scented roses and easy living

AUTUMN
Hazy days, cosy evenings, Harvest moons, Pumpkin patches and ghostly Fun and frolics!

WINTER
Family gatherings, counting down to happy days, pretty sparklies everywhere, fairy lights glowing and a visit from Father Christmas!!

LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE

Live each day with Laughter and Love

SO all of the above pictures are on one set of blocks ( 3 in a set) I will be pricing them at £9.99 a set.. main reason being that they take a long time to design and make 18 faces of the block. ( Let me know your opinion on the price please..all feedback will be welcome!)
A close up of the Halloween side of the block

So Will be selling this set and others designs soon. Please feel free to E-mail me with any enquiries on annmarie_vaughan@yahoo.co.uk
I can make them personalised for you too...there are endless possibilities!
Well thanks for reading and welcome to any new followers!! LOVE all your lovely comments too..need to catch up on all of your lovely blogs and see what you have all been up to!! Until next time, have a great weekend!
Annie X

just a quickie...

....to show off my Aidan in his sparkly new school uniform before he makes holes in the knees!!He had a great afternoon and although rather vague about all the details that Mummy wants to know he said he did enjoy his day!
hopefully back with some thrifty finds discovered this week
Annie x