Saturday, December 18, 2010

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy, healthy, fun filled, creative year in 2011!




 I received a lovely gift in the mail this week from
Vicki at Tozz's Corner  an, oh so sweet purse and a hand stitched with love Christmas decoration for my tree. Thank you Vicki.

 Here is one of the reasons I've been a bit quiet in blogland-I'm trying to finish personalised place mats for my dining table.   Quite a bit of playing around with my photos on the computer and then printing the photos onto fabric.  Let dry for one hour {depends on the brand of print fabric} then wash, dry, iron and sew on borders, add batting and backing or cheat and use padded calico, 'stitch in the ditch' around each photo and hand sew the binding on.  I have an eight seater dining table and I'm up to number 5 place mat.
This is just a brief run down. I was going to do a small tutorial but time is running out... If you're interested in making some for yourself, I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Here is something else I've recently stitched for a special friend's 40 th birthday.  There was a 'no gift' rule, however I know how much Kaz appreciates hand made gifts and I couldn't resist making this special cushion with a photo of her children.
Yeah, that's a couple to add to my OPAM challenge this month.

Now, I'm going to have a bit of a gripe~I heard a statement the other day that
"blogging is just bragging about your achievements"
I was a bit upset by this statement as I blog quite a bit, love sharing my works and receiving comments I also make lots of comments when visiting other bloggers and l Love the way we share information, tutorials and advice. 
A few good examples are: 
Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique and all her special guest artists that have been so giving in tutorials, hints, tips and expert advice.
There are also lots of artists
and fabric queens that share BOM and tutorials like
Clare from  Clare's Craftroom and
then for the paper crafter's there's
Creative Carmelina who does a bit of everything,
and Karen @ Graphic Fairy
These are just to name a few of sharing, caring bloggers {there are plenty more}~I could go on and on and on.
My point is please use kind words, you don't have to join in with our fun, creative world!
Buon Natale,
Baci e Abbracci,
Hugs~Anna

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi my friend, beautiful work with the cushion its gorgeous and i know your friend will love it. I agree with you about the blogging, i think people blog for many reasons, i have a few blogs all for different things. i like to share my delights and photographs from a personal side, i love to create and share those and i also have my art freebies site which is just to share with others who like to use images in their art. I know many people who just want to share, to give and recieve friendship, to give freebies, to give advice and help and to share beauty ..... blogging is wonderful and thank you Anna for blogging about it
hugs June

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Gee, wish that person had said that to me...... >:D
That would have given me a daily RANT to post.
We blog and read blogs to see what others are doing, to support each other, to enjoy friendships, to help work out problems.....maybe that person blogged just to BRAG. Pffft.
Beautiful tree!
Have a Merry Christmas and hope you get your projects done!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Serena Lewis said...

A Merry Christmas to you and your family also, Anna.

I love the little gifties you received. Great job on the cushion and good luck with finishing up your placemats in time for Christmas. They look great!

The person who made the comment about 'blogging = bragging' truly has no idea what blogging really IS all about. I would have ranted too! Blogging is all about community, much like a family....it's about like-minded people who give, share, encourage and support each other. Blogging has made a huge difference in my life as I have made so many wonderful friends worldwide and I have learned so much from others too.

Now, I'm off to check out some of those links...thanks ~ :)

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

Hi Anna,

I wouldn't worry too much about 'that' persons perception of blogging. That's not the kind of person us bloggers wish to communicate with anyway. We know what we are about and that's all that matters.

Gosh you are busy and still a few more placemats to go. They will look lovely on the day and so personalised.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Diane said...

I LOVED blogs way before I started my own, and especially the art blogs. FINALLY, I've found a group of people who NEVER get tired of talking about and yes showing (my favorite part) their art. This person is in a very small minority--this is why we're all here--if we didn't like it, we wouldn't be here. And there ain't nothing wrong with self-promotion.
Okay, I'm done now :)
A VERY Merry Christmas to you!
P.S. Those place mats are very cool!

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Hi Anna, Merry Christmas! Love your photo projects, I attempted something like the pillow last year and yes, very time consuming!
I love blogging and don't think I'd care too much about anyone's opinion that didn't 'get it'..lol:)
Too much fun to be had and the friendships are priceless!
paula:)

Marlene said...

Anna, the tree is beautiful. I love the place mats and the pillow, very creative. As far as the blogging = bragging. I have never once felt that any of the blogs I follow were bragging. I love the sharing of ideas and creative endeavors. I read and write blogs for the fellowship with other artist, I also love meeting people from all over the world and finding out they are really just like me.

ArtfulLee Designed said...

Hi Anna ,
Love your placemats and cushion. Beautiful work, I'm sure your Lunch guests and your friend will love and appreciate the time and love you have put into making these.
Blogging=bragging REALLY!! People blog for all sorts of reasons and we all have the choice as to which ones to follow. If we were all the same the world would be a boring place. Blogging supports, encourages, shares, teaches, comforts, gives confidence, motivates, gets the creative juices going, makes us laugh, makes us think and brings the world just a bit closer.
PS thanks for sharing my blog link.
Lee:)

Crowing Moon said...

A BIG fat PPPPPFFFFTTTTTHHH :P to the commenter. I'm sure it was someone who didn't have a creative bone in his/her body and is just jealous.
Love what you've been up to. Have a VERY Merry Christmas

Sew Useful Designs said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS, ANNA!!!!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2010!

I think I would have been roused by that comment too. Like you - not so much for me but it's an insult to our friends! Like Kerryanne says, we know what we're about!! There wouldn't be much point in blogging if we didn't show and share, would there?!!

Hugs sweetie~!!!
Vikki xoxoxo

mariondee-designs said...

Hi Anna, my you are busy! Those placemats are such a great idea and I'm sure your friend will love her beautiful present!
It's hard to believe some people would leave comments like that.. I have always blogged about the things I've made.. never to brag but more to let everyone know what I'm up to and also to promote my business.. as you never know who's reading.. and I've always been given lovely compliments which really make my day. I am always in awe of people's talent's and not once did I think they were bragging. I think sometimes we just have to ignore comments from ignorant people! Anyway Anna, I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and alot more creating in 2011! take care, Maryann

Anonymous said...

Anna, Thank you for your sweet comments about my little pouches and for the Christmas wishes. I wish the same for you...a Merry and Blessed Christmas season and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Blessings,
Diane

Lynn Stevens said...

What beautiful and creative gifts you made and received.

Its really to bad theres people that feel that way, through blogging I have made many wonderful friends that share a commen interest, been inspired in so many ways, learned new things and made me strive to be more creative.
and the kindness and concern from people all over the world when I got sick was overwhelming. I was so
touched by all the cards and letters (hundreds)I recieved from so many who really cared about me. Thats what blogging is all about, connecting and sharing the love!

Wishing you a Christmas full of Joy, Health and Happiness
hugs Lynn

Crafty Chookie said...

People can be so crule in the choice of words they use, but hey, if that's what they want to call it..I love BRAGGING about everything I do and I love being an OVER ACHIEVER when I get a project finished...Hehehehe
Love ya as always..Michelle
P.S...You clever girl with the computer...

Suzanne said...

Hi Anna~ I hope you and your family enjoyed a Merry Christmas! The place mats are a great idea, so clever and I'm sure everyone felt special seated in their personalized place! Wishing you a Happy New year!

Kerri said...

Hi Anna, hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas! Wishing you the best in 2011 :)

Huggies,
Kerri

Anonymous said...

Happy New year my friend and hope its a lovely one for you. How are your table mats coming along ? I hope you got them all finished ok.
Hugs June xxx

Anonymous said...

I have a lacy pillow project in mind to do for myself! My living room couch needs some comfy pillows...and I'm getting really good at putting things off!

it's time to get cracking! thanks for sharing....inspirations abound here in blogland!

ciao bella

Creative Carmelina

Anonymous said...

Hi Anna, its just me again :)
check out my unwrapping my heart blog. there is an award for you there (if you dont like awards please feel free to not do anything with it ) I chose you because you are a special lady
hugs June xxxx