Story time...first installment

So I've been wanting to actually use my blog for a while now. Finding the time, motivation and topics is my biggest issue. I've thought about some free tutorials and have even gotten as far as prepping pattern pieces and scanning them. However I then falter on the actual writing down step by step of how I do something as it so often 'just happens'.  I do promise though that it's on my list!

So back to my first problem... what to write (that folks might actually want to read) in the meantime.

I was lazing around yesterday in the sweltering 38C day in Melbourne (I'm NOT  a Summer Person!) thinking about general things then my mind wandered to my dear Gran. She's no longer with us and is sorely missed, however she left behind a mammoth collection of stories from when she was a wee girl growing up in Scotland, to meeting my Grandfather..to having my father...and so on.

So I thought I might take the time and write some of them down.  For me, for my kids and for others to read and maybe laugh and cry a little along side.

This is her

She was born on in September 1919 in Glasgow Scotland and was the third child. As was the way back then she was born at home. Her parents called her Wilhelmina but she was always referred to as Ina.

I will tell more stories about her childhood a bit later...but for now just a quick rundown.

This is her around 1939...hehe this was he calling card... I know a man who held onto a copy for over 50 years then again got in contact with my gran to say hi!

This though was the man to finally win her heart...my Grandfather John.  They were in love and probably would have lived their whole lives together if he hadn't sadly passed away - a story I'll get to as it was a HUGE MOMENT (not only that he died obviously...but the circumstances surrounding too!)

Some time after my Grandfather passed...my Gran's heart was again won by Mac...this is the man I knew as my Grandfather image x  Hehe 'just a wee dram'

Anyway I digress...

In among love gained and lost my gran had three children

one of whom had...well me (this is at her 90th party)...

So as I say that's a really (really) brief rundown of her life...she passed away in 2010 and is still missed terribly.  Old dear was almost deaf and very forgetful in the end but if you got her talking about her life and memories she was unstoppable.

I hope I do her justice in reliving the memories and allowing her to live on.

This is for you Gran xx

Giveaway Winner

So overall we had 40 entries (a couple of which were shared entries from people who had gotten friends to mention they were sent in).

So here is our list - so you can see your name and entry:

FairyTale	Giveaway
1	Patsy Delaney
2	simlan@adam.com.au	simlan@adam.com.au
3	Rachel Thompson	nickyandrachy@internode.on.net
4	Joanne Brooks	tjbrooks@bigpond.com
5	Chele mauri	nickchel@gmail.com
6	Hayley James	hayleyjames@aanet.com.au
7	Lisa Gazis	dreamer14_95@yahoo.com
8	Nicole Beveridge	Nicole@beveridge.id.au
9	Shared entry	Nicole@beveridge.id.au
10		janelle_vickery@yahoo.com.au
11		samcarr79@gmail.com
12	fiona	freakytweak25@hotmail.com
13	pat	pat.aep.salvationarmy.org
14	Jessie Hay	jessiehayy@hotmail.com
15	Jessie Hay -shared entry	jessiehayy@hotmail.com
16	Julie Spooner	juleschelle@hotmail.com
17	Amanda White	speedwayatom@optusnet.com.au
18	ashlea	ash_bro86@hotmail.com
19	Sharna	sharna182@hotmail.com
20	Tanya Vout	tanyavout@yahoo.com.au
21	suzanne sims	suzie_246@yahoo.com.au
22	iain brooking	iainbrooking@y7mail.com.au
23	Kierra	i_am_llama@msn.com
24	Lara Motta	luellabella(at)live(dot)com(dot)au
25	Rose Swiokla	rosalitarocks@netscape.net
26	Tracy Giles	poppit-05@hotmail.com
27	Bianca King	bee_004@virginbroadband.com.au
28		adamandkristy@live.com.au
29	Sharna – shared entry	sharna182@hotmail.com
30	Jac Henderer	JacandSkeet@dodo.com.au
31	KITTY MATTRAZZ	KMATTRAZZ@GMAIL.COM
32	Candice	Sweet.little.Evie@gmail.com
33	d	debbie_patrick@bigpond.com
34	Sharna – shared entry	sharna182@hotmail.com
35	Carina Seth	scottandcarina@bigpond.com
36	Hayles Saxon	f-pani@hotmail.com
37	sharna – shared entry	sharna182@hotmail.com
38	Kiara Mansell	kiaramansell@bigpond.com
39	kylie kelso-smith
40	.Karen O'Neil	kjt.oneil@bigpond.com
41		kelly and kellyryan@live.com.au
42		Rajregu@gmail.com

And the Winner is:

#10 - Janelle Vickery

Congratulations


2 Runners up were: #1 - Patsy Delaney and #36 - Hayley Saxon - you both get 10% off your next order x


Cheers  so much everyone for participating - we've broken the 2000 liker level on the facebook page so will be putting together a market night (with some bargains!!) to celebrate in the near future x


Thanks again

So Catch up...I'm so slack!

I'm getting behind in actually posting the pic a day pictures - I am taking them though!

So here we go:

Day 7 - someone I admire

John Lennon - big fan

Day 8 -  a smell I adore

I know it's a little strange...but I love the smell of trifle - it takes me back to my Gran cooking and making all sorts of yummy things

Day 9 - something I do everyday...

Create/Designs/Sew!

GIVE!WAY.....Fairytale IttyBitty

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!


So thought it's been a while since we have a little competition and everyone loves our IttyBitty Dolls so -

If you'd like to win the below 'IttyBitty Lil' Red'

Pop your name and email address below in the comments. 

(* If you're not a google member just choose 'Anonymous' from the drop down options to post a comment :-P )

(let other people know about the competition for  an extra entry

i.e share on facebook or get a friend to enter and say 'XYZ sent me)

The competition will run from the 6th May 2012 until Wednesday the 9th of May 8pm (EST). 

Winner will be drawn via random.org and announced on blog and via email - then once they have made contact announced on facebook.

• Winner will receive AllyBeeDesigns IttyBitty™ Lil' Red and FREE Postage (Australia wide only)**

• 2 Runners up will receive a 10% coupon to be used within the next 6months on any AllyBeeDesigns Made with Love™ product/s of their choice 

Any questions please contact us at : awpyoung@hotmail.com with any questions xx

 N.B. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to AllyBeeDesigns Made with Love™ and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for the Lil' Red Giveaway 2012. -thankyou xx

** If the winner is international they agree to pay shipping costs

All decisions will be final and made by AllyBeeDesings.

Day 5/6

So the days are getting away from me!!

Day 5 - bird

Day 6 - Me

Day 3...and 4

so I took the photo yesterday and then...life happened and I didn't get a chance to actually upload any pictures.

But Now I do have time so here we go;

Day 3 - Something I wore - my well loved and favourite slippers. They keep my feet wonderfully warm and remind me of days spent round the fire in cold old Tassie!

Day 4 - Fun... my sewing machine - it's fun to me and gives me 'me' time and is a vital part of AllyBeeDesigns!

Day Two - Skyline

Shhh - yes it's an old photo I know...but today was so miserable that I really really didn't want to use a horrible grey skyline so I choose something that was a little more serene and pleasant.

I think I still meet the rules as I did take the picture...god was it really 4 years ago! I wasn't a mum then - my how time flys and things change!

No stress today...

Day One - Peace

Spent most of this morning trying to decide what to photograph to capture 'Peace'. I even went as far as googling to get some inspiration - nothing. well that's not true - lots of peace signbs, rally photos - John Lennon links but nothing that 'grabbed' my attention.

So was thinking if I had this much trouble getting the first pic how on earth will I manage the rest - then I looked over at my sleeping bubba - sound asleep. Peace...

Don't think I'll worry about the others now, am sure that they'll pop up too when I least expect them.


So here we go - Peace

Photo A Day

I've been seeing a lot of people posting what I thought to be random photos throughout the month. I admit to being a little perplexed by the whole thing, until I realised it was part of what has become known as the photo a day challenge...basically a mum (fat mum slim - great blog!) posts a list each month of the various items to photograph throughout the month...so this month I've decided to join the masses...

I'm often also stumped as to what to blog about as I wonder are you really interested in reading about my little life in my corner of the world - so I figure the challenge will give me a purpose and a topic and hopefully some enjoyment for you!

So starting next week I will endeavor to follow the list and take a photo a day!

Oh and if you would like to check out fat mums slims blog....http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/


Cheers everyone - wish me luck!

Addiction

I wouldn't have believed it three years ago if you had told me I would be sewing. Nor would I have believed I actually enjoyed (read: LOVE) it. I remember being in a home economics class oh so many years ago and wondering how anyone could actually enjoying this 'sewing' thing! Hehe...if only my 15 year old self could see me now!

I have truly fallen in love with sewing - I actually feel my stress levels rising if I don't get a chance to sew at least once a day. Now this sewing can be on the machine or by hand (yes I know I love it too!)

I admit my least favourite bit is the actual cutting of fabric...tracing patterns etc - but it is an evil neccesity so my best advice is a GREAT PAIR OF FABRIC SCISSORS - seriously spare no expense!

The other aspect is the variety of creations...my own including: bean bags, dolls, seat belt cover, bibs, oven mitts and much more - not to mention the gorgeous designer wear clothes you cna create for your children...

I've made a lot of my kids outfits and I would genuinely like to do most of their wardrobes..but even though I love sewing I'm not silly and won't pass up a $4 Tshirt at Kmart!

Not only that I get a little bored with some things...like boy clothes. It's not that boys things are horrible...not by a long shot - I just find them a little limiting, I mean it's shorts, pants, vest, shirt...or variations of that. Now I realise I'm being a little harsh - but I just love creating dresses, skirts, jackets, boleros, capree pants - with ruffles, flowers, ribbon, bows etc. Maybe I should just admit to being a little girl at heart - or maybe it's because growing up my mother battled to get me into dresses/skirts so I'm trying to relive my own childhood ? Hopefully my own daughter will at least allow me to dress her up (from time to time)

Anyway I digress... my sewing addiction.

So I have decided I love all my sewing creations - I love that other people love them too (thankyou to my wonderful customers!) but I have fallen head over heals in love with my Itty Bitty Dolls - they are 100% handsewn and I just can't stop making them! Thank goodness other people like them too or I'd be in real trouble (well swimming in dolls anyway!)

I'll be creating sets of dolls - superhero boy and girl, mermaid boy and girl, standard range of boy/girls and them special releases like witch, zombie, mummy set... hehe that way you can collect them all! Each Itty Bitty Doll comes with it's own birth certificate complete with OOAK authentication number too!

It's amazing how life twists and turns and how when you find something you love it completely absorbs and immerses you. I love creating and designing new products - I just wish I could have the time to do everything - my head is brimming with ideas but I just don't have to time to do them all...and I do actually want to spend some time with my children (lol)!

Thankyou again for your support - it's very appreciated x

Designer Love

So I've fallen in love with dolls! It's been a long time coming as I was never really 'taken' by dolls in my youth...however the addiction has taken hold now and is only growing stronger!

Some of my favourite doll makers/designers are:

Sugar Punkz - OOAK punk dolls
Cook you some noodles - the cutest little dolls
Dolls and Daydreams - great designer - wonderful patterns
Gingermelon - tiny creations I love love love making!
Lace and Ryde - lovely OOAK creations

I've also started designing and making my own little softies...just the right size for little hands to hold!

And

I truly cannot get enough of dolls and softies!

I think I need to start building more shelves around the house to store and display my growing collection!


Anyway I'm off - going to try to make a 9" little girl this morning...wish me luck ♥

Arrrrrrr me hearties!

I've been so busy lately that I have let my blogging duties slide! I'm never really sure what to write anyway so it's probably okay.

So what have I been doing you ask...well aside from my regular products, a few custom orders and markets I've been busy creating my first custom PIRATE SHIP CUBBY HOUSE!!

I'm very excited as I've made quite a few cubbies now but this is my first custom request themed cubby!

It's really starting to take shape...

From the actual ship cutout

to

Jolly Roger Side Panel

and well a pirate theme wouldnt be a pirate theme without...

A Treasure Map...complete with treasure!

Anyway enough chatting I better get sewing!

And the winner is...

So competition is over...

We had 8 entries which I compiled as below:

Nicole -1
Toni -2
Natalie - 3
Katilyn - 4
Amy - 5
Rachelle -6
Bek - 7
MadEm -8

Random.org spat out....

Congratulations
TONI!!!

We'll email you soon to choose your prize xx

January Competition!!!!

COMPETITION TIME

It's long overdue...but finally here it is our promised competition!



Prize - a choice between a reversible diary cover (with diary or journal included) or set of bean bags chosen from our current stock*

Free postage within Australia Only - regular mail (traceable)

What you need to do:

Just comment below with your answer and email to the below riddle:**some folks are having trouble entering - you can email your entries and I'll add them :-) awpyoung@hotmail.com ***

How many letters are there in the correct answer to this question?

(Hint - it's not counting the letters in "the correct answer to this question"!)



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Competition will run until Saturday 4th Feburary at 7pm - winner will announced on the blog that night and via email

If two or more people have the same answer those names will be entered into a random number generator and a winner choosen from there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let the games begin!



contact us at : awpyoung@hotmail.com with any questions xx


PPS. N.B. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to AllyBeeDesigns and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for the Competition 2012. -thankyou xx

* If winner chooses diary cover - cover will be chosen by AllyBeeDesigns from current stock - AllyBeeDesigns may offer fabric choice or colour theme depending on current stock levels
* If winner chooses bean bags - winner will be able to choose between male/female theme

All decisions will be final and made by AllyBeeDesings.

Finally back to normal

I'm always amazed at how much Christmas throws everything out of routine, it takes me half of January to get back to my normal flow of things. Finally I feel like I'm functioning as I was before the crazy season swooped in - I think the kids are more grateful than I am.

So over at AllyBeeDesigns I've been busy creating and designing new goodies which I am so pleased to actually get launching. We've now got our extra large car play mat

Our iPad, tablet cover/holder:

Oven Mitts:

and baby bouquets:

We're also brewing a few more goodies and will be launching them in the coming weeks!

I also promise to actually get organised and hold the long awaited competition! I think I'll do journal cover (and journal) as the prize...though I'm open to suggestions!

Anyway - better get back to finishing orders x