ATC Swap & Friday Smile

I'm joining in with the 2015 ATC swap (Artist Trading Card) over at veryberryhandmade

The theme is "My Favourite......" and I chose to make my ATC in the style of my favourite artist.... Hundertwasser.

Here's my ATC, loosely after the style of his work.

I started with cuttings of brightly coloured fabric

then used a glue pen to secure them lightly to a background of black Vilene then I layered some fine tulle over all the bits.

I machine tacked a mount of black card (slightly larger than the finished size) to fix everything together and this created a stiff frame for stitching over. 

First the contours .....

then the detailed design....

I really enjoyed the challenge of making it and it amazed me that there was so much to consider in making something so tiny... it's only 2.5 x 3.5 ins.

It has already been posted to Yeovil in Somerset to Laura and I hope she likes it. She said that she loves bright colours so it should be just right for her.

Now I'm dying to see the ATC I receive from someone else in the world. 

Later....the postman arrived with a spotty envelope from Edinburgh and inside was a black & white spotty tissue parcel and inside that was my super ATC from Sherry. 

Thanks so much Sherry for all your beautiful handstitching and super ideas, the tiny cute bunting, straberry and flowers etc., but especially the teeny weeny polka dot bikini all in French knots. Love it!

and on the back......

Make the most of it... Autumn is nudging in!

It has been such good fun and I look forward to seeing all the other entries. 

Pop over to veryberryhandmade for the link to them all.

I have a huge smile on my face so I'll move over to Annie's

I'm tagging in an entry to Annie's Friday Smile at the end of this post.

We had a day out at the Southport Flower Show last weekend and found yet another giant seat to try out. Remember the one I posted from Chester a couple of weeks ago?

The only trouble this time ...I had a quite job clambering up to sit on this deck chair (whilst DH just laughed), it had been raining (hence those sensible boots) and then I had a rather wet bottom when I finally managed to struggle down again!

 I loved this outdoor loo but they could have put a door on it!

 These were my favourite flowers at the show

Friday Smile Visitors

I'm lucky to have the German branch of the family to visit after recently waving off the Brighton Belles. 

We are having a super time and yesterday was a very special day for my little grand daughter who was SIX! So lucky to share her birthday.

We started the day with her cards and little gifts (her main gift, a bike, is waiting at home in Germany) then we enjoyed a traditional family day out at the seaside in Southport. 

Fish & chips, ice cream, fair rides, then buckets & spades play time on the beach. The donkeys must have been on strike as it was the first time I had been to Southport to find them missing! 

Here the two little ones look out of the window whilst waiting for their fish & chip lunch in Jacksons, one of the oldest chippies in Southport.

 Visit Annie's astitchintime blog for even more smiles to start your weekend. 

We made a simple cake covered in cinnamon cream cheese frosting and Smarties which was a great success. 

She will have a party and cake with her little friends when she returns home.

Still in her nighty, blowing out her candles at breakfast time!

 I remembered I had one of these super all singing, all dancing, candles (bought in the £ shop) and it was a great success....

We've used them for years but I'm always amazed that so many people still haven't had the experience.

The flower opens when lit to reveal the petals and candles all alight and a burst of flame shoots from the centre.

 We just couldn't stop it playing Happy Birthday!

   Have a great weekend and keep smiling! It cost's nothing and it's catching!

Friday Smiles, Skirts & Chester Trip

I made two pretty, twirly skirts from a £2 fabric remnant and the first one was well worn last week by the younger of the Brighton Belles during her visit. 

The second will be given to my German Fraulein who arrives for a visit at the weekend. The fabric is so lovely and is almost the same as "Belle & Boo" which is so popular with children at the moment.

Perfect for her forthcoming 6th birthday 

Joining in with Annie's Friday Smile (over at astitchintimeblog)  as I am so happy to have my family visiting over these few weeks. The best gift I could have.

Recently my quilt group had a fun day out to Chester courtesy of our bus passes. 

It is a beautiful black & white timbered  cathedral city.

Take a look at this link  to see Chester in 360 degree panoramas

When we arrived in Chester we crossed the road from the railway station to the Queens Hotel and enjoyed morning coffee (and their delicious homemade shortbreads) in the comfort of their splendid lounge. It has almost become a tradition!

I chose the best seat in the hotel..........need I say that I had HIGH TEA instead of morning coffee.

I definitely went up in the World!

Afterwards to we took the bus link into the centre of the city and visited our favourite haunts including the gorgeous Liberty Bell shop on the rows. 

Well there had to be fabric involved somewhere. 

Later we had an Italian lunch in Fattoria in Bridge Street. They serve delicious, authentic home made Italian food and the service is excellent.