That's me for 2011 - Merry Christmas Everyone!...

2011 has been an amazing year for Artwork by Angie, I have many people to thank for helping make my little business grow some very healthy shoots in this past year...

Firstly, a huge thank you to all of you loyal blog, facebook, twitter and pinterest followers as your comments and support keep me motivated and inspired.  I am sincerely grateful and humbled by the kindness of many of you and thoroughly enjoy reading your posts and status updates too - THANK YOU!

I'd also like to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who has bought prints, cards or ordered my design services in the past year.  You've certainly kept me busy during an uncertain economic year - I only hope my creations have met with your expectations and in the case of brand designs, are helping to make your businesses grow stronger.  I can't express how delighted I am when you've come back for second helpings or have recommended me openly to friends and fans of your pages -  I really feel like I've made quite a few new friends this year :-)

I also want to say a very big THANK YOU to the publishing company I've been working with for most of the past year.  The Heart of a Garden approached me earlier this year after spotting my work on good old Folksy  (yes, I really was Found on Folksy!!).  Since then I've developed a range of 18 greetings cards for their stand at the NEC's Autumn Fair back in Sept.  The range seems to be hitting the spot as they are now being stocked in a wide variety of retail outlets, mainly independent gift shops or book shops....but if you're vigilant, you may start spotting my designs in some branches of:

There - that was my big news that I've been itching to share for a few weeks now, but I was saving it for Christmas!!

If you remember, a couple of blog posts back I mentioned that I was feeling elated because I'd had news that a certain organisation had ordered my cards and that they were exactly who I had in my mind as one of my 'dream' stockists whilst designing the cards...well, that organisation is The National Trust.  They've ordered 5 of the designs from the range, but I'm not sure which of their shops they will be appearing in, in the New Year.  I would be over the moon to find out where, so this is me putting a call out to all of you -  if you spot them, please, please, please come and leave a comment and let me know where you saw them as it would make my day - thank you!

That's Artwork By Angie done for 2011, as I'm now officially on a Christmas break and am looking forward to getting stuck in to all the festivities and family fun!...

That said, I'll still be doing a fair bit of behind the scenes designing as I've got some items to prepare for the NEC's Spring Fair at the beginning of February...but I'll tell you all about that when I return in January.

  

My online shops will re-open on 4th Jan and I'll be back blogging, tweeting, facebooking, pinning etc as soon as I can in January. 

All that's left to say is...

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas 

& a Happy New Year!

Angie x

Oh Christmas Tree! - How handmade are your branches?

After a bit of pressure from my children, our Christmas tree is now up and looking splendid covered in all kinds of handmade lovely things.  We've got gorgeous hand painted gingerbread men from Muddy Puddle Crafts.  These sit proudly next to some salt dough, hearts, stars, doves and extra gingerbread men that I made with my girls (they did the rolling and cutting, I did the painting as I'm a bit fussy when it comes to the main tree)...

...We've also made up the felt Rudolfs and toadstools we got from The Felt Fairy and they look great.  You see that knitted Santa, he was given to my daughter last year by the lady who volunteers at her primary school to sit, listen and help the reception class read and practice their phonics.  She made one for each of the children in the class, what a special decoration that is!...

...We also have some handstitched delights from Little A Designs....

...There is this beautiful hand stitched robin hanging from the bookcase.  We've also made up the Rosette Kit that we received as a surprise the other week.  We have decided to make it up into a star rosette for the top of the tree...

...Finally, below is the little toadstool my 5 year old daughter made.  It is her first ever attempt at backstitch, she had a little help with the buttons, but the rest is her handy work and I am so proud of her for persevering as she found sewing 'really, really, really tricky!'.  I think she did a brilliant job, far better than I would have at that age.  And she is so delighted that she's learnt a new skill - so thank you The Felt Fairy, your kits are great fun!...

I hope all your plans for Christmas are coming along nicely and that you are finding time amongst the stress and pressure to step back and enjoy the little things too.

Have a great week!

Angie