I apologise if I have not visited you recently, this is a scheduled post as we are both very under the weather with horrendous colds.
Obviously, because it was a secret, I did not know who my gift would be from, so when a box arrived from the hugely talented Brenda, I was thrilled, to say the least. Our brief was simple, just paper or card. I am going to stop waffling now and let you see my absolutely stunning gift:
The binding on the book is incredible, so beautifully neat, when you open each page the whole book lies flat. Like I said earlier, Brenda is hugely talented and I am so honoured to receive this beautiful gift from her.
Now on to the gift I made. I was so thrilled that I got my lovely 'bestie' Jenny Buttons to make a gift for - lucky or what!
When Jenny came to my house for a crafty day she admired my antique perpetual calendar and as I love to construct 3-D projects, I just had to have a go didn't I? Jenny loves all things vintage and particularly vintage sewing so I went for this theme and made her this:
I used the fabulous Eileen Hull Artist Trading Blocks to make the blocks and of course Tim Holtz papers for the covering, his WordPlay die for the numbers and Distress Spray Stains on the blocks. I do love how Tim's products and other Designer's products work so well together.....
The view from the back, showing more of the lovely papers. The blocks sit slightly tilted backwards.
A view of the blocks. I put the months on by using tissue paper which I ran through my printer, these were glued to the blocks using Ranger Glue and Seal.
I am so pleased to report that Jenny loved her calendar! I certainly enjoyed making it for her!
I loved doing this Secret Santa, thank you so much Brenda for organising it. I feel incredibly lucky to work on a Design Team with Brenda, Jenny and all the other amazingly talented ladies.
Please do go over to A Vintage Journey and see all the lovely gifts given and received by the team.
If you have not already been over to A Vintage Journey, please have a look too at Brenda's Christmas Give-away and Creative Guide Hop, you could be in with a chance of winning. Like they say - you have got to be in it to win it!
Thanks for looking and as always I really appreciate all your comments. Hugs, Anne xx
What a clever idea and execution of it with this wonderful perpetual calendar Anne! Wonderful sewing theme - and great design for the base!
ReplyDeleteWow Anne this calendar is beautiful! Love the sewing theme! Karen.x
ReplyDeleteLove your gifts Anne. The stunning book to hold your tags looks fabulous. The perpetual calendar is beautiful and I know that Jenny will love it. I use mine in my craft room and it reminds me of you every day. Hugs Rita xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Anne sorry you have been under the weather recently, hope you improving soon. Love the sewing theme on the perpetual calendar. Such a clever idea too. Also love your present from Brenda a real labour of love x
ReplyDeletewowzers you Vintage Journey girls are amazing...love your book from Brenda...a cherished keepsake and I know Jenny is going to feel the same about your amazing perpetual calendar...sorry to hear you are both feeling poorly...sending great big get well hugs...love kath xxx
ReplyDeleteBoth are fabulous projects Anne and I can imagine the fun of making them both for very special people.
ReplyDeleteAwww so sorry to hear about the yukky cold. Hopefully all will be over by Christmas so you and hubby can enjoy the festivities of the break.
Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.
You bet I LOVE it!!! Anne you couldn't have got it more spot on if you'd tried. It has pride of place in my craft room and is moved on each day so I can see those days slipping away and can keep a handle on deadlines. The theme, vintage sewing, is as you say very close to my heart and of course as is always the case with your creations the finish to this is perfect. I will treasure this calendar and the love that it was made with my special friend.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are both feeling much better very soon. These heavy colds are no fun when piled on top of everything else - please do both wrap yourselves up warm and take very great care of yourselves. Love to you both, Jenny xxx
WOW! Such a stunning gift to receive from Brenda, I am sure you will treasure it and I know that Jenny with treasure the wonderful calendar you made for her also. Your design is so beautiful and I love all your detailing.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better soon.
hugs Sue xx
I just love your perpetual calendar Anne, inspirational in it's design and make. I can see above that Jenny loved it, who wouldn't it's the perfect gift for a Secret Santa. You are such a talented lady. I am glad you loved your Tim tag book too.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better really soon and that your colds disappear before the festivities begin next week. Take care. xxxxx
Wonderful calendar Anne - I'm sure Jenny will treasure it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a super book from Brenda - that is going to look amazing with all your tags in it.
Hope the cold is clearing so that it is well and truly gone before the festivities kick in.
Toni xx
What a lovely gift you got! And what a lovely gift you made! Oh my..a perpetual; calender is a definite hit on any craft table and am sure Jenny is going to enjoy it all the year round! Merry Christmas to you, hugs, Rupa.
ReplyDeleteI love the book Brenda made for you. Lucky crafter. And Jenny's calendar is amazing as one might expect. Feel better!!!! I make a lot of fruit smoothies when I'm under the weather. Take care <3
ReplyDeleteI've just been admiring your stunning book over at Brenda's - what a fantastic gift. And likewise to your brilliant box calendar for Jenny. Perfect use of the papers, and all done with such attention to detail - it looks so smart and chic. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteDo hope you both feel better soon - how horrible to be knocked back in the run-up to Christmas, as if there wasn't enough going on!
Alison xx
What fabulous gifts ..... the book is amazing, and I love your calendar!
ReplyDeleteHope you both feel better soon ..... big hugs Linda xx
Anne, your calendar is just amazing! I love a craft that's functional as well as stunning! What an amazing gift to give and you received an amazing gift as well! holiday hugs :)
ReplyDeleteYour calendar is AMAZING!! You did an outstanding job creating it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a stunning gift and so useful too - brilliant !!!
ReplyDeleteAnne, your calendar fro Jenny is amazing and so unique! You really can rock those blocks! Wonderful gift received from Brenda that I know you will cherish! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh Anne, you truly received the most amazing gift from Brenda, every page is just a work of art. Your calendar is beyond stunning too, very, very clever! Wow, Eileen can be so lucky to have you on her team!
ReplyDeleteI hope both you and David will feel better soon, sending big hugs and have a wonderful Christmas!!
Your book is so kewl I love the details in it you all scored on the gifts from each other your all so talented :) hugs Nikki
ReplyDeleteLove your Calendar for Jennie, it's beautiful the colours and style is perfect for her
ReplyDeleteLucky you, receiving the fabulous tag book from Brenda
Jools x
Jennie is sure to love the calendar, I sure do.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the book for real next time we meet up Anne.
Keep warm and get well soon both of you.
Lynn x x x
THUD!! That tag keepsake album is utterly gorgeous and unique and such a perfect gift for you, Annie! What a treasure and a pleasure for you each month as you add your handmade exquisite tags to this book! You must have literally stopped breathing for a minute when you saw it!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I imagine Jenny's face registering the same as she opened her awesome calendar! Also extraordinary and unique!! I can't stop staring at it!!
I hope you and David are over your awful colds soon! What a drag to bring sickness home with you during this hectic and busy time of year. Sending positive energy your way and lots of prayers, too!! Love to both! Darnell xxoo
Oh this is wonderful - what a great gift and so practical too!!! I bet Jenny cherishes it. Nikki xx
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful gift you received from Brenda, and what a beautiful gift you have made for Jenny, she will treasure it and think of you every month, this perpetual calendar is just wonderful!!!! Hope you all have a lovely Christmas!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful perpetual calendar Anne, love all the sewing embellishments and of course the Tim paper! And your tag album from Brenda is amazing, what a beautiful and thoughtful gift. Thank you for sharing them with us and wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI saw Brenda's work in the making Anne, I'm so jealous it's fab. The calendar you made is just inspired and will be loved everyday x
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear you are not well Anne, big hugs. Both these pieces are gorgeous, beautiful details. Anne did you send me a Christmas card, sorry I know quite a few Anne's and I am trying to thank the right Anne lol. Hugs x x x
ReplyDeleteSuch a clever idea! And so lovely gifts :))
ReplyDeleteBeautiful project!
ReplyDelete♥ Monica
Absolutely stunning Anne! Take care and get well soon, big hug Carole Z X
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post because of the incredible art on display but also the thoughtfulness behind the creations of both gifts.
ReplyDeleteBrenda's book is astonishing and for you to have such a special home for your 2015 tags, well each time you complete a tag and place it in the book you will be reminded of the warm friendship between you both. Likewise Jenny will feel the same way when she looks at her calendar. Your art always blows me away and you may be Queen of Halloween but I am also crowning you The 3d Queen :)
Wishes
Lynne
Gosh Anne you are one lucky girl, that book is gorgeous, I would love to see more of the pages. Love the calendar too and I am sure Jenny will love it.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you will soon be feeling better, colds are so miserable.
Thank you so much for the lovely christmas card too, the brown boots look great, think I like them as much as the white ones, what a good idea that was Lol!
Extra big hugs for the poorly people, Angela x
Such a lovely makes, you can see how much effort and time has gone in to each one, an amazing one to receive and a beautiful one to give. xx
ReplyDeleteBoth are such perfect, heartfelt gifts! What a lucky girl you are to have received this fabulous book, and so perfect for you! It is like 12 gifts in one, and I think so ironic in that you also created a gift that keeps on giving, everyday, in fact! I love this calendar, and Jenny is one lucky lady to receive it! I'm hoping you are over your colds very soon; wish I could send you so homemade chicken soup! hugs!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Anne sending some (((((hugs))))) for both of you. Hope you feel better soon, nothing worse than having the cold.
ReplyDeleteOh! My! Giddy Aunt! that book is beyond fantastic, it's absolutely amazing you have been lucky with your Sectret Santa.
What you made and sent to Jenny is also amazing. She will have done a reall "happy dance" when she opened the parcel and saw her wonderful gift.
Stunning creations from very talented people.
Get better soon
Patricia xx
Super idea; so usefull for us busy ladies! Great the vintage colours! Inky greetings, Gerrina
ReplyDeleteOh my word, isn't that book just something else?!! And your, (Jenny's), perpetual calendar is simply wonderful. How special to be able to give and recieve such beautifully crafted items knowing they will be equally loved by all parties who totally understand the talent and love that went into their creation.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon Anne ((hugs)). Wee Man has had an awful time of it this past month too. Back to school today just in time to finish for the holidays on Friday, haha.
TTFN - ((hugs)) xx
Hi there Anne! So sorry you both are afflicted - get well very soon. Your gift from Brenda will surely be healing - it is fantabulously fabulous and brilliantly useful. Gorgeously made of course too. As for your pressie to Jenny!! She is sooo lucky - it is a knockout! Feel better well in time for Christmas. Nicola x
ReplyDeletehiya Anne - well your make for Jenny is amazing and I adore the gift you got from Brenda too. Sorry to hear about the colds - you are David must have been breathing the same germs as me and Bez! Big hugs to you and I do hope you feel better soon - I'm loving Vicks at the moment - wow - it helps you breathe doesn't it!!! hugs Rachel xx
ReplyDeleteI do hope you are feeling better and two thumbs up to you for completing this while feeling under the weather! TFS! ~Niki
ReplyDeleteOMG, Anne--What amazing gifts!! I love the ATB perpetual calendar for Jenny!! It's awesome and you're both so lucky to be able to craft together!! Oh, what fun that must be :) Brenda's book is amazing!! Simply WOW and I can't wait to see you filling your side of each page next year :) Merry Christmas!! XOXO-Shari
ReplyDeleteYour gift from Brenda is stunning Anne and I know you will treasure it. Such wonderful details on every page..a real keepsake.
ReplyDeleteJenny loves the gift you made for her and it is gorgeous.
Sorry to hear you are both under the weather...huge hugs heading your way.
Take care and I am sending you my best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2015
Huge Hugs Annie x
You all have come up with such unique ideas. This is a great idea and I bet she will cherrish it forever~
ReplyDeleteI love the calendar, the sewing details are so cute. I am sure she will love it! X
ReplyDeleteHi Anne, what a fantastic keepsake for Jenny to look at all year round and remind her of her talented friend. The sewing theme is beautiful on it and a great idea to run your tissue paper through the printer, forgot about this technique, thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteYour book from Brenda looks gorgeous and another great idea, will visit her blog shortly.
This Secret Santa has been such great fun and we all now have such amazing keepsakes to treasure.
Merry Christmas,
Julie x
Fabulous project, I'm joining your give away too :)
ReplyDeleteLove
Maarit
I love the dimension in your calendar, it is so fantastic that the numbers and the month are actually cubes! And not only cubes but vintage altered cubes!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous idea Anne! I do love how you use those dies! Love the book you received too! Chrisx
ReplyDeleteOh, my! You all had the most wonderful swap, Anne. Thanks for sharing these pics!
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better! You do have fabulous friends and the swap is great. What a really nice and thoughtful book you received. The pages are beautiful in the book. I love your calendar also, very pretty box to put the numbers in, love the vintage look and buttons. The whole piece looks so professional, just lovely. Have a Merry Christmas and no dancing on tables this year! lol
ReplyDeleteHugs Kelly
What a fantastic way to combine two favorites. Your calendar is so cool and to think it can be enjoyed all year round. Happy Holidays -
ReplyDeleteS@ndy xx
Hello Miss Anne, you poor sweet thing, sending healing wishes,I agree with Miss Lynne, you are the 3D Queen, this swap created with things made with love is THE BEST, I hope I get a chancde to see all of them, Brenda's book is THE BOMB it is perfect to hold those fabulous tags you will create, as you do. Thanks for stopping by my nest after my long absences,its a pleasure when you do. Hope your have a GRRRRREAT Holiday season, ((( BIG HUGS ))) my Friend..
ReplyDeleteEeekkss I forgot to say how much I love your vintage sewing calender and I'm sure Brenda will enjoy using it for year to come, both gifts are very special, made with LOVE,,,,
ReplyDeleteAnne - thanks for the sweet comment. I always love all your stuff. The book prezzie is gorgeous too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful gifts, love the pages of the book and the vintage calendar is very inspiring indeed! I'd love to have one like that :) Big hugs, Anne! xx
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome and such a thoughtful gift. Now Jenny can use this forever without bothering about the years. I so loved this creation of yours.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely I would be trying on making one for my friend too.
Cheers :)
Wow, the book Brenda made you is really spectacular - what a keepsake and fabulous way to keep you TH tags safe and protected while being able to see them too.
ReplyDeleteYou also made Jenny a fantastic gift - you are the master when it comes to those paper blocks and who doesn't love vintage.
Sure hope y ' all are over your colds and feeling much better.
Merry Christmas!
Sandy xx
This is truly a spectacular project! I love the idea, first of all, but then the construction is so neat and tidy with a wonderful vintage vibe! Love that you personalized it with sewing goodies. I found you via Sara Emily's blog (saras closet) and I'm so glad I did! I'm adding you to my reader! Merry Christmas!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sure she will cherish this gift forever! Gorgeous and unique :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful and useful gift you made - and the best of all: a joy and reminder for every day of the year! The book from Brenda is stunning too
ReplyDeleteGorgeous gift santa Brenda and santa Anne!
ReplyDeleteAnne, How clever to create a perpetual calendar and personalize it for Jenny. It has a wonderful vintage feel with the use of the papers and buttons. I love seeing the dies used in so many different ways.
ReplyDeleteOh you clever crafter. I still haven't used the ATB diecuts you kindly sent BUT this is a brilliant idea, I will adapt it slightly but I think you've inspired me to make one! and wow the book is stunning, how delightful. The secret santa thing has been a lovely idea and it feels such a privilege that you have all shared them with us. Ruth x
ReplyDelete