April Round Up

 Hello friends. I haven't been in touch since before Easter. I hope you all had a lovely Easter. Ours was very quiet but we enjoyed lunch with our family and of course all those sweet treats still managed to appear in my house and led me astray!

In the interest of keeping things real I have to say the last few weeks have been a bit tough....lots of ups and downs with a few emergency room visits thrown into the mix. Add 2 emergency life threatening surgeries for my Mother as well and you get the idea!

I am so very fortunate to have 2 great siblings who could step up and be there. My Mum is still in hospital and some hard choices have to be thought about if we can get her well again. 

So my stitching and pencils have been vital to my sanity! And something positive to focus on. Sooooo thankful to have a happy place to retreat to.

I have one more finished block for my Letter to My Daughter quilt.

Only 2 more applique blocks to prep and stitch.

A bit of time has also been spent on my Applecore charm quilt. Easy stress free stitching.  

It is really starting to grow. More Applecores need basting as I have stitched up my pile.

And just because I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROJECTS I couldn't resist the founder of French Generals 2022 Block of the Month in Homespun magazine. I am excited to use my stash of French General fabric. 

The centre block is Broderie Perse applique and something that I have never attempted. 

As I already have 2 quilts in this colourway I decided to add some blue to change it up a little and use up some more stash.

I have to admit to finding it a bit frustrating.....but as it is only the centre I am perservering. 

My rusty drawing project is finished.....frustrated over the paper I was trying to make use of I called it done probably before I was really done! I am glad at least I haven't wasted it.

But that said......I just adore the little Willy wagtail and ALL that rust!

My next project is completely in the other direction.....a little study in white back on my lovely paper......it always fascinates me how many shades go to making up what we consider a base colour. Enjoying this one already! 

My night time read is this....thanks to a dear friend....nothing like ditching reality for a good book!

Birthdays are so exciting and  joyful for kids and we celebrated our eldest Granddaughter's this month. She loves things that sparkle and shimmer. So I enjoyed making her a sparkly mermaid  birthday card.

....love that happy face!

There was also a birthday of a different kind.....meet Master "N"

At my youngest Granddaughter's school they have a special furry boy....a therapy dog!

He listens to reading, helps anxious children and enjoys being adored by all....because he is adorable! 

He also had a birthday this month......and celebrated with a "Pawty" with all the students. Doggie cupcakes and lots of pats went down a treat!

This is Granddaughter #2 with the birthday boy......so cute!

So that's what I have been up to.....

A few little pops of colour in my garden to finish.....

Catch you next time. Take care one and all.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Easter is Coming

 I have decorated a little for Easter. The little Grandies still love it as does their Nana.

This year I spied a white twiggy tree. I have fancied one for years.....and I am very pleased with it. 

Dear Daughter gifted me this crazy but super cute Easter Bunny chicken....loved it!

I really love white rabbits....and Peter of course!  I bought these tins for my Granddaughters for Easter and one for me too.....couldn't resist!

On the stitching front I have been working on the borders for Where We Love Is Home....going off script does give you a headache sometimes! Just can't settle on the final border fabric.....ah well at least sewing waits for you. 

Another block completed for A Letter to My Daughter.....2 cats live in my Daughters family....so 2 cats it is!

April's #tagroulettehannemade is done.  This month's tags were....

10 - Suffolk Puffs

31 - Gold Bling

35 - 3 Buttons

I have to admit to getting a little carried away with the beading and French knots. But found it very relaxing. I think perhaps I was transported back to the days of furiously beading ballet costumes for my daughter and.....some of her friends whose Mothers denied the ability to thread a needle.....Mrs Ridgway was a sucker for a sad girls face lol!

I added a little Easter Bunny too. I am definitely going to have to add on to this snippet roll as I can't reign in my stitching lol!

I tried out a new cutting die for an Easter card......I thought it was so cute.

I'm getting to quite like this card making lark.....I don't like the stamping kind but love the pretty papers, dies and embossing.....really didn't need another hobby *wink!

I was very disappointed this year that the nasty Dendrobium beetle decimated my orchids once again....never had this issue until about 3 years ago. Anyway when I noticed a single flower spike that they'd overlooked I picked it to enjoy inside. 

I would like to wish you all a lovely Easter. I am looking forward to the odd hot cross bun I have to say. If  you're travelling be safe.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Simple Joys

 Good morning friends. As I was preparing to write this post this morning sitting on my front verandah, enjoying looking out over my mismatched and slightly wild garden a beautiful feathery visitor alighted on the railing in front of me. The Kookaburra was looking for breakfast down in my garden....after a quick eye to eye with me to ensure I was no threat.....

He set about ignoring the human and concentrating on the garden below....

Such a privilege when wildlife choose to visit your garden and utilise man-made items to their advantage. He/she was so beautiful and in such great condition. It definitely made my morning.

So back to my post.....over the weekend I put the last stitch in the final applique block for Where We Love Is Home quilt. 

Assembly of the bottom sections got underway.

I finally have all the sections together. 

The big house block and quote was what originally hooked me when I saw the pattern.

I thought I had enough fabric in my stash for the first border but didn't realise it was the same fabric as one of the blocks at the top and it didn't look right....

So trying to find a lighter border with a little pattern so as to still highlight the scrappy crosses is proving a little bit of a challenge......

A lot of head scratching still happening.

I had a request last week from eldest Grandson to make a cat loving friend of his a cat themed birthday card....I made his Mum one with this new die and he thought it would be perfect.....so colour choice was made.....

And approval given......very easy.....a bonus for this very novice card maker.

Speaking of things feline.....Queen Athena's portrait that I showed you in an earlier post is finally finished and has been snaffled by youngest Granddaughter for her room.

This is my Daughter and Queen Athena...pleased with her portrait lol!

2 more pages in my little drawing note book....loved this scruffy bluefaced honeyeater. 

And the beautifully coloured Rainbow Bee-eater.....I love seeing them in the wild further north....they are like little flashes of neon lights.

Gifts from our kind children brightened our week.....as attending live music is not an option for us now....our Son and DIL bought us some merchandise from a show they recently attended of two of our favourites....T shirt for hubby and book for me!

Our Daughter had these sunshiney gerberas delivered when we arrived home from hospital treatment....so gorgeous! 

Our Granddaughter was wearing the best message of the week for Harmony Day.....shame it's not a sentiment shared by all in the world....but we must keep trying!

 Ok! Time to put the kettle on. Coffee and a Tim Tam for me. I am a little partial to the salty caramel variety these days.......Kooka is still looking out over the garden so I will leave him to it! Hoping you find some simple joy in your day today.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx