Back to Stitchy Things

My Mum has always loved Pansies. We were never without a Pansy display in either garden beds or pots of some description.

So when several years ago Pansy themed fabrics were all the go my Mum set about collecting them. My Mum would not say she was a quilter but the fact is she has made a couple over the years. Her collection of Pansy fabrics became a Dresden Plate quilt which is loved by a family member. She was left with lots of Pansy scraps and decided to use them all up in a Sunbonnet Sue type quilt for my Nan.....every scrap was used.

My Nan loved it. Especially as she was a gardener and adored flowers.
When I visited my Mum recently she really wanted me to have it and take it home.
It means a lot to have a quilt my Mum stitched and my Grandmother loved.
It's all been hand quilted and hand appliqued.

It has a scrappy pansy border and all the dollies have lacy trims.

Some lovely memories and as they say "every quilt tells a story" I am very happy to be the custodian of this one.
Not too much stitching has been happening as we have been busy with family but I did take my tags with me and I now have another little few completed.

Looking forward to some hand quilting this evening.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

90 Years Young

We had a special family celebration today. My dear Father in law turned 90 years old.
He is a quiet unassuming man that does not like a fuss but it was obvious that he was quietly pleased that we insisted on marking the occassion.
It was nice to spoil him for once as he cared so loving and for so long for his ill wife.
The cake was awesome and as a fellow chocoholic...Dad was thrilled!

It was also a lovely opportunity to make some photo memories too.
Four generations of Ridgway blokes.

A beautiful Granddaughter and Granddad moment.

Child, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren! So special!

His Nephew and his wife.

Wonderful, loving neighbours.....adopted family!

Our small but very strong clan....

It was a very enjoyable day and seeing the little ones interacting so lovingly with their Great Granddad was simply in a word....... beautiful! Handing over handmade cards......the stuff that's life's real treasure.
Happy 90th Granddad.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Quick Trip Part 2

We did a bit of a detour on our way home from Hervey Bay. We were on a fun secret mission. Our destination was here....

More specifically here!

Its a lovely old historic bakery now with a modern twist.

Can you see Mr. R at the counter.....he was here to fulfil our mission.

Which was to surprise our son.....he has been wanting to visit here to try the 1KG jam cream donut....yes I know crazy! It is the size of a loaf of bread!
So as today is his birthday we ordered one as an early birthday surprise!

If you look where Mr. R is you will see many plates on the wall....these are folks who have eaten that donut in one sitting! No. 1 Son now agrees he could not possibly have consumed it like that. He was very chuffed though and it was shared with many and was deliciously wicked!
Happy birthday Son.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Quick Trip Part 1

I have been away visiting my Mum in Hervey Bay. It was a quick trip but we had a nice time with her. I have done this trip so many times since I was a child I could do it blindfolded. A little town we pass through is Tiaro.....it always feels like it says....you're nearly there!
When I saw this cute place....well I had to have a sticky.

It was so quaint.....these chaps were there to welcome you.

Loved the hanging baskets in bloom.

It is so beautifully renovated and they were still unpacking stock.

I couldn't resist 2 tiny purchases, 1 for me and 1 for a gift.

I also took the opportunity to have a quiet word with Santa while I had the chance.

You just can't let these chances to put in a good word pass you by!
Once in Hervey Bay I popped in to visit my friend of many years Linda from
DEW DROP INN PATCHWORK AND CRAFT Linda's shop is an Aladdins cave of beautiful fabrics, trims and supplies.....

Rows and rows of gorgeousness! Linda has the cutest sales assistant too. His name is Ahh Chee.....he makes sure you see it all.

I was very restrained but could not resist this beautiful fabric with antique scissors and you all know I am a sucker for a spotty, dotty fabric.

So if you are ever in Hervey Bay, go in and say hi to Linda and Ahh Chee and have a drool over all that beautiful fabric.....blatant plug....Main Street, Pialba folks!
So nice to catch up.
On the way home we did a bit of a detour and on a mission but I shall save that for Part 2.
Bit cooler down here too.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Bits and Bobs

Good morning Monday! It is very nice to have the world back  on its axis instead of the tilt its been spinning on. Sniffles still persist but hey can live with that!
My July Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks are finished....beautiful reds!

Four little star points are basted and read to be assembled for Blessings corners.

Speaking of Blessings....thankfully an eagle eyed friend picked up that I have missed one little circle......phew thank goodness for lovely friends! I would not have been best pleased if it had been quilted when I discovered it! Funny how you can stare at something so closely and still miss bits.

And a little secret sewing has seen me fling myself completely out of my comfort zone! In fact I think I may be in another universe haha!

Very nice mail arrived too.....more supplies for my tag stitcheries. I am amazed at how different these look to the others I have. Hardly any of the blue I liked...hmmm!

I think perhaps I shall have to wash them and use some now so I don't have a group of tags looking too different.....mix them up a bit....1st world problem I know!
I have enjoyed a very arty morning.....missed not going last week and now I fancy a cuppa and a honey sandwich!

Yum! Bye for now.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

FNWF

Many thanks to CHERYLL from GONE STITCHIN for once again hosting our monthly Friday night virtual stitching get together.
I worked on the last scallop border on my Blessings quilt. Today I sewed the borders to the quilt.

Even though I went off on a tangent and messed up the measurements to complete it.....I LOVE IT! I am hopefully going to pretty up my gaff with one of these in each corner.

The little star will fit in nicely and tie it all together. Getting these borders on allows me to tick of this months UFO CHALLENGE....yay!
Last night as I only had a couple of scallops to applique down, I finished the evening with a bit more hand quilting. And then an early night for me.

If you joined us I hope you enjoyed your evening of stitching too.
Happy creating.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Glorious RED

I can't say I have a favourite colour....I love them all! But I do have a very strong affection for RED/MAROON/BURGUNDY.

I seem to nearly always have a smidge or a lot in all the quilts I make. If it's red it usually gets my immediate attention. I think that's why I fell so hard for French General.....those gorgeous shades of red!

And of course my team colours are perfect!

I love RED jams....

And my pretty china.

Red native blooms make me sigh...

I think it does you a world of good sometimes to ponder....."What  do I love? What  makes me smile?"
This month's Rainbow Scrap Challenge colour from Angela over at So Scrappy made me ponder my love of RED/MAROON.
The challenge this month is what to NOT choose lol!
Decisions made, my little "glorious RED" circles are ready to applique.

This past week has seen me cosied down with tissues, panadol and lemon drinks. Like many others I have been under the weather with a coldy bug that seems to have vertigo as a sidekick! Not nice! So all has come to a halt. Before the funny heads started I did get a good number of tags stitched for Ruth's Quilt.

And 3 borders worth of scallops are done on Blessings Quilt.

Last row is joined together but there is no incentive to get to it yet....the great thing about needlework is that it waits for you.
That's me caught up lovely folk. Enjoy your day.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx