Slow Stitching February

 Hello friends. NBN upgrades have played havoc with my internet not to mention a glitch with my personal email....ahhh technology....great when it works!

So I am well. Hope you are too. I have spent January catching up on my "Gathered Treasures " and I  can say now quilted and completed. It's a dull day here today so excuse the dull photos.

I found this sweet little doiley which was perfect for the label.

Loved creating this quilt. So many friends and family contributed to it....whether they knew it or not *wink

My other stitching focus was Book One of Textile Tales.  I made the finish line in time. Really wish I could up my assembly game maybe by the time I make six I will! So here are my pages. As there were some dark themes in this book I felt I had to address them....just wasn't about the bees.

I have added a white ribbon to represent...violence against women....some bold script to represent the courage of terrible racist abuse and hearts for the love the four sisters had for one another. The bright pink throughout represents the pink house where protection and love lived....and of course the beautiful hard-working bees....

My second Book choice for Textile Tales is this....

My most favourite book ever as a child. It's magic has never left me.  I think my love of art and nature began with this book. I would pout over the illustrations for hours....always finding some little detail I had missed! My original copy was lost when I left home. I had searched through countless second hand bookshops and thriftshops over many years all over Australia to no avail. This copy (although slightly damaged) is a later version gifted to me by my dear friend Gaye who is no longer here. She rang me excitedly from a little Victorian country town to tell me she'd found it and did I want it despite the young over enthusiastic artist that had gone a scribbling...of course I did! So it's become even more special because of sharing the love of it with a friend.

The cover plate as child sent my imagination into overdrive....I mean how cool would it be to live in and under a tree....there was even a quilt for goodness sake!

Peg Maltbys art stands the test of time.....gorgeous! The other pages I adored were the Fairy Princess.....and I wasn't ever a girly girl. I adore the little tailor! Can you see the secondary artists orange work lol!

The pages with the Kookaburra was another...

So this is Book Two inspiration....Aussie childhood classic. One day I hope to have a more pristine copy but I'll always love that this one was a joint venture with my dear friend. 

The other thing taking up my time has been getting some of my art ready to participate with my arty mates and our mentor and teacher Sandra in a month long exhibition down by the Bay. The gallery is an historic Schoolhouse. 

So I have chosen my pieces and they are wrapped and being delivered today.

There should be a lovely display to enjoy.

One of my arty friends gifted me the sweetest pendant made by her daughter....it's made from quilling. So delicate!  Coloured pencils...perfect for me. I love it!

I think that's about all that I had to tell you. The years back in gear and activities have all resumed....nice to catch up with friends again.

I'll leave you with a reminder of how phenomenal our bees truly are.

Take care bee-utiful people.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Textile Tales

 Good morning....don't faint! I'm back again so soon lol! Have you jumped into the new year with gusto or easing yourself into it. I have done a little of both. I am still happily quilting my Gathered Treasures at night when it's a bit cooler...it's been so muggy and humid here.

Textile Tales is begun. First order of the day was to create a cover. I have it 6 inches by 7 inches and have cut the pages slightly smaller to fit inside. I used a cream base on the front to build on.

And a beautiful piece of Cath Holden fabric...that I couldn't bear to chop up for the back. I loved the vintage feel of it. The book is set in the 1960's, so it just had that feel to me.

I have used a light weight batting to give the cover substance. A few folks have asked me how I prepare my base for slow stitching. I cut the fabric about a half an inch larger than necessary and then press it to the back and tack it on place over the batting. I love the feel of this method when you add embroidery etc.

And then the pretty bits could start. I loved utilising this beautiful piece of selvage. I came home with a bagful from my visit to friend Fiona's. I love that you can use bits and bobs that would otherwise be discarded in slow stitching. 

I embroidered a little name plate and added a bee of course. Plus some old lace and embroidery. I am happy with the front. I just need to find a vintage bee themed ribbon I have for a tab under the button. You know how it is....put away somewhere safe....NEVER to be seen again until you DON'T  need it *sigh!

I have used bright pink here and there because the sisters house in the book was pink!

I am planning on quilting the back cover a little just for texture. So not quite done yet.

I do love that fabric....so that's the beginning of my tribute to.....

Earlier this week Granddaughter, Miss E. and I hit the art shop. She had a fist full of gift vouchers from Christmas AND  her birthday back in May. Miss E. had been hoarding them because she had her eye on a bigger prize. So she was cashed up. Mum doesn't have the patience to understand how you just have to caress every lovely pencil, brush and pen before making a decision lol! So Nana stepped in. Art purchases can't be rushed don't you know!

I was supposed to be there as chauffeur and guidance but of course I  CAN'T keep my hands to myself in an art store either....we had a great morning!  Not sure who enabled who! Like minds and all that. Plus she's good company.

Before Christmas I had gone on a little country drive with some friends and we visited this great gallery space called The Churn Room at Samford way across the other side of the river from me.

I bought these beautiful botanically dyed threads.....

So I'm looking forward to using them on my slow stitching this year. Aren't they pretty.

OK lovely people. I am off to have a play with some of my new arty purchases. I'm downright dangerous with a paint brush so wish me luck!

I wish you a day of being whatever you fancy it to be.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Hello 2026

 Good morning folks. 2026 here we come. Did you have a boisterous New Year celebration or like me....went to bed with a good book and saw it in without fanfare. I don't believe in New Year resolutions or goal setting. The universe just finds those things hilarious...that we little humans make plans thinking we're in control!

I did want to round out all things Christmas by sharing some lovely mail I received and didn't get time to post about.

This beautiful Sashiko decoration from Fiona.

How lovely is this fabric postcard from Maria and cute ornie from Sue.

And the sweetest little stocking from Cheryl. 

Thank you friends. I love each and every one. Xx

Also still on Christmas my DD gave me Trent Daltons latest book....I love his writing. He is an 'all in' or 'all out' kind of author. I'm All In! 

But there was something a little special about it. DD got an autographed copy.....bit spesh!

I haven't started it yet as my beside pile is still in progress. My time over the holidays has been very quiet. Alternating between reading and hand quilting my Gathered Treasures. I promised I would show some photos of the completed top so be prepared.....I am not bordering it. Just quilting and binding.

A few close ups.....

I have made good progress on the quilting and so far have managed all the layers of embellishments. 

It's a bit strange doing random quilting with Perle 8 thread and regular quilting thread but then it's a collection of random things so I guess it works. I have enjoyed this project. And now quilting it has me enjoying all the treasures that I have chosen all over again.

The Roxy's Journal of Stitchery Vol 9 is about to start.....today in fact and is titled TEXTILE TALES. Our inspiration is to come from 6 books you choose....not a replica of the book in anyway just a nod to it with inspiration from it. They can be novels, childhood favourites, coffee table or art books or a mixture.

These are my choices.....

These aren't in order and as a card carrying book lover it proved a difficult task choosing. 

I have decided "The Secret Life of Bees" will be my first book.

So watch this space.

I'm not a huge fan of that big social media platform but every now and then they throw something up that is interesting. This next bit I am sharing is truly just for me to make note of.

When the mister asked me to meet up with him in the city the week after we met, we were both very young....not much money and so he bought me lunch in the cafeteria above Coles/Penny's store in Queen Street Brisbane....way way before the Mall. Brisbaneites will know where I mean....anyway the other day an old photo of it popped up on that social media platform.....so I am posting it for myself and posterity. 

Not at all elegant but the milkshakes were cold and delicious and it was the start of something special lol! So what seems very ordinary at the time can become a treasured memory.

Take care folks....go make some memories. 

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx