What's your favourite quote!

This beautiful graphic is from Rose petals from Heaven and you can visit this site http://rosepetalsfromheaven.blogspot.com/  for more inspiration. Anyway it got me thinking about my favourite quotes. I have a tattered old journal that I scrible down my favourites in. Too many to share all of them with you but I thought I would like to share a couple with you and I would love to hear what your favourite words or quotes are.
On Success Fred Hollows said:
"to laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children.
 to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends.
 to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better.
 whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemable social condition,
 to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived,
this is to have succeeded"
Jane Roberts said
"you must love yourself before you love another, by accepting yourself and joyfully being what you are, you fulfill your own abilities and your simple presence can make others happy."
Judy Garland said:
"be a 1st rate version of yourself rather than a 2nd rate version of someone else"
And finally Michelle said:
"I never met a chocolate I didn't like!!!"
What words inspire you?? I'd love to know.
Blessings and Happy stitching,
Michelle.

Favourite things Friday and Floral Friday.

I wanted to share my collection of cranberry/white china which is among my favourite things. The dinner set was given to me by my Husband as a gift after I admired when we were on holidays.It's Staffordshire ware and the design is "Royal Mail". I have several Spode pieces and Johnson Bros pieces plus an assortment of less well known designs. Just looking at them makes me happy and when I can add another piece it's unbridled joy. Cranberry/white china is harder to come by than the blue/white china so it's very exciting to find a nice piece to add to the collection. Visit Shay to see what favourites are being shared http://fairybreadmusings.blogspot.com/
I'm not sure if Bronwyn is having Floral Friday this week with all her Nanna duties but I was so tickled when I saw my Cooktown Orchids and another little Orchid had begun to flower I wanted to share. The Cooktown Orchids came from my Nan's garden and as she is no longer here are very special to me. They've come out more today but because of the rain I couldn't take a pic. Visit Bronwyn's lovely blog even if she isn't posting it's worth the visit http://korumburraquilting.blogspot.com/
I am posting early as No 1 Husband is working from home tomorrow and requires the computer for most of the day. Most inconvienent if you ask me. So I'll be back to check on everyone's doings later tomorrow.
Happy Stitching and Happy Friday.

P.S. Don't forget Mt Tamborine's craft fair for the Rural Fire Brigade. See Previous post for details. Starts tomorrow all you Brisbaneites. OK I'm really going now.

Thursday's Teddy Bears Picnic with Melody

Todays picnicers are the boys from the 'triple c' (Cane Chair Crew). All made by me when I had loads of patience. Gomer in the vest and Bruno the big boy (22 inches tall) are teddy Bit's patterns. Bruno used to stand up but his joints are a little wobbly now. Pickles is in the blue cardy and I have to say I have a very big soft spot for him. He was featured in one of the Bear creations magazines and is a Teddyworks design. his cardy was knitted by a lovely Kiwi lass I worked with who got so sick of me cursing trying to work out the pattern (I'm no knitter) she took it off me and made it. I love the colour of his fur as it does remind me of pickles. Now the cane chair they sit on was bought for my brother and one for my sister. I was considered too old at the time to want one. I was secretly devestated. They were hand made by the Blind Institute in Brisbane. Many years later my brother was throwing it out in a garage sale and when I saw it I screamed NOoooo!!! He looked out me strangely and said "oh for goodness sake take it home". So I did and the boys sit there quite comfortably together as they are best mates. We are having our picnic inside today because it's a wee bit damp outside.

To see who else is picnicing pop over to Melody's http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/

MOTHERS DAY FAIR

If you liked my friend Tracey's work from Roses Petals Past you can purchase some of her lovely pieces along with my other friend Leanne who are particiapting in the huge Craft Extravaganza in aid of the rural fire brigade and other charities at Mt Tamborine. The Mothers Day Fair is held every year and it's held at
Vonda Youngman Community Centre Main street, North Tamborine. There's heaps of parking and refreshments are available too. It's on April 29th, 30th, May 1st & 2nd. from 10am - 4pm.
It's a lovely opportunity to by something for your Mum or spoil yourself. I've reposted a photo of Tracey's work although you can't mistake her work because it's so lovely. My friend Leanne also does lovely work with a lean towards more Country style pieces. So do yourself a favour if you fancy a lovely drive and it's for a great cause as well.

I'm off to quilting group now so have a great day everyone.

Tuesday's Treasure with Melody

My Tuesday Treasure is actually from yesterday - ANZAC DAY. We went for a drive out to Wynum at the bay for a stroll and some fish and chips for lunch. It was a bit cloudy but that didn't seem to deter all the people who were enjoying their day there. As we strolled along the foreshore we were joined by other couples of all ages, kids delighting in the freedom to ride their bikes, folks walking along with very excited furry 4 leggged children, Dads and kids fishing from the jetty, other kids swimming in the seawater pool and splashing and having the time of their lives. Under the shady trees were families having picnics, Grandads reading the paper in their favourite picnic chair. Games of serious family footy were also taking place. There were people everywhere and all the sounds were joyous and it bought to my mind that all those young diggers came from families just like these who treasured the wonderful freedom living in Australia gives you.
All these people enjoying simple pleasures with friends and loved ones. So I am treasuring my life today as an Australian. Free to enjoy these simple days and not have had to send my beloved son off to a faraway land to fight as so many Mothers had to do and some still have to today. So Bless each and everyone of our Diggers and the sacrifices they have made so we may enjoy this FREEDOM so precious to us all.

FOOTNOTE:

Our fish and chips were delicious and we were surrounded by a noisy gaggle of seagulls as Hubby made the mistake of throwing one a chip. As I prepared to share some of my chips with this greedy horde a gull floated up beside me, hovered there and oh so gently removed the chip from my fingers. Didn't snatch! Just did it oh so politely. I offered another one and it did the same (photos to prove it).

See it just goes to show even in the midst of a rude rabble you can still be the one who exhibits good manners. LOL! (and come away with the chip).
What are you reasuring today visit Melody at http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/

Thursday's Teddy Bears Picnic with Melody

Billy and Tiny are all set for the picnic today. They are bringing some little Easter cakes to share as well as a tin of their favourite Cadbury's bikkies.Billy has bought his favourite BUNNY book Peter Rabbit to read under a shady tree while Tiny has bought her enormous Easter egg basket hoping to fill it up with yummy eggs if there is an egg hunt at the picnic today. They are so looking forward to it on this lovely sunny morning.

Billy is all the way from Wales in the UK and is a 51/2 inch handmade mohair and Tiny is all the way from Tassie and she too is mohair with glass beads in her body. She is a Rayner bear and is also only 51/2 inch tall. To see who else will be at the picnic go to http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/ 

Happy Easter to everyone I wish everyone a safe and happy break.
I also hope the lovely big chap with lovely soft fur and long velevety ears and a powderpuff tail finds you and
fills your Easter Baskets with loads of GOODIES.

Blessings Michelle

Creative Mess!

Why can't my sewing room ever stay tidy! I see photos of all these lovely modern sewing rooms with a place for everything and neat shelves and stacks of fabric and think I bet I would still make a big mess even in that lovely space. At the moment I have half sewn bits and pieces everywhere. On Saturday I had a lovely lady visit me to buy some patterns and she was very kind with her praise of my work. I thought afterwards if  only you could see the messy little cave in which I create. My trouble is when I'm in the midst designing or making something and it's usually more than one at a time I have everything out all over the place and then it's on to the next project and the pile gets bigger and BIGGER. At the moment it's even spread to the dining room.

Oh the Shame of it all!! Is there anyone else out there who is a big MESSER???? That creates in a disused cave like me or am I all on my "pat malone"???

One more Thing....

I know it's not nice to blow your own trumpet but.... my little honey bee cushion made the cover of Country Threads Magazine so I was a wee bit pleased and wanted to share. Hope you'll forgive my little self indulgence.

Tuesday's Treasure with Melody

Today I am sharing with you a little Easter treasure and  two of my most valuable Treasures.
The Easter Treasures are the two little bunny figures which were given to my children at least 25 years ago and it was decided to leave them together  as we felt they belonged together and so they grace the table every Easter Sunday for our Family gathering. They are not very expensive china but we all love them and think they are so cute. It wouldn't be Easter in our house without them.
My most valuable Treasures are my two gorgeous Grandsons Lachlan and Cooper.
Lachlan is 3yrs and is showing off his lovely Easter hat and Cooper is 10mths and is showing off his best Australian crawl. These two young chaps are the light of our lives.

What are you treasuring today? HOP over to Melodys to see more Treasures at http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/

Cookies and Cream Christmas Club.

I can finally reveal what I was teasing you about. Sandy at Cookies and Cream Craft has begun a yummy Christmas Club which will run for 5 months. Myself, Gail Pan, Toni Alexander, Jody Herbert and Simone Gooding have each designed a pattern which will be exclusive to the members who have joined the club. Each month a paper pattern will be posted to you and you won't know what the pattern is until you receive it. SURPRISE! Or who the designer is. There is a nominal cost which you can get the details from Sandy's blog or click on the button on my sidebar. I was very excited to be asked to participate in this and designing and stitching in secret has been such fun. But to see WHAT i designed you'll have to join the club.
I hope you are enjoying your weekend,
Happy Stitching,

Michelle

Floral and Favourite thing Friday

My contribution to Floral Friday fabric is this beautiful violets fabric. I don't usually have a lot of mauve or purple fabrics but when I saw this I had to buy it, all 2 metres of it plus fat 1/4's in the range. I have had this fabric for a really long time and have always been going to design something for it but the truth is I can't bear to cut it up (how silly is that). I get such pleasure when I look at all those gorgeous violets. As a little girl my Nanna had the silk type that she used to wear as a brooch and I loved them. Even one of my bears in Bear Posies quilt is called Violet and has a posy of Violets. I think also the fabric has vintage cards etc. on it and I love that as well.
Check out everyone else's favourite fabrics over at Bronwyns http://korumburraquilting.blogspot.com/
My Favorite Thing Today is:

My old Singer Sewing machine my husband bought me for our 25th wedding Anniversary. It has lots & lots of my other favourite sewing bits and pieces on it. Thimbles, my great grandmothers needle container, my Nannas pin tin, a lovely spool box my daughter bought me when she first started working, old cotton reels and other treasures. You may have guessed by now that I am a bit of a "pack rat" but only with certain things. My husband went out one Saturday while I was working and bought it in a little country village about an hours drive from where we live. It is still in working order with a new belt in the draw. For other Favourites pop over to Shays at http://fairybreadmusings.blogspot.com/

I Know a Secret.

I know a little secret. There is going to be something exciting happening over at Sandy's at Cookies and Cream Craft and it will be revealed in the next few days. So keep your eyes open and your ears peeled. I am sworn to secrecy but I am allowed to tease you just a little...............

Thursday's Teddy Bears Picnic with Melody

My most devoted couple are all set for the picnic today. They are "Henry & Elizabeth" and my friend Ann made them for me one Christmas and I adore them. Elizabeth has a tulle shawl, pearls and wears a brooch of my Grandmothers.
 Henry has a very swish tapestry waiscoat and stylish bow tie worn at a jaunty angle and gold rimmed glasses to express his serious side. They are quite big bears and measure 21 inches on tippy paws. They never leave each others side but do hope they are not overdressed for the picnic today. To see who else will be there on this glorious sunny morning scoot over to Melodys at

http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogpot.com/

Sneak Peak

I had a lovley day stitching at Jackies today with the girls. Lots of laughs as usual. I came home with a cutting for my garden. You could tell the poor thing was going "OH NO NOT HER I"M DEAD FOR SURE!!" I'm going to make sure it grows just to spite it! I have a little sneak peak at a little Christmas quilt I'm doing for COUNTRY THREADS magazine. I have been working very hard on it and hopefully will get the final border on tomorrow. I have also been stitching my little angel wallhanging. I bought the most pretty fabric from Thread & Ginger at Victoria Point for it and I am looking forward to seeing it all together.

Finally lots of love and prayers for my friend Kay. XXX
I hope you have all enjoyed your day.

Tuesday's Treasure with Melody

I have chosen memories of a great holiday my hubby and I had last October through county NSW & VIC. as my treasure this week. Hubby loves steam trains so of course wanted to go on the puffing billy in the Dandenongs just outside Melbourne and I had wanted to visit the William Ricketts Santuary since I read about his work in college 20 some years ago (I was a working potter for 10 years). We spent 3 beautiful days in the Dandenong Ranges and the Sanctuary certainly lived up to expectations. It  has just a beautiful energy that's hard to describe and you find it difficult sometimes to determine where the sculpture finishes and the tree or rock begins. You will have to excuse the funny old lady lurking in one of the photos (Me) giving the photographer advice!

The last photo is of Hubby and I on Puffing Billy. It was a lovely day and he was like a kid hanging out the train and we have a million photos of that train. A lovely young guy from Sydney took the photo.
For more treasure visit Melody at http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/

What are you Stitching?

It must be the thought of Cheryll of Gone Stitchin's great Santa sack swap got me dropping everything I was "Supposed" to be stitching and put me in the mood for some Snowman stitching. So that's what i have been stitching. Snowmen. I love Snowmen. Actually I love all Christmas stitching especially redwork. I could  sketch and draw Christmas til the reindeers come home.
If you would like to be part of the fun visit Cheryll at http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com/
Come on you know you want to!!!

My Version of Tiffs and Teresa's ABC's

Age: 58 OUch!!Bed Size: Double we're only littleChore you Hate:Housework rather be stitchingDog: none at the moment as we lost our beautiful old black staffie DOC 18 mths ago and we are still sad.Essential start to the day: coffee and a quiet sit on my front verandahFavourite colour: I love the vintage colours green, burgundy,pink, red, rusty oranges and browns once in a while something brightGold or silver: as I was a gypsy in a previous life I love it all! Height 5'2" told you I was only littleInstruments I play: none but I love to hear the saxaphone and piano blues.Job title: wife, mother,grandmother,daughter,sister,aunty,friend and craft designerKids: 1lovely daughter, 1 lovely son, 1 lovley son-in-law, 1 lovely daughter-in-law, 2 gorgeous grandsonsLive Brisbane AustraliaMothers name: Margaret Ann which I think is very pretty.Nicknames: my family call me Shell all except my husband who only ever calls me MichelleOvernight stay in hospital: 2 children, 1 appendix, 12 calcium stones from my salivary gland.Pet Peeve: cruelty in all it's forms especially to children and animals, considering what you have, where you went to school or where you live makes you more important than others, the neglect and abuse of the planet upon which we liveQuote from a movie: "frankly my dear! I don't give a damn"Right or left handed: rightSiblings: 1 brother, 1 sisterTime I wake up: depends on how much stitching I did the night beforeUnderwear: not tellingVeggie I dislike: only brussels sprouts I hate the after taste ERK!What makes you late: my husband, my husband and my husband!!!XRAYS I've had: dental, ankle, face and jaw (stones)Yummy food you make: this was hard as I didn't get the cooking gene but I do make a nice pineapple fruit cakeZoo animal I like: I don't like to see any animals behind bars so to speak but I know without the dedicated work of some of our zoos and their endangered species programs we would be in a whole lot of trouble.I have a soft spot for elephants and pandas.
Phew! Thats me done. Thanks to Teresa for her post and if you want to know more about it go to TIFFS blog at http://foldedgingham.blogspot.com/

April Teaparty giveaway drawn.

The winner of the April teaparty giveaway is "ELLIEK" of Village Quilters. Congratulations!! Can you please email me with your postal details so I can send you your pattern and buttons.

Thank you everyone for participating. I shall be having another "giveaway" in May so stay tuned.
Enjoy your weekend and Happy Stitching,
Michelle

A Colourful, Floral & Favourite Thing Friday Trifecta.

I have everything tumbled in together today. For my hexagons for Colourful Friday I have found my half finished Grandmothers Flower garden quilt (shame on me), a beautiful card featuring the same. The design is by Rebecca Barker and a dear friend gave  it to me, a stationery card set with hexies and bees on them  that the same friend bought back from USA (I love this set), my hexie templates, a jar of tiger balm and a table centre I made with hexies. Visit Robyn at http://daisyquilts.blogspot.com/ for more.
My Favourite thing and Floral thing this Friday is a beautiful little gift shop that I stopped at on my way to my Mums at Tinana just on the outskirts of Maryborough called "Emmaleys" where you can by coffee,vintage china and other bits and pieces plus a beautiful range of gifts. It is such a sweet shop and smells devine.
Whilst I was there this beautiful "Floral" tag fell into my hands. Anyone who knows me knows I love tags(even named my designs after 'em) so I couldn't resist and then I just had to have the delicate little porcelain roses. Bought some for my Mum too. Then they put all my goodies (didn't show all the goodies) in this gorgeous bag. It was very yummy! For more Favourite things visit Shay at http://fairybreadmusings.blogspot.com/ and be sure to pop over to Bronwyns for some Floral delights at
http://korumburraquilting.blogspot.com/

Thursday's Teddy Bears Picnic with Melody

We are very late to the picnic but I hope there's some goodies left. Taffy came on holidays with me up to Hervey Bay. He packed his little suitcase and donned his favourite sun hat. When we arrived we met up with Harvey a lovely little chap (handmade by my Mum) and we went down and spent some time on the beach with Nanna and our lovely family friend Hetty. It was beautiful and sunny and we enjoyed ourselves. We had to get up early this morning and kiss everyone goodbye and travel home. If you want to see who else is a the picnic hop over to Melodys http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/
P.S. My Mum being a fellow bear lover and her gorgeous friend Hetty thought this was a hoot and  had so much fun with it all.
Blessings Michelle xxx

A Blog Break

Hi everyone, I am having a little blog break to spend some time with my Mum. I will be back chatting later in the week. So take care all and keep your needles busy and Happy Sttiching!
Blessings Michelle.

Free Pattern and April's Giveaway.

My friend Tracey and I designed a project called "Tea in the Garden" and is featured as the Bonus Web Project for Homespun magazine.You can download the  instructions and pattern for free on their website http://www.completecraft.com.au/  If you love to buy the magazine then look for our project  which is featured on page 98 of  Vol.12.4 No 95.
APRIL GIVEAWAY-
Tracey has joined me in the giveaway and we thought we would keep with the tea party theme so I have a set of Tracey's beautiful handpainted cupcake buttons and one of my Cherry cupcake Angel cushion patterns to give away. To be in the draw just leave us a comment and I will draw it Saturday 10th April just in case you want to create something over the Easter Break. You can see more of Traceys lovely work at http://www.rosepetalspast.com.au/
Congratulations to the winners of March Madness!!
Thank you so much to everyone who participated last month. I would like to make this a monthly event so watch this space.

Blessings Michelle.

And the winners are... Floral & favourite things Friday.

I am combining Floral and Favourite Friday. One of my most favourite people is my lovely daughter Melissa without whom this blog would not exist. She is a generous, kind and loving girl. An extremely good juggler, keeping all the balls of wife, mother,daughter, sister, aunty,friend and wonderful teacher in the air at the same time with only the occassional fall. Melissa agreed to draw the winners in the giveaway which i'll list at the end of this post. I have also chosen 2 "Old Country Roses" plates for Floral Friday and they just happen to be favourites as well. One features a lovely tea time theme and is for the Ruby Anniversay  celebration of the design. The artist is Jane James. My friend bought it back from England for me. The othe plate features a girl gathering roses which I have had for many years.
THE WINNERS OF THE MARCH MADNESS GIVEAWAY ARE:
Helen - Helbel19
BubzRugz
Val - Valspiers sews

Congratulations! If you could email me your address I will post your patterns to you. Visit Bronwyn at http://korumburraquilting.blogspot.com/ for more floral treats and pop over to Shays for more Friday Favourites at http://fairybreadmusings.blogspot.com/