Happy Easter Morning

Wishing all my dear Family and Friends are very Happy Easter Morning.

and Yes! The Lindt Bunny came.
I wish you a special time with those you love.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Baby Stitching and Show & Tell

Good Morning all. I decided to dedicate my time this Easter to completed the "heart" projects which are the remaining quilt for upcoming baby No 2 and some more 'rosey posey' singlets.
I have just finished quilting the applique panel...boy just noticed I have some lumpies on my curves there and  a bit scrunchy. LOL. I am sure the wee one won't notice or care.

and am sewing the binding on...

Lots of "rosey" singlets are finished. I just love stitching these.

I adore the pretty pastel green.....sooo pretty!

There has also been a little of these shiny baubles disappearing down the rabbit hole...

I also wanted to share a little show and tell. The first from the lovely Pam This is what she did with my little Easter freebie...

Oh so bright and happy Pam. I am so glad you found it useful.
The other is from the amazing Joy from Bundy (no blog) who I am sure has bionic fingers she stitches so fast. Joy is definitely Joy by name and by nature.
Joy has gathered up designs of mine she liked and incorporated them into the one quilt which she has called her "Michelle" quilt. Gee I won't be able to get my hat on for my swelled head.

Thank you lovely ladies for sharing what you have been up to. It was great to see them.
I am off back to my binding and there are a few more eggies with my name on them. (don't want them going bad or anything)
Blessings Michelle xxx

Goodies From the Postie

I am in an online friends group and we are having a Redwork Swap at the moment and of course I couldn't resist seeing as how I hate redwork so much. Lol. Well yesterday the postie left me this...

My heart beat faster as soon as I saw the Tim Tams. Inside those lovely packages from my dear friend Shez who happened to be my Angel in this swap was the loveliest Christmas wall hanging....take a look!

So much gorgeous stitching and can you see the subject matter....ohh Miss Mistlemouse will not be best pleased when she sees these gorgeous mousey folk. I just love it.

Shez also included that lovely butterfly notebook and the paper is recycled (love that). So what a bundle of favourite things....Timmy's, Christmas and redwork and a pretty notebook. Feeling pretty special here. Oh by the way Shez also went above and beyond by quality control testing at least 4 packets of Tim Tams to ensure they were just right for me before sending them on. What a good friend. LOL! Thank you dear Shez for your thoughtfulness and putting together such a gorgeous gift. I Adore it all ((((o))))) Big hugs x
Speaking of gifts I have done the "bunny" shopping and have bought the hot cross buns....I refuse to have them at any other time as it makes it all the more special when you have them at Easter time. I know...cranky old lady but I don't care. I hate seeing them in the shops just after Christmas. Where has our sense of occassion gone???? Sorry I digress.
I have also put the my Easter mini on the stand and I must say it is cute and the bunnies look pleased too.

On the sewing front I seem to be stuck in "Bear" mode which I love. This little red work Ted is for a future project for Country Threads.

I have had to put the other little bears aside, just for a wee while to get this done and I can tell you there is much complaining and gossiping over the honey pot about it. I'll just have to stitch quicker won't I. Can't have a basket of disgruntled bears.
Have a lovely day everyone and if you are going away for Easter travel safe and enjoy the blessings of Easter with your nearest and dearest and I hope the bunny finds you.
Blessings Michelle xxx

A Bit of Retail Therapy & Stitching.

We went down to Byron Bay for the day whilst on holidays and I did a little shopping. There are lots of "my" kinda shops in Byron. Not so Mr R. who came along grudgingly. So what did I buy.? Well you know how I love my dollar to do double duty, I could not resist this little silver medallion from Blue Turtles in a display in a very cute little shop.

It has the Sanskrit word "Ahimsa" stamped on one side and the meaning on the other which is by the way non-violence to self or others. Sometimes like all of us I need reminding to be kinder to myself and others. It is so simple and beautiful and I thought a little gentle reminder never goes astray. A percentage of the purchase goes to Blue Turtles Community Care fund. Love that! I also couldn't resist that yummy soft scarf in my favourite hues. So light and pretty.
My other purchase was an absolute bargain and I am not even going to tell you how much it cost as I am afraid they followed me home to tell me they made a mistake afterall.....

A Royal Winton sandwich tray to match my lovely inherited jug. Oh so thrilled with this one and to be fair I did ask a couple of times if it was the correct price and was told emphatically YES!!! So what could a china loving girl do but say "thank you I'll take it!" and hurry out the shop.
While in Byron I wanted to visit the Community Centre to see where they have the "International Peace Candle" that burns continually there. You may remember I posted about it last year...so I did (with much eyebrow raising from Mr R. I might add)

There is a lovely plaque there asking us what we can contribute to peace within our world and I thought it was well worth pondering. More stitching I say!!! Less time to put your foot in your mouth that way if there is already thread there. Speaking of stitching.....two more 'beary' cute girls as promised.

Although the next little Ted looks decidedly cross at having been disturbed whilst at her quilting.

Maybe I was channelling myself when I suffer "quiltus interuptus" hee hee.
I have also been busy since I arrived home catching up on mail and swaps and I have this little package to leave with my friendly postie tomorrow.

Is it coming to your mailbox????? Hmmm! Have to wait and see.
Lastly I would like to say a huge big thank you to those of you who have purchased "Christmas Memories" from the lovely Marilyn at The Patchwork Teahouse as my first BOM I am more than thrilled that they are flying out the door.

Also "Stitcher's Alphabet". I have just had to go and have a whole lot more printed....fantastic! Thank you!

I think that is it for today. I feel that  a bit of quiet stitching is in order now. Hope you can manage some as well.
Enjoy what's left of your day.
Blessings Michelle xxx

I'm Back!

Good afternoon to you all. Mr R. and I have returned from a very relaxing an enjoyable week at Brunswick Heads. A favourite haunt of ours in Northern Coastal NSW. A warning....there a few piccies. Boring holiday snaps. Our campsite.

and looking to the right from my comfy chair I might add out towards the head of the river and the ocean. It was so very hard to take every day *sigh*

We had a few scattered showers but mostly lovely days and we managed a walk along the beach everyday.
Which means you have to take  the obligatory photo by the ocean.

With all the recent weather events we have been having a lot of trees and other plant debris has been expelled from the river out into the ocean and then has washed up on to the beach. Some of it was really interesting and quite sculptural (or maybe that's just me) anyway had to take a photo.

I love being beside the ocean there is something rejuvenating about it. We walked for miles.
Of course all that exercise requires sustenance and what better than a yummy brekky at the local cafe.

and for his nibs....

Both believe it or not were relatively healthy options...poached eggs and grilled bacon and no cream on my berries on my pancakes. Having said that! We did treat ourselves each day to one of these...

Skinny too I might add. Which brings me to the almost last photo which undid all my good work. I think it must be my Irish/Scottish/ English heritage but I cannot resist a good "Bangers & Mash" and the pub at Brunswick Heads does a corker...Yum! If you don't like sausages look away now.

Yes I know shocking but oh so yum. Boy did we have to have a loonnnng walk after that lot.
I did manage to finish my Joy Dettman book. Loved it! I also managed two more Bear blocks and some drawings. I will show you those tomorrow and my purchases in Byron Bay.
I am very proud of myself as I also didn't miss a day of my meditation challenge and have completed 14 days. I am loving Deepak Chopra's soothing voice so much I think I am going to have to purchase a guided meditation CD of his after the challenge is over. So beautiful.
Ok folks, I hope you weren't too bored with the holiday snaps. I shall leave you with one of the lovely sunsets over the marina.

I have been trying to catch up on some of your posts but I think if you pardon me I am going to have to just begin again. Enjoy your evening.
Blessings Michelle xxx

FTF

I am a little late with my FTF but it is still Friday. My favourite today is a result of our road trip through Central Australia last year. I am what you call in Winter....a frog! I hate being cold! So when preparing for our trip I had that much warm bedding (which was very toasty) that we could not shut the lid on the camper. This meant that every time we moved on I would have to unmake our bed and remake it when we got where we were going which quite frankly sent me barking mad. Advice was garnered from our more seasoned camping friends and we decided a double sleeping bag was in order. We have been watching for specials and this week....YaY! Anaconda had them for 1/2 price and we had a discount voucher as well. So we rushed over and .....

no more bulky bedding and it squishs down to almost nothing and is suitable for 0 degrees. We are now all set for our road trip later in the year. What's your favourite thing today. I am linking up with SHAY to see what others are favouring today.
I am on Day 5 of my Meditation challenge and have to say I am loving it. You can still sign up if you are interested. You can read about it  here www.chopracentermeditation.com
I have spent the day drawing and stitching these.

I have also been sorting out and packing our van for a little break away. I am taking my bears with me to stitch so they don't get put back in the cupboard and I also have the latest book in the Woody Creek series by Aussie author Joy Dettman.

I am saving it and haven't even read the back cover which has been hard as the last book ended with a real cliff hanger. I will be popping in and reading your blogs but may not post much.
We are really looking forward to it as we have both been pretty flat out since way before Christmas and need some time to ourselves. I hope the weather plays nice too.
Take care of yourself and be kind to each other.
Blessings Michelle xxx

A Morning Down By the Bay

Yesterday I went for a lovely drive down to our bay area to visit my friend Gaye who has been a bit under the weather, recovering from some surgery and also to deliver her little "toile" Gruffy keepsake dog to her. I told you in a previous post her beloved dog Gruffy passed away recently. She absolutely loved him (tears were shed by both of us) and has found a special place for him. Gaye has a wonderful native garden and it was lovely to go for a wander through it with her. I thought I would share a couple of photos with you. At the moment these trees are in bloom everywhere around here and Gaye has one in her back garden.

I forgot to ask Gaye what it is called. It is such a picture and the blossom is gorgeous.

There was also a couple of pretty gingers in bloom.

We both received cuttings of this plant at the same time. Gayes's looks like this and all I am going to say is...mine doesn't! She felt sorry for me and dug one out that has flowered...watch this space hhmmm!
There was also this unusual little sweetie that I am going to try my luck with when she gets a bit bigger.

It is always special spending time with friends. Especially when they need to know someone is thinking of them. We had a lovely catch up over a cuppa and her garden was a treat. A lovely morning.
I have been busy doing all sorts of things that are in various stages but I have finished "Faerie Bear" quilt No1 and thought you might like to see it.

I have also so made a couple of little friends to go with it.

The giraffe is a Bunny Hill pattern and the little bear is from one of the Tilda books. No 2 is about to be completed but I haven't been able to get my thimble on my finger as I jabbed it and it actually got infected and blew up. It is coming good now so 'full steam ahead'.
That's it from me...a few Domestic Goddess duties and then some projects to enjoy.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Blessings Galore

It seems at the moment I am being blessed from many directions and I am so thankful.
I have not one but "two" projects in the latest Country Threads Magazine along with a profile article and both projects became cover girls. YAY!  So if you think you would like to get to know me a little better ( like you don't already) you can read about it in this issue.

To those of you who were very interested in "My Country Garden" you will be happy to know it is one of the projects featured.

As if that wasn't enough it appears lots of you liked "Christmas Memories" and had to have it. I loved the ad in Homespun magazine and so did you....thank you.
On the sewing front I have been chilling out with a little red work.

So sorry about the "non-ironed" look they are sporting. As is the next little sneaky peek that you shall have to wait for later in the year. Can you tell I was rushing.

I also got back to Yoga yesterday another YAY! I am not sure what to make of the fact No 1 husband enquired "When are you going back to Yoga???"  Maybe I am a nicer person to be around when I commit to my practice??? Speaking of which I was also downright impressed with myself that I got up early this morning and did my meditation and hit the mat. I have signed up for a 21 day meditation challenge hosted by Deepak Chopra and Oprah you can read about it here. So wish me luck. I have felt a little out of sync lately hence falling over, feeling unwell and other little bits and pieces and I have not been on my mat as much as I would have liked so I am sure this will be the little rebalancing kindness that will help.
I wish you all a wonderful day.
Blessings Michelle xxx

A Little Early Easter Gift

I thought I would give you all a little gift for Easter a bit early.

as I know it is nice sometimes to stitch a little Easter project. So I have a little something from my sketchpad for you all on my sidebar. I have it on good authority from my dear friend Noela that it is working just fine.

Enjoy and have fun.....love to see what you come up with.
I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend even if you do have to make your own sunshine.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Special Birthday & FTF

Before I get to my FTF this week I wanted to start with the most important thing of the day and that is that my Darling Daughter is having a birthday.

So big birthday hugs Liss we are blessed to have you in our lives.

I wish you a wonderful day and hope there is a cupcake or three involved too somewhere.

Today it is very simple and apart from celebrating your daughter's birthday it has to be this.

Can you see that blue stuff peeking out through the clouds...YES!!!! It's a bit of blue sky and there is even a little sunshine. YAY! Told you it was simple. I am linking up with Shay over at Quilting in my Pyjamas and looking forward to reading about other favourites for today.
On the sewing front I have sewn all the binding on the first baby quilt and on to the 2nd and as I said the other day just had to have a little red work to be going on with to ease the withdrawals.

I have some friends helping me try these out so I thought I better get a wriggle on or I will get left behind.
I would like to leave you with a little quote I love...
"We are all members of a vast cosmic orchestra in which each living instrument is essential to the complimentary and harmonious playing of the whole." by J. Allen Boone - Kinship with all Life.
Let the unique music that is you be heard today.
Blessings Michelle xxx