Quick Post

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and you celebrated in your own unique way. I had a lovely day with my family and it was filled with children's excited voices, paper being torn, festive food and loads of fun in the pool. The grandies love the pool and we have a group of little fishes....here is a collection of little photos from the day.

We had a pair of crazy Darth Vadas running around along with two little Peppa pigs LOL! Loads of trick diving and jumping too! Boxing day was spent relaxing big time after the initial clean up of the abode.
My final FHFS gift which was under my tree was extraordinary..

My very generous swap partner Keryn tells me these were collected on a trip she had to Paris...yep that's Paris France...oh my! First was this lovely canvas bag with two of my favourite fabric type words on the front...

Inside the bag was something so very special and made my heart flutter... a beautiful piece of Antique French linen...

More excitement as it has the letter "M" embroidered on it!

Gorgeous! It appears to be a small coverlet or an slip for a very large continental cushion as it has sweet little buttons on the back piece.. this photo does not do it justice.

As someone who will probably never leave these shores and has always harboured little dreams about France, I am so thrilled with my beautiful very precious gift. Thank you Keryn. You truly have the kindest heart and have really made my spirit soar. I shall always treasure it. xxx
Ok off for another day of R&R...I love this photo of my boys having fun (please excuse the old drowned lady also present in the photo).

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

The Puds Here!

Do you have little traditions and things that you do every Christmas that it just wouldn't be the same without?
Well apart from watching "Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase and the Carols each year, one of our families oldest and dearest friends (our God daughter's Mum) makes and delivers to us the most scrumptious Christmas Puddings. It is wrapped and be-ribboned so beautifully. We are so darn spoilt! So last night our pudding was once again delivered to us with love and friendship. Isn't it pretty?

Christmas would not be the same without this beautiful tradition. Heartfelt thanks Karen xxx
I have had the most wonderful time with my lovely friends in FHFS. A huge big hug and thanks to our two gorgeous "Queen Elves" Peg and Shez....what a duo!
This is Day 10 from the very generous Keryn....only the giftie under the tree to go.

It had been residing in my fridge because my chocolate detecting equipment alerted me to the fact that it contained said substance inside the package....so cute and I know it is early but I must fess up to the fact that I have already sampled them...you know quality control! Passed with flying colours!!! Thank you so much Keryn for all your spoiling xx
I would like to leave you with a beautiful Christmas Blessing. I wish you a Joyful and very Merry Christmas shared hopefully with those you love, for those of you who find this a difficult time because of loss and difficulty I wish you Peace in your reflections.

May you have the gladness of Christmas - which is Hope.
The spirit of Christmas - which is Peace
and the heart of Christmas - which is love.
         ...Ada V. Hendricks.

Stay safe.
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Beautiful Friends.

I am blessed to know some truly beautiful people...one of whom came yesterday to have a cuppa and a chat and to check out my Christmas decorating (bag was checked at the door on the way out for any treasures lol!) my friend Monica is also a lover of Christmas goodies and she surprised me with this gorgeous table runner that she has so beautiful stitched....oh my goodness!

There is English piecing in the centres and embroidery around each one.

Monica is a beautiful stitcher and I was so thrilled....thank you lovely lady xx
The postie also bought me lovely mail from two other beautiful ladies....
As a designer I rarely get time to stitch anything other than my own work...now that does not mean that I don't love and appreciate some of the gorgeous designs by other designers because I so do!!! I was doing a very happy little dance when I opened the sweetest parcel from my friend Noela 

I just love her and I have from the moment I saw all you ladies out there stitching these ornies. Thanks so much Noela you are very naughty but soooo nice! She is so very happy on my new tree xx
My other lovely mail was from my dear friend Cheryl ....a beautiful handmade card and delicious smelling drawer sachet.

I am popping the sachet in with my fabrics to make them smell nice. Thank you Cheryl xx
Days 9 & 10 from the gorgeous Keryn.. a beautiful Flour sack Tea towel and super cute "Frosty" mug.

Some piccies of my favourite  4 little people enjoying the Season.

Loving the Christmas lights with my big Brother xx

and who doesn't love cold juicy watermelon!

My Brother and I sure do!

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

I am a Bit Late - FNSI & Thank You's

I am so late getting around to all my FNSI friends. A big thank you to "Wonderful Wendy" for looking after us so nicely throughout the year. It has been a while since I was able to chose a summer project and just work away quietly on it. After a crazy morning on Friday a very cold one of these was consumed to cool me down.....they are one of the nicest Queenslander's I know!!

 I popped a DVD on "Miss Potter" to be precise and stitched away on the applique I have wanted to add to my Dresden Plate quilt.

This is definitely a "fly by the seat of your pants" project and see how the next bit will look. I like it so far...

I am using some of my lovely Birthday club French General fabrics for the applique. I added another birdie up the other end last night. I just love this quilt and I am so happy I hatched it and stroked it until just the right design came along for it. I am trying to get around and catch up with you all and see what you were up to.
I also have some thank you's. Thank you Karen for this gorgeous handmade card....I love it!

To Christine for the cutest little scissor fob.....thank you so much.

Dear Fiona created this gorgeous little ornie, that still has me scratching my head....clever people!

You have all added to my Christmas Joy....thank you xx
FHFS Days 7 & 8 ( I hope that's right lol)
This cute little fellow popped out of the package to say hello!

Has to he Rudie with that nose!
This package has had me intrigued from the get go....so today I gave in!

and?????

sooooooooo cute! I now have a gorgeous little Christmas family!

Thank you Keryn.....I just love them, they are perfection! You are so very clever xxx
Lastly if I am not talking to myself...you know there should be an award for "EXTREME" blog posting! I really do try to keep it short but never happens...anyway I am waffling. I wanted to show you  how beautiful my new table topper looks on my table.

  I just noticed Santa in the kitchen holding the Mango up on his tray.....LOL! Yep! It's Queensland!

Our City Hall in Brisbane.
Enjoy your Sunday,
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

New Little Tree & FHFS Day 6

Good Morning everyone.....sooo much cooler here today after yesterday's storm.
Remember I said a couple of posts ago that I needed a bigger tree for my Blogging friends ornies? Well whilst I was visiting Ann her lovely hubby (maybe bribed with choccies...not admitting anything) gave me one of the wooden trees that he makes for Ann. I love them and already have one which is filled with my wooden hand painted ornaments. It was unfinished but that was absolutely fine with me. So yesterday I set to work.

and although I could not buy any spray gloss finish anywhere and decided I would do that before I pack it away, it came up a treat.

It is now beautifully dressed with my blogging friends gifts and looks wonderful!

Thank you so much Mr. H. you're a champion! What do you think?
Once again I received a beautiful hand made card from my friend Ann. I treasure these and have them all.

Ann's gift was so neat...3 special glass cylinders with a recess for a candle in the top. You can decorate inside the cylinders to suit the occassion. I have decorated only two because I could make them match.

Aren't they lovely! The candles are cinnamon and even without lighting them the scent is delicious. I am saving the other one to pop all my crystals in...well you know I am a card carrying hippie...so that should not come as any surprise to you.
Day 6:
Being a Jim Shore fan my heart more than skipped a beat when I opened Day 6.....Oh My Goodness!

It is handcrafted and features a scene of Santa and his sleigh skimming over the rooftops. A very special gift indeed. Thank you so much Keryn....you knew I would adore it! I shall always treasure it.
The postie bought me some lovely mail too but I shall share it tomorrow.
I cannot believe another week as flown by and Friday is with us. I am joining Wendy  and my other on line friends for our last..

for the year. I am going to be working on some applique on my FG Dresden Plates quilt. This is my summer, just for me project.
Have a lovely weekend all.

Love this ladies artwork...beautiful!
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Little Roadtrip and Days 4 & 5

For all my lovely overseas friends I thought you might like to see some photos of our beautiful Queensland coastline. Yesterday I went on a bit of a little roadtrip to visit my bestie Ann who lives up at the Sunshine coast for Christmas hugs and to check on how she was doing after recent surgery. I also snaveled some piccies of Ann's decorating (lots of piccies folks). Thought you might be a bit bored with mine.
First I swung by Coolum Beach....so beautiful!
This is specially for those of you who are a little bit chilly right now to warm your thoughts..

Glorious white sand and surf.....love the headland too!

This lovely lady (preparing me a delicious lunch)

in my opinion (we differ here)is absolutely to blame  for getting me so totally hooked on all things Christmassy many years ago. She says it was the other way around! Want to see a liitle bit? Gorgeous tree...

Oh wait! Then there is the 'handmade' tree....one of my favourites!

Ann is very widely travelled (hence my lovely collection of overseas ornies) so has some exquisite pieces..

Who doesn't love Santa helping with the baking?

Now this tree, if I could have got out of the house and away with it I would have  lol!
A beautiful wire tree.

The tree and all the gorgeous cross stitched ornaments are gifts from another friend and severe Christmasaholic Sherri!

I Love the entry display above. There was much much more....

So nice to sit and remember outings had together where treasures were bought, oohed and ahhed over and times when we made treasures together....I had the best day. Sometimes you really are blessed and the day Ann and I became friends is was one. I hope you enjoyed my little road trip and are still with me....
Because I am continuing to be spoilt by gorgeous Keryn....
Yesterday this little fellow came to stay...

He knew exactly where he wanted to spend Christmas and I could not argue with his thinking!

this morning this adorable little person popped out of here..

Too cute for words....

These little fellows are handmade by Keryn. I feel so lucky to have some of her beautiful Christmas folk at my house now. Thank you xxx
Ok I now go and leave you in peace,
Have a great day all
You know "it is not the presents you receive during the festive season but whose presence you share it with"

Namaste and Blesssings,
Michelle xxx