Soooo Close!

Hello everyone from rainy old Brisbane town today. I thought while I had a bit of a break from my mind exploding instructions and such I would pop in and say G'day! You may remember the "Michelle's Long Term  Secret Sewing" project...

Well I just thought seeing as I am getting very excited about it's reveal, I would tease you as well. This is soooo close to being able to be revealed to you that I am finding it very hard to keep quiet. So this was the next best thing lol! Watch this space lovely stitchers!
As you all know there has been a bit going on around here lately but children having fun always make you smile. Our youngest Grandson had his first ever sports day...they were so cute!
Ready for a fast getaway!

Jumping very high in the high jump...you know just to make sure that you clear that bar!

What could be more fun than a chicken relay?

Thank to all my FB friends who shared our pleasure about this little minx...

getting really good developmental results...may they continue!!! Feeling blessed!
Apart from lots of hard work which will become apparent in the next little while, I have found great comfort and peace with my needle and quilting thread...

 I just love the quiet rhythm of hand quilting.

 Thank you lovely friends for all your words of encouragement and support recently. It meant so much. I for one am going to carry on with hope and positivity in my heart that all will be well and get back to more cheery posts.
Have a lovely rest of your day everyone.

Namaste and blessings,
Michelle xxx

Swan Days

Over the last 2 weeks myself and my close family have been having what my darling grandmother used to call "swan days"....days when it takes all your strength and courage to keep yourself afloat and calm on top of the water whilst paddling like crazy underneath and resisting the temptation to just sink crying into the mud. We had a very frightening health scare in our family and it knocked the wind right out of us. We have since had some positive news and we are praying now that it continues.
This being said, I have had a bit of time spent waiting around and I was very, very thankful that I knew how to stitch and to keep my hands and mind engaged.
I stitched 2 very cute projects from my "Gingerbread Kisses" pattern and a Christmas Heart ornament....

I used Cottage Garden thread "Mistletoe" for 2 of them and the old fav DMC 816 for the other.
I have plans for them when I get a breather.
I am also keeping up with my little timetable and have the next on the list in the little hoop....can't tell you more...it's a bit of a secret giftie thingy!

So that's my lot as they say until next time. If I am not commenting it is because I have family commitments and time is a little short but reading what you're up to when I can is just so nice.
Remember to hug each other, love each other because that's all there really is worth having.
Namaste and blessings,
Michelle xxx

Flying Visit

I thought I would quickly drop in and share some show and tell and my latest art finish.
Firstly my friend Sandra has this Christmas beauty ready to hand quilt....it is so big it was hard to get it in the picture.

It is so beautiful and such a lot of work has gone into it.
My little Gingies seem to be stealing some hearts at the moment as Illene has made my table topper too. Thanks so much for sharing it Illene xx

I have been doing a lot of quiet stitching but I will share that next time.
Art:
My little cheeky meerkat "The Lookout" thought I would show you my finish....very pleased with him. It's about 11 1/2 inches x 16 1/2 inches and I used a Pan pastel background and Polychroma coloured pencils..
Halfway through..

Mr R. took this photo at the Dubbo Zoo but I have tried to make his surrounds a bit more natural.
The finish...

This little bloke never shirked his duty for a second!

Must fly! Have a lovely day,
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Scarborough Wedding

As I told you last post we were off to a wedding yesterday of a dear friend. I was a bit worried about the weather as it poured on the way to the venue which was on the other side of town. It was at a gorgeous venue called Reid's Place down on the peninsula at Scarborough. I just ooohed and aahed...2 old Queenslanders which are accommodation for B& B and Weddings as well as beautiful gardens.

 They were married in the chapel on the grounds which was adorable....I had to get a shot after the rose petals were thrown because too much paparazzi to get any good photos lol!

Gorgeous stained glass windows on the sides..

The bridesmaids looked beautiful...

The old vintage car was great for photos.

Love this piccie of my friend and her gorgeous Mum...

As you can see the clouds blew away and the sun shone brightly!
The happy couple......it is so wonderful to see a friend so happy.

We then celebrated with a High Tea....beautiful food and lovely china....oohhh loved it!

The raindrops returned and we were chased onto the large Queenslander verandah.... which didn't matter at all, we were having too nicer a time.....a closeup of the fast disappearing goodies....

My friend Lauren does every thing so beautifully and the whole experience was special and so her.
Cute little sweeties and a thank you from the Bride & Groom to send us on our way...

We are being very good today....fruit and healthy things after our over indulgence!
Namaste and blessings,
Michelle xx

Thank Goodness it's Friday!

The weekend approaches and I have managed a few bits and pieces. My quilting is taking priority and progress is never fast...sort of forces you to slow down. I have got a little ahead on my swaps...phew! After the binding was on this little secret number.

Another Tiny Teacup Teddy was completed also....should you love your own little created people? Well I do and can't seem to help it...love this little girl!

SSSh! Don't wake her!
I have also been doing a little thinking and trying to get a little head with gifts and things and you know it is surprising what you find when you look through your own patterns lol! I found 2 cute drawings in my "Gingerbread Kisses" stitcheries pattern....so I am going to stitch them!

All traced and ready to go! I fancy a bit of one colour stitching.
Well my "Just because I like it" today is....

Have a lovely weekend everyone....I am off to a wedding! A High Tea wedding no less. Right up my street wouldn't you say!
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Queen's Birthday Weekend

We are enjoying a long weekend here "downunder" to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 89th birthday.
Nice gentle weekend....coffee with old friends, a very nice breakfast out with Mr. R and a lot of time curled up in my chair...here!

Yes! The evenings do get cool here in Queensland. Nothing like a bit of hand quilting near the fire to nourish and soothe the soul...

I love the hills and valleys and little stitches all in a row...

It took me ages to decide on the inbetween bits near the plates....but even though it is simple, I like it.
I have quilted one row of Dresden's and I am on to the second row with some work on the inbetweeens.
In keeping with my sticking to the "list" I have worked on another little secret for a certain someone..

You know it takes me ten times as long to decide what I am going to do as it does to actually do it!!!!
Today I have been sewing on some binding on a little Christmas project which has been deliciously quilted for me by my clever friend Fiona but this is all I can show you for now.

I can however show you a little Show & Tell from my dear friend Shez....some of you may have seen it over at Shez blog here Shez has made my "Gingie Tabletopper" which featured in Country Threads Magazine a while ago now....I really enjoyed creating this one and I love Shez's version.

Look at Keryn's cute Santa looking right at home there!

Thanks so much for letting me share your beautiful work Shez xx
My "just because I like it" piccie  and what I wish you all is...

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

FNWF & A Friends Treasures

Well after a looong day at the Caravan and Camping show I was absolutely pooped! I am not sure whether it's fun or not seeing all you would like and not enough coins a-jingling in the purse. Last night was

Cheryll from Gone Stitchin was our hostess with the mostest...charm that is! I didn't achieve a lot, only getting a little stitching done on the letter "I" which for all those who have this alphabet it stands for "Invitation"....a few people have wondered.

I have finished "G" and "H"

I managed to keep the eyes open to watch our mighty Brisbane Broncos get a runaway win and then they slammed shut!!!!! So off to bed for me....so sorry to be such a piker. I will be visiting everyone over the weekend to see what you all got up to.
This past week a my friend Gaye hosted our stitching day....very light on indeed as everyone was away. Her lovely hubby treated us by baking his signature baked raspberry cheesecake...yummo!

As you can see in the background, we had tea in pretty cups too.
Now my dear friend is a caretaker of old and beautiful treasures like myself but she displays them oh so beautifully. Gaye kindly let me photograph some to show you...
A wall of gorgeous plates always sets my heart aflutter the minute I walk in the door...no wonder I never get much stitching done at her place.

Beautiful vintage doileys...

There are the sweetest collections...

and pretty corners.

Oh! Do you like blue?

Many years ago Gaye made a hexagon bed throw before she ever was in a quilting group. it looks so lovely on the bed.

This bedroom is so pretty with lots of her childhood treasures on display. Gaye is definitely a kindred spirit and it makes my heart happy to visit her home and see her treasures...not because they are just beautiful things but the feeling that my friend has created by saving, loving and collecting these pieces and their stories....love it and it's nice to know another NON-minimalist!
Hope they made your heart happy too seeing them....thanks Gaye for sharing.

Enjoy your weekend,
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

It's in the Hoop!

Well folks my Deux Rouenneriers  Dresden plate quilt is in the hoop and quilting has begun....yay!

It is nice to be working those little stitches into the quilt finally...well not tooo little I have noticed lately but I love the process and I am satisfied with the quilt staying together.

We have another special birthday in our family today. Our youngest Grandson Cooper is turning 5. Cooper is our "let's go!!!!!!" little man.

Big birthday hugs little man...hope you have a wonderful day!

Love you lots and lots xxx
I also have some Show & Tell....
Joy from Bundaberg has been taking part in my Calendar Bears Stitch-a-long in Country Threads Magazine.
She has done a lovely job and even has her borders on...

Thanks for sharing them Joy. Your blocks are looking great and you are keeping on top of them all. I am so glad that you are enjoying them so much.

My dear friend Fiona from Bubzrugz  has been keeping me company while I stitch my Country at Heart Alphabet blocks. Fiona is stitching my Bear Alphabet...they are looking so pretty!

I just love them....this little girl was a favourite when I drew them...

Thanks Fiona for letting me share them and even though I am letting the side down this end...thanks for stitching along with me. Your blocks are lovely.
I have finished 2 blocks but will save them for next post.
Another "just because I like it" piccie.....love Brunswick Heads and love being silly too! It's so good for your soul....

Enjoy your hump day all.
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx