Splendid Sampler

I am almost up to date with my blocks for Splendid Sampler. These latest 4 are completed now.

I made a bit of a pigs ear of the tape measure one but it's done finally.
I really enjoyed Vicki Tucek's block....embroidery,  now there's a surprise lol! It is a beautiful design.

The next block is lovely too....but another paper pieced block. So I need to gather courage to attempt it...which I will but until I do I am taking refuge in Blessings..ahhh!

Oh how a little needleturn soothes the nerves.
Off to the garden now or what's left of it. We are dismantling one I had purposely let go to accommodate our new wheels. Lots of heaving dead things into the ute etc. And Mr. R. wielding his trusty chain saw. It will be nice when its all done and I can make a smaller one behind the new slab.
Have a lovely day.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Quirky Quilts Qld Class

Yesterday I taught my first class at my LQS Quirky Quilts here in Springwood.  It was a stitchery class for the stitchery on my Sweet Cupcake tote bag design.

I had a lovely group of ladies and I enjoyed their company.....

They all went away happy so that was very nice and hopefully I imparted some knowledge as well. Thank you ladies and QuirkyQuilts.
Sewing wise I am still working on Vicki Tucek's embroidery block for Splendid Sampler. It is such a pretty block and I am enjoying not rushing it.
I have also managed to decide on my Dutch Treat top fabric....

I am using my French General reds and some of their friends for the underneath fabric. Love red and cream quilts!

Hopefully it will work even though I am using a variety of different fabrics.

Sorry the photos are not better...bit of a yuk day here.
I have some lovely show and tell blocks from the Wednesday night girls but I will save them for next post....you think I'm crazy! Lol! Wait until you see these blocks.
Ok! I am off out the door....enjoy your weekend.
If it doesn't nourish your soul ... let it go!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Crazy!

Is it a full moon? Because sometimes I really feel like I need seeing to! You see I have friends who lovingly encourage me into lunacy....you know the type? Show you something gorgeous that you know you can't resist....
Firstly, I am joing my friend Fiona from BubzRugz in this long-term project.

My book has arrived. 196 blocks folks...4 1/2 inch blocks of recessed applique!  Like I said self imposed lunacy!  Already putting aside lovely fabrics....so there is no hope for me. I am going to do mine in red and a cream top.
Secondly some "friends" at art encouraged me to try Scratchboard. ...another lunatic step....this little giraffe is taking me forever and don't even mention the shrubbery aarrghh!

You will love it! They said!  Now I  am hooked!  Do you have friends who lead you astray too? Well the upside is I am never bored lol!
Lastly we have a new holiday mode of transportation coming to live with us in a few weeks time and we are really excited about it. So much to do before it gets here. It will be wonderful to have a teeny bit of luxury after our years of traveling with our camper which we loved. Thankfully it's not going far....can't wait!

Have a great day all....I am  really  going to try and stay out of trouble!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Blocks and a Birthday

My little Dresdens have their centres and that means that the project top is done! That means I get to visit my wonderful quilting Faerie very soon....woohoo!

My Splendid Sampler blocks are in various states of completion as I had gotten a little behind....also art class led me astray yesterday....however!
Stitching this one...

Traced this one and prepped the rest of it.....by our very own Vicki Tucek! Looking forward to the embroidery. ..

Prepped the bonus block....had to do it...celebrating Happy Earth Day!

AND ...actually got the latest Block called "Sweet Candy" done!

A special day today because one of our wee girls is having a birthday....big 3.
Peppa Pig is a big hit lol!

and a girl has to have a bit of  bling on her cake.....nailed those candles in one go.

Happy birthday gorgeous girl xxx
Goodnight all.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Lest We Forget

I always like to commemorate Anzac Day by embracing the life I enjoy thanks to the sacrifice of the brave people who defended our way of life and still keep us safe today. Making sure that I don't ever take for granted this country and it's freedom that they loved and for many never came home to.
So an Anzac bikkie or two will be consumed.

From a favourite tin...

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Nearly Done

I have finished putting my baby Dresden Plates together...

And I am really pleased to say they fit where they are supposed to go....woohoo!

A spot of applique to secure them and their little gold centres and my secret commission will be ready for some lovely quilting!!
Which means??
I can start something new! And that something has been on my wish list for a long time. It is a project in Quiltmania magazine and until recently I only had one of the issues needed. Thanks to a lovely gift from a friend I now have the other back issue.....

I am very excited to be mulling over fabrics in my minds eye for this beauty!

I just love it! So I can see a few "long term" projects in my future.  I am really hoping that a lot of the fabrics will come out of my stash.
Well I best not tarry.....got to finish my Dresden work so I can begin.....
I will leave you with this quote which was a favourite of my Grandmother and which she recited to me often. I find them inspiring words.

Enjoy your evening.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Mixed Bag

That sums up my days in recent times.....a bit of this and a bit of that. After yesterday's effort at the sewing machine and what I hope to achieve today my secret commission project will be almost together......so what do I hope to achieve today?
These teeny little Dresden Plates!

Wish me luck. I could be back at the drawing board if they don't work! Lol!
When I  am  working hard on something I often need to rest my grey matter and nothing does that better for me than slipping between the covers of a good book.
I have just read this treasure on recommendation from a very nice friend. Thank you Lorel x

If you like a good Aussie yarn, you will love this one.  In our outback and country travels Mr R. and I often had conversations about the hardships of our bush pioneers! How they carved out a life for themselves....incredible!
Their tenacity, ingenuity and courage are qualities we still see in our Aussies on the land today......I admire them so much!
So after drought and flooding rains I happily went back to my safe stitching lol!
 Now one of you lovely people  had commented that I hadn't posted the results of my recent workshop. So I decided to finish my effort....not that it is great.....and show you. I enjoyed the workshop so much but I think it is going to take me quite a while to get my head around the fluidity and lack of "control" of using watercolour pencils.
Subject and my effort...

I really did love the subject and in light of my above comments, shows the "make do" attitude of country folks in the past.

Even though I have  somewhat of a personality flaw which worries me and tells me I must know what I am doing before I go to a class, I am slowly learning that "having a go" is much more rewarding than regretting not even trying.
Coffee is waiting along with my little Dresdens....
I love this quote from Elizabeth Gilbert.

Embrace away folks,
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Excercising the Brain

Saturday I attended another fun art workshop at beautiful Berrinba Sanctuary.

It was a watercolour pencil workshop....you can see that I was eager to start!

Wonderful Sandra Temple my art teacher took the workshop.

This was our subject...no fur or feathers...yikes!

Still there were lots of smiling faces at the end...

During lunch break Michael, one of the Sanctuary owners took us for a wander down to the creek so we could see a koala he had spotted in a far off tree. We had to use the binoculars as it was so high up in the tree...

Now don't laugh because with their habitat being destroyed at an alarming rate to actually see one free and well is a rare sight indeed these days...it made our day!
No 2 Grandson played his 1st AFL game too on Saturday.

He was very excited and scored a goal too lol!

Go number 5! We follow NRL so this Nana is going to have to learn some new rules!

Have a lovely day everyone....I am off back to my fur and feathers!
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

FNSI

Thanks to Wendy over at Sugarlane Quilts there was lots of stitching and sewing and knitting etc. happening last night.
I started in the afternoon with a catch up on my Splendid Sampler blocks. I must be getting better as I got both blocks donein one afternoon!
Block 17 Family Stars designed by Kimberly Jolly. I chose to have all my stars  completed in their own fabric...just a little different from the original.

Block 18 Lina's Gift designed by Pat Sloan. Such a pretty little basket.

For some reason the deep coral spot I have been using seems to photograph red!
Early in the evening I did some prep work....some cutting out.

I finished off working on my secret project which very boringly I can't show you!
Yesterday was also a red letter day because I became a Great Aunt again. A dear little boy born to my Nephew and his wife....a baby brother for my Great  Niece.

Isn't he adorable! Such a cute little cherub.
If you joined in with us "Friday-nighters " I hope you had fun too.
Happy weekend folks.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx