Some Old and Some New

I am happy to have my secret sewing done and too be able to get back to my regular stitching. In particular my Blessings blocks.....appliquing the circle down on block 8

And the last block, block 9 is all prepped and ready to go.

This is such a lovely design and I have really enjoyed it. I am a big fan of Robyn Falloon's designs. They are all beautiful. Even though the blocks are nearly done, there are a myriad of scrappy tongues to applique around the final borders.
As you know I have caught the clamshell bug...wonderful scrap buster! Well as I am doing them the EPP way I wanted to make sure that I could successfully get the rows together.....so I  decided to just stop wondering and see!

It did take me a while but was easy and now that I have a solid base to work from I think the future rows will be much easier. Question answered...I can take my time now. It is going to be fairly big 20 clamshells by 42 rows....that's a lotta clamshells!!

My drawing has been sorely neglected of late and I have been itching to get back to it. So in true domestic (NOT) goddess style I just made room on my messy dining room table and went for it....

I have been keen to combine elements from a couple of photos I took whilst away.

A rusty old holden ute, rusty star pickets and a Major Mitchell Cockatoo.

First some prelim sketching.

A bit more rearranging . ..

On to the nice new paper I bought and layers of coloured pencils are started.

And now the fun bit begins.....all those lovely layers of pencil to hopefully bring it to life. I know it's hard to see much at the moment.
Must get back to it. I hope you are enjoying whatever it is you are doing on this glorious Sunday.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Found at Last!

Many of you who have followed my blog for a long time will remember the sad little trio that was my Nans favourite day time cuppa choice.

It had been a gift and even though the other pieces had gotten broken during one of their many house shifts, she couldn't part with it. Likewise when she died I couldn't part with it either. It started more as curiosity than anything that I would check the odd plates and saucers in 2nd hand stores and collectables stalls looking for the matching plate and saucer. I got lucky several years ago and found the plate but the saucer always eluded me.
That is until we visited Queenscliff in Victoria on our trip. I did my usual wander through, checking the odd plates.....and bingo! There was  2 saucers and a plate! For $8. I gathered them up and asked if I could buy just the saucer...NO you must take all 3. I couldn't leave them behind....so Nans set is now complete...I know she would be thrilled....

And we have spares whether we want to or not! Queenscliff you made me very happy!

Yesterday I decided to bite the bullet and print out the Splendid Sampler blocks that came out whilst I was away.....holy smoke! Looks much worse than I anticipated lol!

I also took previous ones that I had prepped with me all around the country on a lovely holiday and did nary a stitch!

As I am busy with secret sewing, progress will be slow. The good thing about stitching is that it will wait for you! So it will be one stitch at a time!

Must fly still lots of chores need doing before a quiet stitch is in order.

Have a lovely day.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Finally a Stitching Post!

Well sort of. Still unpacking, trying to get back into the old routine....some resistance happening! However, I just wanted to show how my little clamshells have grown. I was the happiest little person when I discovered that I could baste them as we travelled in the car...tried gluing but ended up in a sticky mess. But basting suited me just fine.

Even though I plan to use lots of my stash for the  880 + clamshells I need for this quilt, I could not wait until home time to begin. So I bought a charm pack to give me some variety straight away....trouble is, there are left overs...hate waste! When I visited lovely Karen on Bellarine she showed us some pretty little pentagon circles she was making....problem solved! Little Pentagon's from the left overs...plus I will get some teeeny hexies out of their left overs....it's a sin to waste French General fabrics !

Aren't they cute! I am at present working on secret stuff and a couple of my Aussie Christmas Decos...

I am also searching high and low in my "sewing cave of chaos" for the binding fabric so carefully put aside for my Roma quilt . 

I am longing to see this quilt finished as I love it!

My garden only had a few casualties due to my DD giving it a drink on those hot days.

I bought a couple of little pieces for the garden on our trip.

Let me introduce you to "Don"

We saw so many emus this trip...must be the good grazing conditions. We called him Don because we bought him in Mal-Don Victoria ......yes I know bad lol!

The other little critter we seemed to see everywhere we went was the sweet fairy wren. This is a lovely reminder....I love rusty old things.

Ok folks....must fly....chores to do.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

The Last Hurrah

You thought it was  over didn't you lol! Almost! We dropped  into my birthplace for a night stopover...

Set out early for our last stopover. We chose the historic  Jondaryn Woolshed which has a small camping area set amongst the precinct.

It was lovely and quiet. In fact I was feeling relaxed and enjoying the tranquillity ....
Even made a new friend.

The large posters in the amenties...... instructions for an encounter with Eastern Brown and Red Bellied Black snakes unnerved me somewhat! Mr R refused to piggyback me around to check things out...most unfair I thought!
However I found some courage and set out to explore. Snapped a few piccies to share. Just to complete my travel journal .
The old shearing sheds.

The shearers quarters.

You have to have a Smithy!

They have a cafe if you fancy a day trip. Outside a lovely waterfall with beautiful kangaroo paws...

Such a beautiful colour....I can imagine a Country Garden Thread in this colour lol!

I loved this old church way over on the hillside.

I have a thing for rusty old iron and weathered timber, so this just a collection of things that took my fancy.

The thing that has been renforced to me this trip is that even though she is a harsh Mother at times, we live in an amazingly rugged, diverse and wildly beautiful country.....sure I hate bugs and snakes and being a tad chilly. But would I go again? In a heartbeat! Even if camping is not your thing or circumstances prevent you from going to far explore what's around you. There is so much to see and wonder at.
Our last hurrah was this truly stunning sunset across the paddocks through the gum trees.

Doesn’t get any better than that.

Except home and loved ones.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Old Pubs

Before I begin my post. I just wanted to say thank so much for your lovely comments during my trip....you are very kind. I have had a lot of comments from folks who are non reply bloggers so thank you to you also. If I haven't rsponded to you that is why.
I know other peoples holidays can be boring but I love where we live so much and it is such an amazing and diverse land I wanted to share it all.
Today was a day of old pubs and stores.....first the Hebel Hotel.

John Murray had been working his witty art here too....

Quirky outdoor furnishings.

Just across the road is the Hebel General Store.....time for a coffee we thought.

It's an historic icon in the district and now  incorporates the old general store and the local hall....an eclectic mix of styling.

We opted for a Devonshire tea....now these a BIG scones....just about the size of damper lol!

Truly light, fluffy  and delicious!
A landmark we had wanted to see if we ever came this way was another old historic pub...

The real  thing...

Situated on the banks of the Moonee River....

It didn't disappoint ....so many interesting things to see.....like all the old hats and their owners names around the wall of the main bar.

Note that Maroons poster there by the way! Hubby enjoyed justvone coldie at the bar XXXX of course!

We thought after our huge morning tea a light lunch was in order.....um! Bit more than we expected!

The pub was also used in a delightful Aussie movie...which I happen to love...

It was really good fun wandering around the pub...throwing the stick for the resident 4 footed publican and reading all the memorbillia.

I love their work ethic lol!

You will be pleased to hear that I'm leaving you all in peace as we now travel home.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx