Secret Santa-ing Etc.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. ....ours was a family affair and very enjoyable.
DD tried to get some nice pics to mark the occassion.

DD and I......serious....

and silly!

It was catching lol!

I got to open my FHFS gift from Cheryl under the tree along with my Chookyblue SSCS gift from Noemia all the way over in Portugal.
Cheryl's gift.... a beautiful wall hanging.

This is going to be my mantra next year...All is Calm! Cheryl spoilt me rotten in this swap with gorgeous gifts to open every day...thank you xxx
I was making for Shez and I had a great time playing with teeny hexies in this wall hanging for her (thank you Shez for letting me borrow the photos. Some silly forgot to take some before wrapping) The sweet tags were made especially by my friend Tracey White.

I was also spoilt by Noemia.....

Inside a beautiful table topper...

Isn't it lovely! I also recieved delicious Guylan chocolates, cute Christmas fabric and lovely soap. Thank you so much for my beautiful parcel Noemia xxx

I sent to Tonje in Norway. My tree ornament...a wee bit of Aussie!

I made Tonje a wall hanging using large hexies and a couple of stitcheries from Jolly Holly Gathering pattern. They fitted in really well. I also must tell you they got stitched all over Australia on our trip.

I popped in a couple of little extras too. They have both been such lovely swaps.

Thanks to the wonderful Santa sleigh wranglers, Peg, Shez and Chookyblue.

As we arrive at the close of 2016, I am being honest and saying I will be very happy to lock the door behind me...

There is always in life an "however" I have discovered something that I think I always knew in my heart and that is I have ZERO tolerance for unkindness...whether it be to person, creature or earth. Life is just toooo short! This year has shown me in neon lights the strength, beauty and love of my family. Also the beautiful, kind and generous hearts of my friends. None of which I take for granted....please know you are treasured. You may think that these are just flowery, sugary words but trust me when you see them in action.....inspiring!

Being able to lose myself in my stitching or my art has been a huge balm for my heart this year and seeing and experiencing how the work of our hands can bring people together and touch hearts.....extraordinary!
Thank you all for your wonderful comments, for popping by to visit. If you are a lurker and leave no comment but enjoy popping in.....thank you too. I embrace benign lurkers lol! For your support and encouragement in all that I do. I appreciate it all so much. I look forward to you dear folks in 2017.
So lovely people take care in your celebrations and I wish you all Blessings for the brand new year. I shall leave you with some of my favourite words...
May the long time sun shine upon you,
All love surround you and
The pure light within,
Guide your way on.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Merry Christmas

I would like to wish all you lovely folk out there a very Merry Christmas. My Christmas wish for you is that you are blessed enough to spend it with those who mean the most to you.
If this Season is difficult for you I wish you Peace and Healing to guide your way through it.
I am taking a break to spend time with my loved ones so I shall catch up on all your news and posts in the New Year.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Naughty and Nice

Well first to the  naughty...yep I have been extremely naughty! I have been resisting the cutest little bear from Shaz Bears for a while. I don't add to my collection much anymore....so when I do the LOVE factor has to be through the roof! This little girl was irresistible! The detail is just wondeful! And she sews....perfect!

So when Santa's little elf whispered in my ear...."go on"....I did! I completely caved. She now lives with me!
And before you ask...No! You are never too old for a teddy bear!!
Day 6 & 7 in my swap and the spoiling continues....love my new mug and bikkie tray...

This morning.....Santa's key with a beautiful keeper and some very cute ornies...

Thank you Cheryl...it is so much fun waking up to your packages each day.

Ok must fly, art today.....happy heart!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

FNSI Day 4 & 5

I joined in with my other blogging friends for the last one of the year.

Hosted by lovely Wendy from Sugar Lane Quilts. I worked away on 2 Splendid Sampler blocks. Putting the finishing touches to one and beginning another. 

The one in the hoop is the latest one and I decided to stitch it now because it had a festive feel about it. Thanks Wendy for hosting us all year xx

I had some more lovely mail.....beautiful handmade card and kitty ornament from my friend Karen from Sunburnt Quilts. Thank you so much. 

Day 4 of FHFS....gorgeous goodies! Beautiful Christmas fabric, quilt label fabric, Theodora Cleave buttons all tucked inside the sweetest little stitchery bag. The parcel had a very cute deco on the front....oh my what pretties!

Day 5

This pair of adorables is going to make me smile every time I look at them!

Aren't they just gorgeous! Spoilt rotten here!

I am late popping in to see what all the other Friday nighters got up to but I shall go a visiting after I finish my last day out at the Botanical Gardens.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Making Progress

I have been working away slowly on my large pile of outstanding Splendid Sampler blocks.  The choice has been random....
2 Applique blocks...

Enjoyed these so much! I realised why the pieced ones are so tiring....I usually have to do them more than once lol! Several more....

I am now leisurely stitching Block 75 which is all stitchery.
A little update on my current art piece.....finally getting to work on the lovely lady Major Mitchell Cockatoo.

Still lots to do....little tweaks here and there!
Do you love Scottish shortbread? My son and I do and quite a lot disappears at this time of year....couldn't resist this Scottie dog tin....with shortbread! Win! Win! I think it will be perfect after to hold some EPP sewing.

Hmmm! May be time for a cuppa...oh and a piece of shortbread.
Enjoy your day.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

All Over the Shop

That's what this mornings post is. Firstly I have been hanging out at our beautiful Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens at the Richard Randall Art studio for my friends art sale.
It's a lovely space.....

We have been fortunate to have our time there extended until Sunday 4 pm.
I thought I would share the history of the studio and the artist.

I join with some dear friends and have a 12 days of Christmas swap....it is such fun! My secret santa this year is lovely friend Cheryl. We get to open a gift each day up to and including Christmas Day.

Day 1 was a lovely handmade Santa . 

Day 2....this morning, these adorable little frosties....love them! Cheryl always sends me a lovely handmade card and this year has a vintage frosty on it.

Santa's postie elf has been busy too.....2 lovely cards from the UK.

The Scottie dogs from a family member  and the sweet Beatrix Potter card from my friend Sue. Sue knows how much I love Beatrix Potter and her art.

Also 2 beautiful Christmas decorations for my tree....a delicate crocheted Angel from my friend Liz. It is just so sweet.

And a delightful Frosty stitchery  one from my dear mate up the hill Fiona....

I hope you can see the gorgeous thread she used....so lovely!

Well I hope you enjoyed my bit of  history and festive fun today.

I shall leave you with the view from  the back porch of the little studio.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Christmas Sale

I have been busy since I arrived home getting a few items ready for an art sale with friends....

It will be held at the beautiful Richard Randall Art studio at Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens from Wednesday 14th December until Friday 16th December...its a lovely space.

I have had some of my art made into cards (I'm not ready to part  with the originals yet !

I also stitched a few L'il Aussie Christmas Decos for sale.

Along with my Holly Cottage Christmas Book and a few patterns too.

All are now packed and ready....phew! I am looking forward to sitting with a bit of stitching at the sale....pop along if you  can. Some beautiful art, jewelry, pottery to be had.

Now that is all done and dusted I jumped back on the Splendid Sampler train. I started with a bit of applique and have prepped a few more blocks.

Some little pieces to needleturn....but good fun!

As I am typing this the parcel man bought my SSCS .....all the way from Portugal ! Excitement plus!

Beautiful packages.....from Noemia!

I was very good and popped my Christmas gift under the tree.....

My ornament which I AM allowed to open is just adorable and so beautifully stitched....

I just love it thank you so much Noemia...it is beautiful ! I am saving my other gifts for Christmas day too! I can't guarantee the chocolates will make it though lol! Thanks also to Chookyblue for organising this swap x

Ok off to hang my beautiful ornament on my special friends tree.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx