Still Another UFO

Recently Facebook bought up a memory of my progress on my Baltimore Quilt....an aged UFO.

I had made all kinds of promises but after sewing all the blocks together and sewing on the applique border I put it aside. So I took the hint from Facebook and started work again.....lots of marking and cutting out swag pieces and hearts.

Pinning and basting happened...

And before bed needleturn appliquing also began!

I am hoping that I can mantain the momentum and get this quilt finished! My Angel quilt in my previous post has it's flowers appliqued in place and awaiting a simple border to complete it.....trying not to feel too self righteous lol!
"Mum and Bub" are now finished which means that I can concentrate on the other version of this duo.

I seem to be stuck on Koalas and Major Mitchell Cockatoos at the moment. I keep finding more reference photos I took which I like....
I hope you are enjoying your day. I for one am counting my blessings...

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

The Old and the New

I have been steadily working on the centre of my Brinton Hall quilt.

And I was very excited to finally get it all together and I think I like it!

Next step 154 scrappy hexies to border the centre.....a little pile is beginning. I am having trouble deciding what colour the plain borders will be around the hexie centre...decisions, decisions!

Now of course that's the  "new" and now for the "old".
Many moons ago I worked on a Robyn Pandolph design.....2 at the same time. One was for my bestie as she didn't applique and one for myself. I completed the central Angel blocks which were quite large.
My bestie decided to frame hers....which turned out beautifully!

I was always going to make a quilt from mine and made some effort towards this.  Several years ago my friend moved house and there just wasn't room for the framed applique Angel as it is huge. So my friend gifted it back to me....I was thrilled and it has resided with me ever since.
And mine? Well she has remained totally negelected in a bag which I just happened to uncover in recent days....sad! Worse still I almost threw it and the bag in the charity bin....lesson? Always check inside bags and pockets before donating items!
I actually had gotten further than I had remembered.....

Now she looks a little crumpled but her essence still shines through! Would you believe that I abandoned her with 3 flowers to go...

So tonight I am going to stitch those blooms on and consider what I have in my stash to get a border on finally. Fingers crossed.

Best get orgainised and get stitching!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Not Much Stitching.

I have done a little bit of stitching on Brinton Hall...but not much.

No Splendid Samplering to speak of either. I have been giving my pencils a good work out though. It is like "different but the same"! You see I took some references shots whilst at Dubbo zoo of the sweetest Koala Mama and her bub and have been trying to draw them in more of a natural setting. The thing is that I couldn't decide which shot to use so I have begun 2 different ones.....as you do! The first is further along...still a bit to go....more leaves and fine detailing.

The second just begun....the prelim sketch...

Onto the beautiful Archers paper and progress finally. I have had to invent portions of this one because Mama in the photo had her face buried in the tender leaf tips.

Lots more to do. It's been lovely remembering these sweeties. I can't leave them alone! So much so I have sore shoulders....I think some quiet hexies might be in order for a break. I could do housework? Nah! Hexies sound better.
Yesterday I shot up the Darren Lockyer Way to deliver a friend's lovely quilts to my friend FIONA FROM BUBZRUGZ We meet halfway at a little country town we like and had a very nice catchup, coffee and a good old chinwag.
Of course a selfie or 3 was in order. But unfortunately I fail selfies everytime lol!

So of course you just get silly! Lol!

Happy birthday to Fiona....so nice to have friends to be silly with.

Enjoy your day,
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Big Weekend

Over indulgence with friends was the order of this past weekend....and it was such good fun!
Our friend CHOOKYBLUE left her very hot chookshed and came down to the big smoke for a visit with us Brissy Bloggers.

Lots of catching up, quilt and stitch chat and loads of laughter...we were a tad noisy...hard to believe I know lol!
Yours truly and Chooky.

A great time was had by all concerned....I even got to meet a new blogger to me....the lovely ANITA from Shabby Quilt. A really lovely blog.
Sunday I got to do it all again by going down to Sunday Stitchers. It was Lynda's birthday and pretty fat 1/4's unwrapped......

Sorry the piccie is dark I was facing towards the window.

There was some show and tell.

Marilyn and her pretty  quilt and hand quilted as well.

Helen had a lovely wall hanger to show....

De was busy working on her lovely Lucy's.

Maria was very kind enough to share with me her photos of my show and tell...

Remembering Roma. 

And the duo I worked on....a new design when I get instructions done!

There was much discussion about Lucy Boston blocks over the weekend. My poor blocks are still in the Cadbury tin....I took a peek and they tried to get out......I had such trouble getting her back in the tin...lol!

To top it off two of our Grandies were in the paper....follow the arrows.

Why does sitting and talking make you so weary....that's what I want to know! 

Needless to say I had an early night.

Bye for now,

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

FNSI

I enjoyed my little cyber sew in last night hosted by WENDY
I worked on Brinton Hall.....yes my hexies! However 2 rows joined now.

I was a bit worried that the cream and tan I had chosen was too 'bright' but I think it highlights the centres now and the next lot of coloured scrappy hexies will dull it down a bit....hoping!
Next job, same treatment with the remaining two!

Looks like more cream hexies!
Enjoy your weekend everyone.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

New Blogger

I always love it when a new blogger joins our ranks but I am really happy that this time it is my dear friend Robyn. Her blog is called Pigeon Patch and you can click HERE to go and visit and say G'day! I know she would love it. Robyn is a beautiful stitcher and is an arty scribbler like me as well. So I am sure you will enjoy reading her blog.....any support and encouragement will be appreciated.

On my home front, I tied myself to my sewing machine this week and started chipping away at my pile of outstanding Splendid Sampler blocks. Progess is happening.....
4 blocks....

And then 2 more with applique....little boo boo on the honey bee block but I think I have saved it.

I have the next one on the pile prepped and ready to go when the mood strikes again.

Back on the subject of blogging, I like a lot of you get my blog printed. Usually every 6 months or so. Last year the months went by and it didn't get done. Come the new year I finally got to it...turns out that I apparently have a lot to say (now there's a surprise) and I couldn't print it all in one book and had to split them.....cost a fortune I might add....yikes! But being a "frugal MacDougall " a lot of the time I decided this was really something I love to have as a keepsake. I do wish there was an Australian version as the postage for them was horrendous! 

Anyway I am really happy that they have both now arrived and I enjoyed curling up and reflecting on last year.

That's it from me for today. Welcome to blogland Robyn.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Bumblebees

Recently I was working on a little stitchery project....

Well it became this....

Which in turn became this...

The clever girls at my LQS Quirky Quilts turned my design and stitchery into that cute little tote to celebrate the arrival of the new Tilda range...Bumblebee! 

They are soooo very pretty! If you are a Tilda fan you will love this range. You can order the pattern from me or pop into the shop and pick up a kit to make it.

Another Splendid Sampler block ticked off....Juggling...

Ok back to my Brinton Hall hexies now.....so much cooler today.....luvverly! 

Happy Valentines Day

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

HOT!

It's been a  bit of a heatwave in the Eastern States of Australia of late. So swimming and quiet stitching has been the best options for keeping cool. Yesterday I worked on another Splendid Sampler block. Fluer de leis. I used my French General fabric with this motif for it. I have been needleturn appliquing any applique blocks in Splendid Sampler but this one certainly took all my needleturning skill and even then there are a few iffy bits....glad I  persevered all the same.

I also got the 3rd row on my clamshells.....

I have also chosen the border fabric for this quilt, so no turning back now lol!

Very, very addictive are these little things!
Last week was our oldest Grandson's birthday and Saturday we had a family celebration. Of course there was delicious cake and I love our 2 cake monsters waiting in the wings for the candles and cutting the cake to be over, so taste testing could begin lol!

My daughter loves photography and recently received a new underwater camera.
The kids were only too happy to oblige Aunty Melissa with some underwater shots lol!

They thought it was great. DD was threatened with all manner of harm if she came near her Mother with it though lol!
It was a very enjoyable cool way to beat the heat and celebrate another milestone!
Last word...huge congratulations to my dear friend Diane and her family on the safe arrival of their new Granddaughter.

Such happy news!
Happy Monday people.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx