Simple Pleasures

Good morning beautiful people! Glorious sunshine here this morning.....we've had a little  drink for the garden but not much.....

I joined my Wednesday stitching friends at Kays this week for a lovely day of stitching, loads of giggles....advice on aging disgracefully and delicous food....Kay spoilt us with 2 beautiful desserts.....

It was so hard to choose and I thought it rude not to try both, so I did......yum!
Thanks Kay xx
I worked on my UFO CHALLENGE, scallops on the borders of Blessings.

Row 2 is almost complete so progress is being made. I do just love this quilt design!
I have managed to stitch 1 little tag in Ruth's Quilt and working on a 2nd.

They are so delighful and I love the sentiments expressed on some of them. So glad I decided to stitch them.
I have also just finished reading a second book by this Aussie author and really enjoyed it.

I think I have enjoyed them because it speaks to women of my age and you can relate to these characters. Anyway.....I think I shall be persuing more by this lady. As we discussed on Wednesday, is there anything better than a good book! Apart from stitching and art lol!
Definitely coffee time for me.

Enjoy your weekend wherever you may be and however you choose to spend your time.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Up the Mountain and Up the Garden Path

I  had a very nice weekend.....a little road trip up to the Darling Downs to visit my friend FIONA as she had offered me an old wheelbarrow I had been wanting for my garden to plant out with succulents. Not that I  need an excuse to visit my lovely friend! I have borrowed Fiona's photo of my new treasure......

My hubby is still shaking his head lol! But I love it! Mr. BubzRugz shared some of his succulents with me too. It is going to be beautiful!

After a delicious lunch our menfolk went off to do "boy" things whilst we chatted over a cuppa and chocolate and I was well and truly led up the "stitching" path of new projects! Loved seeing all Fiona's beautiful Works in Progress.
I had fallen in love with Fiona's beautiful Ruth's Quilt by Leanne Beasley on her blog and true to form decided after seeing hers in the flesh.....there was no going back....I definitely needed to stitch it.
My purchases last week were to "maybe" begin this project. I wanted to use some fabric from my stash. You know the ones you stroke, put back in the draw because they are favourites. Well NO more. Time to use it......

I had a jelly roll in this range but wasn't suitable for this quilt design...so extra complementary fat quarters were needed. This range is no longer available. But....surprise...my dear partner in crime even had some lovely bits from this range to add! Very happy stitcher!

I have chosen a beautiful  Cottage Garden Thread "Rosella" and a DMC blue for the stitchery.

So it got a good old bathe and dry out in preparation for stitching......

It looks much nicer together with the fabrics in real life. So yesterday I traced out a couple of strips....

And of course as every stitcher knows you just have to have a test run to see if you like it and what it looks like.....and before you know it....

You are well and truly hooked! Lol!
Love friends who inspire (lead you to astray) you. We had such a lovely day. Thank you my friend xx
Now I haven't fallen completely off the path....Blessings border is progressing and I am quilting block 3 of my Baltimore.

That's me all caught up. I wish you all a wonderful week!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Down By the Bay

My Wednesday stitching girls decided as we were once again a small group we would take a little road trip down to Cleveland at Redland Bay for a change. We opted for a bit of culture, coffee, retail therapy, laughs and a very nice lunch.
The culture...... Redland Art Gallery.

We all enjoyed the art and had fun with the drawing board, contributing our bit to the space. Of course the discovery of a selfie machine was toooo much for certain people to resist misbehaving!  Lol! Lots of giggling.....so nice not to act your age sometimes!

We  had a wander around the CBD. I have always loved the beautiful, cooling trees and street art down here.

Huge Poinciana Trees which are a vision when in bloom....sadly the wrong season for blossoms yesterday.....but still impressive.

Lunch was delicious.....

And yet another selfie! But much more demure lol!

My happy little bundle from the local quilt store visit after lunch....and yes there is a purpose for my loot!

Definitely one of lifes pleasures, time spent with friends......slept well!
With Grandkids of different ages, we have several Sports Days to attend.
This week our youngest Grandson was very pleased with his ribbons and did very well in his race and athletics. It is lovely seeing them doing their best and having fun in the fresh air.

Today our oldest Grandson had his Sports Day....action shots.

Congrats from Grampy .

Stitching....I am working on No. 4 UFO. Borders for Blessings quilt. Basting scallops....

 And sewing them together in rows.

Ready to applique the first lot of scallops on to the first border.......one down three to go! I have had to play with this a bit because in my wisdom I didn't do the sashing around the blocks which of  course changes the dimensions....so the borders may or may not look ok....ahhh! Living on the edge!

So lovely people that's it from me.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Sunday Stitchers

Yesterday was Sunday Stitchers June meeting. We had several members missing but we still managed a fun day full of chat and lovely show and tell. Lots of photos :)
Cheryl was our birthday girl....

Susan's very cute baby quilt, showcasing her increasing expertise in machine embroidery.

Helen had a sweet little wool ornament but had out done herself with 2 charity quilts as well.....awesome effort!

De's delightful quilt and beautiful boro bag. Noreens mini quilt and sweet pouch.

Allison is motoring away on her Ruths quilt stitcheries and beautiful Sashiko and Marilyn had a lovely sweet strippy pouch and a beautiful giraffe quilt.

Oops chopped off Marilyn's quilt and you really need to see all of it!

Yours truly and Angel Story, Gardener's Journal  and Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt...which were my No. 5, No. 7 UFO CHALLENGE projects....I missed a couple of meetings so I  had a few bits to share.

I worked on my hexies for Brinton Hall.

And my lonely little hexie from last post has friends...

Despite offers of graft and corruption De chose our next UFO CHALLENGE NUMBER in her proper democratic manner and we have....

Which for me is the last border of my Blessings quilt.

Have a lovely Monday folks.
Namaste and Blessings
Michelle xx

FNSI

WENDY from SUGARLANE DESIGNS  hosted our online get together last night.
My efforts were lovely for me but make boring viewing for you. Hand quilting was my choice for last night. The second block is almost finished.

Although loving the quiet gentle stitching, getting it all even feels a little challenging. I am trying to look at the over all picture and hope it looks cohesive.

As their are no sashings crossing over into the next block has been a bit daunting.

Looks better from a distance lol!

So that's my efforts for FNSI . Thanks Wendy xx
It is just a most beautiful day here north of the border....lovely sunshine.
So being subtropical we can get away with planting strawberries and other vegies that you can't down south.....
Mr. R. has built me 2 more plant Alcatraz structures.  One for more vegies and the other for some flowers....just for delight.

I have these little beauties to plant out this morning.

Pretty geraniums nearby hopefully will attract bees to visit them as well.

My beans, lettuce and Italian parsley are coming along very nicely in the first cage.

We have had no possum or cat intruders break in so far but my lovely new succulents on my back verandah have had a good old chew.....

Darstardly little critters.......So I have been having to cover them every evening....bit boring really!  A friend suggested chilli powder, my next move.
I wish you all a happy weekend enjoying whatever takes your fancy.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx