Spring Has Almost Sprung

 Tomorrow Spring arrives....we have been enjoying some absolutely gorgeous days....bit grey today but no complaints here. My King Orchid has definitely been in a blooming good mood, giving me 6 beautiful flower spikes to enjoy this year.

A new rose drawing is on the drawing board also...must be Spring Fever! 

Tags are up to date. 

Tag 33 - Flags

Being a turn it over make it neat freak, struggled to make it work.....but brief met!

Tag 34 - Make Yourself a Cuppa

A dotty cup of coffee for me for this tag on an old piece of tatty vintage lace.

Tag 35 - 3 Buttons + a precious piece of fabric.

I chose a scrap of Paris Flea Market fabric that I had made a special quilt out of in memory of a dear friend. A piece of ribbon from a vintage haberdashery in Castlemaine Victoria and 3 vintage buttons on a lace medallion. Loved this one!

I borrowed this photo from our clever tag lady Anne Brookes to show you all the tags that were sent from all over the world.

In the far left hand bottom corner you will see mine!  The navy blue with the hexie. Just amazing the amount of folks stitching them from everywhere!

Last week our son came to spend some time with his Dad so I managed a little time for some machine sewing and got straight on to getting up to date on my Heartstrings project. Only to discover that I was a block short because I had decided to leave out the applique block....arrggh!

I chose the same size stitchery from one of Natalies other designs and presto! Done!

The next border of hexies could then be added and I am up to date .....I think!

So now on to the final border.....I have gone off script as I am not a fan of teeny tiny patchwork blocks so I am going with a combo of applique and EPP.

Hopefully it will look ok....watch this space!

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Here Comes August

 Hello everyone. Hoping you are all well and safe. I finally had all the stars align so that I could get my first vaccination. Apart from a bit of a sore and achy arm so far so good.

Since my last post I have had a birthday. I was quite prepared to let it slide on by this year but my lovely family and friends made sure that didn't happen....flowers, cake, books, gifts, cards, good wishes and yummy fabrics made me feel very spoilt! Another trip around the sun is not to be taken for granted!

2 more tags were made to add to my growing collection . 

Tag 31....was GOLD. Not being a particularly blingy person I thought I would struggle with this one. Eventually I decided that I would mark the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.......lots of GOLD there. I used a piece of gilded fabric that my brother bought me back from his trip to Japan a few years ago...added Gold Stars for the athletes, some gold tatting and I was quite pleased with the results.

Tag 32.....was LAZY DAISY STITCH. Throughly enjoyed this tag.....quietly stitching it was lovely!

I  also have a quilt finish.....my Pandemic Basket Quilt. I designed and stitched this quilt from my stash only....including border, backing and  batting. Side note: said stash does not seem to have diminished! 

The binding was I thought  going to be an issue but I found a brown fabric in those deep fabric bins we seem to have....

The little baskets surrounded a bigger one in the centre block. I included a little tag saying HOME as it seems to be the safest place these days.

I am very happy with how it has turned out and I really enjoyed the hand quilting  of it too.

I have a vintage doiley for a label from my stash gifted me by a friend.....just need to write the story now.

Artwise, an old milk can I have in the garden inspired a little drawing study. 

I used a LOT of artistic licence changing the rusty patina of the can to the gorgeous oranges and reds that I love!  And of course a little lady Fairy Wren. 

Hospital visit this week meant lots of sitting around waiting so I took along some Applecores to prepare and baste as I had used all the ones I had. I now have a lovely Applecore pouch to keep them in thanks to my lovely friend Shez xx

I got a nice little pile done so I can now get back to adding them to the quilt top.

I  have so many projects in various stages of development deciding what gets attention is a dilemma lol!

That's me caught up. On the reading list issue I have dumped Blogger. They have seemingly ZERO interest in assisting you  with any issues you encounter no matter how many times you report it and gone over to Feedly to read all your lovely posts. It is just taking me a little while to find you all and transfer you across but at least I can see your posts now.

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx