Good morning friends. I hope you are all safe from these awful fires if you're here in Australia. So sad for those who have lost so much. It's been a bit up and down for me here of late. The upside.....Lots of art and time with family.

I volunteered for several days out at the Mt.Cootha Botanical Gardens for the Queensland Wildlife Artists exhibition which I thoroughly enjoyed. I had missed being involved due to Covid shutting us down and then my husband's illness. 

Had the company of friends whilst demonstrating and interacted with lots of lovely people who showed great interest in our wildlife, art and different mediums. So contrary to popular opinion, people do still want art and wildlife in their life.

Friends and family came along to visit also. This is lovely friend Alison from Sunday Stitchers in front of two of my pieces. 

My favourite pond out there didn't disappoint.....beautiful Sacred Lotus blooms, waterlilies and dragonflies and sweet tiny sedge frogs.

I have now completed the piece I worked on out there. A beautiful Rainbow Bee-eater from friend Michael's wonderful reference photo. I loved that his feathers were all fluffed up....beautiful little birds.

The downside was the one year anniversary of my husband's death. I still find it almost impossible and unbelievable that he is gone and we miss him terribly. My dear children and I decided we were going to go out together and do something he would have enjoyed. So we went for lunch at the Broncos club.....his team. We raised a glass and indulged in all his favourite food, shared our memories, our love for him.....even managed a chuckle or two. 

Since then I have sought solace in my sketchbook and.....

Some beautiful inspirational books that arrived in the mail recently. 

Owl and Hare is still going......one more issue to come.

And lots of slow stitching.....

So that's about where I am at for now. The kettle is on the boil.....time for a cuppa for me.

I hope that you get to enjoy some simple pleasures in your day.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Catching Up Part Two

 Hello again. Part two. Recently I met my friend Fiona @bubzrugz at the Brisbane Craft and Quilt show. We had a lovely day and having someone to discuss and drool over all the amazing quilts was a treat. Very little shopping was done as we were so taken with so much beautiful work in one place. We decided this beautiful French General quilt was a perfect backdrop for a photo.

I thought I would share a sample of some of the beautiful quilts...

Applique beauties that appealed.

I was quite taken with the Indigo dyed quilts.

Of course birds always catch my eye. 

Fiona almost needed a lie down over all the hexes in this one lol!

We were amazed at the treatment of Suffolk Puffs on this one.

The last few....I just liked. 

The last quilt really fascinated me. The maker collects all manner of old textiles and makes them into a collage of embellishments, old needlepoint, fabrics and embroidery.

It's probably not for everyone but it tickled my upcyling little heart.

Now last but not least Sunday Stitchers meeting was attended this past weekend. Our theme for morning tea was SMILE and Helen and Sandi did a fab job....

And it definitely made for lots of smiles.

OK...I hope you enjoyed the quilts and haven't fallen asleep. I shall leave you with my little show purchases and new quilts for 2024 may or may not have been discussed *wink.

Take care one and all, hug your loved ones.

Namaste and Blessings, 

Michelle xxx

Catching Up Part One

 Hello friends. Because I am currently such a slack blogger I am doing a Part One and Part Two...so where to start...what has kept me busy of late?

I had been preparing for two Art exhibitions on the horizon. A friend talked me into entering into the prestigious Holmes Art Prize for Realistic Bird Art. Unfortunately I didn't make the final but I am glad I took a chance. My entry had special memories bound up within it. So it is now been framed and installed above my stairs. 

The other exhibition begins this week and I have 4 pieces on show. Really looking forward to it. Held at my favourite place Mt.Cootha Botanical Gardens. 

I also wanted to try some eco dyeing on my own at home.....so had a ton of fun fluffing my way through the process but quite pleased at the results. I made some gift cards with a lot of the pieces.

I will definitely be playing with this medium again.

I am still on track with BOM Owl and Hare and Gossip top is almost together apart from the borders.

As usual my estimates of required background and border fabrics was skewed I have had to rethink my options. I have decided on a scalloped edge on a single strip rather than the pieced option in the pattern.

I have also enjoyed lots of slow stitching but just a little picture of my recent work. I shall do a another post about it later on.

OK I think I shall stop here and see you in the next post Part Two.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx