Last Day of 2025

 Hello there. I do hope you have all had a lovely Christmas with those you care about.

I enjoyed my time spent with family. 

Christmas morning I had breakfast with my Daughter. Just us two. Her children were with the other person and she always finds it a bit difficult. So......

We decided indulgence was the key......DD made delicious pancakes with all the trimmings. It was a delicious way to start the day.

This little guy was trying to get in on the action the whole time...he's so cute but so very naughty!

A little sidetrack. Bare with me folks.....often when I begin an art piece there can be several renditions before I settle on the final version. Such was the case with the Kookaburras I drew for the Holmes Award a few years ago that now hangs in my lounge room.  DD always liked the one I put aside. I always liked the drawing but the paper I had chosen was difficult to work on. It was always special as my inspiration was a photo my husband took at Undara Lava Tubes camp grounds on one of our trips. It wasn't a great photo but was a lovely moment we shared  together and with them every afternoon when they came to visit late,  cackling and chortling to each other. Plus they are beautiful!

So I got it framed for her for Christmas. 

She loved it!  (Not a great photo but you get the idea from my drawing which is more accurate) And so much nicer than it languishing unloved in a big folder!

Boxing Day my family came to my home for a swim and dinner. By accident we seem to have begun a tradition of recreating a photo of my Grandkids in the same place at different ages....I really love this.....unplanned as it was. Hence the middle one not in the same order lol!

We had a great deal of fun....indulged in all our favourite festive food, played this ridiculous music guessing game which resulted in hilarious efforts, loud screaming, competitive insults and fall about the floor laughter. The neighbours must have wondered what on earth we were doing lol! Here are the mandatory Christmas family album additions. These people are what gets me through xx

I was especially spoilt by my family. Contributions helped me buy this....

A little lightweight to take away on sewing retreat because Big Bernie...my Bernina is way to heavy! It was on sale too, so was a big win.

Also this little bundle of goodies....all my favourites!

I have spent the rest of the season either reading or working on quilting my Gathered Treasures whilst watching the new series of Robin Hood. I have always loved the tale of Robin Hood right away back to reading it as a child and this one is enjoyable.

I am using a combination of Perle 8 thread and regular quilting thread....so far so good. Because everything was laid down on a base I haven't used any wadding so as to get the Perle 8 thread through...just backing. I will show you lots of pics of the top next post.

I finished this book and while I enjoyed it I didn't love it!

Here's a little compilation of art and sewing I achieved this year. I had great plans at the beginning of this year but as I have discovered grief doesn't care about your plans and can lay you low even after 3 years and you stall. I am learning to let it happen without guilt now and then when I am ready get back up and keep going!  Not trying to be depressing just telling it like it is! However sitting slow stitching and choosing art projects that took much longer but gave me a challenge was my saving grace this year. I loved the peace they bought to me.

Thank you to all of you that visit and leave lovely comments on my posts and come back even when they are sporadic. I appreciate you all.

My wish for you for 2026.

See you on the other side.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx