Tuesday's Treasure with Melody

Good Afternoon all. At least it is still Tuesday and time for a visit over to my friend MELODY'S lovely blog to share our treasures. Why not pop over for a visit as well.
Lately I have been doing a lot of pondering again as to the nature of my style and with all the gorgeous new fabrics, notions and quilts out there sometimes I find I get off track a little believing that I have to in some way "Keep Up" with what everyone else is doing and let me tell you that is disastrous for your authentic creativity. Whilst I was again thinking about all this heavy stuff this morning I was doing a spot of dusting (no please don't fall over those of you who know me well) and a wooden plaque I had painted a couple of years ago that my gorgeous friend Tracey from Rose Petals Past designed caught my eye. It hangs above my old treadle sewing machine in my spare bedroom.

It has a lovely saying on it.....

A moment of clarity occurred  and I thought that's it for me. I love seeing all the new fresh and modern things some folk like to stitch but I love the more 'vintage' and 'homespun' look. So I have given myself permission to get off the merry-go-round and concern myself with what I really love. Although I am sure I will have this conversation with myself again. Back to my plaque. It was such fun to paint and I remember the fun we had as a couple of my friends were painting it as well to match their special spaces. I love Tracey's designs.

I treasure my plaque but even more than that I treasure the peace that comes from knowing your Authentic self. It is so easy to get off track sometimes ( as I do on a regular basis) but it is also good to know that taking time to go quietly will bring the road back into view.
I wish you a road without too many diversions or pot holes and wildflowers along the way.
Blessings Michelle xxx

A Finish!!

I hope every one had a nice weekend. I have finished sewing the binding on Country Garden....yay! I really like this quilt. The photos don't do it justice.

a little close up...

I enjoyed that spot of hand quilting so much I am going to baste up Portabello Friendship. This one....

Mistlemouse is progressing but alas I have run out of fabric and had to order more...isn't it always the way.

Apart from all these little bits and bobs I decided to drive myself and my better half completely insane by purchasing a tablet......no not the medicinal type!! I have long felt the need to be able to keep in touch with you sweet people when Mr R. needs our computer for his work.....
Now I am not at all techno savvy as you all are acutely aware and Mr R. is but does it for a day job and doesn't really want to try and explain ever so patiently how all this is going to work to his other half (but he did  sort of) The upshot of all this is that I now am able to go away and keep in touch with you all or when I get thrown off the other one have another option.....never thought I would see the day!!!
Actually I am quite impressed with myself. I am telling you this to encourage all you poor folk out here who like me think you will never get a handle on it all. Just goes to show you can teach an old Yogini new tricks (sort of).
Have a great week everyone,
Blessings Michelle xx
PS I might actually get around to a few more blogs to comment now.

Is it Friday Already

I have no clue where this week went. I only know it's gone. Do you have weeks like that? I have been very busy here with lots of projects moving along towards the finish line at the same time. I just need another pair of hands.
I have finished quilting "My Country Garden" and have sewn the binding on.....the photos I have taken of this do not show properly how pretty the fabrics are or maybe it's the photographer!!!!

I am hoping to sit in my chair and hand sew it down tonight.....I love that bit.
I have been popping lots of patterns and booklets in their little bags and I love that too.
The bossy mouse got her way and so "A Christmas Tail" with Miss Mistlemouse is coming together.

I also forgot to show you the Santa Sack/Tote bag I sent to Cheryll my partner in the swap. I didn't know when I drew this little gingie for Christmas Fixin's that it would be perfect for this bag. I hope she is not squeezing the goodies inside....

Speaking of little booklets....the "Gingie" brigade out there (you know who you are!!!) will be pleased to know that "Gingerbread Kisses" is all done and I can show you a little sample of one of the drawings stitched in redwork. I think it's very cute but then I am also a card carrying member of the Gingie fan club. The price is $14.00 Aus.

I am really excited that one of my lovely followers Cheryl with one 'L' has taken a big leap from the sidelines and joined us in Blogland with her very own blog "Cheryl s Stitchings Welcome Cheryl it's about time. If you haven't already, pop over and say G'day and welcome. If she doesn't get back to you straight away it's because she is having some
technical issues but will be back replying to us real soon. Isn't it lovely to welcome a new blogger.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Blessings Michelle xx

Tuesday's Treasure with Melody & 400th Post Giveaway Winner.

I have missed my lovely friend MELODY and it is so nice to have her back. Once again she is graciously hosting Tuesday's Treasure for us. Pop over and visit her  blog.
My treasure today is such a simple little item and you know what they say about the simple things in life. However I must admit to a bit of an addiction to them.....it is the very humble "Bookmark" I LOVE a pretty bookmark.....can't walk past a pretty or different one. I am the person who is so excited when I receive a souvenir bookmark as a gift when my friends return from holidays. I have bookmarks which are crocheted, stitched, cross stitched, painted, wooden, scrapbooked, feature special quotes, places I have visited, works of art, nature and various other mediums and I love them all. In fact that is part of the enjoyment in starting a new book for me is which of my favourites will mind my page while I am away from the story......I know Weirdo!!! Don't care! Love Them!
I am a fairly even tempered type but one of the things that makes me cross is a page corner turner downers.....aaarrrghh! Ask my children. Become enlightened folks and get a bookmark!
Here is a small selection of them as some of my other treasures are minding beloved pages in special books.
So here's to the humble but very important "Bookmark".

The other thing I am treasuring is a Birthday parcel I received from the very lovely Fee from Designs by Fee

Gorgeously wrapped and my nose detected one of my favourite aromas before I even open the gift....

Lavender. Oh I do so love the smell of Lavender. Inside was the cutest Lavender sachet 3 scrummy pieces of fabric (still stroking those) a beautiful handmade fabric brooch in one of my fav colours RED and the sweetest notepad which has one of my very favourite 'furry Aussies' on it a Wombat scratching himself and it is called a "Scratchpad" how cute is that. Thank you so much Fee. I love it all.

I guess I better not forget to tell you who the winner is of my 400th post giveaway.
Drumroll please!!!!! 
The winner is Anthea from Hibiscus Stitches. Congratulations Anthea. Please let me have your snail mail address so I can get your goodies off to you.
Thank you everyone for leaving me such lovely comments.
Well I am off, back to my quilting. I am quilting the border now so I am on the home stretch and want to keep the momentum going.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Excitement From Across the Ditch!

Here in Oz we refer to the Tasman Sea that separates Australia and New Zealand as "the Ditch". It is a term of endearment. A while ago you may remember me telling you about a lovely lady by the name of Pauline from across 'the ditch' who owns a gorgeous patchwork shop called "The Quilted Gumboot"  at no. 6 Tui Street in Taihape in New Zealand. Well Pauline had bought some patterns from me and included "Christmas Bakeshop" for her stitching group to do. This morning I received a lovely email from Pauline with a photo of some of her ladies with their 'Bakeshop' quilts. I was so thrilled and excited to see them and they have done such a gorgeous job of their quilts that I just had to share the pic with you. Well done girls!!! Thanks for sharing your photo. I love it.

So if you are anywhere near Pauline's lovely shop drop by and say G'day!
For me on the sewing front I am still quilting "Country Garden" and still enjoying it. I am now on block 9 the last one so it will be the border soon.

and I have to say I think the Potting Shed block is rather cute.

The other thing I have managed to do is stitch a little sample from my new "Frosty Friends" stitchery booklet and take a photo of it to show you (No. 1 clever daughter is going to take a nicer photo soon). I got "Frosty Friends" and "Gingerbread Kisses" printed and I am just finishing a little sample from the Gingies booklet to show you later in the week but here is "Frosty Friends".....what you think?

The price for both booklets is $14.00 AUS each. I accept Paypal, Cheque or Money order. Email me if you would like to purchase one. I would like to thank all you lovely Frosty & Gingie fans out there who asked me for these as I had the best time creating these drawings for you. I will try and be quick with the Gingie sample.
Lastly I would like to say I hope all those wonderful Dads out there enjoyed their special day and I would like to leave you with a gorgeous image my daughter created which I think sums it up.

I hope your week is full of wonderful things and you find a little (or a lot) stitching time.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Spring has Sprung.

I have been waiting ever since I saw this gorgeous graphic from the lovely Mo at Rose Petals from Heaven to welcome in Spring.

It is also here in Australia "National Wattle Day" and I think it is worth paying homage to the gorgeous blossoms that colour our landscape every year. They have given us our National Colours and there are so many gorgeous varieties. I think once you have seen Wattle on masse you never forget it.
My little photo is one I took outside Tennant Creek and although my photo is not terribly exciting it brings instantly to mind the swathes of gorgeous vibrant yellow that flanked us on both sides of the highway along the Barkly Highway as we entered the Northern Territory. So "Happy Wattle Day" everyone!!! Welcome to Spring.
Open your eyes and look around today and notice our beautiful floral icon.

Enjoy your weekend,

Blessings Michelle xxx

I Don't Know Where to Start...

I feel this week as if all my Birthdays & Christmases have come at once in a good way of course. If you don't enjoy cups overflowing with Joy you should look away now as this post is simply full of it.
Most of you will know the simply gorgeous Cheryll from Gone Stitchin' and if you don't you should give yourself a treat and visit her lovely blog. Now Cheryll is the Queen of hosting lovely swaps bringing us like minded stitchers together. I was in her Santa Sack Swap last year and loved it but I was sad as I thought due to our trip I wouldn't be able to participate.....no problems for our Cheryll. She said she would be my partner and wait until I got home just so I could be in it. Yippee! Said I!
When I got home from hols I got a lovely email from her telling me she was in fact here in Queensland (great excitement here) and was virtually going to be driving past me on the highway so we decided to have a 'van friendly' meet up so Cheryll could hand over my "Santa Sack/tote". We met at the Springwood Lions Club yesterday for cake and coffee.
What a delight she is in person. I loved meeting her and we talked and talked and could have kept talking if time had not intruded. Cheryll and I decided we would exchange tote bags to store our stash of Chrissy presents in waiting and mine is just gorgeous and in my favourite "RED" checks. Next to spots another big fav. A sweet red/white heart decoration on the handle is for my tree when it's Santa time.

I think some one has been telling Cheryll 'porkies' about my ability to leave pressies alone because it came with strict instructions...

As if I would!!! I bet it was that Shez!
My bag is full of 3months worth of gifties...oohh! Be still my beating heart.

Aren't the tags cute. It has made me come down with a huge case of "Yuletide" Happiness.
Of course like all bloggers we had to take a pic and Cheryll's very patient hubby obliged.
Thanks so much Cheryll it was wonderful to meet you and I wish you and Hubby safe travels home.

Now if that wasn't enough Joy for one day when I got home I found my "on line Friends Spring swap" parcel from Dale from Day-Days Blog which contained more gorgeous treasures which included this beautiful table runner from reproduction fabrics. There was cute sewing tools and sweeties....I was very spoilt. Thank you Dale....all just gorgeous.

Well you would think that would have been more than my allocation of happiness but wait like the Knives salesman says "There is More". When I went out this morning I had another parcel on my doorstep and I thought the DVD maniac in my house had been ordering more and was so surprised when I saw it was addressed to me.

The very naughty but extremely nice Fiona from Bubzrugz had sent me this gorgeous gift and when I read her card I was quite undone.....she said she loved this stitchery and it made her think of me. I love Anni Downs work and I very rarely get time to stitch other designers work and admit to a tinge of green when I see all the lovely stitching you girls do and now I have a special piece of my own.

Well this was followed by much blubbing on my behalf and it now has pride of place on a special little table I love. The card was beautiful and she knows me so well as it was accompanied by chocolate and gorgeous red fabric. I was (very unusual for me) totally speechless!

Thank you so much Fiona for your heartfelt kindness. My stitchery will always be treasured. I love it.
Well that as they say is that!! Wow! What a week I have had.
When I see the kindness and genorosity of spirit of my lovely blogging friends as I pop by to visit or experience it first hand it never ceases to amaze and delight me. It is not the 'things' that are given (although gorgeous) but the sentiment and affection with which they are given. It really reinforces what I believe, that the world truly is full to overflowing with simply wonderful people and I know a whole lot of them and call them friends.
Blessings Friends,
Michelle xxx
PS this is for my new follower Kat. I tried to answer your inquiry but my email bounced back to me...Sorry!