FNWF

Last night it was again time for...

I had a very quiet evening watching the Broncos get beaten :( So I indulged myself with a cuppa and just "one" Tim Tam. You see I have been trying very hard to be a bit healthier so They are now a rare treat.

I was pleased with my stitching. I finished my last little redwork stitchery.

And I prepared another Lucy Boston block.

I really like this one...but then again I really like them all!
Thanks to our lovely hostess Cheryll for gathering us all together. I hope everyone enjoyed their stitching.
I am going visiting after I finish some chores.
I just wanted to share the lovely page on my Diane Phalen calender for April.

It's called A Quilted View. Isn't it pretty!
That's it from me folks. I wish you a lovely weekend.
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

This and That

Good Morning all. I have at last finished my "bright" Dresden Plate project...but only a little sneaky for you.

I do hope it's new owner will like it!!!!
I have a little bit of new redwork in my hoop which I am enjoying stitching.

Now whilst I was doing my Domestic Goddess duties lately and flitting here and there amongst my china( I know hard to imagine) it occurred to me that I would like to share these two sweet little dishes that followed me home from my holidays last year. The first has the most gorgeous little "Posy" shop on it.

And the other a pretty Colclough Floral sweets dish. Colclough is a favourite of mine.

I picked up both dishes at the Collectibles shed at the Bendigo Pottery and they were a bargain. Ahh! Don't you just love old china???
On the weekend I took this book I was reading by Tony Parsons away with me.

I am a real lover of dogs and any story that combines the relationship between dog and human...particularly working dogs has me hooked. This is a beautiful book. An Aussie tale about family, life on the land and the breeding and love of Kelpies....I loved every page. I have read all Tony Parson's books and loved them all.
Well as I said this post was a bit of This and That.
A heartfelt request please?
I wonder if I could prevail upon all of my lovely blogging friends and Yoga sisters out there to send Reiki, healing, prayers and love to my youngest Granddaughter Erin who is facing a huge health issue and whom we are extremely concerned about.

Many Thanks,
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Back To Reality and Giveaway Winner

Well after being cossetted away up on a misty mountain for the weekend it has been very hard to come back to reality but come back we must.

I had a great weekend with a great group of like minded women. The Yoga sessions conducted by my 3 very special Yoga sisters pictured here with me, Janeen, Helen and Dawn were wonderful.

The theme of the weekend was "Ahimsa" (non violence to self and others) and "Self study and Self awareness" including nourishing oneself. Mind, body and spirit.
Janeen who is a beautiful artist, art teacher as well as a yoga instructor conducted two fantastic workshops....one on 'creative journaling' (my new pretty journal) Did you know that all you beautiful bloggers out there are the best journalers especially if you get them printed.

and the other a watercolour, pen and ink art class. We were asked to include several elements in our piece....our version of the The Tree of Life, Our Favourite Yoga Pose, a Mandala and the Paisley Motif.
No pencils could be used. You had to draw your design in permanent pen...eek! Very hard for the Eraser Queen here. But once I got over my terror and adapted my oops! into the design I just loved it. There were some wonderful pieces created. In case you wondered my favourite Asana is Pigeon Pose!
Want a little peek at mine???

I had such a good time I am going to play with these techniques some more in the future.
Just down the path from my room was the meditation room...

and with all manner of bird calls including the beautiful Whip Bird to keep us company and these beautiful grounds to wander around in...

it was serenity in the extreme. So huge hugs and gratitude to Janeen for being the creator of such a fabulous retreat xxx
"Giveaway Winner"
Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway and as I said before I had many No Reply Bloggers but I did include you all in the draw...OK Drum Roll Please!!!! the winner is .....From across the ditch in NZ
JULIE FROM A THREADBEAR LIFE!! Congratulations Julie! Please email me with your snail mail address so I can send your parcel to you. I hope you enjoy it.

I thought I would finish today's post with the meaning of my sign off at the end of each of my posts..

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Time For A Little Bliss

The last little while has been quite stressful for our family. Somethings have been resolved and some are still ongoing...you know as we all have in our lives from time to time. So I am really looking forward to going away on a Yoga retreat organised my my lovely Yoga sister Janeen from Yoga and More Studio at Beenleigh. lots of Meditaion, Yoga sessions (and for those of you who saw Sunrise on naked Yoga....ahhh NO!! None of that! LOL!), art workshop and journalling.....bliss!
My gear is packed...

Suitcase packed too. As we have a fair bit of free time I have popped in a little bit of stitchery just in case.

This will be my home for the weekend.

Nestled in the magnificent ancient rainforest at Springbrook. Beautiful waterfalls...

and majestic giants reaching skywards.

So I wish you all a very happy weekend....talk when I get back :)
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Lovely Rain

My garden is enjoying this wet weather. the bird bath is full almost to the brim. The Maggies are very pleased. I couldn't get a photo of them though, they were to quick for me.

and my pale Cooktown Orchids are beginning to bloom..

I finished my bit of hand quilting and started on a little redwork that I had traced out. I am slowly catching up on my lasped work schedule.

My Lucy blocks have been calling as well, so I have begun doing some of the background hexies to see what it looked like.

I also received some nice mail. I love the "daily deals" over at Fee's Shabby Shack" especially for very cute trim and sweet buttons...cannot resist!

Sooo pretty! I am looking forward to playing with them.
Thank you all for your kind comments last post. I had quite a lot of "non-reply" bloggers so I have not been able to respond to your comments but they were appreciated and your names are in the draw :)
Little quote I like:
"There are many things shared, celebrated, mourned and mended over a good cup of tea"

Beautiful graphic from Lets Enjoy Beauty

Enjoy your day.
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Back on the Air

Well what fun I have had....a sick computer that then decided to die completely!!! So consequently no posts from me :( Withdrawals definitely!
It also occurred to me whilst preparing to do this post that this post was number 701!!! So I thought that it was a bit of a milestone and perhaps a little giveaway was in order. I shall give you details at the end of the post.
Now last week I received some lovely and unexpected mail. I belong to a lovely Birthday swap club and one of our ladies the very lovely O'faigh has been having health issues and has fulfilled her obligations early so as to enable her to concentrate on getting well. These little beauties are my early birthday gift. I did promise to be good and wait but O'faigh really wanted me to open them ( very secretly pleased to oblige)

Aren't they pretty! Well wait until you see what was inside... we get to nominate a favourite range or colourway of fabric we may be collecting as a guide for our fat 1/4 gifts. Mine was anything French General (surprised?) look at my gorgeous gifts!!!

One person in the club also makes a special gift for you as well as your fat 1/4's. O'faigh made me a lovely thread catcher and pincushion which I was in desperate need of...

Can you see the gorgeous hexie box there too? There was also a matching non slip Mat for my sewing table, a work apron and the cutest little birdie.

And if all that was not being totally spoilt enough there was my fabric.....French General!!!! YUM!

Look at the lovely vintage lace tied around the fabric....I also was lucky enough to get the left over from my beautiful gifts. thank you so much O'faigh for your beautiful gifts, generosity and thoughtfulness. I adored every square inch of it.
Ok on to the giveaway. I decided on a bit of a "Teatime" theme. So there are 3 of my Tea inspired patterns, a piece of Tilda teacup fabric, some sweet buttons, thread and ric rac and a teabag so you can have a cuppa on me. Just leave me a comment to say you are interested in being in the draw.

I shall draw it this time next week. Good luck!
I have been very busy stitching but not a lot to show you. I am at the moment doing a little hand quilting.

Lastly I just wanted to share a piccie of my eldest grandson who has just started playing soccer and is loving it.

A very happy little footballer...

Well done Lachie!!
That"s all from me folks! You will have to be a little patient with me as I get my head around the new beast.
Take care,
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

A Finish Almost!

Happy Saturday all! Yesterday I finally got to my machine after stitching all the centres on to my Dresdens.
What a lesson in accepting I cannot measure or estimate yardage...

I thought I had chosen so carefully!!! But not so! Whilst I have been true to using only French General Fabics, there is a little 'ring in' that is not from the Rouenneries Deux range but still from the FG range. I think it looks fine now, even though a little spack attack was my initial reaction folks.... and hey one can't be good at everything.
The top is now together and just waiting for the applique to be created and stitched on.

Mr R. remarked that it will be fine to keep us warm in the camper!!!! Ahhh! Nope! I don't think so!!! He did think he was saying all the right things...
While I was on the sewing down little circles kick I finished off the baby Dresdens too. I did iron it!

Because I had been so diligent tied to the machine for so long I allowed myself some playtime with "Lucy"
and finished another block.

I am trying to baste some background hexies as I go so that I can begin joining some together but the lure of making the blocks is very enticing.
Well family duties await for myself and Mr R. and then some relaxation I hope.
I wish you all a lovely weekend and please... be very kind to one another as you just do not know what someone else may be going through or what burdens they are carrying....make the load a little lighter...

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx