FNWF

Last evening was our first on line stitch in over at Gone Stitchin with Cheryll I started out finishing off the last little hexie I need for a mini quilt. I then cut out the background blocks for them...all prepped ready to applique.

The rest of the evening I happily worked on block 9 of Blessings.....

I managed to get the tab circle appliqued on, the centre star and started on the centre circle before my bed called me.

It is nice to know that women are taking time to stitch, sew, knit etc all over blogland with you. Looking forward to visiting to see what friends got up to.
Enjoy your weekend,
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Almost There!

Good morning lovely people. I am certainly enjoying the cooler weather this week.
I am also excited to be on the last block in Blessings.

I couldn't resist laying them all out to take a peek...

I have loved this Robyn Falloon pattern for so long....

The teeniest progress has been made with Splendid Sampler as I  completed this stitchery block over Christmas. It is supposed to have a small border but I love it how it is....

I played with my pencils over the break. Drawing a sweet little Yellow Breasted Robin we photographed badly at Minyon Falls NSW last year. They are so darn quick....too quick for this amateur!  I have used all kinds of artistic license popping Robin on a post I photographed outside Goondiwindi whilst having a cuppa. I find old fence posts and rusty wire so appealing for some reason.

I decided to also play around with Pan Pastels in the background and direct shafts of light through foliage....not sure how successful I have been but there is always something to learn and experiment with. A very nice memory of a lovely day with my Hubby and Brother.

 This being said I have invested in a new Art Journal to play and experiment in. Unfortunately my last one was damaged due to poor advice on preservation and couldn't be saved! Live and learn!

Blank white paper or pages can be soooo scary lol! Just need to get that pencil on to the paper. I love Art Journalling and anyone can have one and create in them......using all kinds of mixed medias. Loads of information on Pinterst and the like if you fancy it.
After a busy couple of days putting the house to rights I am treating myself to a lazy day today and my stitching.

Wishing you a happy day,
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

RSC and Just Because!

Last year my friend Lorel and I did our version of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, hosted by Angela at So Scrappy We decided on a very achievable goal....1 Dresden Plate block per month. I just scraped in by the skin of my teeth to finish all 12. As I am not a fan of brights, using just my stash to fulfill the colour selection was indeed a challenge for me. But I did it....may not have been the exact brief but it all came out of my fabric drawers...which of course means that I can treat myself in the future.
September was Roses....burgundy, pinks and golds.

October was Sunrise, yellows and golds...

The last two months were to put your quilt together. Lots of ladies do many blocks for each colourway. Or you could choose your own for the last 2. As we have many blooming Jacaranda trees in Brisbane in November, we chose that...

December of course was a Touch of Christmas.

We don't have the rainbow colourwave multiple blocks achieve but I am really happy with the little scrappy plates.

Lorel and I are joining in again this year in our own way....we plan a scrappy 4 patch block in the designated colour with an alternating butterfly and bird applique on top. We will add these blocks to our Dresdens to make our quilt.
January is PURPLE....I have my blocks cut out ready to assemble.....as you can see I am not quite a purple girl!

It is such fun...if you want to join in pop over to So Scrappy HERE and dive in!

"Just because " are two of my favourite words.....no obligation to do so.....I was thinking of you.....because my heart told me to....knew you'd love it!
Before Christmas I was so blessed to have experienced this several times!
My dear friend Shez sent me the most beautiful Willow tree Angel..... it is so special!
She is even holding a rosy apple.....I love rosy apples.

I was so touched and it meant so much....

Lovely friend Sue remembered how much we enjoyed the Chili Jam from her area and so a jar arrived in the post! Out of the blue.   Oh so delicious I might add....so thoughtful! 

Another dear friend Gaye gifted me a beautiful book of hers that she had found and I had always loved reading.....just because she wanted me to have it to enjoy.

Beautiful thoughts and gifts and beautiful friends. To know that someone thought of you with kindness is a gift in itself.
Acting on "just because" can brighten days and hearts....a card, a message, a gentle enquiry "how are you doing?" a phone call, that piece of fabric you know they will just love.....a cute button. If you do ordinary things with great love how can we not be changed for the better.....both reciever and gifter.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Secret Santa-ing Etc.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. ....ours was a family affair and very enjoyable.
DD tried to get some nice pics to mark the occassion.

DD and I......serious....

and silly!

It was catching lol!

I got to open my FHFS gift from Cheryl under the tree along with my Chookyblue SSCS gift from Noemia all the way over in Portugal.
Cheryl's gift.... a beautiful wall hanging.

This is going to be my mantra next year...All is Calm! Cheryl spoilt me rotten in this swap with gorgeous gifts to open every day...thank you xxx
I was making for Shez and I had a great time playing with teeny hexies in this wall hanging for her (thank you Shez for letting me borrow the photos. Some silly forgot to take some before wrapping) The sweet tags were made especially by my friend Tracey White.

I was also spoilt by Noemia.....

Inside a beautiful table topper...

Isn't it lovely! I also recieved delicious Guylan chocolates, cute Christmas fabric and lovely soap. Thank you so much for my beautiful parcel Noemia xxx

I sent to Tonje in Norway. My tree ornament...a wee bit of Aussie!

I made Tonje a wall hanging using large hexies and a couple of stitcheries from Jolly Holly Gathering pattern. They fitted in really well. I also must tell you they got stitched all over Australia on our trip.

I popped in a couple of little extras too. They have both been such lovely swaps.

Thanks to the wonderful Santa sleigh wranglers, Peg, Shez and Chookyblue.

As we arrive at the close of 2016, I am being honest and saying I will be very happy to lock the door behind me...

There is always in life an "however" I have discovered something that I think I always knew in my heart and that is I have ZERO tolerance for unkindness...whether it be to person, creature or earth. Life is just toooo short! This year has shown me in neon lights the strength, beauty and love of my family. Also the beautiful, kind and generous hearts of my friends. None of which I take for granted....please know you are treasured. You may think that these are just flowery, sugary words but trust me when you see them in action.....inspiring!

Being able to lose myself in my stitching or my art has been a huge balm for my heart this year and seeing and experiencing how the work of our hands can bring people together and touch hearts.....extraordinary!
Thank you all for your wonderful comments, for popping by to visit. If you are a lurker and leave no comment but enjoy popping in.....thank you too. I embrace benign lurkers lol! For your support and encouragement in all that I do. I appreciate it all so much. I look forward to you dear folks in 2017.
So lovely people take care in your celebrations and I wish you all Blessings for the brand new year. I shall leave you with some of my favourite words...
May the long time sun shine upon you,
All love surround you and
The pure light within,
Guide your way on.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Merry Christmas

I would like to wish all you lovely folk out there a very Merry Christmas. My Christmas wish for you is that you are blessed enough to spend it with those who mean the most to you.
If this Season is difficult for you I wish you Peace and Healing to guide your way through it.
I am taking a break to spend time with my loved ones so I shall catch up on all your news and posts in the New Year.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Naughty and Nice

Well first to the  naughty...yep I have been extremely naughty! I have been resisting the cutest little bear from Shaz Bears for a while. I don't add to my collection much anymore....so when I do the LOVE factor has to be through the roof! This little girl was irresistible! The detail is just wondeful! And she sews....perfect!

So when Santa's little elf whispered in my ear...."go on"....I did! I completely caved. She now lives with me!
And before you ask...No! You are never too old for a teddy bear!!
Day 6 & 7 in my swap and the spoiling continues....love my new mug and bikkie tray...

This morning.....Santa's key with a beautiful keeper and some very cute ornies...

Thank you Cheryl...it is so much fun waking up to your packages each day.

Ok must fly, art today.....happy heart!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

FNSI Day 4 & 5

I joined in with my other blogging friends for the last one of the year.

Hosted by lovely Wendy from Sugar Lane Quilts. I worked away on 2 Splendid Sampler blocks. Putting the finishing touches to one and beginning another. 

The one in the hoop is the latest one and I decided to stitch it now because it had a festive feel about it. Thanks Wendy for hosting us all year xx

I had some more lovely mail.....beautiful handmade card and kitty ornament from my friend Karen from Sunburnt Quilts. Thank you so much. 

Day 4 of FHFS....gorgeous goodies! Beautiful Christmas fabric, quilt label fabric, Theodora Cleave buttons all tucked inside the sweetest little stitchery bag. The parcel had a very cute deco on the front....oh my what pretties!

Day 5

This pair of adorables is going to make me smile every time I look at them!

Aren't they just gorgeous! Spoilt rotten here!

I am late popping in to see what all the other Friday nighters got up to but I shall go a visiting after I finish my last day out at the Botanical Gardens.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx