Almost A Finish

 Good morning friends. Hoping you are all well and managing to find some bright spots in these strange days. As we are staying very close to home due to hubbys immunity issues some days you do have to look harder for those sparkles.

When we could gather more freely Sunday Stitchers began Natalie Birds Heartstrings Quilt as a SAL for the group. I got really behind but last week all of the last border applique was done and attached finally. Its a sweet project and I have enjoyed the stitcheries and EPP so much.

I decided that I would like to hand quilt it and so it is now in my hoop.

Making this my night time stitching has allowed me time to get back to Where You Love Is Home quilt by Anni Downs. I have started putting the first row together as I go along.

These 2 blocks are now also together.....

And the last block in the row is what I am working on getting assembled.  Sorry its a bit gloomy here today so the pics aren't the best.

Tags are up to date with a new one due this evening.

Tag 36 - Slow Stitching in Neutrals. This was a very calming piece to work on.

Tag 37 - Fabric Weaving. I didn't embellish this tag as I wanted the weaving to be the focus.

Reading has been my other favourite past time as usual and these stories have been taken to heart. There was a lot I  loved and related to in "Thursdays at Orange Blossom House"......I have been a Yogi for many years albeit a less active one these days but still practising, I  have family who live in cane growing regions, have dedicated teachers in my family and have enjoyed the area in which the book is set.....really enjoyed it!

My current read was a lovely gift from a friend.

A biography Of Georgiana McRae. Another woman who lived an amazing life....whose artistic ambition was thorted because she was a woman. Just getting started on this one. Love diving into a new book.

In the garden the Clivia are starting to bloom....LOVE that gorgeous orange!

And another of my orchids has been putting on a show....so pretty. All my other tree orchids were blighted by a nasty Dendrobium beetle.....so very pleased to see this one managed to escape them.

Ok folks.....the kettle is on the boil.....cuppa time.

Stay safe and stay well.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Spring Has Almost Sprung

 Tomorrow Spring arrives....we have been enjoying some absolutely gorgeous days....bit grey today but no complaints here. My King Orchid has definitely been in a blooming good mood, giving me 6 beautiful flower spikes to enjoy this year.

A new rose drawing is on the drawing board also...must be Spring Fever! 

Tags are up to date. 

Tag 33 - Flags

Being a turn it over make it neat freak, struggled to make it work.....but brief met!

Tag 34 - Make Yourself a Cuppa

A dotty cup of coffee for me for this tag on an old piece of tatty vintage lace.

Tag 35 - 3 Buttons + a precious piece of fabric.

I chose a scrap of Paris Flea Market fabric that I had made a special quilt out of in memory of a dear friend. A piece of ribbon from a vintage haberdashery in Castlemaine Victoria and 3 vintage buttons on a lace medallion. Loved this one!

I borrowed this photo from our clever tag lady Anne Brookes to show you all the tags that were sent from all over the world.

In the far left hand bottom corner you will see mine!  The navy blue with the hexie. Just amazing the amount of folks stitching them from everywhere!

Last week our son came to spend some time with his Dad so I managed a little time for some machine sewing and got straight on to getting up to date on my Heartstrings project. Only to discover that I was a block short because I had decided to leave out the applique block....arrggh!

I chose the same size stitchery from one of Natalies other designs and presto! Done!

The next border of hexies could then be added and I am up to date .....I think!

So now on to the final border.....I have gone off script as I am not a fan of teeny tiny patchwork blocks so I am going with a combo of applique and EPP.

Hopefully it will look ok....watch this space!

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Here Comes August

 Hello everyone. Hoping you are all well and safe. I finally had all the stars align so that I could get my first vaccination. Apart from a bit of a sore and achy arm so far so good.

Since my last post I have had a birthday. I was quite prepared to let it slide on by this year but my lovely family and friends made sure that didn't happen....flowers, cake, books, gifts, cards, good wishes and yummy fabrics made me feel very spoilt! Another trip around the sun is not to be taken for granted!

2 more tags were made to add to my growing collection . 

Tag 31....was GOLD. Not being a particularly blingy person I thought I would struggle with this one. Eventually I decided that I would mark the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.......lots of GOLD there. I used a piece of gilded fabric that my brother bought me back from his trip to Japan a few years ago...added Gold Stars for the athletes, some gold tatting and I was quite pleased with the results.

Tag 32.....was LAZY DAISY STITCH. Throughly enjoyed this tag.....quietly stitching it was lovely!

I  also have a quilt finish.....my Pandemic Basket Quilt. I designed and stitched this quilt from my stash only....including border, backing and  batting. Side note: said stash does not seem to have diminished! 

The binding was I thought  going to be an issue but I found a brown fabric in those deep fabric bins we seem to have....

The little baskets surrounded a bigger one in the centre block. I included a little tag saying HOME as it seems to be the safest place these days.

I am very happy with how it has turned out and I really enjoyed the hand quilting  of it too.

I have a vintage doiley for a label from my stash gifted me by a friend.....just need to write the story now.

Artwise, an old milk can I have in the garden inspired a little drawing study. 

I used a LOT of artistic licence changing the rusty patina of the can to the gorgeous oranges and reds that I love!  And of course a little lady Fairy Wren. 

Hospital visit this week meant lots of sitting around waiting so I took along some Applecores to prepare and baste as I had used all the ones I had. I now have a lovely Applecore pouch to keep them in thanks to my lovely friend Shez xx

I got a nice little pile done so I can now get back to adding them to the quilt top.

I  have so many projects in various stages of development deciding what gets attention is a dilemma lol!

That's me caught up. On the reading list issue I have dumped Blogger. They have seemingly ZERO interest in assisting you  with any issues you encounter no matter how many times you report it and gone over to Feedly to read all your lovely posts. It is just taking me a little while to find you all and transfer you across but at least I can see your posts now.

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

HELP.....Where has my reading list GONE?

 

Hi there. My reading list seems to have gone MISSING. Anyone one else having or had this issue? Sent several complaints to Blogger and Google to no avail! As usual!

To read your blogs I have to individually go into your blogs....there is no feed of recent posts.......very frustrating! 

Any advice or info gratefully received. 

Michelle xxxx

July Round Up

 Hello out there. I do hope all my southern friends are safe and well in the current lockdown situation. We are still masking up here in Brisbane which although I am very happy to comply makes hospital visits difficult. My husband ended up in hospital for 2 weeks and he was not allowed visitors which was difficult to manage when you are anxious and worried.....understand the caution but still difficult. And so many folks in this situation. 

I have kept up with my tags.....

The halfway mark was reached and we had to make ourselves a medal....I chose EPP....bee themed fabrics for our "tag making sewing bee"

Anne invited us to make a tag using favourite techniques from the challenge and send it to her (she is planning a little exhibition for them all) So far over 400 from all over the world have arrived....mine included.

I decided to make another medal to send to Anne using a hexie. I embroidered seed stitch over it as I enjoyed learning it. I also stitched on a piece of needle tatting that was new to me also.

I added a little bee suprise under the medal to tie it in with mine.....

This weeks tag was another multi layered project......make a brooch.....take and share a photo of you wearing it and WHERE you are in the world and then attach it to your No.30 tag......WELL....I am the Queen of terrible selfies....the Westerlies blowing didn't help lol!

But after a myriad of attempts...I decided enough was enough.....I  am what I am! Yours truly with said brooch!

My Brooch Tag....I chose green....I LOVE green and I upcycled a little Angel pin who had lost her backing pin....I  did enjoy planning and stitching on this one.

Apart from tags I have kept up with hand quilting while the cold weather is here. Something soothing about rows of little stitches making hills and valleys  across your quilt.

And more hexie flowers for my Heartstrings border.....which means I shall have to make up my mind how they will end up.

Only a little sketching.....trying to keep my practice up. Some of my nature table specimens for my sketchbook.

Nothing much happening in my Garden of Neglect but this pot of succulents and owl made me smile.

Take care everyone, 

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx