Spring Days at Last

 Good morning friends. Well it appears that I have missed August altogether. I don't know exactly what I have been doing, only that I have been busy doing it. There have been a lot of ups and downs.....more of those firsts without my husband....which folks don't seem to get easier. I am very happy to have warmer days and throw open my windows for the soft breezes.....my favourite time of year.

This happened!  I still cannot believe that number on the cake......I certainly don't feel older!  I was very spoilt by my wonderful family and friends.

I've had Grandies singing and dancing and was so lovely to have the opportunity to go and watch them xx

Every year my Art teachers students are able to join her and another teacher and students for an exhibition. I received a lovely surprise when one of my pieces was awarded a Highly Commended. I loved drawing this piece and it was extra special as friend Michael gifted me his fabulous photograph for reference....thanks Michael x

A celebration was in order by way of a delicious pancakes brunch with youngest GD and DD.

Stitching wise, I have been all over the shop. Doing a bit of this and then jumping to something else.....currently working away on Owl and Hare.

I have once again opted out of the pieced blocks...whimpy I know but the truth is that I cannot be bothered forcing myself to do things that I don't want to do at present. I will show you my options in another post.

I am however very pleased with my slow stitching project. I have a little collection of BEATRIX POTTER cards and postcards and a booklet....gifts from UK friend Sue and my dear friend Bev from her trip to the Lake District. If you read my blog regularly you will know that I am a huge fan of Beatrix Potters art....her Botanical art was so underated. I do wonder if it had been recognised would we have had Peter Rabbit ?? So I decided to make a designated folder to hold my treasures.....I  drew and stitched a little Peter Rabbit for the front and back.

The inside.....

Everything fits in beautifully and I am so happy to have them out of a box. It was so satisfying to use lots of treasured bits to make the folder....I enjoyed it a great deal.

In the garden I have orchids blooming......the most amount of spikes I have had from this one so far....I also have a cream one but sadly no flowers yet.

And my pink bottlebrush is covered in gorgeous gold tipped brushes!

First time flowering for this dusty pink Crucifix orchid. 

My King Orchid this year only threw 2 spikes of flowers but I am always thrilled to see it. Their teeny tiny delicate little orchid flowers are amazing!

And my lovely Honey Gem Grevillea that was struck by lightning a couple of years back has finally sprouted (doesn't look that aesthetically pleasing...but I don't care) and has several blooms on it.....yay Honey Gem comeback. The resident hooligan Rainbow Lorikeets are loving it once again.

I find Grevillea flowers so intriguing!

Oh almost forgot. I shouted myself a lovely, totally frivolous and outrageously expensive gift for my birthday......as in exchange rate and postage. A little box of vintage snippets from UK business The Dollshouse Vintage.....I had salivated for a very long time over Debs gorgeous vintage finds. I thought if not now? When?....it came beautifully packaged and even smelt beautiful. 

I can see a whole snippet roll dedicated to these treasures. 

Well folks I think thats about it. I hope wherever you are you're well. Also a big thank you to those who leave me comments that I am unable to reply to.....I appreciate you all taking the time to read and comment.....and to my blogging friends who tolerate my infrequent posts.....thank you xxx

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

July Roundup

 Hello friends. This will be a photo heavy post so warning given......proceed at your own risk lol! Recently my dear friends visited the Monet in Paris experience with me as an early birthday celebration.....I loved it and the company was wonderful. 

The entry ceilings bedecked with blooms to set the scene.....Bev and I attempted a selfie with much hilarity. 

Inside the artwork of the Impressionists was projected on to large screens, accompanied by beautiful music....many classics from ballet scores...delightful!

Whilst being  enthralled by beautiful art, the floor had projections of swathes of flowers moving across the room and animated dragonflies and butterflies flitting everywhere. They were too quick for a photo....in fact I actually didn't want to miss anything so didn't take a lot of photos. Below is my blurry photo of the floor. 

It was so beautiful!  We took the opportunity to assemble on the bridge over Monets waterlillies for some photos.

We finished with a lovely coffee and a light lunch....I had a croissant....of course!

Such a lovely day.....with special ladies.....these girls and we're still girls lol! have been walking beside me for over 30 years....truly blessed xx

Sunday Stitchers meeting was also attended earlier this month and it was my turn to receive my birthday challenge gift from the lovely Lynda.....a sweet angel design from Rosie Quinlan.....always a big fan of Rosie and miss her beautiful designs.....I now have to put my thinking cap on and make a project using it by next birthday.

Lots of stitching has happened.....my house resembles a craft supplies tip but as it is only me now....the care factor is very low!

I have made the BOM deadline for Owl and Hare.....changed up a couple of the pieced blocks to stars as I still have a sore shoulder.....

Gossip in the Garden also received some attention....

I have also started two new slow stitching projects....one of my own....which is still percolating in my head so just a sneaky of that one.

The other is another SAL at Roxy Creations.....this time a wall hanging themed as a TREASURE HUNT. There are 2 prompts a month for 6 months. 

First prompt....monogram Second prompt....treasured lace.

I chose a gifted monogrammed damask hand towel as my base. I  could never bear to wipe my hands on it! So prompt one was a bit of a cheat. The treasured lace was more what to leave out lol! So here is my effort so far.....some pieces  are just tacked on waiting for more prompts....hope I have enough room!

Ok! Hello are you still with me lol! I think I am all caught up. 

Thank you for visiting and to those I have been unable to reply to previous comments...thank you for your lovely words.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Feast or Famine

 Hello friends.  Does it happen to you....there is either nothing on your dance card or it's full!  Not complaining...makes life interesting. Although a wee bit chilly here in my part of the world, the days have been glorious! So very nice to be out in the fresh air and sunshine. I've had a lovely day out with family to the other side of our beautiful Moreton Bay. A foreshore stroll was taken, some retail therapy and a delicious brunch as well.

I took myself off recently to one of my favourite spots for lunch and a bit of navel gazing and had a delightful Kookaburra keep me company.

June's Sunday Stitchers came around on the calendar. I was on morning tea duty with friend Helen. We usually like a theme.....we decided on WINTER. June being the first month of Winter down under.....it turned out well and tasted very nice too!

De had this gorgeous quilt for show and tell....oh and she also made her lovely top!

On Wednesday night my Daughter surprised me with concert tickets to see Michael Buble`. And it was fantastic....we had a great time!

The 3 seats in front of us remained empty so we had a fantastic view! And to top the night off Queensland won the State of Origin Series.....yes!!

When not gadding about I have been completing my #roxysjournalofstitchery scroll...Down the Garden Path. 

As you can see I made a little tag to finish it off.

Here's the finished piece unrolled.....

The spool was a gift from my fellow Sunday Stitcher Anita x

I am now able to focus on my BOMs....hopefully! Lol!

Artwise I have been quite busy....with 2 fairly big....for me....pieces thst I am currently working on.....a sneaky of the latest. 

So I will show you more later down the track.

My recent efforts have been directed to a project called #toondahharbourpostcard project. TOONDAH HARBOUR in our beautiful Moreton Bay is currently under threat from a proposed gigantic development....consisting of thousands of units and hundreds of boat moorings which will destroy incredibly vital habitat for critically endangered Eastern Curlew and many other migatory shorebirds species who summer here. Juvenile curlews remain here whilst the adults journey to the Artic circle to breed. The area is part of the RAMSAR CONVENTION TREATY which lists wetlands of international critical importance! But still it seems Gigantic development companies can skirt around this treaty. 

The project I have participated in is creative postcards sent to State and Federal environment ministers to try and halt this criminal destruction! If they get away with this NOTHING is off limits!

My two contributions, featuring the beautiful and amazing Eastern Curlews. 

If you feel like you want to be involved....you can draw, sew, paint a postcard. @kategorringe-smith on Instagram has details.

Hopping off my soap box now but making no apologies.

Ok I am now sitting in the dark....this novel took longer than anticipated to write lol!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. 

Be kind to one another,

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx