Thursday's Teddy Bears Picnic with Melody & Santa Sack Swap

Webster & Winnie are all set for the picnic today and even though the sun is shining I think Winnie will need a coat. These are two bears I made  when I had Ann by my side to assist in the tantrum throwing bear making that was my way back then....and are from the designers "Teddy Bits". It was the first time I had attempted the plucked nose and was quite pleased with myself eventually. I think they are so cute together. I love" Websters" overalls. To see who else has braved the cold for todays picnic visit Melody at

http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/
Santa Sack Swap:
Well yesterday I posted off my Swap parcel to the lovely Tarnyia away across in W.A so keep your eyes peeled Tarnyia......BUT Guess who forgot to take a photo of it and the momentus occassion.
I worry about myself sometimes really I do. Anyway I hope you like it Tarnyia and remember no peeking and only minimal squeezing as they could very well be booby trapped.

Blessings Michelle

Lovely stitching day.

Sandra's yum "Caramel Meringue" cake

Clip Clop aka "Willie"

Ann's Cards

I've had a lovely day stitching with my friends at Sandra's home....now Sandra is a devine cook and today we were treated to "Caramel Meringue" cake which I have provided a photo of for your enjoyment (no wait that was me).....YUM! My lovely friend Kay was completing little "Clip Clop" by Leanne Cornford in Handmade Vol 29 No 2 which for reasons known only to our group we have renamed  protective "Willie". Kay is making this dear little horsey person for her youngest little granddaughter and I think we all enjoyed the finishing process as much as Kay did. LOL! A great time was had by all....such special ladies to me!!
I have also tried to photograph Anns article in "Australian Cardmaking" Vol 17 no 5.  page 82. If you love making cards it's well worth a look. They are such pretty cards. I am so very proud of my clever friend and I'm sure this only the beginning. She is a very talented lady. Well done my friend!!!

Springbrook stitching

I started a new litttle quilt called "My Country Garden" which has a little more embroidery in it as I had been wanting to do a bit more for a while. I figured if I can't grow a cottage garden I'll just stitch one. I worked on the first block on retreat and I am quite pleased with it. I am really enjoying it and look forward to stitching each block and choosing colours etc. I designed these stitcheries in 2009 and sometimes it just takes me that long to get to a project. I shall keep you posted as I progress.
Have a great day everyone I'm off to my quilting group after first getting a big peek at my friend Ann's published projects in one of the Card Magazines.....Hopefully I can take a photo to show you.
Blessings and Happy Stitching,
Michelle

Tuesday's Treasure with Melody

My treasure today is actually a part of a wall in my dining room that has a selection of things I treasure on it.

Firstly there are 3 cross stitches of teacups that I worked a long time ago which still give me pleasure, 2 small rosey plates the top one being a 21st gift from family friends visiting from England at the time (both have since passed away). The sweet little tag on the plate holder was painted by my friend Tracey...I do love a pretty tag. My doll "Patty" who was featured in Handmade and loves cupcakes and was my first and only attempt so far in designing a doll and lastly a painted wooden cut out of teacups which I painted at Traceys and is one of her lovely designs. I don't know what it is about this little group but it makes me happy when I look at it. What are you treasuring today visit Melody's Tuesdays Treasures at http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/ and share your special treasure.

All Blissed Out.

Well my weekend away was wonderful and although we ended up with a smaller group than we thought it was  just lovely. I am very happy I managed to get up early each morning 6.30am for meditation and Yoga at 7.15am.  which was practised in a lovely room with an amazing circular window through which you could see the huge gum trees and birds. It was absolutely freezing up there but oh so beautiful. Katrina (with her little bump) guided all the yoga classes and meditations....what an amazing, caring and beautiful person she is...we all just love being with her. She even gave us a lovely gift each...a cute tote and a notebook featuring her gorgeous art work. Di who hosts these events looked after us so beautifully and we were fed and loved within an inch of our lives with extra treats lovingly supplied by Janeen.
It is such a beautiful pristine place and very strict enviromental and ecological practices ensure it's preserved that way. We saw lots of birds, wallabies and could hear the shy Whipbird's call constantly (which I just loved).
There is a creek and waterfall on the property and we walked to both. The waterfall has a 100metre drop straight down with views over the valley to Beechmont. I had to take the opportunity to take some pics there (I took lots of photos) and at the creek. I did get to do some stitching by the fire and will show you later.
I indulged myself and bought a new yoga mat featuring Katrina's lovely artwork. I chose the Lotus version as it is my favourite...I also have a shirt with this design. You can visit Katrina's website at http://www.angelsisters.com.au/ and see all her lovely artwork.

Beautiful grounds at Retreat

Katrina & Helen & little E

Di, Helen & I in all our warm layers

Waterfall edge & view across the valley

Me at the waterfall crossing

Helen & Janeen at the waterfalls edge

Janeen & I at the edge of the waterfall (don't know what I am doing???)

Helen enjoying the peace down at the creek

The fast flowing creek (so pristine)

Katrina's gift to us all

my lovely new yoga mat

Beautiful circular window in meditation room.

Anyway I hope blogger lets me post all this photos and you don't get too bored. Have a great Monday everyone...Guess what? I'm off to Yoga class.....I think a certain someone may be asleep on her lovely new mat.

Favourite things Friday.

I hope to feel this....

and this

and this

after this weekend

Well I am posting early for Favourite Thing Friday today which all smart people know is Thrusday because tomorrow my very favourite thing will be going on my annual Yoga retreat up at the beautiful (and I'm sure freezing) Springbrook in the Gold Coast Hinterland. As you can see my "essentials" are packed. My Yoga mat and cushion and gear, can't leave home without the chocolate (a spiritual life is not all deprivation you know) and of course my trusty little sewing bag. In which resides a brand new design I have started to stitch and hope to progress a little further with in front of the lovely fire we have up there. I am really looking forward to the weekend... lots of Yoga and Meditation with the gorgeous Katrina from "Angel Sisters". Lots of yummy vegetarian food which is always delish and lots of lovely catching up and chats by the fire. Maybe even a walk in the beautiful lush grounds where we stay. So still have to pack all the warm clothes...
Have a great weekend and hop over to Shays tomorrow to see other FTF's at http;//fairybreadmusings.blogspot.com.
Blessings,
Michelle

Thursday's Teddy Bears Picnic with Melody

The sweet bear all dressed and ready for todays picnic is known as "Boonah Bear" as this is where she was made by my friend Ann. Boonah is a little country town about 2 hours west of where I live. I used to go there with Ann and a quilting group for retreats. One Queens Birthday weekend we were very excited to being going for a long weekend of lots of sewing and we had planned on stitching this cute bear. I was struck down with a really bad dose of Bronchitis and couldn't get out of bed let alone go to Boonah. I was so disappointed. So I tucked myself up in bed and felt sorry for myself all weekend. Late Sunday afternoon there was a knock at my front door and in walked my best mate with this little girl telling me she had made one for me too because I'd had to stay home. Call me sentimental but I love this bear and my best mate. This is the type of friend she is. Now Boonah has her lovely stylish green hat on but she removed it for one of the shots to show what beautiful furry ears she has underneath. She is 27 inches tall and has lovely green felt slippers and a lovely floral dress with a lace collar. I wonder who she will get to chat with today....

In her favorite chair

I'm ready for my close up Mr De Mille!

My lovely ears without my stylish chapeau.

Pop over to Melodys at http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/ and see.