And the winners are!

Well hello everyone who is not frozen solid....Happy Monday! I have the July Giveaway winners and I actually have 4 draws instead of 3. The winners are as follows:
1st draw....Michelle from 'All things rusty and fabric'
2nd draw....Wendy from'Charlottes Web'
3rd draw....Diane H. from 'Sideroad Stitcher'
4th draw....Shez from 'Enjoying life'
Congratulations to all of you. If you could email me your snail mail address so I can post your win to you. I hope you will enjoy your Christmas patterns.
Thanks so much everyone for joining in once again. Hmm! Hve to get thinking about August.
Happy Stitching,

Michelle xx

High Tea with Shay & Lovely Deidre

Because I had a very  BIG! Yummy breakfast with  friends Helen & Deidre this morning I had ''High Tea" by myself. I thought about it long and hard and in the end I still had to choose "Old Country Roses" I went a bit OTT as I have a Quilt (made for me for my 50th Birthday by a friend) and the serviettes in the design...but hey why not. I got out my best gloves, pearls and hankie and I was all set. Sorry there was only one cupcake and I claimed it. You are very welcome to have a Chunky Choc cookie or a chocolate teddy if you wish. And NO! I did not bake!

An "Old Country Roses" Overdose  (I can never have too Much!)

High Tea attire

Put on your best pearls and visit SHAY tomorrow to see who was at her High Tea and got to drink out of her lovely Teacups and I'm sure she did some wonderful baking.
One of the lovely friends I had breakfast with this morning was Deidre who is a wonderful artist and a gorgeous lady to boot. Now anyone who knows me or has followed my blog will know one of the great loves of my life was a darling little black staffy who lived with us until we lost him 2years ago called "Doc" He was cheeky, naughty and his smile could melt your heart. Now staffies are not everyone's cup of tea but I know all you staffy lovers out there will attest to the fact that once you have loved one you are never quite the same. This morning Deidre gave me a beautiful gift....a pastel drawing of our gorgeous boy wearing his very best smile. Needless to say there were tears and hugs and I am so thrilled to have this heartfelt gift as a special reminder of "Doc". It means the world....love ya D!
I often ponder how I got to be this blessed with such loving and thoughtful friends.

Our boy "The Doctor" alias "Doccy Boy"

Michelle xxx

Favourite things Friday and Floral Friday.

I can't believe Friday has rolled around again. Today I am sharing two favourites....the 1st and most important to me is my Mum had a health scare and has come up trumps. Thank you! Thank you!

The 2nd is my Journals. I used to believe to journal you had to be very organised with copperplate handwriting and an incredible memory to record all your doings in precise chronological order. Well!!!!! That was not me. However I took part in a workshop conducted by my lovely yoga sister Janeen (very talented lady) on creative journalling. What a revelation! I discovered I could have any kind of journal I chose. I could scribble, do my worst or best handwriting depending on hormones or the state of the household, cut out pictures I liked, record favourite or funny sayings, things that inspired me. I could rant and rave if the mood took me.....because as Janeen told us all...IT"S YOUR JOURNAL! And so my love of being a keeper of  Journals began. I have 4 Journals. One for my poetry (scribblings). One for recording my truest deepest feelings, special moments and inspiring bits and pieces. One which is purely pictorial it's called a Discovery Journal and it contains images that appeal to me, chosen without question and complied in this book. It's amazing how you start to see a certain taste for certain colours, styles etc emerge. It's truly insightful in getting to know yourself. The last one is for when I travel anywhere....it's fun to look back on and my Husband can never remember the finer details of the trip (now there's a surprise) except for Bathurst Panoramic racing track. The fact we went around it 6 times could be the key!!!! I have done a great deal of pondering on why I find it so necessary to record things and collect things and my conclusion is that it comes from losing my Father when I was 3 years old. In those days you didn't talk about sad or difficult things and so I never knew my Father or who he was as a person. I would have given anything to have had a letter or a diary to have read his words and thoughts so I think I am making sure my Family will be under no illusions as to who I was. The good, the bad and the ugly. You see we always keep parts of ourselves back from everyone and nobody is completely known....so this is my way I guess of being remembered truthfully...as I am.
I encourage everybody to give yourself this gift to record your authentic self. I often go to my journals and read them when life knocks me off kilter. It helps me remember exactly who I am.
One thing that hinders people from journalling is that someone else will read it. I don't worry anymore because if you invade my privacy and read something you don't like....your fault. I don't journal everyday only when I feel I really want to. So A fresh new page and a lovely new pen set my little heart a fluttering.

To see other Favorites visit Shay our wonderful and witty hostess.
My floral offering this week is a beautiful free graphic from Home and Beautiful whose link you will find on my side bar.

I think they are from vintage postcards (which I love). These roses are exquiste and to think they would have been hand drawn and painted fills me with awe. Bronwyn hosts Floral Friday and is always an inspiring visit so drop by and say hello.
Have a great weekend and Happy Sttiching,
Blessings Michelle xxx

Thursday's Teddy Bears Picnic with Melody & Queensland Win!

Well all the Queensland Bears are very happy this morning! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MIGHTY QUEENSLAND MAROONS.....6 SERIES WIN IN A ROW....YOU LITTLE BEAUTY!!!!!
Well it was "State of Origin" footy night last night and Queensland defeated New South Wales for the 6TH YEAR IN A ROW***** So the bears have all things 'MAROON' to bring to the picnic today.
'Wally' (made by my Mum) has his maroon bow on and of course he chose "Queenie"  (made by me) as his honey bear who has beautiful burgundy (a more elegant form of maroon) mohair fur tipped with black and gorgeous burgundy suede paws. She has donned her Maroon rose for the occassion. Her little sister Magenta (also made by me) is keen to come as well. Tiny little 'Red Ted ' is happy on top of the cap where he can see everything and they all hoping "little brown bear" will hop out of their special mug without spilling any on their quilt. Wonder if there will be any "Blue" bears at the picnic today. You will recognise them as they will be crying....so please give them a hug and a hankie. TEE HEE. Visit MELODY to see who else is there.

I think I need a "cup of tea, a panadol and a good lie down" after all that.
Happy Stitching and a very 'Maroon day' to you all.

Michelle

2 Christmas in July Specials

"Holly & Berries" gift bags

"Circle of Friends" table centre

For the rest of July I have a little special running. You can buy "Holly & Berries" gift bags pattern for $7.oo AUS and "Circle of Friends" table centre for $8.oo AUS. Just email me.
Happy Sttiching,
Michelle

Tuesday's Treasure with Melody

My treasure to share with you today is my little collection of trinket boxes gathered together over many years. Another of my weaknesses I'm afraid. I just love tiny things with lids. Several are from England bought back by my Nanna from her trips, one was painted by my Mum, a Royal Winton chintz one, Delft china is another, gifts from friends, a couple of artists pieces and my very favourite is my Nanna's silver and red enamel one. It was with her from girlhood and sat on her dressing table and she kept her earrings in it. The enamel is a little worn but I know it was her lovely hands that were responsible and that makes it all the more of a treasure to me. Now it sits on my dressing table with my earrings in it as well as a pair of her marquisite earrings.
What are you treasuring today, share it at Melody's and see what other treasures are there.

Don't forget July giveaway see previous post.

I really liked this little saying too:
True friends bend with you when the going gets tough, while the fake break.
Have a wonderful day,
Blessings Michelle

Teacup Challenge with Kris & Liz

Hey did someone mention "Teacups"?? Kris form tagalong teddies and Liz from teddlywinks have laid down a challenge to dust off our teacups and put them on show for all to see.....so for those who don't know me I love all things "Teacups, Teapots or Teaparty" so here are my offerings. I have grouped them as I was terrified it would be all to much for blogger. I hope you can see them ok.
Also a huge big hug and thanks to Kris for solving a little techno issue for me. I am very excited Kris so thank you. I have loved visiting everyone and drooling (I know ugly) over all your gorgeous teacups.

front teacup my "Nanna's" favourite, left one a gift from friend Lorel, right one I love because it's so pretty

My Mum bought the front one back from Derby in England for me and the one at the back on right is "Ridgway" china and belonged to my Nanna..had to have that one.

these 3 have beautiful names e.g 'enchanting' 'true love' & 'love story' and are 'Royal Stafford'



my Grandad's favourite on left. "Clarice Cliff" no less and part of my Cranberry/white teaset on the right



I have 6 teacups in this set and this design is my all time favourite. If I win lotto I'm onto the antique dealer for a whole dinner set.

A favourite each trio has a different rose with it's name underneath the cup. It belonged to my husband Grandad and was very special to him and is now very special to me.

21st birthday teaset from my parents

Blessings Michelle