FNWF Efforts

Yesterday was a very long, emotional and exhausting day so I was not sure I felt like joining in after all with FNWF but after some quiet time and a little cool treat...

I felt much better and decided to play with these little sweeties which I acquired on my trip last year...

They are only 2 inches long...so cute. After using up most of the papers I started to get a little pile like this.

and you know how much I love a pretty plate...especially a fabric one.

So all in all I was pleased with what I stitched and I also found it soothing and knowing all my friends around Australia were doing the same was lovely. I shall be going for a wander around blogland to see what everyone else was doing last night a little later on (tell me again why we need clean clothes???). Thanks once again to the very wonderful Cheryll who very bravely gave us the key to the FNWF door even though she couldn't join us....we did tidy up after, I promise!!! lol!
That's All folks!
A little something to think upon:
" If only the bird with the prettiest song sang in the bush, what a quiet place it would be.
  So sing your own special unique song, loud and clear so we may all enjoy it."
Blessings Michelle xxx

Baby Alphabet

My "Baby Alphabet" is now finished and ready. I haven't stitched a sample yet as it appears lots of you couldn't wait that long....which is very nice. Must be all those new Nana's out there. So instead of a photo of a sample on the front I have drawn a little piccie that you could also use maybe as a little wall hanging or framed piece. I asked a couple of my little friends to show it to you.

Once again there are 26 separate letters each with their own little stitchery design. There are no projects included in the pattern so you can be creative and use them on whatever you would like to.
They look great on bunting for the nursery, framed or put on to a canvas, wall hangings, on bibs, burp towels, baby albums or you can link the letters BABY and make a lovely framed piece.
I hope you like my little friends...there are a floppy bunny, cute teddy, a little lamb, owls even a little giraffe.
The cost is $14.00 Aus and if you wish to purchase one you can email on michelleridgway53@hotmail.com
My friend Diane has her copy stashed in her sewing box already to get stitching for her gorgeous new grandson (saw piccies last night adorable!!!!!)
I have actually been doing quite a bit of quiet stitching but really all I can show you is a bit of a sneaky and I feel so mean....

My pile is getting larger and I will be forced to make friends with my sewing machine very shortly.
Yesterday on my travels...you know bill paying etc. I happened to get sidetracked in the book store (not hard for me I assure you. I so wanted to have that book store in the movie You've Got Mail!) and anyway I have read a couple of books by author Tony Parsons, who writes Aussie country family type sagas that are loosely based around folks he knew or compilations of such. The theme also features the breeding and training of our working dogs here...Kelpies. I really enjoyed the two I read being a big dog lover.
So I was very happy to get this book in my hot little hands for less than half price.

I am really looking forward to getting all involved in these pages.
That's it from me, oh almost forgot....I am signing up over at Cheryll's for...

We are bending the rules and having it later this month due to New Year festivities. Why don't you pop over and sign up too. It is good fun.
Now I am really done!
Enjoy your day,
Blessings Michelle xxx

Domestic Duties

Untidy I certainly am but I have always maintained a "clean" abode but when the Pest Control Man is coming and you pull out all your furniture and have a real good Spring/Summer clean I have so say I was appalled..errk! So that's what I have been up too. Cleaning and more cleaning. I am in the process of doing my Sewing Cave which always seems to defeat me but yesterday after my efforts I could at least see my sewing table...

It was another humidity ridden day and so I was drenched by the time I called it quits for the day. I thought a lovely swim to cool off and then pop the air on and do a little stitching in my chair. Thunder rumbled and I could see lightning as I swam and so the swim was cut short as the sky started to look like this.

and by the time I got back upstairs and changed it was pitch black just like night time....very spoooky!!
But then we went from that to this at 4.15pm

and did not regain power until the wee hours of this morning. So consequently not a stitch was done. I don't know how pioneering sisters stitched by candlelight....makes you wonder.
Mr R. and I reverted to a camping dinner by candelight...barbequed chicken legs with a freshly cut up mango and a Weiss bar for desert. Today we have a beautiful breeze blowing and it is downright civilised.
Maybe after some more tidying in my Sewing Cave today I may actually get some stitching done.
I noticed yesterday that a lot of the little orchids I have growing in my trees in and around my garden are all beginning to bloom. I picked a couple of spikes to bring inside...they are so pretty.

Thank you everyone for your very kind comments on yesterday's post about Kerrian. I appreciated each and every one of them.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Today I am dedicating my post to my cousin Kerrian who sadly left us over the weekend. She was a beautiful woman and taught us so much about courage and the power of the human spirit.
She was and will always remain an inspiration to all her knew her.
My love and prayers go out to her children, my dear Aunt and Uncle, her brother and family and friends.
Thank you to those of you who offered prayers and sent Reiki, my Aunt expressed her deep gratitude for your kindness and support.

Blessings Michelle xxx

A Shiny New Year

I don't know what it is about the beginning of a new year that makes you feel renewed. Perhaps it is like that new book on the first day of school....fresh and blank, where all the things are possible.
I have never been a New Year resolution maker. I have always felt that life offers enough pressures without adding one more. Plus as I tend to follow my "muse" I would never give it another thought. I am not saying I don't set goals. I do but I also don't get hung up if I get taken in another direction (that's how I came to be a blogger lol). So the 2014 calendar is hung....

and whilst there is no snow here, it is certainly making me feel cooler just looking at it. I bought is because of the beautiful paintings of quilts. I think it is just lovely. I love Diane Phalen's artwork. My little tin that holds my quilting needles and favourite quilting cotton has her artwork on the lid.
The Christmas decorating is just about all put away....

and little "Summer" mini from Season's Stitcheries is on the stand and boy we are under no illusions here that it is indeed Summer....very hot already here today already! Phew!
My lovely swap gift from Tarnyia is gracing my little table and looks lovely. Can you see there that wonderful quilting.

and a little stitching is in the hoop...I know what you are thinking but yes it is Christmas and as you are probably over it I will just assure you that you won't have to see it for quite awhile.

Do you remember my dear friend Diane and her lovely baby quilt...

Well I am very excited to tell you that it has a brand new owner...welcome to baby Jack. Nothing quite as wonderful as a brand new little life to start the new year. Sending big hugs and congratulations to you all. He is the first grandchild for my friend and her hubby. Jack is one very fortunate little boy to have such wonderful and loving Grandparents and Parents.
Ok I would love to stay longer and play but more putting away is waiting for me.
Have a lovely weekend and if you are in Brisvegas....try and stay cool.
Blessings Michelle xxx

2013 In Review

I always find myself wandering back through the year as I approach the New Year. How about you?
This year has taught me many life lessons and bought me many joys for which I am very grateful for.
I hope you will bear with me as I reflect on a few of them.
Of course the most important event of 2013 was the birth of our two beautiful little Granddaughters...

and

It is such a delight to welcome them into our family.
This year I became a card carrying member of the "Wise Woman's Club" by becoming a woman of a certain age. I was so humbled and touched by the love and blessings showered on me at this time..

Sooo many candles...

The heat was fierce!!! And of course my beautiful quilt...

S

Thank you to all of you who took the time to show me how much you cared and helped me celebrate this very special milestone for me....love ya!!
I also had a couple of firsts this year...
1st Block of the Month "Christmas Memories" sold through The Patchwork Teahouse

1st ever cover of Homespun Magazine...

1st ever Trunk Show at Star of the Sea Quilters Cleveland...

and that is my 1st ever quilt..
1st ever time my patterns are being sold in the USA...here

Mr R and I had a fabulous camping holiday in the Grampians in Victoria. 1st time visiting there.

Met lovely friends along the way on our trip...

I also discovered that life doesn't discriminate who it gives burdens or loss to and we have also had some of that and shared as other friends and family did as well....that's life as they say. I have to say also how proud I am of my children and the people they have become particularly DD as she has had not only a lot on her plate this year but it just about overflowed....hugs xxx
I have also learnt a huge life lesson and that is...

Thankfully so many people with beautiful hearts have been placed upon my path that I cannot help but feel well and truly blessed and......The laughter of friends is so good for your soul.

I feel truly blessed that I can do the work of my heart, my passion and that so many of you lovely, clever women (and yes you are all clever women) have become friends to me as a result.
Thank you so much for supporting me, leaving me beautiful comments, laughing with me, stitching with me and letting me know that you like my little scribbles and ramblings.
Oh I couldn't forget to mention.....now what was it again ...um?? Oh that's right ****8**** in a row!!!

Happy New Year to you all. I wish you a year filled to the brim with blessings.
I know you have seen it before but I thought I would leave you with my favourite "Tree" wisdom.
Blessings Michelle xxx

Hot Summer Days!

Phew! What a hot day we had here yesterday in the old South East...40 degrees C. and not one breath of wind and very high humidy. So after chores a dip in the pool was necessary and then the A/C went on and I cut out all these little cuties which swap Mama Cheryll kindly gave me the heads up on after I received one from her as a gift...you know how much I love a pretty bookmark to mind my pages...so I fancy making a few to give as gifts too.

The tough part of the day was avoiding these little delicious hip expanders and their friends in the fridge....

I have been trying to tell them that their work here is DONE!!! Move on! I have been wondering whether Yoga mats come in Jumbo size...I am sure there will be spillover on mine. LOL! I really must get that surgery to remove that tube from my lips to my hips! I also indulged another little love too...
One of my very favourite books is Tim Winton's "Cloudstreet". Now you either Love it or Loathe it! So I shan't try and convince you either way. I have read it several times and so was very excited to see the miniseries appear on TV and had saved several episodes until I could sit and enjoy them.....which happened yesterday!

I loved the choice of actors for the show and  am looking forward to the rest of the series.
It is 10 degrees cooler here today thank goodness. I never take my decs or tree down until after New Year (must be that Celtic superstitious nature of mine) so I am using the time to relax and regroup and allow the creative juices time to recharge for when Inspiration comes-a-calling and I have to answer.
Must get back to my little bookmarks.
Enjoy your day,
Blessings Michelle xxx