Can't Stay Away From My Pencils!

Oh what enjoyment I get out of that pencil case and it's contents. I have been diligently practising with my pencils but I just can't seem to leave the Bear people alone in my family. I am sure they are trying to hide from me...I tried...

and whilst I enjoyed it, coercing my big handsome, furry boy Bruno into the chair was much more fun and he was the perfect model....

I love his big honey tummy! I then spoke very sweetly to little Rosie and asked her to bring her handpainted hat box to see what we could create....

She is such a cutie. Now while these may not be masterpieces art wise, I am have been enjoying challenging myself with self imposed little rules about freehand drawing....no rulers, no tracing of any kind. Just pencils and eraser. I don't trace anyway but I have been known to use my ruler..sssh!
Not being impatient with self-improvement I think is my biggest challenge.
Ok! Sewing! I had a lovely evening with the Wednesday night girls last night. I love catching up with these ladies and it was extra special to see friends Jan and Robyn there. Robyn P. you were missed xx
Between flapping the gums big time I did get some more tiny hexies done.....oh and did I mention Diane's chokkie slice and delicious jam drops YUM! I didn't say I had any mind you I just said did I mention them...

That's all from me folks, have a lovely day.

Namaste and blessings,
Michelle xxx

A New Aussie!

Last evening Mr R. and I went to the Australian Citizenship ceremony in our local district to witness our Son-in-law John become an Australian citizen. John hails originally from the UK. It was very well organised and there were lots of new Aussies taking the pledge.

Here is yours truly with my Grandson and one of my oldest friends Karen, who just happens to be married to our SIL's uncle....confused??/ LOL!

John being congratulated by our Mayor Pam Parker.

Next a family photo with that very precious certificate.

After several rousing rounds of Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi,oi oi! and the singing of our National Anthem to close the night we got to partake of a cuppa and and a huge Anzac bikkie. Lachie was first in line!

So all that remains to be said is......John...

I thought I would leave you with a photo of a favourite Aussie spot of mine. This place was so beautiful and peaceful....Simpson's Gap N.T.

Namaste and blessings,
Michelle xxx

My Garden is Growing.

Well my little Hexie garden is slowly growing...

They are just sooo cute! I want them for the border of this scrappy Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt ( I apologise for the lack of ironing and presentation)that has been a UFO for a very looonnng time! Because of this it has been a little challenge trying to find bits of fabric that tie in with the look of the original flowers. Luckily I still had lots of little pieces of the golds from the originals for the flower centres.

I still cannot believe that I stitched all those hexies when I look at it. I always wanted a quilt like this one. It took me years to finish it. Well yes I know it is not ACTUALLY finished but you know what I mean.  Do you have a favourite quilt design that you always wanted to do? What to do on the border had been holding me back but I feel like I may actually get somewhere now the choice is made.
I have also been trying to do some hand quilting each day....

I find it has a very meditative quality to it and boy have I needed a lot of that lately!
I wish you all a lovely day.

Namaste and blessings,
Michelle xxx

Hexies and Show & Tell

Good Afternoon all. Thought I would pop in and show you my hexies that I am playing with today.

But you see they are teeny tiny ones.....

Well teeny tiny for me only 1/2 inch big. I put a five cent piece there to show you how little they are. I am going to make some little flowers to go on my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt's border (another long suffering UFO) I didn't find them too fiddly and I thought I would. I have had the papers for ages and was much too squibby to try them out. they are lots of fun.
On our walk up in the bush this morning guess who we met???

He came right down and crossed in front of us to shimmy up another tree further away from the path. The fact that our very clever council in all it's wisdom has changed it's policy and allowed dogs on leashes into the park (which they are almost never on...the ones we have seen anyway) has limited the wildlife we see considerably. So we were so thrilled to experience this little bloke. I adore dogs but I also love wildlife and I am sorry there are just some places where your doggies shouldn't go. Ok! Stepping down from soap box now! Moving on...show and tell.
The lovely Joy from Bundaberg has been so quick, lightning quick in fact that she has stitched Miss Mousey (Country Bounty) from the latest Country Threads issue already. Want a look see?

Looks great Joy! Thanks for sharing it.
Ok I am off back to my hexies. I would just like to wish all the Mothers out there...

Namaste and blessings,
Michelle xxx

Friday Again!

Well I have no clue as to where this week has gone but here I am at the end of it. A little stitching has been done. I have been appliqueing and stitching little birds...

and continuing on with my hand quilting which has been nice to curl up under with these cooler nights.

"Miss Mousey" was very pleased to grace the cover of the latest issue of Country Threads magazine and I was very excited to see her there. I think there is a good chance she is a close cousin of "Miss Mistletoe"!!

A friend ordered me some little stackable palettes of watercolours. I first tried them on Yoga retreat and loved them. So I am looking forward to having a bit of dabble with them.

That's all from me folks. I hope you enjoy your Friday.

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

FNWF Doings

Last night I joined all the other "Friday-nighters" over at Cheryll's for

I knew I needed something that would not require unsewing today as I would be watching the Anzac Test between Aussie Kangaroos and the Kiwis. We won YAY!!! But what a great game...quite the nailbiter. So I started some hand quilting...

I definitely needed to keep my energy up (for all that yelling at the TV) so chokkie was needed.

I enjoyed stitching along with everyone and will be by later to see what you got up to. Big thanks to Cheryll for being our hostess once again
This morning Mr R. and I enjoyed our walk through the park and it was quite fresh. We have had a little bit of rain so I expected the creek to be running but alas only a trickle...the sound however as it made it's way down through the rocks and crevices was very serene and peaceful.

With my sniffley nose the rocky steps were a bit hard going this morning for me...Mr R. racing (not) to the top!

Despite my huffing and puffing today I loved getting out in the bush in the fresh air.
I have a beautiful pink Callistemon in my garden that I planted in honour of Steve Irwin when he died and it has never flowered very well until now. It is covered in gorgeous pink brushes tinged in gold.

The tree looks beautiful. I bought a few into the house to cheer me...

Not too many as I didn't want to deprive the Lorikeets and Honey Eaters of their breakfast. They are all over it and so noisy which is lovely to see.
Lastly I just wanted to share this little gem that was posted on Facebook and really says very eloquently what it is like to create....

Enjoy your weekend folks,
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

A Little Show and Tell

I received a lovely email and photo from one of my followers in the UK. Sue (no blog) had purchased my  pattern "Pudding Ted" and has completed stitching the cushion and sent me a piccie to have a look. Sue has done a lovely job and he looks very happy over there....

Thank you so much Sue for giving me a look see at the finished project and for giving me permission to share it on my blog. I was delighted to see it.  Pudding Ted is a little favourite of mine, maybe as I said to Sue I was channeling myself when I was drawing him. LOVE! Pudding!
Quick post today but before I go I wanted to send my love and prayers to my dear friend Trish for a speedy recovery. Sending hugs Trish \\\o///

beautiful graphic from Let's Enjoy Beauty 

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx