Show & Tell

Everything I am stitching at the moment is either a secret or a commissioned piece...boring I know! However luckily I have clever friends. Monica bought her beautiful "Teaparty" quilt by Libby Richardson to show us at our last stitching evening.

I had my little old camera so it is not a great shot but I did take a close up of one of the blocks..

Isn't it gorgeous....Monica's stitching is so fine and beautiful. A pretty teacup, what's not to love!
Thanks for letting me share Monica x
AND
Art piccies coming up so look away now if you are not interested.
I have been working on a piece for a few weeks now and I thought you might like to see it through it's varying stages....the subject is our resident possum Mum Poss. I have called it "The Downstairs Tenant". Mr R. has called her a lot worse but secretly I love her! Anyway! Firstly after taking a reference photo I do a freehand sketch....to make sure everything is where it should be before transferring it on to my drawing paper.

Had to make a bit of an eye adjustment, refine the nose with teacher's help and then we were away. After the transfer to the proper paper I put the first under layers on...hard work and lots of time.

Some details begin to be worked on like the ears and nose. Then the fur is begun....almost one at a time. To see which way the fur is going and where the light falls.

Burnishing over the top, more fur, more burnishing, adding darker details, more fur, some pastel for the background and finally some Whiskers (boy did I have the scary face on for those whiskers) and we're done........"Mum Poss"

I never realised that I was a 'details' person until I began these classes but I love working until I get it right.
The next candidate...a little meerkat standing guard is not however playing the game....many hours ahead I think and lots of annoying my teacher lol! She is so patient! Hopefully I can get it right eventually!
The other thing I want to share with you is a lovely quick little book I have just read. I am a big fan of Australian actor and writer William McInnes. If you are too you will enjoy this sweet book.

Lastly I am sending my love to my dear friend Diane and her family xxx

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Just Wanted to Say...

A big Happy Birthday to my dear Husband today..

A blast from the past for the occassion....

One should never under estimate the power of being an all round "good bloke"....we love you for it!
Have a great day xxx
Well folks off to art and then I have to get the lamb roast in the oven for dinner....somebody's favourite!

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

FNSI and Early Birthday BarB

The lovely Wendy from Sugarlane Quilts was our hostess again for our online Sew In. After a busy day "hunting and gathering" I settled in with a little treat to get me started.

I was pleased with my efforts. I finished 2nd little Tiny Teacup Teddy ...

and made a really good start on the 3rd one.

I soon did exactly what that little bear is doing..zzzzzzzzzzz!
I will be visiting to see what my friends got up to as well. Just a little side note. If I have not responded to your lovely comment it is because you are coming up as a non-reply blogger as I can't reply but I do thank you for them.

Yesterday we ventured down to the Bay for a barbie as an early celebration for Mr R. and Miss Erin's upcoming birthdays....

We set up in one of the foreshore shelters and even though it threatened a downpour...a few scatty showers was it so the weather Angels were smiling upon us. Peppa Pig is very big in our family at the moment!
There was Happy Birthday singing and lots of cupcake action....

Girl talk with Nana..

Lots of cousin fun in the playground.

Biking and scooting along the path..

and a spot of tree climbing and hamming it up for the camera lol !...

Mr R. got his birthday wish...to spend it with his Family....a fun day!

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Assembly Line

Good morning to you all. It is a gorgeous day here in South East Queensland...blue skies, sunshine and a light breeze. The kind of day I love here where I live. Some of our lovely natives are starting to burst forth in all their finery too.

Today I have been doing a little assembly of a project for a little further down the track....sewing on borders etc. after tooing and froing about fabric choices.

I do think this one is a cutie and hope you will too!
I am nearly finished my 2nd Tiny Teacup Teddy. They are making me very happy as I stitch them.

I was spoilt on Mother's day with lovely wishes, some very nice $$$$$ to spend on art supplies, I even was lucky enough to get a special giftie picked out by my eldest grandson at the Mother's day stall. Something I haven't experienced for years...so cute!

I also received a lovely surprise. As you all know I LOVE my coffee but I also am a lover of very good tea! Actually I am a bit of a hard to please snob! My close will friends will tell you. I even have to make my own if I come to your place..... fussy about the amount of milk and the colour...I know dreadful manners but I just love Twinings tea and it is one of my little pleasures! I have often remarked to No1 husband how much I love the little wooden boxes that you can buy to hold a selection of your favourite Twinings Teas. Well ladies it appears that even when you think that "they" aren't listening, "they" are...or else it just seeps in there and surfaces out of the blue! I prefer to think it's the 1st option.
Mr R's lovely gift...

 Tickled pink is what I am! Pretty cups full of lovely tea are in my future LOL!

Miss Charlotte was tickled pink too last week with her swimming certificate which means she gets to go up with the big kids....clever little fishy!

I must fly...more domestic goddess duties to attend to!

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Tea and Scones

My Daughter has been through the mill lately as all young Mums do at times with sick kids etc. Her Mother has also been in the miseries so we decided to treat ourselves to a little pretty teacup action at "Devon Pixies" Teahouse at Logan Village about 30 minutes from home. It was just lovely!
Nice tables set with pretty cloths..

Gorgeous china to admire...

Oh and pretty teacups of course..

Did I mention scones?

Oh and jam and cream! Which were just delicious!

You can go all the way and don a pretty hat and feather boa which are supplied if you want to...I was a party pooper but DD fancied the feather boa..

Well it was just what the Doctor ordered......so nice to play ladies for a wee while. We are going back to indulge in High Tea. It was a lovely experience and such good value.

Happy Mother's Day tomorrow to all the Mum's, Nana's, Step Mums and lovely ladies who Mother others.

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

All Sorts

I am starting to feel a lot better...thank goodness! I sound a lot worse than I really am now. Still only a little stitching going on plus a little hexie here and there.

A few purchases have been made for a couple of  upcoming projects...some completely out of my comfort zone and some right smack in the centre... gee I wonder which is which???

Fun times ahead......choosing and deciding  what they will become!

My coloured pencils are still getting a good  work out... a cheeky little kookaburra that we met up at Carnarvon Gorge who was very interested in Gary's lunch.

and who knew these little Cooktown Orchids would take me sooo long! I was pleased with my efforts on both as I was flying solo and did them at home.

Our pesky little possum tenant is my current work in progress in class.....lots and lots of layers!
Now on a completely different tack...
It is very nice sometimes when your children show who they are....raising kids is a hard gig and anyone who says differently is fibbing. We are a very normal family with high and low points but I am proud of the people my children have become and both have made me extremely proud recently following their passions which in turn help others....
My Son rode 82.40kms the longest ride he has done so far to raise money for Diabetes which effects our family. In June he is being sponsored in a ride to raise money for MS. 100 kms I think that ride is!

The Grandies were there to cheer him over the line at Mt Cootha which is a very steep climb I might add and was not easy going. Great job!
My Daughter and a couple of dedicated colleagues raised money and awareness for Autism at the school where she teaches  by having a special GO BLUE day with a great raffle and very delicious "blue" cupcakes...no mean feat when the interest in the subject was less than inspiring! But they pushed on despite this and had a successful day!

So well done people!
That's it from me today. I am sure I can smell coffee. I hope you are enjoying your day.

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

FNWF

I think Friday night was even tooooo wet for these folk! Boy did we cop a bucketing! Lots of flooding everywhere. Outside was not the place to be. With all good intentions I signed up for our monthly

I even got all my supplies ready....especially my new flash sewing companion...love it!

I had done a lot of tracing out before I got sick so I was all set to go.....but as I am still not well, you might say I faded pretty quickly....a few stitches and that was me done! I was there in spirit. Undeterred I continued on yesterday, stitching quietly and resting. I now have block 1 stitched of my new design "Tiny Teacup Teddies"....enjoyed this a lot!

ONLY 5 more to go! I got to try out some of my Threadworx threads I bought recently on sale too!Just perfect for your best little teddy frock. I hope you all enjoyed your FNWF and thanks Cheryll for having us over (hope I kept my germs to myself)
My little bears have certainly been keeping me company and I drew this little sweetie to send with my Mum's Mother's Day gift as she loves bears tooo!

I wish you a lovely day,
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx