FNSI

After the self imposed trauma of working on the teeny pieced SS block I was very happy to retreat back to my comfort zone and get the side borders on Hexie.

I enlisted the help of a friend.....a new variety!

(Very nice) curled up in my chair and happily appliqued little hexie flowers to one of the side borders....I managed 5 and I  was quite satisfied! The piccie is a bit boring but you get gist.

I hope if you joined us for FNSI you had a very nice time too.
Thank you wonderful Wendy over at Sugarlane Quilts for being our hostess again. I hope your poor foot is recovered now xxx
I must be a glutton for punishment in the learning something new stakes because today I trotted out to an art workshop to learn a technique called Scratchboard. It is awesome for getting very fine details for fur and feathers. It is done on white clayboard that has a layer of black ink and yep you guessed it you scratch through the ink. We learnt several different strokes and how to use the scratching tool.

We then moved on to a small portrait that was provided for us. I found this very challenging but I did like it. It's unfinished and depending on the end result I may share it lol! It was such good fun though with lovely folks and lots of giggles.
My brain is very tired now! Definitely time for a cuppa.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Block 2

Well I have to say that I almost abandoned ship on Block 2. However I persevered and whilst I am not thrilled about it to say the least......it is done!

Thank goodness I am  a  woman of modern times because if my poor family had been waiting for me to make them quilts out of teeny scraps as we bumped across the wild prairies they would have frozen to death! I tips me hat to you clever girls who do lots of piecing....you're all awesome! I suspect that I am going to be thrown out of my comfort zone quite a lot on this journey. Thanks Jane for your pretty butterfly block.
Now that I can finally breathe out I am preparing some stitching for tonight....appliquing these little sweeties on to their borders.

So I shall join you over at Wendy's tonight for...

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Some Quick Show and Tell

I have just popped in quickly to share some show and tell from 2 very clever friends. I was struck by this great idea that I would like to stitch each letter in my "Country at Heart Alphabet" and make a quilt.

I was very good (in the beginning) and stitched right up until I got to "Q"...I even drew 4 extra blocks to make it even! Then! My Faerie muse came calling and I was gone in a flash to new ideas and projects!
My joy and shame has increased in equal amounts however as my dear friends Lorel and Monica have stitched away diligently and have their blocks not only finished but in quilt form. I must add that the blocks were stitched sooo beautifully too!
Lorel's lovely version..

And Monicas too!

I love them girls and thanks for sharing. You are both very clever. I am going to have to have a stern word to myself I feel and move past poor old "Q".
I hope you are enjoying your day.
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Stitching Day with Friends..Yay!

Good morning everyone. I am feeling much brighter and bushy tailed this morning!
Because....fang is fixed.....which means smiling oh and eating (cautiously )...woohoo!
And I  get to go and stitch with some lovely friends.

Hopefully I will get some more little hexie flowers made.

I haven't had the luxury of fussy cutting these as I am really using scrap pieces. This whole quilt began when I received a gift of fat eights from a friend. I wanted to keep them all together to remember that lovely gift. So I am quite satisfied that I am using just about every scaric of them along with some like minded scrappy friends.
                                   
I have finished the bottom border. I have decided both side borders will just be little hexies.....so getting there slowly.
Loved this little saying....

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

First Splendid Sampler Block

Good morning to you all.  I was shanghaied into the  "Splendid Sampler " stitch along that started on Valentines day. I decided that perhaps joining in would help overcome my severe aversion to piecing....so we shall see.
I am using my stash of French  General...some old some new.
First block....

It wasn't toooo painful! Only 99 to go! Yes there are 100 blocks! I  scare myself every time I  say it lol! Thanks to Pat Sloan for this lovely first block.
I got nice mail this morning. ...LOVE new art supplies...these have been on order since before Christmas!

They are wonderful for wildlife backgrounds. Can't wait to break open the box.
No art for me this week as I broke a tooth and can't see the dentist until tomorrow. ..right in the middle of class. I am a mega sook re dental work and will only see the one poor dentist....he is extremely patient with me....hence the delay.
I saw this on pinterest and thought I would share it.

Have a wonderful week everyone.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Whatever Happened to Lucy??? For you Chooky!

Chookyblue and I have been having a chat about Lucy Boston. She has made some beautiful blocks and had some great hints about construction. I fessed up to feeling a little guilty about mine.
Would you keep a lovely lady in here...

SHAME on me because that's where mine are. I promised Chooky I would liberate them and show her where exactly I am up too.....
So.....4 blocks joined together...

1 block with border...almost! 4 completed blocks waiting for borders!

With advice from Chooky I have decided to drag myself into the 21st Century and actually glue baste these pieces...I then may have some chance of actually keeping poor Lucy out of  the chocolate tin! She may even become a lap quilt rather than a table runner lol!
Thanks so much Chooky xx
My dilemma over to 'keep the heart' or not has been resolved on the Hexie UFO (must think of a name) I replaced it with a small hexie and I feel now there is more cohesion and I feel much happier with it. Such a small change but it made a big difference.

Must go! Cuppa and break is over...back to "THE PURGE" of very, very old and unwanted magazines!
If you celebrate.....

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

A Visitor and Retail Therapy.

Yesterday I caught up with my blogging friend  Liz from The Village Quilters.  We drove down to the Bay and popped in to a couple of my favourite spots at Cleveland.
Firstly here...

Joy was on duty to help us (lead us astray!) Joy and Liz...

Lots of lovely things to ooh and ahh over.

I suddenly heard 'French' whisperings in my ear.....
these  beautiful French General fatties leapt into my bag!

Joy also suggested I try these french needles for my needleturn...BOHIN. I tried one! Loved it!
See that beautiful Lavender hand cream....I can't visit here..

without bringing some home...so I didn't! Such a gorgeous shop...love visiting! After a cuppa I took Liz on a little visit to the old Lighthouse at Cleveland Point and to look at the bay. It wasn't at it's best, choppy and overcast.

Thankfully the tide was in....

but it was blowing a gale....poor Liz nearly got blown off the block! But we still got a little wander in and checked out the views.

We had a lovely day even if it was a tad warm and humid away from the water. Thanks for coming Liz x
I am being very brutal with a lot of my magazines and am half way through a big job....so I must get back!
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx