March for a Cure. ....We Made it!

Well yesterday we did our special walk as a family.  Sunscreen was applied and hats donned....all set to go.

It was well supported and was a lovely morning for a walk beside our Brisbane River.

The  Grandies enjoyed themselves..... balloons!

The boys walked the full 4kms...

So a spell under a shady tree at the halfway point was in order. Lol!

Crossing the finish line.

It was very moving placing our flowers on the Australian map for remembrance and support.

Dear Daughter, Myself and Dear Son....

Brother and Sister pics...

We finished our day with a drive down to the bay at Wynnum for fish and chips.
Perfect! I believe several little people nodded off on the way home.
No stitching to report...this Nana was way to weary to keep her eyes open let alone thread a needle.
If you have managed to make your way through all the family pics I say thank you.
Until next time,
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Bits and Pieces

I have completed my March Dresden block in

March was purple with a touch of yellow....bit of a challenge as I am trying to keep a softer palette....but I got there in the end.

And then  there were 3!

I think a Dresden would have to be one of my favourites.
Block 10 in Splendid Sampler is done and dusted.  Although not sure if I  got the contrasts right but it's done. Sherri McConnell is the designer and it's called Iowa.

Ninety to go sounds better than 100 lol!
The binding was sewn on my little secret project yesterday...

and last night I stitched it down....labels on too...all finished!

Sorry! Can't show you the rest until the pattern is written and it goes to live at it's new home.
I also finished another little Scratchboard.....a Pretty Faced Wallaby that I snapped out at Carnarvon Gorge. One more little one to complete....a Willy Wagtail and then I get to do a bigger one.

She was such a pretty lady and was also a mother but I couldn't get a good piccie of the little joey peeping out of her pouch.
I hope you are enjoying your weekend and remembered to vote here in Brisbane!
Tomorrow my family and I are taking part in this.

You may not know that our son was diagnosed with a stage 3 Melanoma last year and had extensive surgery to remove it. He was then diagnosed with a 2nd very rare unrelated cancer days before Christmas which resulted in more surgery. Needless to say we just went through the motions over Christmas. Our son is only a young man, a loving father, a husband, a son and a brother and uncle so this rocked our world. He is however very courageous and his outrageous sense of humour has helped get us through this. It is very difficult to see your children go through this and know a solution is completely out of your hands. We now take each day as it comes.....and try not to sweat the small stuff because it's amazing just what is NOT important.
So tomorrow we are marching. ...well actually walking in my case together as a family to help raise awareness and funds for a cure for Melanoma and to support our son and people just like him. I am sharing this very personal part of my life as I feel it's important and also it can happen to any family...just like it did to ours.
You can register to march at www.melanomamarchforacure.org.au or give a donation if your heart tells you too.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Road Trip and SS Blocks

Yesterday I  headed up the Toowoomba Range to visit my dear friend Fiona from BubzRugz. I love this area of my home State and always enjoy the drive. I have to admit though....1st time to Fiona's new home and yours truly got lost! But hey ....just roads I'd never been down before lol! I like cows and sheep and horses....found my way eventually and I was very happy to see Fiona's smiling face!
I got to visit in Fiona's oh so lovely sewing space...very green here! Picked up a little quilted treasure magically transformed by her (you can't see it yet...more work to be done here) and saw first hand what Fiona had created with my Bear Alphabet. I had seen piccies but it is soooo pretty in real life...

I am really looking forward to seeing it quilted. We had a wonderful day...lots of chatting, laughing over our teacups....teeny bit of stitching on my behalf.
Kris from Tag-along-teddies joined us for a very delicious lunch. It is always nice to catch up with Kris too.

Fiona impressed us mightily with her "selfie on a timer techno ability" and even though we were giggliing crazily, giving advice etc.....like herding cats really, we got there in the end lol!

Such lovely fun ladies. Thank you Fiona for a wonderful day.  I got to admire Fiona's Splendid Sampler blocks yesterday so I thought I better catch up.....Quilt Shoppe block 9 by Jane Davidson.

Block 10 is due tomorrow. These are my blocks so far.

They look nicer in real life...bit crumpled looking there from being in their folder but you get the idea.
The stitchery on my little secret project is done and I am mulling over some fabric choices...

Ok must fly....you lovely people have lured me away from my work today.
Have a good one!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Big Girl Bloomers!

I have been very busy here just lately......in a good way. I managed to get block 7 done in Splendid Sampler.....

Block 8 is now available but it will have to wait a bit.
I have started a couple of secret sewing projects....

And ....

Believe it or not,  I am a person who lacks a bit of self-confidence and being self taught in what I do I am always expecting someone to pull me up and ask me what do I  think I am doing lol! Soooo....when the opportunity arose to teach a little class at our new quilt store Quirky Quilts Qld I very nearly graciously declined as I usually do when asked! However! I decided to don my " BIG girl bloomers" and say YES! As I really, really wanted to do it.
I have finished the new sample in lovely fabrics from the shop and I am going to be teaching a stitchery class next month...

Excitement is over riding the terror and I am looking forward to it.  I seem to be doing a lot of stepping out of my Box lately....and liking it.
On a completely different topic.....reading! I  was the strange kid in the English class that loved "those" books like Jane Eyre, A Fortunate Life and To Kill a Mockingbird. Whilst many were complaining I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
I have reread To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee many times...definitely a fav! So when I heard that another of her novels had been published I really wanted to read it. I was worried though it may disappoint. But I  have to say that so far I am loving it.

 She was such a wonderful writer.
Ok that's it from me. Enjoy the rest of your day.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Some pretties!

Don't you just love pretty mail! I had ordered some French General fabrics I needed...yes needed! from L'ucello's in Melbourne. They arrived today and the package just made me go ooohhh! So gorgeous if you like Vintage which I do!

The fabrics are for a secret project...and weren't half bad either...yum!

I think I told you in a previous post that I now have a lovely brand new Quilt shop locally. ...actually VERY close here at Springwood.

It's an extremely dangerous thing lol! I just loved this Tilda fabric and its friend, so of course it followed me home.

Soooo pretty! I love them.
More pretties.......
My friend Sue Bellei has made the sweetest Lavender Combo using my stitchery lavender designs. We are thrilled that it's been featured in this month's Homespun magazine. Lavender is a favourite of mine. Beautiful job Sue x

Ok secret sewing awaits.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

This and That and Pattern Release.

It's drizzling and drearie here today and I for one am enjoying listening to the raindrops on the roof and feeling cool.

I am still managing to keep up with the Splendid Sampler quilt blocks...
Here is the latest Block 7 designed by Amy Sinibaldi called "snug as a bug"

Please excuse the tiny piece of lint that has landed between bunny's ears. I am using my French General stash and scrappies for these blocks but I wanted to ensure a bit of a different colourway and so added a touch of that gorgeous blue. My aim for this little stitchery block was to follow that theme. I have added little French knots to the flower centres on the rug, blue running stitch on the rug and around the block and a blue bunny....oh and rosy pink socks. I think it will fit in well with the others.

There is so much secret sewing going on around here at the moment and in all manner of containers...

I am making progress on a sample for my local quilt shop Quirky Quilts Qld in a softer, prettier colourway.....

Hopefully I will get it finished today.
In Art class I have been working on a "heart" project which I will share at a later date and learning how to add colour to your Scratchboard work....
My first "furry" Scratchboard with colour....a Cheetah cub.

Its a fascinating medium...this little chap is only 6"x 6" so quite a lot of detail in a small area. I'm now working on a 3rd and loving it. However my coloured pencils are still my first love.
PATTERN RELEASE....

"PLEASE COME TO TEA" stitchery designs is now available for $14.00 AUD + postage and handling if you are outside Australia. You can order by emailing me at michelleridgway53@hotmail.com. Paypal payment is preferred.
A sample of the designs....

Our DD had a birthday yesterday......and celebrated with "extreme CAKE!"

A girl after my own heart. Many Happies Liss xxx
My sewing machine awaits so I  must not dally!
I wish you a day of simple pleasures,
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

FNWF and extras

Last night was March's turn for

Lovely Cheryll over at Gone Stitching gathered us altogether. I decided to work on a pretty little stitchery that I need for next month....I enjoyed quietly stitching away whilst Mr R. and I caught up on some favourite shows.

I needed some 'quiet' stitching after working very diligently on Block 6 of TSS. I think I may be improving as it actually worked out the correct size....nobody was more surprised than moi!

I am really liking how the blocks look together....however Block 5 is too small so I am going to unpick and try again....wish me luck! Our latest block was designed by Natalia Bonner. Thank you.

I so love my little Dresden papers, I just have to have a couple on the go.

I am asking you all out there if you have in your stash a fat quarter somewhere of the following fabric....I believe that it's called Sticks and Stones Dogwood dark tan colourway by Laundry Basket Quilts.....I just need a little....

 There is a beige but I  really need the darker one.

Happy stitching. Enjoy your weekend.
A little thought from yours truly....
"Beautiful fresh energy cannot enter a locked closed up room.....you must throw open the windows and doors to release the old and stale and usher in the new. So release the old and stale that no longer serves you and allow room for the fresh and beautiful. You never know what kind of wonderful is knocking on your door just waiting for you to open it"

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx