Catching Up Part Two

 Hello again. Part two. Recently I met my friend Fiona @bubzrugz at the Brisbane Craft and Quilt show. We had a lovely day and having someone to discuss and drool over all the amazing quilts was a treat. Very little shopping was done as we were so taken with so much beautiful work in one place. We decided this beautiful French General quilt was a perfect backdrop for a photo.

I thought I would share a sample of some of the beautiful quilts...

Applique beauties that appealed.

I was quite taken with the Indigo dyed quilts.

Of course birds always catch my eye. 

Fiona almost needed a lie down over all the hexes in this one lol!

We were amazed at the treatment of Suffolk Puffs on this one.

The last few....I just liked. 

The last quilt really fascinated me. The maker collects all manner of old textiles and makes them into a collage of embellishments, old needlepoint, fabrics and embroidery.

It's probably not for everyone but it tickled my upcyling little heart.

Now last but not least Sunday Stitchers meeting was attended this past weekend. Our theme for morning tea was SMILE and Helen and Sandi did a fab job....

And it definitely made for lots of smiles.

OK...I hope you enjoyed the quilts and haven't fallen asleep. I shall leave you with my little show purchases and new quilts for 2024 may or may not have been discussed *wink.

Take care one and all, hug your loved ones.

Namaste and Blessings, 

Michelle xxx

Catching Up Part One

 Hello friends. Because I am currently such a slack blogger I am doing a Part One and Part Two...so where to start...what has kept me busy of late?

I had been preparing for two Art exhibitions on the horizon. A friend talked me into entering into the prestigious Holmes Art Prize for Realistic Bird Art. Unfortunately I didn't make the final but I am glad I took a chance. My entry had special memories bound up within it. So it is now been framed and installed above my stairs. 

The other exhibition begins this week and I have 4 pieces on show. Really looking forward to it. Held at my favourite place Mt.Cootha Botanical Gardens. 

I also wanted to try some eco dyeing on my own at home.....so had a ton of fun fluffing my way through the process but quite pleased at the results. I made some gift cards with a lot of the pieces.

I will definitely be playing with this medium again.

I am still on track with BOM Owl and Hare and Gossip top is almost together apart from the borders.

As usual my estimates of required background and border fabrics was skewed I have had to rethink my options. I have decided on a scalloped edge on a single strip rather than the pieced option in the pattern.

I have also enjoyed lots of slow stitching but just a little picture of my recent work. I shall do a another post about it later on.

OK I think I shall stop here and see you in the next post Part Two.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Spring Days at Last

 Good morning friends. Well it appears that I have missed August altogether. I don't know exactly what I have been doing, only that I have been busy doing it. There have been a lot of ups and downs.....more of those firsts without my husband....which folks don't seem to get easier. I am very happy to have warmer days and throw open my windows for the soft breezes.....my favourite time of year.

This happened!  I still cannot believe that number on the cake......I certainly don't feel older!  I was very spoilt by my wonderful family and friends.

I've had Grandies singing and dancing and was so lovely to have the opportunity to go and watch them xx

Every year my Art teachers students are able to join her and another teacher and students for an exhibition. I received a lovely surprise when one of my pieces was awarded a Highly Commended. I loved drawing this piece and it was extra special as friend Michael gifted me his fabulous photograph for reference....thanks Michael x

A celebration was in order by way of a delicious pancakes brunch with youngest GD and DD.

Stitching wise, I have been all over the shop. Doing a bit of this and then jumping to something else.....currently working away on Owl and Hare.

I have once again opted out of the pieced blocks...whimpy I know but the truth is that I cannot be bothered forcing myself to do things that I don't want to do at present. I will show you my options in another post.

I am however very pleased with my slow stitching project. I have a little collection of BEATRIX POTTER cards and postcards and a booklet....gifts from UK friend Sue and my dear friend Bev from her trip to the Lake District. If you read my blog regularly you will know that I am a huge fan of Beatrix Potters art....her Botanical art was so underated. I do wonder if it had been recognised would we have had Peter Rabbit ?? So I decided to make a designated folder to hold my treasures.....I  drew and stitched a little Peter Rabbit for the front and back.

The inside.....

Everything fits in beautifully and I am so happy to have them out of a box. It was so satisfying to use lots of treasured bits to make the folder....I enjoyed it a great deal.

In the garden I have orchids blooming......the most amount of spikes I have had from this one so far....I also have a cream one but sadly no flowers yet.

And my pink bottlebrush is covered in gorgeous gold tipped brushes!

First time flowering for this dusty pink Crucifix orchid. 

My King Orchid this year only threw 2 spikes of flowers but I am always thrilled to see it. Their teeny tiny delicate little orchid flowers are amazing!

And my lovely Honey Gem Grevillea that was struck by lightning a couple of years back has finally sprouted (doesn't look that aesthetically pleasing...but I don't care) and has several blooms on it.....yay Honey Gem comeback. The resident hooligan Rainbow Lorikeets are loving it once again.

I find Grevillea flowers so intriguing!

Oh almost forgot. I shouted myself a lovely, totally frivolous and outrageously expensive gift for my birthday......as in exchange rate and postage. A little box of vintage snippets from UK business The Dollshouse Vintage.....I had salivated for a very long time over Debs gorgeous vintage finds. I thought if not now? When?....it came beautifully packaged and even smelt beautiful. 

I can see a whole snippet roll dedicated to these treasures. 

Well folks I think thats about it. I hope wherever you are you're well. Also a big thank you to those who leave me comments that I am unable to reply to.....I appreciate you all taking the time to read and comment.....and to my blogging friends who tolerate my infrequent posts.....thank you xxx

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx