Winner of June Giveaway!

Well folks the winner of the June giveaway is our lovely friend across the sea "SHEILA"! Congratulations Sheila! If you could email me your snail mail address I shall forward your win to you. Thanks everyone for participating. Next month because I love all things Christmas the giveaway will  be"Yultide" flavoured so stay tuned.
Yesterday I assembled a wallhanging  ( Angel of the Teaparty) I have been working on since last year in drips and drabs. I would get a move on and then lose interest....so after a bit of a word to myself I completed the stitchery over the long weekend and it's now ready to be quilted and finished. I don't know why I got stuck on this one as it's quite nice finished. The lovely rosey fabric is from "Thread & Ginger" at Victoria Point. Sorry the photos are a bit dark. How I envy you wonderful photographers out there.
I  have also decided to tease my Santa sack partner Tarnyia a little by showing her a peek of what's going on here....even though I realised when I saw the photo it's not much of a peek....anyway...the sack (bag) is finished and the wrapping paper is at the ready...some goodies waiting to be wrapped and I am impressed with myself that I'm ahead of time. Phew!
Have a great day,

Sheila's win!

Angel of the Teaparty Wallhanging.

Tarnyia's sneek peek

Michelle

Tuesday's Treasure with Melody

As we go through June every year My Grandmother is close in my thoughts as her Birthday was in June. She lived to be 94yrs  old and was loving, clever, humourous, courageous and a very big inspiration to myself and everyone who knew and loved her.  She was a beautiful needlewoman, cook and brillant gardener (I didn't get either of those genes)Soon after she died I wrote a poem about her and I would like to share it with you as she was a Treasure and to highlight that there is "great beauty to be found in the ordinary".

ROMA'S POEM
Her house was modest and simple in style, but you always wanted to linger awhile.
Inside comfy cushions nestled on old-fashioned chairs.
Her beautiful treasured china placed carefully here and there.
The rooms softly glowed from her tender loving care.
On the old polished sideboard the clocks lovely chime interrupts us and reminds us of time.

We laughed, cried, shared and drank gallons of tea, on her shady verandah under the poinciana tree.
She sat in her favourite chair surrounded by ferns and plants everywhere.
All warm hearts were welcome there.

The smell of home baking, jams and warm apple pie could make a hungry young girl sigh.
I loved to play with her gorgeous hat pins, threads, old lace and her old button tin.
She taught me the work of your hands is art and hence needle and thread are close to my heart.

She loved her garden, and could make fence posts sprout, a dear friends cutting was never left out.
She claimed Pink Carnations were what she loved best, but if you had seen her garden you'd have seen that  she loved all rest. I can still see her there bent over a row with one or two grandchildren in tow.

Her soft face, gentle voice and kind loving heart from other folk set her apart.
She told you she loved you and how clever you were...then she'd chuckle and say cheekily you probably
got that from her.

I miss her each and everyday and sometimes I hear her in the things that I say.
It's then that I smile as I  realise she never ever very far away.

What is your Treasure today visit Melody at http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/

Blessings Michelle

Thread and Ginger

On Thursday I visited "Thread and Ginger" patchwork Boutique to take some of my patterns along with their samples down to Natalie and Caryn. It is such a gorgeous shop I just had to take a couple of snaps to share with you. Natalie and Caryn are so friendly and welcoming which makes it such a lovely experience. There's loads of lovely fabric, notions, patterns and books, loads of beautiful samples to inspire you and you can view Natalie's gorgeous designs as well. Natalie has been very supportive and helpful to me in regard to my designing work and I appreciate her  advice and kindness so much. It's wonderful to receive that generosity of spirit from another designer especially when you are just starting out on that journey. Thanks Natalie so much.
So if you are in the area visit the girls at "Thread and Ginger"at Victoria Point Lakeside, Victoria Point. You'll be so glad you did. You'll come away very inspired.
Hope everyone is keeping nice and warm and getting a bit of stitching done...it's the perfect weather for it along with a nice hot cuppa.

Michelle xx

Favourite things Friday and Floral Friday.

Well my favourite thing this Friday is Sunshine glorious Sunshine. yesterday was so miserable. I also have my favourite place to sit and read or stitch. It is my little front verandah....not very big but has a big weeping bottlebrush tree in front of it and you feel like you are sitting in the tree. Lots of feathered friends come to visit and they take no notice that I'm even there. It's so lovely sitting out there with a cup of coffee. I live in a very suburban street so there are houses just across the road but that lovely tree enhances it all. In spring my Jacaranda tree also close by bursts into glorious colour and its a gorgeous place to be. For more favourites pop over to Shays at http://fairybreadmusings.blogspot.com/ My tree is as floral as I was able to get this week but I'm sure Bronwyn will have something delightful at http://korumburraquilting.blogspot.com/
Hubby and I are off to the camping and caravanning show now to drool over what we can't afford but we do have high hopes for winning the gorgeous camper up for grabs....wish us luck.
Happy friday and make yourself or someone else smile today...it's free.

Blessings Michelle

Thursday's Teddy Bears Picnic with Melody

Today I have dear little "Merle". She is a Lauralla Bear by Leanne Triggs from her "Heart strings" collection. She is a sweet little lass and measures 9 inches. Her lovely little chair was a gift from my friend Ann and another friend Sue painted the little teds on the chair back. I love the faces on Leannes bears they are so cute. Merle is busy looking for her coat as she doesn't want to get cold at the picnic today as it's cloudy and cool outside.

 I also wanted to share this cute teddy tea towel I bought a few years a go at a teddy bear show ...I can't remember where exactly. I haven't been able to bring myself to wipe any dishes with their cute faces though.To see who else will be there visit Melody at http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/

June Gievaway

Well it's time for another giveaway. I have a Vintage theme going....a pattern for a scrappy vintage inspired quilt, 2 pieces of fabric, lace and postcards from my friend Tracey. Just leave me a comment to be in the draw. I'll draw it next Wednesday June 15th 2011.

TEA & CAKES
I am excited to tell you that "Tea & Cakes" Quilt pattern is now finished and available for sale. If you love teddies and tea time things then this is the project for you. It consists of pretty stitcheries and applique.It measures approximately 120cm x 130 cm. All stitchery designs are single sheeted for easy tracing. The cost is $16.50 AUS postage and handling included within Australia. Payment may be made through Paypal, Direct debit, cheque or money order. Email me at
michelleridgway53@hotmail.com to order your copy

Tuesday's Treasure with Melody and finished table centre.

When I found out that a favourite book of mine was being made into a movie I groaned as more often than not I am dissappointed. However when  "Out of Africa" by Isak Dinesen (nom de plume fo Karen Blixen) was released I went along with trepidation and as soon as I heard Meryl Streeps beautiful voice say the first line form the book....."I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills." I was hooked. I loved it even though research has shown a few embellishments. The photography was glorious as was the music. I have lost count of the number of times I have watched it and played the CD. Robert Redford as Denys Finch-Hatton doesn't hurt either. I am a huge Robert Redford fan. So This is my Treasure today....."Out of Africa"..book, film and CD and all the pleasure they have given me.

Visit Melody for more Tuesday Treasure at http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/
I have finished my little Hexagon table centre and I think it has ended up looking quite sweet. Not sure what I will do with it yet. Still thinking.
Happy Stitching,

Michelle.