They are Growing

Good morning everyone. I hope that your week is unfolding nicely for you. For my self I have been throughly enjoying my little Victorian flavoured blocks. I am also pleased that so far I have only used my stash!!!! I will have to buy some more creams for the backgrounds but I think that is pretty good.
I now have 3 more appliqued ones...

And 4 more hexie flavoured ones...

They are growing very nicely...

I couldn't help myself.  I have added a couple of baby Dresdens into the mix too. The first pair are cut out and basted and I have begun to stitch them together.

I am trying to get as much as possible done because I have been a bit naughty and should have been writing some instructions for these...

As well as finishing off some commissions that are 3/4 done.....I have been having such fun playing though.
Just enjoying that beautiful process we all go through as our needle and thread slips through the fabric we are stitching....bliss!

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

My 1700's Inspiration

Firstly I am very excited to have a biggie to pop in my Happiness jar....

This sweet little girl made me a Great Aunt at about 5.30am on the 1st of January 2015...

My Nephew has become a Dad for the first time.....just lovely! A much longed for addition to their family xx
What could be better than that to start the new year!
I thought I would share with you the quilt and book that has been gnawing away at me for so long...

and this is the quilt....

Seeing it in the flesh was wonderful and even though the patterns and colourings maybe jarring to us today, I just love all the different blocks and the center panel. I won't be having a sundial but probably an urn of flowers and my quilt won't resemble this one at all but I have just loved pouring over the blocks....imagining it's maker sitting stitching them just as we do today. There is a page that offers a closer look at some of the blocks. I just love the one with all the little circles appliqued over a bigger circle...definitely including something similar in mine..

I have already tacked a number of hexies and they are being kept safe in my gorgeous dotty tin Karen
from Sunburnt quilts gave me in our friends swap earlier in the year.

I have finished 3 blocks...

and working on number 4...

Have I told you before that I adore these fabrics? Oh I have, once or twice! I am trying to find ways to showcase some of them.....the thinking is the hard bit. The stitching is lovely. I have at least decided the medallion piece for the center being only 16 1/2 inches square I think will only lend itself to an urn of flowers.
Thank you friends and Birthday Club friends for gifting me all this beautiful fabric to make this quilt...makes it just that little bit more special.
I pray that all those in the path of the bushfires remain safe and out of harms way.
Have a lovely weekend all.

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Welcome 2015

Good Morning all. I hope you are all feeling bright eyed and busy tailed! I did make it to Midnight but only just. 2014 was not without it's challenges emotionally and even though I had some wonderful moments and experiences professionally for which I thank you from my heart, Family and what is truly important was pointed out to me very bluntly by the Universe. Seems I am a slow learner! Lol!
I never make New Year resolutions because frankly no one can put pressure on me better than my own sweet self so I am not adding to it. I did however see a beautiful idea on Facebook and I am going to try it this year...

It is a little jar of positivity. When anything nice happens or you have a great or positive experience you write it on a piece of paper, fold it up and pop it in the jar. The aim is to do it for a whole year and reflect on what's in the jar at the end of the year....so my jar is all ready with a pretty ribbon to remind me to be grateful! I love this idea.
Ok! So what HAVE I been doing over the last little while? I have done a lot of writing in my journal...lots of reflections there. I have drawn a little freebie for you all to celebrate a brand new year (coming in a couple of days) and....HOLD THE PHONE! Took my "Lucy" blocks out of the tin!!!! I now have 4 all joined up!

No. 5 is almost ready to be joined on too.

Very impressed with myself!!! My plans to complete the borders on my French General Dresdens hit a snag when it got so humid and hot here and even with A/C I couldn't stand it on my lap. I did get the top border done....

the complete border...

I am really pleased with it so far. I just love those little birds. The other thing Michelle does with time on her hands is decide to begin a new project seeing as I was so good and worked on my WIP's
Ever since my visit to the Art gallery when the quilts came from the Victoria & Albert Museum in 2013 I have had a hankering to make a Victorian flavoured type, appliqued, sort of English pieced kind of quilt...you get my drift. I have been drooling over lots of these kinds of quilts in blogland and was very tempted to sign up for a couple of them. However my overflowing stash of gorgeous fabrics suggested I think again. So as I have always wanted to make a medallion quilt I decided that I would make some little 8 inch blocks and see where I end up. I have cut the center for the medallion from some of my gorgeous French General stash and am still contemplating.....a vase and flowers or perhaps a small tree of life motif.
As I love the little bird on the Dresdens so much I decided it needed to be in this quilt too... First block!

I am using various cream backgrounds also from my stash....just hope I can achieve the look I am after.
Little side note: I was very diligent this year and got Christmas all tidied away earlier than I usually would and the place shone like a new pin. I had even restricted my stitching gear to just my Lucy tin.....until.....inspiration struck for this new beauty! Poor Hubby's face was priceless and I am sure his thoughts were x-rated as yours truly dove with unbridled joy into the French General bin of gorgeousness for just the right piece of fabric beside my chair. LOL! I plan to get a little more organised and I do but he knows that's how it alllll begins!
Before I go I have a thank you. Right on Christmas this sweet little Frosty arrived from Sisbabe It is so very cute and he made it on to the tree just in time....

Thank you so much Sisbabe for your kindness and my little Frosty. I just love him xx
Well my lovely friends, one thing is for sure I didn't learn to talk less over the break. Even though I really needed a break I have missed you and I would just like to say a big thank you for the kind words you have left, the fun and inspiration you have given  me, the encouragement and support when things got a little rough but most of all for sharing your beautiful hearts and your friendship in 2014. I wish you all a safe, healthy and happy New Year.

Huge hugs also to my lovely friend Melody from House on the side of the hill who has been unwell. Get well soon Mel and REST my girl!
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Quick Post

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and you celebrated in your own unique way. I had a lovely day with my family and it was filled with children's excited voices, paper being torn, festive food and loads of fun in the pool. The grandies love the pool and we have a group of little fishes....here is a collection of little photos from the day.

We had a pair of crazy Darth Vadas running around along with two little Peppa pigs LOL! Loads of trick diving and jumping too! Boxing day was spent relaxing big time after the initial clean up of the abode.
My final FHFS gift which was under my tree was extraordinary..

My very generous swap partner Keryn tells me these were collected on a trip she had to Paris...yep that's Paris France...oh my! First was this lovely canvas bag with two of my favourite fabric type words on the front...

Inside the bag was something so very special and made my heart flutter... a beautiful piece of Antique French linen...

More excitement as it has the letter "M" embroidered on it!

Gorgeous! It appears to be a small coverlet or an slip for a very large continental cushion as it has sweet little buttons on the back piece.. this photo does not do it justice.

As someone who will probably never leave these shores and has always harboured little dreams about France, I am so thrilled with my beautiful very precious gift. Thank you Keryn. You truly have the kindest heart and have really made my spirit soar. I shall always treasure it. xxx
Ok off for another day of R&R...I love this photo of my boys having fun (please excuse the old drowned lady also present in the photo).

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

The Puds Here!

Do you have little traditions and things that you do every Christmas that it just wouldn't be the same without?
Well apart from watching "Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase and the Carols each year, one of our families oldest and dearest friends (our God daughter's Mum) makes and delivers to us the most scrumptious Christmas Puddings. It is wrapped and be-ribboned so beautifully. We are so darn spoilt! So last night our pudding was once again delivered to us with love and friendship. Isn't it pretty?

Christmas would not be the same without this beautiful tradition. Heartfelt thanks Karen xxx
I have had the most wonderful time with my lovely friends in FHFS. A huge big hug and thanks to our two gorgeous "Queen Elves" Peg and Shez....what a duo!
This is Day 10 from the very generous Keryn....only the giftie under the tree to go.

It had been residing in my fridge because my chocolate detecting equipment alerted me to the fact that it contained said substance inside the package....so cute and I know it is early but I must fess up to the fact that I have already sampled them...you know quality control! Passed with flying colours!!! Thank you so much Keryn for all your spoiling xx
I would like to leave you with a beautiful Christmas Blessing. I wish you a Joyful and very Merry Christmas shared hopefully with those you love, for those of you who find this a difficult time because of loss and difficulty I wish you Peace in your reflections.

May you have the gladness of Christmas - which is Hope.
The spirit of Christmas - which is Peace
and the heart of Christmas - which is love.
         ...Ada V. Hendricks.

Stay safe.
Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

Beautiful Friends.

I am blessed to know some truly beautiful people...one of whom came yesterday to have a cuppa and a chat and to check out my Christmas decorating (bag was checked at the door on the way out for any treasures lol!) my friend Monica is also a lover of Christmas goodies and she surprised me with this gorgeous table runner that she has so beautiful stitched....oh my goodness!

There is English piecing in the centres and embroidery around each one.

Monica is a beautiful stitcher and I was so thrilled....thank you lovely lady xx
The postie also bought me lovely mail from two other beautiful ladies....
As a designer I rarely get time to stitch anything other than my own work...now that does not mean that I don't love and appreciate some of the gorgeous designs by other designers because I so do!!! I was doing a very happy little dance when I opened the sweetest parcel from my friend Noela 

I just love her and I have from the moment I saw all you ladies out there stitching these ornies. Thanks so much Noela you are very naughty but soooo nice! She is so very happy on my new tree xx
My other lovely mail was from my dear friend Cheryl ....a beautiful handmade card and delicious smelling drawer sachet.

I am popping the sachet in with my fabrics to make them smell nice. Thank you Cheryl xx
Days 9 & 10 from the gorgeous Keryn.. a beautiful Flour sack Tea towel and super cute "Frosty" mug.

Some piccies of my favourite  4 little people enjoying the Season.

Loving the Christmas lights with my big Brother xx

and who doesn't love cold juicy watermelon!

My Brother and I sure do!

Namaste and Blessings,
Michelle xxx

I am a Bit Late - FNSI & Thank You's

I am so late getting around to all my FNSI friends. A big thank you to "Wonderful Wendy" for looking after us so nicely throughout the year. It has been a while since I was able to chose a summer project and just work away quietly on it. After a crazy morning on Friday a very cold one of these was consumed to cool me down.....they are one of the nicest Queenslander's I know!!

 I popped a DVD on "Miss Potter" to be precise and stitched away on the applique I have wanted to add to my Dresden Plate quilt.

This is definitely a "fly by the seat of your pants" project and see how the next bit will look. I like it so far...

I am using some of my lovely Birthday club French General fabrics for the applique. I added another birdie up the other end last night. I just love this quilt and I am so happy I hatched it and stroked it until just the right design came along for it. I am trying to get around and catch up with you all and see what you were up to.
I also have some thank you's. Thank you Karen for this gorgeous handmade card....I love it!

To Christine for the cutest little scissor fob.....thank you so much.

Dear Fiona created this gorgeous little ornie, that still has me scratching my head....clever people!

You have all added to my Christmas Joy....thank you xx
FHFS Days 7 & 8 ( I hope that's right lol)
This cute little fellow popped out of the package to say hello!

Has to he Rudie with that nose!
This package has had me intrigued from the get go....so today I gave in!

and?????

sooooooooo cute! I now have a gorgeous little Christmas family!

Thank you Keryn.....I just love them, they are perfection! You are so very clever xxx
Lastly if I am not talking to myself...you know there should be an award for "EXTREME" blog posting! I really do try to keep it short but never happens...anyway I am waffling. I wanted to show you  how beautiful my new table topper looks on my table.

  I just noticed Santa in the kitchen holding the Mango up on his tray.....LOL! Yep! It's Queensland!

Our City Hall in Brisbane.
Enjoy your Sunday,
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx