Stitching, Visitors and Gardening

Happy Monday all! I am a very tired but happy old soul this beautiful morning.
Saturday I went a stitchin' at my friend Robyns home with other friends Diane and Theresa. We had a lovely day.

But we also had a special visitor. Helen from Helens Patchwork Passion took a detour on her way north for a holiday to come and spend the morning with us.

It was so very nice to finally meet Helen....oh and to see in real time one of her gorgeous quilts that she is hand quilting. So beautiful! Thanks for coming to visit us Helen. I think I may have done some stitching amid the chatting as I got this little chappie finished. Lol!

I have put the frames on a couple to see if I liked them.....

And I am quite happy so far.....need a good press yet.
Friday and Sunday were spent doing some long overdue work in our front garden. Still need our tree man back but overall we are quite pleased with our efforts....every muscle and some we didn't know we had aches but all good.
May not look like much to you but lots of replacing dead plants...

We sowed some shady grass seeds and laid what Mr. R.calls the path to nowhere!

Saves my tootsies getting damp and mucky when I water in the mornings. ..no imagination these blokes!
I really hope these beauties like me and decide to thrive...

Still have these to plant in our pool area which also needs lots of work after the big palms were removed.

I don't know what it is about the humble geranium but I just love them! They always seem such a happy plant and bloom away often in neglect.
Well thats me done. I am off to wrangle another Splendid Sampler block in my sewing cave...thought I better do some sewing!
I wish you a day of simple joys.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade

I love a pretty pincushion and have loved seeing all the pretties in blogland. So I decided to join in over at My Sister Made Me Do It and share my little collection.
This is my very first one...cross stitched by a friend.

Treasure my ones gifted by friends...

The little windmill one was made from a damaged antique quilt. My Mum made the teacup pincushion and the pretty sun hat was crocheted from my besties dear Mum.

These a very old. I made the Angel and the Shaker box one was a gift from Amish Country from a friend.

My last one is not really a pincushion. But it holds pretty pins and I  loved it too much to disassemble it. A sweet gift from my Kiwi mate Raewyn.

Ok I am off to buy those plants...really!

Several little things to share....another Splendid Sampler block.

I  have 4 little Aussies cut out ready to make up to see how they look.

Fabrics chosen for September's Rainbow Scrap Challenge block.

I think I  may rethink the gold! Being a fan of the more muddier colours I don't have really bright golds and the challenge is to use what you have....so perhaps another look through the draws!
Most of my time has been spent working on some special art projects. I  need 3 in total. I still am undecided on no.3 but have been putting the finishing touches to 2 of them. Here's a sneak peak of the first 2. I will share them all when they are finally where they are supposed to be.

Why is it that  the "deciding" is always harder than the "doing"? Hopefully some little model will appear in time!
Well I  must fly. I am off to the plant nursery. Yesterday Mr. R. and I  worked all day trimming, chopping and tidying in the garden. It has been so neglected, plus I  lost so many plants that usually do well in my soil that I  become a bit despondent about the way the garden was looking. So I  have  decided to go  with what works. Of course I  want the garden to look lush straight away. So a bit of planting this afternoon if I can unbend all those very sore muscles from yesterday.
Enjoy your weekend......a little thought from FB.

So love your tribe....you do have one.......those who "get" you!
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

A Little Progress

Good Morning all. I spent a day trying to make some headway with my Splendid Sampler blocks....doesn't seem like a lot to show for it but...
I finished these 2 blocks which aren't in order....first out of the folder.

And...

It is definitely NOT that red...it's the lovely French General red...trust me!
I also did prep work on all the hand stitched blocks so they are ready when I  am.
Now even though I  have so many other things I am supposed to be doing....I cannot stay away from those darn little Aussies!
Just had to stitch the little owl....

There is also a little kanga and wombat to come......talk about jumping off the main road and heading up a bush track! Lol! Hopefully I will get them out of my system soon....but they are such good company.
There is a gorgeous new colour choice for September for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. ....rose bouquet.

So scrap box diving is in my immediate future.
I wish you a lovely day....mine is a bit damp but I am sure that my " we look after ourselves" garden will appreciate a drop of the wet stuff.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Some More Little Aussies

I have stitched up the other little Aussie ornies.....hmmm! Still deciding!
Mum Poss and baby...star gazing on Christmas Eve.

Little Fairy Wren...

Plum pudding...of course!

And I showed you little Kooka.

I am considering a little owl as well. I have several friends who love our Aussie owls and nightjars....

So I shall reserve judgement until they are made up and complete.  Fun exercise though.
On Saturday whilst watering my garden, I happened to look up into the large bottle brush outside my front door. Surprise!

The surprise is that it has never flowered in the 14 years it has been in the tree...yep! 14 years. So very excited to see it. I have no idea why so long or if that is normal but its lovely.
I hope all those wonderful Dads and Fathering men out there had a great day. As one who did not experience the best of fathering from the father figure in my life, I can't tell you what an important role you have. I spoilt my Mr. with his favourite brekky and dinner. I chose a great Dad for my children.

This year I can say that my heart is at peace regarding my own Father. I lost him when I was just 3 years old. A wonderful giving man from what I have been able to find out about him. Believe me finding out has been such a difficult task.
For many, many years he has lain in an unmarked grave which I discovered a few years ago as he is buried in my birthplace....a little country town a few hours drive from me. I  was very distressed when I  discovered this and it has caused me much angst. But recently I was finally able to place a marker and tribute plaque on his grave. I cannot tell you the peace this has given me to finally say to the world. "This is my Dad and he had a Daughter who never ever forgot him and who kept him forever in her heart, despite the actions of others"
So Happy Fathers Day Walter "Mick" McCartney xxx

Please don't think that I am being maudlin about it all as I  am truly happy finally about it. I am sharing it because I want to record it for myself. You also know by now that I try to keep my blog a life's journal for me as well.
Have a wonderful day everyone.....
Also big birthday hugs to our lovely friend Shez.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Binding Time

I have had 2 days sewing binding on and down on a commission quilt...

Nice to have it all hand stitched down and completed. Today was spent exercising my brain writing sheaths of instructions and redrawing pattern pieces.

I think some nice quiet hand stitching is in order for tonight!
Lovely mail.
When I arrived home from holidays I had a lovely little parcel waiting for me from Chookyblue for my birthday from Birthday Club. Lovely creamy fat quarter and a selection of her beautiful cards.....going to be very hard to give them away!

Thank you so much Chooky. I loved my parcel.
Today the postie bought me these pretties...

Mistletoe has always been a favourite but I  have to say Rosella and Peacock are very pretty. Can't wait to thread my needle and try them out.
Have a wonderful weekend folks. I am off tomorrow to frighten my hairdresser! Lol! I had to cancel due to our reorganised holiday, so it's pretty darn scary!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Wattle Day

Happy Wattle Day fellow Aussies. Yes Spring has Sprung! Here in the land down under September 1st is "Wattle Day " celebrating our national floral emblem.  They come in many different varieties and when you see them en masse they are spectacular!

I did promise stitching. My August Rainbow Scrap Challenge block is completed.
The colours were mauve and green....misty mountain colours...my version!

Little background blocks have been cut out for my teeny hexies and papers removed.

All ready to applique down now.
I have a little event happening later in the year and I wanted an "Aussie " themed Christmas decoration or two so I have drawn up a couple of different ones and stitched this little bloke in Country Garden Thread "Mistletoe ".

I like how he turned out so I  may trial the other 2 now.
I will share my progress.
In honour of Spring arriving, here is the other little drawing I did on hols. I am not sure what this native is called.....maybe you know! But it was pretty and I enjoyed working on it.

I  loved all the leaves in various shapes and sizes and different shades.
I wish you a joyful day.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx