Shapes

Lots of circles here.....pretty TEAL ones for Rainbow Scrap Challenge

These challenge blocks are growing! I always enjoy this challenge so much....love how the circles are looking......they even look mostly round lol! So quite pleased with all that going around in circles needleturn.

And then some bright circles....

And some more....

ONE little lonely hexie to bring up the rear.

A little secret sewing revealed....a thank you to a friend.

I have enjoyed stitching my Stitchers Alphabet letters of late. I think it looks pretty on the little sewing caddy....and highlights the Paris Fleamarket fabric too.
Yesterday was sports day for our littliest Granddaughter. She did really well and had great fun....even won her race....no one was more surprised than her.

Lots of other activities.

Dear Daughter is a teacher at the school and is the action photographer....as you can see it was a glorious Brisbane winters morning!

I followed all this activity up with a lovely visit to friend Bevs house for stitching day....a lovely time was had by all. I worked on my Brinton Hall hexies.

That's it from me.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Swan Day

Swan Days.....when it appears we glide along effortlessly on the surface but underneath we are paddling like a crazy person....lol! That's me lately!
Lots of sewing happening but most "secret squirrel "stuff.....

Lots of prep work too.....
June choices for Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks. TEAL/TURQUOISE.

Choosing scrappy creams for backgrounds.

In the evenings I am hand quilting but I am being very mindful of my still very dodgy shoulder, so try not to overdo it.
This allows for hand stitching......Hexies for Brinton Hall to be exact.
Blocks are cut for the 16 hexies and 4 stars I need for the next border.

I feel happy that I am moving forward again on this project.
I have found rest and enjoyment in equal measures in my art journal of late which you can see HERE on my ART BLOG
Once again thank you all for your lovely comments on my previous post.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

FNWF......QUILTING!

Firstly thank you for all your wonderful comments. I apologise for not responding in person but hopefully that will soon be rectified.
Last evening was our June slice of

Hosted by CHERYLL over at GONE STITCHIN

It was a dreary old rainy day here so I set about sewing the binding on my "Country at Heart" Alphabet quilt .

I hand stitched the binding down in the afternoon.

Can you see all the wonderful quilting? Worked by my dear friend FIONA of BUBZRUGZ ......I love how it has turned out!

Pretty ribbons on the border.....

So.....all done!

I had drawn up a couple of extra designs to make it even for a small quilt.....4 in all.
If you are interested in this Alphabet I am happy to include the extra little designs.

Seeing as I got the binding done earlier I settled down with my hand quilting on my Baltimore....the second block is underway.

So far so good....phew! Once the logistics are sorted it is so very relaxing watching all those little stitches appear. I am quite pleased with the first block.

I hope you had some creative time also last night.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Quilting

Thank you all for your lovely comments on my previous post. In the evenings I have been snuggling under my Baltimore Quilt and hand quilting. I have quilted the applique in the middle block and am now working on the background.

I use low tack masking tape as a guide for line work instead of marking the quilt but I have ended a little bit out....hoping to fudge it overall. I am cross as I was so careful....I am a bit OCD with these things lol!

So wish me luck!
At craft group last week my friend Lorel had 2 of her UFOs which had been quilted by clever friend FIONA at BUBZRUGZ and I am allowed to share them here.
So beautiful!

Lorel and I were actually doing this quilt at a class with the same lady but at different venues.......

There was a huge amount of fiddly work in this design....but so lovely!
Fiona's quilting is also beautiful. Thanks for sharing my friend xx

Finally I am adding a photo for posterity for myself....my Daughter was a beautiful dancer...through to adulthood. Consequently I still have several ballet costumes from many competitions  stored in my cupboard. Her daughter is NOT interested but my other Granddaughter, her niece  is never happier than when we get them out of the cupboard for a look see and some ohhing and ahhing. I  laughed out loud yesterday when Miss C decided when I left the room that the temptation to try one on was tooooo much to resist! Lol!

Once sprung......very happy to pose for a piccie lol! So effective with the school uniform! Gotta love kids ❤❤
Must go, time for dinner prep....warming roast chicken and fresh vegies.
Enjoy your evening.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Virtual Retreat

CHOOKYBLUE  is hosting her annual birthday party for her creative space "the Chookshed".  We crazies in blogland usually join in and have a kind of virtual retreat.....taking the opportunity to have a bit of a " stitch in".

I embraced it with a happy heart and played with my new machine...Big Bertha as Mr.R has named her.....very happy with my work....Angel Story is now a complete quilt top....also last months UFO CHALLENGE!

Binding is even sewn together waiting in the wings.

Loved every minute of stitching this quilt!

Whilst I was looking out the Paris Fleamarket fabric for the Angel Story border I found these....

Did you ever recieve one as a gift.....so cute! Going to put them in the "to do" pile.
We have another celebration in our family today. Our youngest Grandson is having a birthday.......

A bowling party was the go.....Happy birthday Coops....lots of hugs and love xxx
Thank you all for your lovely comments....appreciate each and every one. As you can tell Blogger has still not sorted our issues out re comments as yet. Please bare with me.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

The Times They are a Changing

You may have wondered why your lovely comments have gone unanswered. Well huge changes are happening with EUROPEAN GDPR which effects privacy. We seem to have a glitch effecting many blogs with regards to notification of comments through email which is how I know you left me one....hopefully it will be resolved soon. I did read each and everyone so thank you.
I also must advise you that I have a PRIVACY POLICY now in my top gadget bar which you should read. This policy covers this blog and also my Nature of Art blog too.
Ok! Now that is all out of the way I shall share what I have been up to.
I used "Big Bertha" as she is affectionately now named and completed the top of my 2016/2017 Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.
Using the old stash was definitely a challenge but I got there and whilst may not be a perfect choice I am very glad to have completed the challenge.

I had enough pink to do a narrow border but not enough of anything remotely suitable for the 2nd border....so I dived back into the stash and cut a whole bunch of
4 1/2 inch squares....... I think it works.

I added a little square of the background cream in each corner and appliqued a chocolate heart....to kind of add balance to the quilt.

So No. 5 on the UFO CHALLENGE list is done.....hopefully I might get the one before done before the next meeting!
It has gotten a little cooler up here which has allowed mevto FINALLY get my Baltimore into the quilting hoop.

Lots of little stitches are appearing and I am enjoying hand quilting once again......seems so long.

I have been hankering for an old rusty wheelbarrow to grow some succulents in and am still looking.....in the mean time I have potted up some supplies.

I am even trying the propagation method I have heard about using some of  the leaves.....hmmmm time will tell.

We also got a few vegies planted in the vegie patch.....

So that's it from me. Hopefully I shall be able to get backing to replying to you in the near future. Fingers crossed!

I have a new Art post HERE if you are so inclined.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx