Back to 1797

My poor 1797 Revisted quilt has been extremely neglected, so I decided to give it some love which means lots of  basting my pieces for it.
The next row is a dark so I am going with more reds.

I have started the row so as not to get muddled with the order I want.

It takes ages to get a round done now....so best not put it away in the box again for a while.
I completed another Wings block before resuming work on 1797, just to keep progress moving on it.

And I happily now have little box of completed secret squirrel stuff.

On the subject of EPP I spent yesterday morning with friends and friend Monica wowed us with her gorgeous tumbling blocks quilt which was getting it's binding sewn down.....the colours are so jewel like. Loved seeing it as I had watched  it being stitched together piece by piece. Lots of work.

Beautiful!  Thanks for sharing with the crazy paparazzi Monica lol!
In my garden I have happy Hippies flowering and others sending up flower spears for the first time. Quite excited to see what colour they are.

My Clivia that began to bloom last week is a picture of glorious orange....my photos do not do it justice! There are about 6 flower spikes this year.

There is also evidence of blossoming on plants that haven't flowered before.....so that makes me very happy!

These plants were all given to me by my dear friend Gaye when she had divided hers. She loved her garden. So it is extra special seeing them bloom....I feel like she is looking down and smiling.
A little sprinkle of rain overnight so fingers crossed the weather man is correct and a lot more is on its way!
Have a lovely day folks.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

FNWF October

CHERYLL from Gone Stitching gathered us together for our October Cyber meet.

My first goal was to finish a portion of some secret squirrel stuff. 

That done I settled down to a spot of needleturn on my Wings and Pretty Things blocks....I chose Lotus and Dragonfly.....

This morning I decided to lay out what I have done so far for a little squizzy! 

Still a way to go but I am pleased with how it is looking so far....always helps to check your hard work and progress. I have 2 more blocks traced and ready for stitching but I suspect I am going to curl up in my chair with a cuppa and read my book....dropped off by my dear Daughter. I have been wanting to read it for a while.

Must go....kettles whistling!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Circles Finished

Another binding finished. This time my Circles quilt. I love the checkerboard effect.

Once again FIONA did a wonderful job quilting it....love her treatment of the circles.

I was really lucky to find this black and white backing for it.....I do love a theme lol! 

I also used it for the binding. This quilt is going to be used to help fundraise for Cancer research for a charity my Son supports.

This quilt was a bit out of my comfort zone....bit bright....but I quite got to like it and I think perhaps it rubbed off a little....you see these pretties followed me home from my LQS .....Hmmm! Very happy Tilda fabrics. 

Yesterday I got out my pretty teacups and had some friends over. Such a nice thing to do. Thank you girls. Although I haven't met a pretty cup and saucer I didn't like....this is my most favourite fine China pattern....Old Country Roses....and I love to use it. Even though its special to me.....I don't NOT use it.....I consider friends having their tea from them, very special! Do you have a special pattern you love?

A wander to the mail box, which isn't far, made me smile with little pops of colour here and there from different plants deciding to bloom all at once.

With everything struggling in this prolonged dry spell, it was a delight to see. Now if only my yellow Clivia would grace me with a bloom I would be sooo thrilled! 

Have a lovely day.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Beyond the Garden Gate

It is a very nice feeling to have a very old UFO finally completed....."Beyond the Garden Gate". It is a lovely quilt to stitch and I have no clue why it languished in the cupboard almost finished for so long!

FIONA'S quilting is lovely and I am thrilled with it....I love the leaves. Perfect for a garden quilt.

I had in my stash for years, several bits and pieces of a Violets range of fabric that I had bought just because I love the nostalgia depicted. However there never seemed to be the right project to be able to use it.......until BTGG!
AND I used just about every skerrick of it.....borders, backing and binding!

It was lovely sewing the binding down and enjoying all the beautiful quilting and the quotes on the fabric. It is now hanging in my lounge room and I am delighted!

The second quilt is getting it's binding sewn down now.

I also have been doing a little secret squirrel stuff.....

I cannot believe how quickly the festive season seems to be approaching and I hate panic....I like to enjoy the process. But we are all different I guess.
Speaking of which....I just love how my two gorgeous Grandie girls are authentically themselves.....had to share these pics....plus SMILES are contagious.
Miss E. Loves a bit of something you can get your teeth into in her reading choices. She's very proud that she is reading Chapter books now!

And Miss C. adores pink....the pinker the better....and when you get to make a bear to your very own taste.....well you'd go for it wouldn't you! I hope they always stay true to themselves 💜💕

Ok must get the washing in.....Looks like we may get a storm.....fingers crossed...not a fierce one but rain would be welcome.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

In a Bind

....is what I have been in. Finally allocating time to get the binding sewn on my recently returned quilts from Fiona.
First there was one...

Then there was two....

And finally three...

I can now enjoy at my leisure hand stitching the binding down.

Two more Postcards are added to the pile.....hopefully I may get some assembly done soon. I had several to do before I could indulge my need for some kind of time line order.....I know......I know.....if only I had the same overwhelming feelings towards housework lol!

On Monday I received a lovely gift from one of my art buddies....a gorgeous orchid from her collection. I think it is from the "Moth" group....don't know the botanical correct name. Really hoping that I can keep it alive  now!

Loved the reflections in the water on our Sunday wander....

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

FNSI September

I cannot believe that September is more than half way through! But it also was time for our cyber get together, hosted by WENDY at Sugarlane Quilts.
I was was very lucky to have an all day Friday Sew In because my friend FIONA from BubzRugz came for a visit. Fiona bought some quilts back to me after working her magic....but I am going to get the bindings on first before I share.....so thrilled with them!

It was a lovely day and we managed amongst all the chatting and laughter to do some stitching.....like all good things the day went way to fast! I worked on my next Wings block and got it finished by bedtime.

I finished this one last week....

And managed another Postcard.....I am very behind where I want to be so without any stress I am trying to keep momentum going with them.

The other activity I have been indulging in is a binge-fest on one of my favourite authors. I found several in second hand book shops on my holiday and it has just rolled on from there.....ahh lovely!

Last post I mentioned my hopeful anticipation of a couple of Egrets for future drawing projects from my Mister's camera learning experiences.....
Happy scribbler! Hoping to use these for inspiration.....

Happy weekend folks.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Out and About

I have been missing my daily  dose of nature since we got home. So we got up early and Hubby and I took ourselves off to a wetland we had been wanting to visit a little drive from home (*** side note: however silly me missed Sunday Stitchers today.....thought it was next week....one should always check the blog ) That aside we have had a very nice day......Mr.R. was wanting to try out the new lens on our camera. Encouragement came from yours truly as there is always the chance of a future art project!  I have my hopes up for a great egret! Whilst we wandered and he did that I snapped a few pics of our day.
Very peaceful, wandering these paths between the waterways....

The main lagoon which was heaving with ducks, swamphens, coots, jacanas and egrets. It really drove home the importance of our wetlands for our wildlife. Not to mention the benefit to your health just to wander there and experience them.

 Beautiful reflections!

Some pretty blossoms to admire along the walk to the waterways.

Lots of side pools to investigate. Loads of Waterlillies but my tablet couldn't pick them up.

We were there for quite a while and when we decided we were  finished we drove to the bay for some sustenance.....I had made a picnic lunch, very enjoyable looking at the bay.

After lunch another wander. Even though a smoky haze still hangs over us the view was still lovely.

We arrived home weary but very content.
And SURPRISE I do have some stitching to share. Another Postcard block for the pile.

And a bit of needleturn applique is keeping me out of mischief.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend too.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx