Project Hopping

 Hello friends. I hope my Aussie friends that you are keeping warm in these cooler days and nights that we have been experiencing of late.....I know my southern friends are laughing at me up here with my 23 degree days but sorry not a fan of 5 - 8 degree nights lol!

The upside of the cooler weather is that I have been able to move along with hand quilting my little Heartstrings quilt. Its been nice to have it on my lap to work on at night.

June #tagroulettehannemade is up to date. This month we had.

No. 6 Buttons No. 41 Bullions and No. 46 Wrapped. I chose to wrap some little rolls of wool felt as I am making a spool roll and don't want any sharp edges.

I have continued working on my Postcards whilst visiting my husband and have 3 more for the pile. 

Last post I said I would share my recent art project. It is a gift for a very caring lady who has lessened the burdens of our days with her humour and kindness. She is a Kiwi expatriate and so I decided to draw one of NZ lovely birds the Tui. The beautiful reference photo is from New Zealand wildlife photographer Holly Neill and I was so chuffed when she gave me permission to draw it. I used some artistic licence and added Flax leaves to the bottom of the piece. I just love the interesting blossoms on the New Zealand Flax. 

I am a bit chuffed with how it has turned out.....it's always exciting when the tape comes off!

A bit pleased too, that my Kiwi friends said I did ok. I am really looking forward to giving it to my friend now.

With the Tui finished I have gone back to working on my white Magnolia. I am so lucky to be able to pick the brains of my teacher and mentor Sandra when I get stuck.....really happy to finally get the shadows looking better and starting to achieve the realistic 3D appearance I love! 

Well that's it from me. Darkness has fallen and I must dash to rescue my birdseed from the cheeky garage tenants.

Take care,

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

WHAT a Month

 Hello dear friends.....what a month I have had. Sadly my dear husband has deteriorated and now needs full time care.....a hard decision for all concerned but I could no longer provide the care he now needs. Even though you knew the time was coming is doesn't make it an easier to act on. It was certainly stressful finding the right place in what seemed like an impossibly short time. And hoping and praying you made the right decision! 

I have also had my Daughter, 2 Grandies and 2 cats staying with me whilst they waited for there new home to settle....and banks being what they are....managed to lose documents which made the stay longer and a stressful situation even more so. Now throw Covid into the mix for DD and you have a jolly old time!

Thankfully my Daughter and her children are now all moved in.....bar lots of boxes to be unpacked. 

I have spent a lot of time still sitting.....keeping hubby company. So sewing has still been happening.

I finished the Broderie Perse applique on the Homespun BOM.....still not a fan but I at least gave it a shot....just needs its borders. And I like the inclusion of French Blue.

I have also gone back to my Postcards quilt. A SAL with my Sunday Stitchers friends. When Mr. R. was diagnosed I was so devastated at all the plans we'd made....especially travel that would now no longer happen that I couldn't face finishing them as they were of all the special trips we had made.

However the time we have spent together the last 14 months has given us time to reflect on the experiences we've had together. Wonderful and magical experiences sometimes. So I now take them to stitch each day. Hubby even gives me a little input in what we should include in each one.....which is special. So another one is complete. Looks wonky but isn't really.

May's Tag Roulette took me a while this month but I got there. 

No. 20 - Pekinese stitch....which I enjoyed much better the second time around. 

No. 19 - Blanket stitch Fringing

No. 43 - Words

I made quite small examples for May as I  had an area I wanted to fill in. Its almost time for June's prompts. Loving working on this so much.

Not much to report from my "garden of neglect" however Dear Daughter gave me this beautiful orchid that I am now charged with....NOT killing!

It's still flowering and hasn't keeled over so pleased about that.

We had birthdays...littlest Granddaughter. Right in the middle of DD Covid infection. We opted for individual donuts and a personal candle extinguish and wish.....and Mummy masked up and at quite a distance!

This young man also had a birthday yesterday.......so grown up....doesn't seem possible!

Littlest Granddaughter is studying Japanese and made me an origami corner bookmark...so cute!

Such lovely mail yesterday....Fiona sent me a sweet Anni Downs pattern and gorgeous card because I missed the quilt show.....sweet friend.......or enabler....lol! Xxx

I have some artwork to show you but will save it for next time.....this novel has gone on long enough. I have a house to put to rights and if anyone can tell me how to get white cat hair off everything I would be grateful!

Take care everyone.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

April Round Up

 Hello friends. I haven't been in touch since before Easter. I hope you all had a lovely Easter. Ours was very quiet but we enjoyed lunch with our family and of course all those sweet treats still managed to appear in my house and led me astray!

In the interest of keeping things real I have to say the last few weeks have been a bit tough....lots of ups and downs with a few emergency room visits thrown into the mix. Add 2 emergency life threatening surgeries for my Mother as well and you get the idea!

I am so very fortunate to have 2 great siblings who could step up and be there. My Mum is still in hospital and some hard choices have to be thought about if we can get her well again. 

So my stitching and pencils have been vital to my sanity! And something positive to focus on. Sooooo thankful to have a happy place to retreat to.

I have one more finished block for my Letter to My Daughter quilt.

Only 2 more applique blocks to prep and stitch.

A bit of time has also been spent on my Applecore charm quilt. Easy stress free stitching.  

It is really starting to grow. More Applecores need basting as I have stitched up my pile.

And just because I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROJECTS I couldn't resist the founder of French Generals 2022 Block of the Month in Homespun magazine. I am excited to use my stash of French General fabric. 

The centre block is Broderie Perse applique and something that I have never attempted. 

As I already have 2 quilts in this colourway I decided to add some blue to change it up a little and use up some more stash.

I have to admit to finding it a bit frustrating.....but as it is only the centre I am perservering. 

My rusty drawing project is finished.....frustrated over the paper I was trying to make use of I called it done probably before I was really done! I am glad at least I haven't wasted it.

But that said......I just adore the little Willy wagtail and ALL that rust!

My next project is completely in the other direction.....a little study in white back on my lovely paper......it always fascinates me how many shades go to making up what we consider a base colour. Enjoying this one already! 

My night time read is this....thanks to a dear friend....nothing like ditching reality for a good book!

Birthdays are so exciting and  joyful for kids and we celebrated our eldest Granddaughter's this month. She loves things that sparkle and shimmer. So I enjoyed making her a sparkly mermaid  birthday card.

....love that happy face!

There was also a birthday of a different kind.....meet Master "N"

At my youngest Granddaughter's school they have a special furry boy....a therapy dog!

He listens to reading, helps anxious children and enjoys being adored by all....because he is adorable! 

He also had a birthday this month......and celebrated with a "Pawty" with all the students. Doggie cupcakes and lots of pats went down a treat!

This is Granddaughter #2 with the birthday boy......so cute!

So that's what I have been up to.....

A few little pops of colour in my garden to finish.....

Catch you next time. Take care one and all.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Easter is Coming

 I have decorated a little for Easter. The little Grandies still love it as does their Nana.

This year I spied a white twiggy tree. I have fancied one for years.....and I am very pleased with it. 

Dear Daughter gifted me this crazy but super cute Easter Bunny chicken....loved it!

I really love white rabbits....and Peter of course!  I bought these tins for my Granddaughters for Easter and one for me too.....couldn't resist!

On the stitching front I have been working on the borders for Where We Love Is Home....going off script does give you a headache sometimes! Just can't settle on the final border fabric.....ah well at least sewing waits for you. 

Another block completed for A Letter to My Daughter.....2 cats live in my Daughters family....so 2 cats it is!

April's #tagroulettehannemade is done.  This month's tags were....

10 - Suffolk Puffs

31 - Gold Bling

35 - 3 Buttons

I have to admit to getting a little carried away with the beading and French knots. But found it very relaxing. I think perhaps I was transported back to the days of furiously beading ballet costumes for my daughter and.....some of her friends whose Mothers denied the ability to thread a needle.....Mrs Ridgway was a sucker for a sad girls face lol!

I added a little Easter Bunny too. I am definitely going to have to add on to this snippet roll as I can't reign in my stitching lol!

I tried out a new cutting die for an Easter card......I thought it was so cute.

I'm getting to quite like this card making lark.....I don't like the stamping kind but love the pretty papers, dies and embossing.....really didn't need another hobby *wink!

I was very disappointed this year that the nasty Dendrobium beetle decimated my orchids once again....never had this issue until about 3 years ago. Anyway when I noticed a single flower spike that they'd overlooked I picked it to enjoy inside. 

I would like to wish you all a lovely Easter. I am looking forward to the odd hot cross bun I have to say. If  you're travelling be safe.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx