THE parcel...

Well, it took me a couple of days, but I finally managed to open my parcel (even though it still happened in stages..) My gorgeous, in fantastic condition 1974 child's Singer sewing machine was revealed! It was resplendent in all its retro glory and you couldn't get the grin off my face. I had been searching on eBay for AGES.. but displayed great restraint and waited for just the right one! And it was certainly the right one. Perfect in fact. It then took me another day to work up the courage to go buy the required 4 x D batteries..... And did it work??? like a clunky dream! What a joy.. and worth all the months waiting for just the right one..

Squeezes, Michelle xx

Happy Easter!

Yesterday we (meaning 'most' of the family) came home from a few days away at the beautiful Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. I just love this place, but unfortunately we only saw that gorgeous weather we were hoping for on the last day(..... seems to be a little trick of ours over the last couple of years.... I think we have now perfected it). Still, it was a lovely short break and we still got to enjoy the rock pools, walks along the boardwalk and beach ...even if it was with the brolly! So home again, home again, jiggity jig and we can now look forward to a few sunny days at home to get some jobs done (shhhh.... thats what hubby thinks...but I have the sewing machine firmly in my sights...) I have a few samples to finish for the shop,The Quilters Corner for classes coming this term, one being this yummy pyramid quilt made out of a range called 'Bliss'. It is on the machine as we speak, so hopefully will be in the shop next week.

Oh.. and I also have a very special parcel to unpack, but I'm waiting for just the right moment to savour it! I tend to do this when I'm super excited about something, I like to draw it out. I think it took me about 2 weeks to fully unwrap my new sewing machine, I did it bit by bit.... silly I know!

I hope you all have a happy and blessed Easter, with fun times spent with family and friends.

Squeezes, Michelle xx

Sisterly Love...

I was lucky enough to have my sister, Suzanne, come to Brisbane from Adelaide to spend her birthday (in style of course!). Her birthday present has been adorning a wall in the shop (The Quilters Corner) for a few months, so it was a happy moment to finally give it to her. I forgot to take a photo of both of us with it, before she left, so she has sent me a photo of it in its new home. And hows that wall (and artwork!!) for a colour match? Just before I gave it to her she was telling me how she was ready for a change, and was going black and white.... lots of cringes on my behalf.... not due to the colour, but knowing what was wrapped up in my bedroom. Even while out shopping she was checking out new quilt covers. Of course I told her, as only sisters can.. how awful they were. I think I am now forgiven however!

On the stitching front, I'm putting together a very simple but gorgeous flannel bliss quilt. I haven't got to sit at my beloved machine for nearly as long as I would have liked however due to breaking a needle and putting something out of whack in the machine, so off to the doctor it went! Tonight hopefully..... maybe....??

And this is what I found when I walked into the sewing/computer/music/toy room this morning.. Yet another little treasure. I had to smile at the little scrap of chenille being using as a table cloth in the centre. (not sure either what the girls in the middle are chatting about, maybe about what colours to choose for their next quilt??)

Squeezes, Michelle xx

Cute Find

I am constantly walking around the house only to find the results of Elsies play. It makes it very hard to clean up whenthey are so cute! This morning I found Elsie's beanie bears all lined up having a sleep. The fireman seems to be left out in the cold, but lets be fair, he does have a big jacket on!


Incidentally they are all cuddling together under one of my designs.... now if only the pattern would write itself....

Last night I finished block 4 of my Applique Quilt I am designing. I have decided that needle turn applique if definitely one of my main 'quilting' loves, so am really enjoying sitting and doing this at night. I am loving the way it is turning out and how the colours are coming together.





Squeezes, Michelle xx

A Mummy Trifecta!

What a great couple of days! Daughter #1 was presented with her scholarship for uni on Wednesday night (I couldn't be prouder!), then she got her 'P's' yesterday (lots of nail biting moments in store for me when she's running a few minutes late...), and daughter #2 comes home today after a month away on her school's Outdoor Education program, so very, very excited! (And daughter #3, well, she is of course fulfilling her role of being incredibly cute and crafting up a storm... I don't think there is an un-cut peice of paper left in the house!).

I also have been extremely spoilt, as the lovely Lorraine whom I work with, brought me back this beautiful bag, as she knows I love love love Cath Kidston! Aren't I lucky!

So, with all this positive energy floating around me I am feeling very motivated and sewing up a storm! I am currently working on a Bliss flannel, a new pattern of mine using the lovely new MoMo range 'Wing It', my applique BOM, binding a lovely American Jane quilt, and..... mmm.... I think that might be it for now!

Squeezes,

Michelle xx

Off and running!

A very belated "Happy New Year!" (can you still say that mid February?). And what a crazy start to the new year it has been. With all the devastation around us due to natural disasters, I believe it is high time for us to create some beauty of the quilting kind!

This year sees some new adjustments in our house with our eldest daughter Jen starting uni, our middle daughter Sally starting a new school for year 10, and our youngest Elsie, starting school in Prep. This means.... drum roll please..... that I should .....theoretically ..... now have two days to plan/quilt/write my patterns (not to mention a regular blog). But, so far this is proving far from the truth, but it IS early days.

I have some great projects in the pipeline and am madly working at finishing some 'older ones'. I have finished my lovely 'Cathedral Windows', and taught a full class last week at http://www.thequilterscorner.blogspot.com/ which was a lot of fun. I love being able to pass on hints and tips, and see the enjoyment people have in making my patterns. There is such an energy in a room full of creative, enthusiastic people. Shame you can't bottle it!

I have learnt over the last few months to concentrate on what my passions are. One of those is most certainly applique, and as such I am working my own applique block of the month. It is a project which has been floating around in my head for a long time now, and I am now bringing life to it which is very exciting. I am currently up to block 3, and will provide you with some sneak peeks soon.

Happy sewing,

Squeezes, Michelle xx

Lots of little 'ticks'...

I have been lucky enough to have two child free days which has been a huge opportunity to get a few things on my list 'ticked' off. And I'm thrilled to say that that has actually happened.. yay! Apart from some really boring stuff like washing the floor, doing a gazillion (I'm sure that IS actually a number..) loads of washing and discovered what treats await me a in my ironing pile (note, I said IN, not at the bottom... as that would require at least ten child free days to discover where that is), I have managed to reacquaint myself with my sewing machine... ah... yes... I'm still in love!!

So, as well as managing to finish a little flannel quilt for my cousins new grandson, (that makes me feel so OLD to say that!) I have been continuing to play with my sample for "Cathedral Windows", a class which I will be teaching soon at 'the quilters corner' . I am making a couple of different sizes as they give quite a different effect. I am making a cushion cover which uses smaller more traditional cathedral windows block, but for a quilt, I am 'funkying' (I'm sure that's also a word!) it up a bit by using a jumbo block in fresh bright colours. This photo shows some of the process and the tools I used (I have some handy little tricks and tips in my pattern), with my smaller cushion blocks. I have certainly had a lot of fun playing with this and look forward to sharing the full photos soon.

I have also nearly finished quilting my new charm square quilt made in Rouenneries. Not long to go now!

Looking forward to sharing more soon,

Squeezes,

Michelle xx