Highfields Retreat...

Last weekend saw the entourage from The Quilters Corner head up to Highfields (just outside of Toowoomba) for one of their annual retreats. It is the fourth I have been on, but I still have just as much fun as the first ! It is an absolute sight to behold when you see (and hear !) a room full of 38 women busily ensconced in conversation, laughter and the odd bit of sewing ! The room is totally abuzz and you can't but help being swept up in it all. It is amazing how much you can pick up from the people around you and how much you can be inspired. I just love to see how much the love of quilting can bring together people from every walk of life.


This year was extra special once again as my Mum came up from Adelaide to spend with me, a quality weekend away. Thanks Mum!


Here is the quilt yours truly was working on.... it was basted before I went, so I was just working on the machine quilting (free motion)... nearly there.


At the end of weekend, we have show and tell, which is a real highlight. It is great to see the product of so much 'hard work'. The room is full of plenty of "oo's and ahhh's" as works of art are held up for the pleasure and admiration of all. Whether it is the colours 'you' would have chosen or not, everyone appreciates all the talent and hard work which has gone into each individual piece. On more than one occasion it inspires people to try something new, and think outside their comfort zone.




So, definitely a thumbs up for the weekend ! If you haven't been on a retreat before, I recommend you give it a go. (You could even get a your own group of friends together and visit The Circle Retreat at Buderim.)

Some people didn't want to stop sewing.......... and who could blame them? ............. Yoo Hoo!! Girls!!! everyone else has gone home.....



Squeezes, Michelle xx

I love this moment...

I love many moments about quilting, (ahhh... let me count the ways,..) but I especially love that moment when you get to hand over that quilt to someone special. That moment when you get to see the smile on their face and utter excitement (especially when they are 5!)as they wrap that quilt around them. I got to experience that moment again recently and it was pure heaven and made my heart melt. Elsie didn't even know the quilt was for her, which made it all the sweeter.



Squeezes, Michelle xx

The Circle Retreat..

I was lucky enough to receive an invitation from the lovely Stacey of The Circle Retreat to join her for a night at her beautiful retreat at Buderim on the Sunshine Coast. The weather was perfect, the company fantastic, food gorgeous, the setting amazing, and the activities, well... right up my quilting alley!
It was a short visit, but so nice to go up and visit and to be able to have a look at the retreat for myself. I will certainly be visiting again with a group of friends. Stacey has thought of everything! From the large cutting table, to ironing boards, design wall, coffee machine to the wine glasses, and even the girly movies (with a choice of where to watch them too!!). The retreat is an amazing credit to Stacey and her husband Mark as you can want for nothing as you take in the beautiful view and surrounding rainforest. And of course with Stacey being a very talented quilter herself, you are surrounded by all those little homely quilty touches from the pot holders, to the table runners and the quilts on the beds themselves.
I would highly recommend to any group of ladies looking to get away for some crafty indulgence to look Stacey up on the link above. I only wish now that I had taken more photos to share!

Here is the lovely entrance way, welcoming you.....



little touches everywhere..



this was a favourite... Stacey acquired this amazing piece of unfinished hexagons, direct from the '70's, and has it mounted on canvas....



The lovely Stacey herself, taking a break from binding to enjoy breakfast on the deck...


The results of a fruitful weekend (I took up my pyramid quilt up to finish the binding, but Stacey insisted it still must take a place on the rail..)



So thank you Stacey so much giving me the opportunity to share in your retreat and meet your lovely friends, Jill, Carolyn and Jackie. Who would have thought that a couple of 'ol Air Force wives from many years back (we were in the same little stitching group back in Adelaide) would meet up again, just from you walking into the shop one day? The power of quilting... I love it!!

Squeezes, Michelle xx

Put to good use...

I promised to show Elsie how the use the sewing machine after school yesterday.. and 5 year olds never forget! So I showed her how to get started, and thats where she stayed... and 'created'. I am going to have to go through my stash now and find her some bits to sew.


This is her first 'quilt', mmmmm.... a little more tuition is needed perhaps? I think she may have been inspired by the geckos around our house. But how exciting? She will definitely be my little quilter buddy I think!

We have another public holiday here in QLD for labour day, so today will be spent in the garden having a good cleanup. This will be the first time I have attempted this since having Charlie (our now 7 month old Spoodle), I think it will be a challenge as his nose will be where my hands are the whole time! But you have to agree, he is pretty cute!



Squeezes, Michelle xx

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