Beginners

This term I have the pleasure of my eldest daughter Jen (on the right) and her lovely friend Anne coming along to the beginners course that I teach at The Quilters Corner.  It is a lovely opportunity for Jen to see more about what I do, learn an AMAZING craft all while spending time with her 'bestie' (which is a little more limited these days as they are at different uni's).

Jen is a complete and utter 'studyaholic', so I was very keen for her to try her hand at a hobby which, with a bit of luck, may also offer another outlet for her brain.  And quilting, offers that smart little brain, an opportunity to relax and unwind ..... its TRUE... science even backs it up!  (mmmm... might have to find some data on that and post it...)

So! Jen and Anne have chosen completely different fabrics.  Jen has gone for her usual bright, bold and cheery fabrics, while Anne had something completely different in mind.  Anne took a gap year from uni last year, and had the privilege of working/teaching in a school in Malawi, Africa.  She brought home some amazing fabrics which she wanted to work around.  This is the girls with their 'Rail Fence' block and don't they look fabulous?
I will bring you more photos of their work as the eight weeks progress.

Have a great weekend everyone.  I'm off to the school fete (Prince of Peace Lutheran College) this Saturday, always loads of fun, then head off to Adelaide early Sunday morning.  I'll just be there for a couple of days helping Mum and Dad pack up the house after 31 years as they prepare to move into a smaller home in a retirement village in the Adelaide Hills.  Apparently after 20 years, its time for ME to store my OWN wedding dress!! (how rude!) I also have the top layer of my wedding cake there somewhere, not sure if I want to disturb that though... all sorts of science experiments may be lurking.

Squeezes, Michelle xxx

Funny little finds.....

Isn't this what you find on your sewing machine every day?? 

The things I find 'set up' around our house constantly make me smile, and unfortunately a little sad.  I absolutely dread the day when I don't find them anymore.  Elsie has always been able to play so happily by herself.  She has this whole little world happening in her imagination and you often see her lips moving while she is playing out a little 'scene' in her head.  I just love it. On Friday she turns 7, and although she is beside herself with excitement, I wish she would stop growing.  Oh sure, some parts of life will be easier, but it will also be a lot less innocent.  So here's to you Mr Potato Head, long may you adorn my sewing machine! 
                                                                   

As for the beanie bears in stilettos, one can only wonder.....

have a great week,
squeezes Michelle xx

p.s. visited the graphic designer yesterday about getting my 'BOM' applique patterns drawn professionally in preparation for sale, very exciting...

Thankyou for your support...

Last weekend I ran the 10km event at the Gold Coast.  It wasn't my fastest time, but it was the first time I did it without injuries, making it my most enjoyable by far. 

This year was also made special as I ran as part of the 'MND and me' team, a foundation set up by a friend of ours in support of Motor Neurone Disease.  Scott is amazing man, with a young family, who has being diagnosed with this hideous disease.  Average life expectancy is 27 months, there is no cure or treatment and your mind is completely in tact while every part of your body is slowly paralysed.  Scott and his wife Sarah have done amazing things.  They have set up this foundation not only to raise money for research but to offer grants to families with MND.  This allows them to do such things as modify their homes so their loved ones can remain with the family as long as possible.  It gives them back some dignity. 

I would like to make mention of another special person, my friend Kath pictured with me.  Kath in an incredibly generous and compassionate person, and once she found out that I was running for MND, she wanted to join the cause too. Kath hadn't even met Scott, but was moved by his story and took to fundraising for him.  Thankyou Kath, you're a gem!

So, the team raised an amazing $58000 and I raised $1338.  Part of this was from a raffle I ran at the shop, for the little quilt 'A walk in the woods'.  Maree was thrilled to win this and picked up the little parcel yesterday.  Congratulations Maree!

I'm so lucky to 'work' where I do.  Everyone has been so supportive.  Once Liisa emailed about the raffle, lots of customers popped in asking for their ticket, and wishing me well.  Since the weekend so many people  have asked how the run went. I feel very blessed to be surrounded in such a lovely community of people... quilters I might add, what more could a girl ask for?

A humble thankyou,
Michelle xx

Deadlines.....

Deadlines are my friend!  Its true, I have to admit it.  They make me stressed and 'a little' harder (note I'm honest, and said hardER) to live with, but they do make me get things done.  I was having my quilts professionally photographed on the weekend so needed the 3 quilts in progress to be done.  And done they were!!  With a whole 16 hours to spare.... applause please, I think that's a record!

The first was "A walk in the woods", which I showed you last post.  Next was "Lemon Peel", a new design (well an old design actually but with my new take on it), using perle thread applique.  I really enjoyed making this quilt, it was great fun and gave me my handwork to do in front of the tv, while playing with a new technique (win win!).  I'm actually teaching this quilt next term at the shop if you are local and interested (or interested and local if you prefer.....ok... too much coffee....).

Next.... well..... I don't have the full photo.... just a photo of the photographer photographing...  but my new, very own design, applique quilt!!  I will post more photos as soon as I have them.

Phewwww......what a weekend! 
Hope you enjoyed yours, we had the most glorious weather here Brisbane.
Michelle xx

A walk in the woods......

Last week I had another little play with a charm pack.  I made the exact same design I have made before, but instead of appliqueing a tree, I added toadstools to fit in with the theme of my fabric.  Quite pleased I was with the result! 

Its a great size for little ones, a cot, or perfect size for hosting a 'book club meeting with your teddies' (especially if you are 6 years old, and it is a rainy long weekend).  For anyone super keen, we have exact kits available at The Quilters Corner.

Have a great week,
Michelle xx

Aussie Flags...

Why is it that when you most want to sew, your machine has other ideas??  I was totally in my quilting groove this morning, all jobs had been done early do I could make the most of the day.  That is super organised in my dictionary!  I did some more piecing on a project, then moved on to free motion quilting a little charm square quilt.  Next, consistent with the cold winds blowing outside in Brisbane today, an ill wind blew through my sewing machine.  It decided to put its little foot up, and call it a day!  The cheek! Did it not realise that 10 minutes more and I would have been done? 

So with my spare machine holidaying at the shop, I frantically looked around for 'what next'?  Of course I could put the telly on and hand sew, but that is definitely too indulgent, so instead I finished basting my 'Block of the Month', a very worthwhile task. 

Still suffering from that nagging feeling of a job nearly done, my next achievable task is to blog!  So here I am.... and the point of all the above ranting was that I wanted to share with you a cushion a lovely customer made using my 'Aussie Flag' pattern.  She started with the intention of making this as a birthday gift, but liked it so much she decided to keep it!  And I don't blame her, it looks gorgeous! Thanks for sharing Jenny!

happy stitching,
Michelle xx

A couple of pics of a distant memory......

Isn't it sad that holidays are gone so quickly?... All that planning and anticipation gone it what seems like a heartbeat?  Well, thank goodness for photos which help keep those precious memories alive.

I don't wish to bore, but I did promise a couple of pics, so I thought I should deliver.  And I can't (shouldn't) put off choosing a couple out of the 1100 photos that we took (and that's not including Elsie's camera!) 

Once I've bored you silly with these, I can then move on to much more important stuff... like retreats.... (yes Jenni, there may be a sneaky pic of you sewing, but don't worry, I won't name you!)  ..new projects.... updated old ones....  and maybe a FINISHED BLOCK OF THE MONTH..(nearly peeing myself with excitement over that one)... and .....well.... you'll just have to wait and see..

oops... I lied... it was 1289 photos.

elephants playing in the water just north of Phuket

Sally, Elsie and myself enjoying an elepant ride

Elsie and myself enjoying one of our fabulous meals in Phuket

The family, at a temple in Bangkok

Elsie with a little green friend...

total delight at being 'tickled' during a 'fish massage'

floating markets outside of Bangkok

yummy! Banana rotis from a street vendor

at Phi Phi island

the girls at 'McThai'.. yep, that's what the receipt says!

Beautiful Koh Samui, right out the front of our resort

me trying to work out what to do next... read, snooze, or just daydream....

the beach at Koh Samui is lined with all these little restaurants literally on the beach.. was heaven..

the day after Darryn and I did a Thai cooking class, I went back to the same place to take a watermelon carving class.  This is me with the 'fruit' (gosh I'm witty!) of my labour, with teacher Gino ( I know! an amazing local Thai name).  So much fun and it managed to feed my creative urges.

chip anyone??  yum yum!

Well, for anyone still reading,

happy stitching,

Michelle xx