Making Heirlooms

Look What I Have Finished!....(well almost!)

Good Morning everyone,

I finished my 'Butterfly Garden' for my little seven year old.

Well, I finished the top, not the entire quilt!

I had it laid out on the kitchen floor as I was piecing it together and she was walking around it reading all the gorgeous little quote's that Leanne Beasley threw in along the way.

Thanks Leanne for another gorgeous design.

 

I have the day off work today, so I am actually going to make a new design and pattern hopefully!

Enjoy your day!

Love Michelle xx

Books For Inspiration

Well today you are going to see what I have been inspired by lately.

My gorgeous 16 year old went out and bought this gorgeous book and I am so proud of the inspiration it gave her.

The pages are just delightful and what lovely creative juices it inspires in us.

 

I have never really thought about printing my own fabric.  I live to dream about being a great artist like Amy Butler and Anna Maria Horner and Heather Bailey.  That dream is merely a pipe dream.  But this book makes the process to dable quite easy.  I really recommend it.

Look what Jessie created in just a few hours of having the book.

 

And this is a book that I purchased for myself today.

I don't really spend money on myself, but I picked this little book up and read the title and thought, ' Hey, that's me!'  The book is set out as a page per day, so it gives you a reflection on each day.  Today's reflection was titled,  'MY LIFE'.  It talked about how our life is not up for criticism, just our work.  I found it interesting as I know one of my faults is that I am way too sensitive and take things too personally.  I don't really differentiate between someone giving constructive criticism and taking it personally on myself.  I hope this book gives my self esteem a boost.  As a working Mum, I am struggling with the balance of work, kids, home duties and my business seems to come a poor forth.  Please give me a heads up on any tips you may have in the balance of life!

Love Michelle

Cutting Material to Gorgeous Smocked Dresses

Is it just me, or is anyone else scared of that first cut into fabric too?

I don't know why I always have that fear that I am going to make an incorrect cut, but it sure does keep me on my toes with checking my dress patterns. 

 

Here is my first cut!  I had the pleasure of making my favourite neices baby a Christening dress, but I hadn't smocked for a few years, so a bit rusty!  I fell in love with this gorgeous fabric.  Very sweet.

 

All pleated up and ready to smock!

 

So what do you think?  Some embroidered roses into the shape of hearts, bows and bead droplets.

I was very happy with the end result.  And here is the little girl on her day.  Love you Iyla!

 

Happy Stitching.

Love Michelle xx

To Falls Creek and Back!

Just wanted to show you all some fabulous photos we took last week.

I got taken to Falls Creek for the first time and I cant believe I have never been there!  We saw some amazing views and I would highly recommend everyone to visit it and the near-by towns.

 

These wild flowers were my favourite for the whole trip.  How gorgeous are they?!

 

This is Wallace's Hut.  The aura here was just amazing.  I have never experienced anything like it.  I would love to know if anyone else has been here.

I love the corregated iron and the solid wooden logs.

And my last favourite photo.  How gorgeous is he?  Greg took this photo of a flame robin.  I just love birds and my favourite is a blue wren, but after seeing this gorgeous robin, I think the blue wren has some competition! 

Love Michelle

From Pencil Cases To Raggy Ann Dolls!

This is my latest achievement and I have to say she is very cute.

I have had this pattern for about 5 years and decided to make her.  I made her out of some of my favourite fabrics and then I decided to give her to a friend who has bought her own home recently (much to the disappointment of my little girls!)

I just hope it doesn't take me another 5 years to make another Raggy Doll?!

 

Happy Stitching.

Love Shell xxx

HAPPY EASTER 2009

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter.

Eat lots of chocolate, because I am sure it is very good for you.

Here is a picture of what my clever little 7 year old did today.  It is the first bit of stitching she has ever done!  Clever Girl!

 

Love Michelle xx

Busy Making Pencil Cases

Hi Everyone,

Well, after a week of being sick and spending most days in bed, I have decided to get up and sewing!

After a visit to blog land, one of the ladies I like to visit is a mother of five, her name is Lenora Jenkins.  On her site she has a free pattern for a pencil case.  It is a lovely design and easy to follow.  My Georgia has wanted a pencil case since the start of the school year, so it was a perfect pattern to sew for her.

 

So log on to Lenora's site and see how easy it is for yourself.  Here is the link http://lenorajenkinsdesigns.typepad.com/

Have a great day.

Love Michelle xx

My Embroidered Baby Nighties

I embroider baby outfits for a shop in Woodend called Zappa Do.

The outfits are by Marquise and are of a beautiful quality and I just embellish them.  This is one I completed today after a request for an April babe. Do you like it?

 

I am just loving this wintery Melbourne weather. It is lovely being kept indoors.

Love Michelle  xx

A Day Of Awe and Wonder

At first the balloon flight I bought for Greg last Christmas had me very nervous.  I envisaged all sorts of disasterous things occurring.  And then after two cancellations due to weather, I was convinced we weren't meant to fly.

But there we were on Monday 2nd March and I would highly recommend this amazing experience.

The views, the patchwork of ground cover, not to mention the beauty of such a wonderful land we live on.  I have captured some views, here are some of my favourites.

This is a view as we rose above the clouds.  Now this was awesome!

This image is one I have always loved.  As a little girl I used to think it was heaven peaking through.

  Safely landed.

Have a great long weekend everyone and happy stitching.

Love Michelle

A Day At Lavandula

LAVANDULA's is a beautiful lavender farm and it had it's Lavender Harvest Festival yesterday.  I have wanted to go and visit for years and so pleased to say we finally got there!

It was such a beautiful day and was so inspiring!

 

I was determined to capture that butterfly in one photo!

Walking down the stone steps to this lavender field just blew me away, the field was just gorgeous.

 

One of my favourite things are rustic buildings.  This dwelling just captures all that I love...the rock structure and the devine tin roof.

 

These are my gorgeous girls.  Nellie, who is on my knee, was convinced she was going to get eaten by bees.  It was such an amazing sight to see all the bees buzzing and watch them fly away when we approached.  I thoroughly recommend a visit to this gorgeous place.  They have a website so at least visit them at www.lavandula.com.au

Love Michelle xx