Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Hello blogging my old friend

Hello dear friends,

Well, it's been a while. Quite a long while in fact. Summer and fall came and went and now it's Christmas day. There have been many adventures along the way and much I want to share with you. So, this is just a quick hop in to let you know that starting next Wednesday, New Years day, I will return to blogging once a week on Wednesdays. I have missed posting on my little peaceful place in this world and I have also missed sharing stories with you.












I hope to see you here next week. Until then, Happy Christmas and much love to you from me, David, Hannah bunny, Henry bunny and Sabrina kitty too.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Catching Up!

Hi my friends! Well, a week turned into two, turned into three, turned into two months! It's how it is sometimes. I just can't keep up with everything I need to do. As I mentioned before, Facebook and Instagram are where I post because it just takes a few seconds to share something with you. So if you are on those, please follow me under The Raspberry Rabbits.

However, I still do love to keep up with my friends who enjoy reading my blog, so here we go with what has been going on here in Bunnyville.

First, I have to share a gift I received from my dear friend, Becky Bucci. I have long loved and admired the work of local artist Todd Carignan. He paints with oil and I find his work to have a dreamy effect. Becky commissioned him to paint my sweet Hannah bunny. Hannah is my oldest rescue bunny (near 11) and I've had her the longest of any of my bunnies (over 8 years).


I will treasure this painting always. I hung it in my guest bedroom.


Next, thirty years ago on July 1st, I asked David out on a date. Yes, I asked him out. I've always been a strong woman who goes after what she wants. Lucky for me, he said yes. We have been together ever since. I was 21 in this photo and David was 29. Funny how it seems like yesterday. Now, he is bald and I have four different prescriptions in my glasses and can't see crap without them. LOL!


I also received a lovely gift from my Sis-in-Laws, Robin and Lea. They went on a trip to Scotland and brought me back these beautiful handmade buttons. They are made from clay. I want to make something special and artsy with them. Perhaps a textile book???? Hmmmm... it's so fun thinking of ideas.

For the third year in a row, I'm honored to be selected as a teacher at the Houston, International Quilt Festival. One does not automatically get to teach at this festival. Every year, we must reapply. I am among 129 of the finest, most talented teachers in the world. There are over 550 classes available, not to mention lectures, demonstrations, 900 booths to shop in and of course, the display of the most breath taking quilts from all over the world. Every year, the artistry of quilts at this show truly amazes me. Put this show on your "quilting bucket list." Believe me, you won't be disappointed. I hope to see you in a class!


This is what is on my design board. I can't wait to share it with you. They will be new kits available the end of August. They are called, "Ready, Set Stitch" kits. They are designed to get your creativity flowing in a fun project that you can just pick up and take with you. No special skills needed and there will be videos to go along with them. Stay tuned!


Today, July 24, marks 5 years since I rescued Sabrina from my old neighborhood. By Sabrina, aka, Puddy Pants, Miss Meow Meow, Bri Bri is just the sweetest. I always wanted a cat and I'm grateful every day that she came into my life. If you're wondering, she is totally afraid of the bunnies. Henry would love to be her friend, but she runs away. Chicken kitty. LOL!


Hurricane Florence has claimed another tree in our yard. This magnificent beauty had to be cut down. It made me sooooooooo sad! I have had some work done to the yard and will show that in the next post.

I purchased this book and look forward to reading it. I believe everything is connected. Everything is energy.


I'm going to leave you with a little humor.

Light, love and hugs to you,
Michelle, the bunnies and Sabrina kitty too

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

A Day of Play with Michelle May - The Crazy Bunny Lady

Hello my friend! I do hope you have been enjoying your Spring. Isn't it crazy how fast the month of May has gone by? It's been busy around here in Bunnyville with some new designs, having dead trees cut down from the yard and trying to get people to do what they say they are going to do. What is up with that???

Anyway, I wanted to share some Play Date news. Teaching is my favorite part of what I do. I get down-right giddy seeing my student's imagination and creativity come to life. It's so wonderful to be able to say, "Today is a day of play. A day all about you. There are no worries and there is no right or wrong in this room. I'm simply your guide down the rabbit hole into your imagination."

 As adults, we often forget abut how fun it is to do something for the pure joy of it. Life, bills, kids, grandies, spouses and responsibilities get in the way. Not to mention, that beyond elementary school, art and creativity was taken away and we were told it was a waste of time and we needed to focus on something practical. To this I say, bah humbug! If it wasn't for the creative people in this world, homes, clothing, electronics, movies, furniture, etc. would be really, really boring and ugly! hee,hee,hee. So EVERYONE should be thankful and support artists and creative people for sharing their gifts with the world.

The other thing is, if we don't take care of ourselves first, by doing something that brings us joy, we can't be the best version of ourselves for others. It's truly give and take that makes us all better in the long run and balances out our lives.

So first, I want to share that I am truly honored to once again be selected to teach at the Houston International Quilt Festival.


If you are going to festival this year, I will be teaching these two classes.

Conrad the Carrot Collector



and Peter's Pumpkin


You only need to bring scissors to my classes! I hope to see you at festival!

Next, my Play Dates for 2020 are booking up. I can only physically manage 12 dates a year. I offer my "Beekeeper Pincushion" class,






my "Heartfelt Notes" class,



and will be adding a new class "Shadow Box Blocks" in celebration of being a quilter 30 years this year! Here's a sneaky peeky. Photos will be coming in July as I'm working on the samples now.



My students have the best time and are thrilled that they only have to bring two pair of scissors to class. My $35 kit fee covers everything else!

Here's a sampling of what I bring.







Christiana Halsey, a student from St. Simons Island just sent me these photos. She made one of every flower from my "Beekeeper Pincushion" as gifts for her friends. Lucky them!


Also, my sweet friend forever friend, Loanne Hemje, also from St. Simons Island, sent me a photo of her finished "Beekeeper Pincushion."


This is the one she made one with me in Houston last year as well. Isn't it fun to see how different they look? Again, giving everyone permission to "play" is the most wonderful experience. I truly love the results.



If you belong to a group or guild and would like a Play Date and Chat (which includes a trunk show) with the "Crazy Bunny Lady," please hop on over to my website for more information and book your date before it's too late! HOP ON OVER

Hugs to you,
Michelle and the Bunnies

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Happy Hannah Day!

Hello my friend!

I'm hopping in for a quick post this week. I have much to do and not much time to do it in.

Today is Happy Hannah Day! Eight years ago on this day I brought my sweet girl home from the rabbit rescue. She was an unwanted Easter bunny and her ears were full of mites. Hannah is somewhere between 10 and 11 years old and outside of some arthritis, she is going strong and still does a little dance for her salad and banana treat. I'm so grateful for every day with my precious girl.



See ya back here next week!
Michelle

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Creativity and Bunnies

Hi ya! Did you miss me last week? I had the best intentions on writing, but alas, hackers had other plans for me. My business credit card got hacked so I had to deal with all of that and between my email, my credit card and now being bombarded with SPAM comments here on my blog, I'm about worn out!

On a positive note, I did look at my stats and I'm happy that the Russians are no longer reading things here. Yes, you read that right. I had a huge amount of traffic from Russia over the past two years and it has finally gone back to normal. I guess reading about bunnies, home decor and quilting was not their cup of tea. Of course, I'm sure there is some Google algorithm that will see I typed Russia and they heathens will come back. ;) I will be spending this summer learning how to transfer my blog over to my website where I have control over everything. I think Google, Facebook and Amazon have gotten too big and have too much control over the average person. Ok, there is my rant for this post. Just frustrated by the all the hacking and "Big Brother." They are total morons.

Henry is tired of them too. Doesn't it make you feel better just looking at his sweet face? It does me. My friend, Patricia always use to say, "The world is going to hell. Here are some bunny photos." ;)



After I got all that fixed, worked out and paid for and learned a new email system, I had to get ready to teach in Hilton Head Island for the Palmetto Quilters. Now that was FUN!!! With all the digital everything nowadays, there is still something so special about meeting with friends for a day of play and creativity in real life. I absolutely LOVE it!

I gave a lecture  chat first and one of the guild members showed off my Sir Walter Harrington pillow that she made! Yaaaaaaaay!



In class, Jeanette was working on this embroidery treatment to her flower. I get totally geeked out over everyone's creativity. It's amazing what happens when ones imagination has permission to play.



This is a finished pincushion from Deb Johnson. I love how she put her own spin on the finished piece by not adding border fabric and by using the grosgrain ribbon. I also really love the couching she did around the center of her flower. 




Here are my fun friends in my class. Everyone with their bunny ears of course. ;)


We actually had tornado sirens going off during class! I was cracking up as nobody was worried and thought we should move to the center of the building. They were having too much fun!! No stinkin tornado was going to ruin our Play Date! hee,hee,hee




Thank you to Cathy and Terri for inviting me to your guild. I had such a wonderful time!

Back home at my local guild, my dear friend, Candy Lord, showed off my "Seamore the Seahorse" design. Her home was damaged by hurricane Florence and she still has not moved back in. She decided to make Seamore for her new blue bathroom.


Candy is an amazing quilter and I think she did a great job on this! Bunny ears crossed her home will be ready soon.


Next, whenever I see a beautifully decorated envelope with "air mail" on it, I know it will contain something extra special from Jules!



As always, I was not disappointed. Jules painted Henry the VII for me! She used Henry's details and combined them with portraits of the real Henry the VII. She added a crown as it is more regal than a hat. Don't you just love how he is clenching Timothy Hay? hee,hee,hee. It's fabulous!


Jules and I were talking a while back and I told her I would love to have all my bunnies painted by her in royal attire as they have all had royal names. Here are Sir Walter Harrington and Lady Hannah Goldenhare that I already have and treasure.


Now, I'm super excited to add Henry the VII to my collection. I named him that because he is my eighth rescue rabbit. I'm one lucky bunny to have a best friend in England who is also one of my most favorite artists. Thank you Jules! Love you!!!


I also had a visit from the little bunny, Greyson Howser, who lives across the street from me. He's so darn cute! I can't believe how big he has gotten since August. He and his mom and dad will be moving the middle of next month. I sure will miss them. I'm forever grateful that I met them and got to teach Brandee to quilt. I know she will go on to make more quilts.


So how was your Easter? We had a lovely, delicious and peaceful time with our friends, Patty and Jim. David and I truly enjoy their company.



Oh, I have to show you my birthday/Easter present to myself. I call it my "bunny trophy." hee,hee,hee I just had to have it. It's perfect with my European Cottage Style. Now you know why I love all my  rabbit paintings from Jules too. :)



Well, that is all for this week. I hope you are well. Hannah is doing her Henry imitation with one ear up. ;)



Light, love and hugs,
Michelle

Lady Hannah Goldenhare - Nothing Gold Can Stay

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