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

A Play Date and Chat in St. Simons Island, GA

Hello my friend!

I'm sorry I missed our visit last week. I returned from teaching in St. Simons Island, GA to having my email system upgraded and migrated to a new platform after it had been hacked. Then I had to learn the whole new system and make it work with my phone, website etc. Then... my business credit card got hacked and I had to deal with all of that. It's really soooooo annoying how much time and money I have to spend fixing things and protecting myself from awful people in society. I can't help but think how lovely the world would be if they used their talents to help others instead of hurt others. I guess that's just how it is though and I'm grateful for the wonderful people who help me get through it all and are patient with my meltdowns. ;)

 So, lets hop onto something more fun shall we? Like I said, I went to St. Simons Island to give my "Down the Rabbit Hole" lecture chat and give my "Beekeeper" workshop play date. What a wonderful time I had with these lovely friends, which included one visiting from South Carolina and three who drove up from Florida to take my class. What an honor!

Here I'm giving some demos on how to build the flowers for my "Beekeeper" pincushion. The guild (Debbi Sue) gave all of us bunny ears to wear! Several people bent their ears like Henry's! They are so fun! 

The Florida gals writing down what colors they wanted on what parts. Oh, and Tanya made me a sweet bunny pin that I'm wearing! Thank you Tanya! :) :)

This is how you wear ears when they start giving you a headache. hee,hee,hee.

Mary, in white, came from South Carolina. I met her last year when I was in Hilton Head. She is so sweet and I'm glad she could be there for my class.

I bring everything needed for my classes except scissors. It's all about inspiring individual creativity. Everyone gets so excited when they see all the goodies I bring. My little bunny mobile is packed to the roof!

I will have a new class to offer in 2020 and I'm already booking dates. If your guild would like a Play Date with the crazy bunny lady, please contact me! You can find more information on my website HERE.

Next, I just have to tell you about my new, forever friend, Loanne Hamje. She is just the sweetest! She invited me to stay with her at her incredibly lovely and cozy home. I know you are going to love her home as much as I did.

First, this gorgeous fountain is in her parking garage. She lives in a fabulous condominium. The fountain helps reduce the noise from cars in the garage. The home builder in me was loving this!

Her inviting front door.

This is what greets you as you enter. My eyes grew big as I gazed upon all those incredible quilts! Loanne has collected quilts for many years.

 

This is an applique a friend made for her that she had professionally framed. I love the matting.

I'm in love with this custom build in cabinet!

Loanne loves Americana and has lots of red, white and blue collections.

 In addition to quilts, there are needlepoint chairs, pillows and cross stitch pictures everywhere.

 This is Loanne's beekeeper pincushion she made in my class in Houston this past November.

This is her progress on the one she made at this class. Isn't it fun to see how changing the colors makes it so different. I love how she jazzes up the bees! :)

Here is the sweet lady in her studio. You're going to die when you scroll through these photos. It's a fabulous space!

Don't you love the flip flop quilt?

Fabric stash anyone? Her ceilings are 10' high... just sayin. ;)

This is one of her many vintage quilts she has collected.

This is her room. I love the white bedspreads with the quilts at the bottom. Loanne lost her husband, Bob, two years ago. I enjoyed hearing about him and I know I would have loved him as much as I love her.

This is the room I stayed in.

You know I had to choose this bed. ;)

This is her kitchen where she made me a smoothie, coffees and wonderful breakfasts!

This is the formal side of her living room. Quilts and needlepoint everywhere.

I just had to take a picture of her laundry room sink. I love it!!!

This is one of Loanne's favorite vintage quilts. It's from the late 1800's and is AMAZING!
We had the best time looking at all the embroidery work that was done on it. It makes me want to do one with a modern flare.... hmmmmm.....

This cutie is on her balcony porch.

We had an ice coffee out there and this is the view. My favorite Live Oak trees with moss dripping off of them. Pure Heaven!!!

She lives a short walk to the water and

a beautiful public space where a wedding was getting set up. How magical!

Well, did you enjoy this as much as I did? I sure hope so. I'm truly blessed to have a job that allows me to meet new people, inspire their creativity and make them forever friends.

See ya back here next week.
Hugs and friends,
Michelle