MAGPIE'S MUMBLINGS

A blog about my interests, which include fabric landscapes and various and assorted other artsy pursuits and sometimes known to contain mumblings of a random nature.

Monday, November 24, 2025

From the kitchen at Chez Magpie...

 Over the weekend the kitchen here at Chez Magpie was a hive of industry and resulted in the creation of Christmas Jam, Cranberry and Apple Mustard, Rhubarb Jelly and even a batch of shaving cream.  There may, or may not, have been a batch or two of toffee too.

In case you want to make your own, here's three of the recipes we used...

RHUBARB JELLY

2 lbs. rhubarb, chopped into 1" pieces
4 1/4 c. water
To make the jelly:
4 c. rhubarb juice
6 c. sugar
6 T. powdered pectin

Bring the rhubarb and water to a hard boil and then simmer for about 20 mins. or until the rhubarb has fallen apart.  Pour mixture into a cheesecloth lined strainer and allow the juice to drain for about 2 hours or until you've collected 4 c. of juice.
Bring juice to a boil, add the pectin and bring to a boil for one minute.  Add the sugar and return to a boil for 1 minute.  Pour into hot jars and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Makes approx. 7  half-pint jars.
           Original recipe was found HERE.  Some changes by us.

CHRISTMAS JAM
4 c. fresh or frozen cranberries
4 c. chopped strawberries
4 c. sugar
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves (we didn't use)
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg (we increased to 1/2 tsp)
1/4 c. water
Combine in a large pot and bring to a boil over med-high heat, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 mins or until jam has thickened.  Ladle into hot sterilized jars, seal and process in a boiling water bath for 10 mins.
Original recipe was found HERE.  

CRANBERRY AND APPLE MUSTARD
3 c. cranberries
2/3 c. cider vinegar
2 cooking apples, fine chopped
1/2 c. white sugar
1/3 c. honey
6 T. mustard powder
2 T. minced garlic
2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. turmeric
Combine cranberries and vinegar, cover the pot,  and bring to a boil and boil gently 5 minutes (you will need to keep stirring).  Add remaining ingredients and bring back to a boil, then lower to a good simmer for 5 more minutes.  Ladle into hot sterilized 4 oz.  jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Original recipe was found HERE.


- THIS is an intriguing idea.

- THIS would be a nice gift for someone.

- I'd like to give THIS a try.

- I thought THIS was intriguing too.




Friday, November 21, 2025

I really don't suppose....

 Another couple of 'social' days so nothing much got accomplished in my sewing room, other than addressing the Christmas cards - and I'm sure you are ever so anxious to see a picture of those?  I thought not.  So you know what I'm going to do, don't you....

- You simply have to go and see THIS stunning quilt!!!  

- We haven't tried THIS (yet) but wouldn't they be pretty on a cookie tray?

- THESE are really cute!  And so is THIS.

- Sometimes the simplest things are the best, as THIS will attest.

- THESE are awwwww-worthy.

- THIS might be fun to make - and would make a great gift too!

Today's quote is from George Bernard Shaw..."Now that we have learned to fly in the air like birds and dive in the sea like fish, only one thing remains...to learn to live on earth like humans"



Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Knitting too

 Earlier I made several of these hats and, upon perusing the Christmas box, I decided I needed to knit one more...

The original pattern is THIS one which I changed by using the ribbed pattern for a brim from THIS hat that I know our family likes.

- I think THIS is a wonderful idea to create in memory of someone special.

- If you crochet, be prepared to fall down a rabbit hole found HERE.

- I think THESE would be a welcome gift and would be fairly simple to make several at once.

-  THIS is so pretty and would make a lovely gift for someone on your list.

Today's quote...



Monday, November 17, 2025

One down....

 ....three more to go!


Pattern is Simplicity 1043

- THIS is a really pretty design that would make great gifts or nice on your own table.

- Making some of THESE would be fun and there's a multitude of uses as well.

- Sometimes the simplest things are the best as THIS will attest.  Now I wish I'd kept all the plaid 'bits' I got rid of!!

- If you're looking to expand your crocheting skills, perhaps you might like to look through all the possibilities HERE.

- There are several really cute little cross stitched designs HERE (thanks to Canadian Needle Nana for the head's up on this one).

Today's quote....




Friday, November 14, 2025

Squirrel!!!!

 


Yes, a squirrel scampered through my sewing room and for some reason this happened...

This, being a little quilt for a doll bed.  Our little granddaughter will be getting a doll bed for her birthday in January (along with the rag doll I made her several months ago) and what self-respecting grandma could have a 'nekkid' bed with no bedding?  I *should* have been working on PJ's but that pesky squirrel had other plans.  



- THESE are awwww-worthy ( I know they're earmarked for Easter, but I don't see why they wouldn't be fun in the winter)

- Perhaps you might have a use for THESE in your Christmas crafting.

- HERE is another great little gift.

- I've seen a lot of THESE around the internet but thought it would be fun to share an article about them in case you're interested in doing one in 2026.  I think it would be an amazing gift for a newborn or commemorating the first year of a marriage.

Today's quote...



Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Nada

 Nothing much is happening in the studio here at Chez Magpie this week, at least not so far.  It's a busy week socially so the sewing machine is feeling rather left out.  Today I'm teaching a crazy quilting workshop so I'll be gone all day and tomorrow is a family lunch 'date'.  Hopefully I'll be able to get back to making things on Friday if all goes well. 

So...in the meantime.....you know what that means, don't you...
- Perhaps THESE would make a good gift for someone?

- Anyone with a sweet tooth would appreciate one of THESE.

- THESE would make a nice gift too.

- HERE is something that would be a welcome gift.

- THESE would be fun to give too, particularly if you accompanied the gift with something else that is kitchen-y.

- Several years ago I made a number of THESE and they were well-received.

Today's quote..."We don't always have to agree with each other, but it's important that we learn to respect each other.  Disagreement is natural, disrespect is a choice.  Respect costs nothing but it builds everything"



Tuesday, November 11, 2025