A little project

Don't forget to check back here for my responses to your

comments - at least for now (until Blog-grrr gets itself

sorted out!). 

I'm back!  DH's medical tests are done for now and we can actually spend some time at home, which means I can return to stitching and blogging!  

Today I have a little project I can show you that I recently completed.  My friend Pam Kellogg sent me the piece of fabric I used for the front cover of this needle book and rather than storing it away in my stash I thought I'd use it right away.  This is the original piece of fabric...

and this is what I came up with....

I removed the gold trim around the edges and then used some of it on the

spine of the needle book.

Another thing that will be added to the gift box!

- THIS would look so pretty on so many different things!

- There's a tutorial HERE for binding angled corners.

- I don't often send you to have a peek at a commercial link, but you have to see THIS!!!!!  Can you imagine making it??

- If you happen to have a bowling ball (or two) lying about....and you do, don't you?.....perhaps you will think THESE are fun.  They made me smile!

- Have a look at the work by THIS artist. Wow!!

- THESE are beautiful crocheted flowers that would be perfect for many different applications.

- Oooooh - have a look at THIS blog!!  Be sure to scroll down.  Adorable-ness from start to finish!

- I like THIS idea - another thing that would be a great stash buster AND make great gifts as well.

- There's a whole lot of quilting tips found HERE and I also came across a great cheat sheet to help you work out quilt sizes HERE.  And if you're looking for different ideas for backing a quilt how about one of THESE?

- Perhaps your kids might be encouraged to read if they had THIS cute bookmark?

- THIS is one of those things that sort of make you say 'awww' - and maybe want to make one?

Another of the anonymous quotes for you..."A strong person is not the one who doesn't cry.  A strong person is the one who cries and sheds tears for a moment, then gets up and fights again"

Something a little different - sorta - kinda - maybe

Just a reminder that, for the present, I will be responding to your comments directly here on the blog.  Word has it that Google/Blog-grrr is working on it and should have it fixed soon.  

There seems to have been precious little happening on the stitching front here at Chez Magpie, but I am working on a needlebook project as time permits.  So far this is pretty much all I've managed to accomplish...

Yeah, I know - pretty boring huh!!

And, to make matters worse, I might not find time to do any posts next week.  DH is having a bunch of medical tests (don't worry - nothing drastic) and it means we'll be gone for three days next week for those - plus we have to take my friend for HER medical test and that will take up another day.  So....if you don't hear from me, don't worry - I'll post if I can.

I can already feel a case of serious stitching withdrawal coming on!!

- There's a free Father's Day crazy quilt block pattern HERE.

- Sometimes the simplest things are the best and THIS certainly fits under that category!  There are so many variables you could come up with to suit any of your storage needs.

- THIS is another of the interesting artists that I've come across.

- And THIS is another artist that works with found photos.  While you're visiting there, be sure to check out her other galleries. Fascinating work!

- I normally don't give you links to something that I can't locate the actual source, but I am doing an exception for THIS.  It's an 'inspiration-only' quilt but I love it!  If any of you can give me further information on the artist, I will happily update this post to reflect that info. 

Today's quote is from Oprah Winfrey..."Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do"

Tote bag

Just a wee reminder to you that at least for now I will be replying to your comments directly on this blog and not through email as previously done.  I have it on good authority that Google is working on the problem and hopes to have it resolved shortly.  Yay!!

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I just finished working on a new tote bag.  Nothing, in itself, is the least bit exciting about that....but I DID have to come up with something to post about!  This one is made using recycled denim and lace from my stash.  The denim is some that I discharge dyed many moons ago and  had been lurking in my stash.

Front

Back (large pocket)

- Further on the tote bag theme, there are lots of free pattern links HERE.   And there's a cute small tote bag  link HERE.  And to another one HERE.  

- Kathy Shaw has opened registrations for her latest FREE online class...ICQC-104-Advanced Motifs.  You can find more information about that in her post found HERE (but hurry, because it's only open until midnight tomorrow!!).

- THIS is a really cute sock raccoon pattern!

- If you are interested in embroidering a realistic looking bird, have a look HERE.  

- Free pattern HERE for a fabric wallet if you happen to need one.

Another anonymous quote for you...."My wish for you is simple.  Have the best life imaginable, live like you will never grow old, laugh, giggle, cry if you must.  Play as hard as you work, make time for people and things you adore.  When you sleep I hope you have the best dreams that will make you wake up with a smile on your face.  And that you always know that you are loved.  That's my wish for you"

A wee little book

I did a bit of a studio clean up (I know - what IS this world coming to!!) and came across something I have been meaning to share for awhile.  Several months ago our honorary member of our little CQTeers crafting group (Liz) sent us each one of her little artist books with the challenge to fill it with something.  It took me awhile to decide what I could do.  I have an inherent fear of defacing books which my mother instilled in me when I was little so it took some mental talking to before I could manage to touch it.  Here's the beautiful handpainted cover that Liz created for my book...

The book measures approx. 5" tall x 4" wide

About the time the book arrived I was in the throes of a somewhat more thorough cleanup of my sewing room and came across what I created in an online ledger class taught by Karen Ruane.  I sat down to look through it and was aghast to discover that the double sided tape that I had used was turning everything brown and was letting go (despite having been assured in the store that it wouldn't do such a thing....false advertising!!).  So...I ended up taking the ledger apart, salvaging what I could and putting them into this new little book (MINUS the double-sided tape I might add!!).  This is the result...

If you are interested in seeing more of the ledger I originally did, you can find the first post about it HERE (and if you want to know more, if you click on the 'journals' topic in my sidebar it will take you to more posts (you'll have to scroll down).  

- THIS is a sweet knitted sweater for a little girl.

- If you'd like to try covering plastic coat hangers with crochet, have a peek at THIS.  I think I'd prefer to use wooden hangers if I could because plastic does tend to break after awhile.  They would make great gifts though!

- THIS is a really intriguing idea for consistent blocking of afghan squares.  I think I'd be tempted to use dowels though, simply because they're a little more sturdy.

-  The San Francisco School of Needlework and Design has unveiled their latest online show with the theme 'A View From My Window'.  Go HERE to see the amazing works of art!  Their current challenge theme is 'Burlesque' and I know the entries for that will be fabulous too.  You can find out more about the SFSND by visiting THIS link (they have a really interesting newsletter too).

- Have a look at the amazing fiber art by THIS artist!  And THIS one too!!

- I'm not a hat person, but I know a lot of you are so perhaps you might like THIS crochet pattern.

Another anonymous quote..."The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts while the stupid ones are full of confidence"  

And.....phew.....

......a return to the regular mumblings that you have grown accustomed to here at Chez Magpie!

I dunno about you, but I'm glad!!!   I've had quite enough grappling over privacy policies, the European Union and computer gobbledy-gook that means nothing to anyone but the geeks that wrote it (and obviously felt a need to justify having their jobs).  So....deep breath....and onward....

(although - I'm still waiting to get the ability to reply to comments sorted out and hopefully when all the dust settles things will return to normal).

EDITED TO ADD:  I am doing a VERY happy dance right now!!  Becki made a comment on my privacy policy post telling me what to do to be able to reply directly to your comments on my blog and it worked!  Happy happy!!!  If you want to see what she said have a look at this post and scroll down to the comment section.

For the foreseeable future, please check back to your comment on my posts and I will respond to you there.  If things change, I'll let you know.  Thank you Becki!!  

My week has pretty much been shot playing about with privacy issues and also doing a lot of social things so precious little has been accomplished in my sewing room.  So...I thought I'd show you another one of my little treasures....

This little bag, measuring approximately 5x9") was crocheted by my maternal grandmother.  It's lined with a pink linen fabric and is made using crochet cotton.  I have no idea what she might have used it for, although the size suggests that it might perhaps have seen use as a purse at one time.  

- Those of you who are taking pictures of your work for show entries, or even if you want to improve your photos for use on your blog, perhaps you might find THIS article of interest.

- There's a tutorial HERE for making luggage tags (stash buster?).

- THIS is a really cute crocheted summer cardigan pattern.

- Have a look at the amazing work by THIS artist!

- There's a great tutorial HERE for ensuring that you obtain that perfect, but often elusive, 1/4" seam.

- Go HERE for a link to the pattern for a really pretty summer shawl.

The quote of the day is from Dr. Seuss..."Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory"

PRIVACY POLICY re the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Your privacy is important to me and so the statements below outline how your personal information can be collected.  First of all, thank you for visiting my blog, following my blog,  and for leaving comments on my blog posts....all of which I so much appreciate.  According to the new laws in effect regarding the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), there must be a disclaimer available on this blog.  So here goes....

ABOUT THIS BLOG....

"Magpie's Mumblings' is an independently operated blog run by me (Mary Anne Richardson) and within I share my creative work (various crafts, quilting, embroidery, crazy quilting) along with the occasional tutorial, recipe and photos of said work.  I am the owner, creator and only administrator of this blog.  I do not sell items through this blog.

This blog is written by me and if I share a link to any other person's work/pictures/articles I clearly state the proper link to said work.  Through your use of those links I am not responsible for the privacy policies of other websites or the applications they use. 

My computer has a running up-to-date anti-virus program in place at all times.  It is definitely family friendly and there is never any questionable content shared here.  If I notice any such activity attempting to be shared through the comments, it will immediately be deleted and, hopefully, through having my comments set to require  moderation prior to publication, any such efforts will be thwarted.  

HOW INFORMATION IS COLLECTED....

- if you leave a comment on the blog your email address could possibly be shared with me (and with me only) in order that I am able to respond to your comments.  

- it is possible that Google Analytics collects data, but those circumstances are beyond my control. Please visit THIS link to learn more about Google Analytics.

- Your email and name are never sold by me or in any way shared with any third parties.  Never.  

BLOG COMMENTS...

Anyone within the blogging community knows how much we love comments and feedback.  Please be aware that, should you leave a comment, it will subsequently be visible to anyone who reads the comment section.  Your name and comment will be visible to others and by the very act of leaving a comment you are consenting to the use of your information for that purpose.  Your email and other pertinent information will NOT be visible at any time.  For that reason, please do not share any detailed personal information in your comments.  I do reserve the right to remove comments I deem to be inappropriate at any time.  It is also worth noting that you can remove any comments you have written.  All those that leave a comment are also covered by the Google Privacy Policy (see HERE for further information regarding their policy).  

COOKIES....

- Blogger uses cookies to allow you to access websites and blogs without re-entering your user name and password. More information regarding cookies may be found HERE.  You can also disable their usage by searching that term on your browser and following the steps provided.  Please know that the use of cookies does NOT give me access to any personal information about you.

PARENTAL CONSENT.....

- As stated above, this blog is family friendly.  By law, if you are under 16 years of age, you must have parental permission before using this blog site.

FINALLY....

You have the right to know how your personal data is being processed.  Hopefully the policy I have outlined above will adequately explain how your data can be used.  

DATED:  May 31, 2018

An update on the interruption

OK, folks - as promised I would let you know what I found out regarding the new privacy laws that seem to be upsetting the blogging world.  I still don't understand it, despite doing a lot of extensive reading on the subject, but as near as I can gather it appears we are supposed to post a form of disclaimer on our blogs stating that we are not maliciously gathering private information from people.  As if the majority of us are the least bit interested in such things, but the powers-that-be seem to think we should be.

So....it pretty much boils down to having to post something on your blog stating that fact and assuring people (who you KNOW aren't going to bother reading the information anyway....ahem) that we aren't out to stalk them.  

If you check out the following link you will find a template that can guide you through what needs to be said (of course it has to be tweeked to suit your particular circumstances).  Thank you Kim for finding this!!!!  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Vf3e-Fh_kHg6mGW4BgldP6HbFG9xglsjxXzOeLpqfs/edit

PLEASE NOTE:  I am unable to make this link 'live', so you will need to cut and paste it in order to view it.  

I hope to have time this afternoon to tweek the template to suit my blog and will post it when I do.  

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As a further note, it appears upon checking the help forums on Blog-grrrr, that they are working on any further issues that have come up.  

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And, might I appeal to those of you who have your blog set to give you the ability to reply directly to comments ON your blog (without having to post a completely new comment), to give me some idea of what settings I need to use on my dashboard in order to allow that function?   For the life of me I can't find it!!

Stay tuned!!!

We interrupt this blog.....

Okay folks - it seems that the Powers That Be (those that like to complicate our lives beyond all reasonable expectations) are monkeying about with our blogs and how they work.  It appears that something is happening with the European Union called the GDPR.    I don't know about you, but I haven't a clue what they're blathering on about.  I've read a number of things about it, but unless you're fluent in computer-eeze it's all as clear as mud.  If you understand it and know how to deal with it using Blogger I'd sure appreciate a tutorial in language that makes sense.  If you would/could email me that and give me permission I'd love to share it on my blog so others could make sense of it too!  (marmic1954 AT hotmail DOT com).

In the meantime, the thing that seems to be affecting me most at the moment is that your comments are not showing up in my email box, which is where I am able to answer you easily.  I haven't yet figured out how/if I can answer directly on my blog (I know some bloggers do) and although I don't like having to do it that way because it means an extra step for you, it appears it might be my only option.  So.....if you don't receive responses to your much appreciated (and very anticipated!) comments in the manner to which you're accustomed, please forgive me....and blame those idiotic Powers That Be!!!!

H - E - L - P ?????

EDITED TO ADD:  I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how to respond individually to your comments directly on my blog without having to post a whole new comment that then doesn't link directly to YOUR comment.  I hate this!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Until I get this figured out, please know that I AM getting your comments, I AM reading them, and I AM appreciating them.  I have my blog set so that I have to moderate comments in order to avoid all the spam I keep getting, so if it takes a bit for your comment to show up, that will be why.  

Anybody know how to fix the commenting issue???