As requested, and a beginning

I have made a start at my next landscape (you can scroll down to  my previous post to see what I'm hoping to accomplish).  At this point in the process I'm never sure that what I've done is even going to work, but we'll see.

And...a couple of people have requested additional photos of the felt food 'all together' and this is the best that I can do in order to fit it all in....

I also made a 'Thomas The Tank Engine' apron

and found a child-size set of 'tools'...

- If you are owned by a cat, perhaps you might like to make them one of THESE.

- This is something fun - THESE ladies knit a miniature version of their town. 

- THESE are for the fans of Harry Potter.  As are THESE (and don't make ME knit them!!!).

- Interesting tutorial HERE on making fabric collages.

Today's quote is from Joshua Becker..."Stop the glorification of busy.  Busy, in and of itself, is not a badge of honor.  It's okay to not be busy"

Felt Finish!

My fun with felt has come to an end - the shoebox is full.  Today I'm making a little apron to go along with it and I can call that project done!

The plate is plastic and will be included in the box

- THIS is a great gift for the end of the year for a teacher (or anyone else, come to think of it!).

- If you are interested in embroidery (and designing you own) perhaps you would like to check out THIS. 

- If you're like me and often end up chasing your wayward ball of yarn, perhaps one of THESE holders might be handy to try.  (and yes, I know I can pull from the centre of the ball, but it pretty much always leads to yarn barf and I have zero patience for untangling yarn!!)

- What if.....you had some  jigsaw puzzle pieces (the large ones) and used them to wrap your embroidery floss on to??? 

Today the quote is from James C. Humes...."Oh Lord we thank you for giving us minds and mouths, please help us to keep the two of them connected"

More fun with felt

Just a friendly reminder - if you comment anonymously, 

I won't publish it.  Recently I've been getting

some rather 'interesting' spam.

AND...

Don't forget that I now respond to your comments

right here in the comment section so don't

forget to check back!

Over the weekend I played with more felt and came up with these additions to the shoebox of fun I'm making...

I promise, the box will soon be full and

I'll be past this phase and back to the

regular mumblings!

- Have a peek at the amazing work done by THIS artist!!  I can't imagine it.  (Be sure to check out her 'Work' galleries).

- THIS is a handy chart to have if you are attempting to crochet a flat circle.

- Have a look at the amazing work done by THIS artist!  And THIS artist as well.

- THIS is so cute!  Perfect for a little one for summer.  

- If you're planning on giving money to your graduate, perhaps some of THESE fun presentation ideas might catch your eye.

Today's quote..."When I clean my sewing room:  1% cleaning; 29% complaining, and 70% playing with stuff"

Fun With Felt (with a nod to Sheldon)

I'm still playing with felt here at Chez Magpie and today's 'offerings' are these....

The beginning of a salad

I'm also pondering how I will create a landscape quilt from this photo...

Image used with the kind permission of

Dale Stewart

- Sometimes I come across something that has absolutely no bearing on anything but quite simply makes me laugh.  THIS is one of those things.  Just look at the expressions on their faces!!

- Good tutorial HERE for a box pouch - handy for lots of things!

- I really like THIS fabric house - and the blogger gives some photos of the process to make it (and if you click on some of her previous posts you can see more).  There's a 'translate' option so you can read more about it too.

- HERE's some eye candy for you to enjoy - be sure to explore her other galleries as well.

Today's quote..."You can't force someone to respect you, but you can refuse to be disrespected"

Feelin' felty!

First of all, for those of you who were kind enough to ask, I did survive the dreaded 'speech' at the trunk show yesterday.  Luckily it wasn't a large audience (only about 20 ladies) so that helped.  I didn't have to get up on a stage OR hold a microphone (both things give me the heebie jeebies).  They seemed interested in what I had to show them and made very nice comments - and even laughed (I'm sure politely) at my pitiful jokes.  Now I can put it behind me and return to my happy place - my sewing room - where they know me here and don't judge.

And speaking of my sewing room, here are a few more felt-bits that I've created....

Took me two days to make the corn!!

- Those of you who like to play with paper may find THIS article about different ways to make it look old of interest.

- THIS is another fun creation that paper crafters will enjoy - and it's useful too!

- Another rather cute scrap-buster perfect for carrying your teabags can be found  HERE.

- Wouldn't THIS be so pretty to wear at a summer wedding?

- You may be interested in having a look at the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design's latest online show 'Borders' and you may see it HERE.

- Have a look at the eye candy HERE.

A quote from George Jessel..."The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public"

A change of pace!

And now, for something different.....

How about a peanut butter & jelly sandwich?

Or maybe a burger?.....

I'm a grandma, what can I say?

If you are of the mind, please send some positive thoughts my way for tomorrow.  I'm destined to do a trunk show for a small quilt guild in the area and I am SO not a public speaker!!!  I know it's difficult for smaller guilds to get speakers and it's also a way to promote the fact that I hope to get commissions and sales for my landscapes.  That's not, however, making me feel the least bit braver!

- THIS little fellow made me smile!

- HERE is another tutorial for a really cute crocheted flower with many different uses.

- There's an excellent article HERE discussing how to make foolproof French Knots.  I know some people struggle with them at times.

- And further on French Knots - have a look at THIS project!!!!!

- THIS is one of those tips that can make your sewing life SEW much simpler!!

- Have a look at the eye candy of THIS artist!  Be sure to check her artwork gallery.

Today's quote is from Dale Carnegie...."There are always three speeches for every one you actually gave.  The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave"

A finish!

I finished the grain elevator landscape a couple of days ago and here it is....

And to refresh your memory, this is the 

original photo I worked from...

Photo by Dale Stewart,

used with his kind permission

(thank you Dale!)

- THIS is a really great tote bag pattern that would be handy for so many different things.

- There are a number of great ideas HERE to use your button collection (you know - like the ten jars I have filled with them!!!!)

- Have a look at THIS unique take on a needlebook!  You will need to use the translate feature to read about it.  

- THIS is a cute quilted coaster pattern - perfect for any time of the year, depending on the colours you choose.  Even better, they'd work for stash busting too!

- THIS is one of the those things that made me say 'awwww'!

Today's quote is from the Dalai Lama - "There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done.  One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow.  Today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live"