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.

Friday, June 26, 2026

An experiment in upcycling

 I've been wanting a 'new' summer-weight housecoat but they are extremely rare at the thrift stores and I refuse to pay full price.  So....enter a thrifted bed sheet.  I really liked this one when I saw it and the price was right (under $10) and I thought there might be enough fabric to make a housecoat using a pattern I've used to make them for our boys years ago (McCall's 9638 - no doubt no longer available).  I felt confident tackling it because it doesn't have to be a thing of beauty - just functional.


Well then, THAT was a Debacle of The Grande Scale!!!  Talk about a disaster of the first order.  I don't know why I keep thinking I can sew clothing and make it fit...or even come remotely close.  All I can say is good thing that bed sheet cost less than $10 or I'd really be upset.  Needless to say, my efforts landed in the receptacle-that-one-keeps-next-to-the-sewing-machine and there will NOT be a picture to show you today.  Obviously I don't need a summer-weight housecoat.  Sigh.

- I think THESE are awww-worthy.

- THIS is a simple little project that even kids might like to do.

- I doubt I'll try THIS but I'm definitely curious to know if it actually would work.

- Although THIS is just a picture with no instructions, I think it's a great idea (good use perhaps for old knitting needles?)

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS artist!

Today's quote...







Wednesday, June 24, 2026

The rest of the jacket debacle

 I turned the balance of the jacket pieces into postcards that look something similar to this.  They still need their backs but at least you can get the general idea.


- If you have a bunch of silver teaspoons, perhaps the ideas found HERE would give you a use for them.

- THIS guy simply made me smile.

- Have a peek at the amazing creations of THIS artist!

- THIS guy made me laugh!  Remember when ceramic classes were all the rage?  I remember making something similar to this to use in the kitchen to hold a sponge or scrubby.  

Today's quote...."Every sunrise is a reminder that you have another chance to be better"



Monday, June 22, 2026

Three times - a charm??

Never let it be said that I don't share the good, the bad, and the ugly! You will remember that I've been working on a denim jacket and had it to the point of needing buttons and snaps.  A trip to the fabric shop yielded what I needed.  BUT.  And there's a big BUT involved in this whole debacle.  

I asked the RC to take a picture of it on my body and...yuck.  It's too short in the body (hits my hips at just the wrong spot....a little too short in the sleeves...and is shaped like a tent.  At the risk of crashing your computer, see what I mean?....

So...first it was a quilt flimsy....then it became a jacket....and now it's this....


Pattern I used is the 'Catch All Caddy'
from Patterns By Annie
As a nod to the thickness of the quilted denim, I left out the inner dividers.

The rest might be has been cut up and became bases for postcards.

- THIS is a project you might like to add to your arsenal.  I'm sure there are many organizations (think in terms of fire departments, police, etc) that would welcome them.

- THIS is a sweet little project that would work all year 'round.

- THIS is really pretty and could work in a number of applications.

- HERE is another fun little project.

- And HERE is another fun little weaving project.

Today's quote...


Friday, June 19, 2026

Introducing.....

 HIM AND ME V
(FOOTPRINTS TOGETHER)



measures approx. 19x21"

FOR SALE!

- THESE are the kinds of bugs I like!

- Many of us seem to accumulate an over-abundance of shopping bags, so THIS is a good idea to make something useful out of them.

- THIS is quite pretty and would be fun to make.

- I'm sure you've heard of emotional support chickens and THIS cute little design caught my eye.

- HERE is something you might have fun making.

- Have a peek at the incredible creations of THIS artist!

Today's quote....




Wednesday, June 17, 2026

High hopes

 Yes, I had high hopes the latest landscape would be ready to unveil today but we decided to run the roads yesterday afternoon so I didn't have time to stitch.  So...I will show you a small section and hopefully will have the whole thing ready for showing you on Friday.


- THIS looks like a fun project.

- And so does THIS!

- Those who are interested in weaving might like to see the projects found HERE.

- Although this isn't the right season for THIS, perhaps you might like to consider the possibilities.

Today's quote..."Truth does not mind being questioned.  A lie does not like being challenged"

Monday, June 15, 2026

Perching

 I've added another element to the latest landscape.  There's still work to be done on this section but thought I'd show you the beginning stages...


- The weavers among you might like to have a perusal of the wonderful works by THIS artist!

- THESE would be fun to make, but I'd want to add something rubbery on the bottom for traction.

-THIS is a rather nice bag that could serve all sorts of purposes.

- HERE is something you might like to try!

Today's quote..."Life is the most difficult exam.  Many people fail because they try to copy others, not realizing that everyone has a different question paper"



Friday, June 12, 2026

Hmmmm

 This week I was given this quilt flimsy and I will be taking it to the local quilt guild meeting in September to see if anyone wants to complete it.  Someone has spent a lot of hours doing all those embroidered flowers so it would be a shame not to complete the project.  It's not something I want to tackle so I'll be happy to pass it along.


Sorry about the picture quality.  My quilt holder upper (aka The RC) couldn't hold it all.  I think it's at least a double bed size, possibly queen.



This is a closer photo of one of the embroidered medallions.  






- THIS is a rather nice little tote bag that could serve a myriad of uses.  And THIS is an interesting one too.

- I must admit I was gobsmacked when I saw the prices on THESE!!  Obviously I work really cheap!

- THIS is an interesting technique using embroidery to weave.  And you can read more about the technique HERE.

- The weavers among you might find THIS of interest.

Today's quote is from Margaret Atwood..."In the end, we'll all become stories"