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.

Wednesday, April 01, 2026

It appears...

 Yes, it appears that I'm doing a series of 'Him and Me' landscapes with this being the start of the second one...

- There is lots of inspiration HERE!

- Dandelion season is coming, so HERE is something you might like to try.

- HERE is another fun-looking project.

Today's quote...





Monday, March 30, 2026

Stash reduction

 I wanted to test out a new way (at least new to me!) of joining two colours of yarn and scrounged through my stash to find some part-balls that would work together.  This hat is the result and I know I'll be using that method of joining again.  If you'd like to try it for yourself, here's what I did....on the row where you want to change colours, work 1 knit stitch in one colour and 1 knit stitch  in the other across the row.  I suspect working 2 knit stitches would work just as well.


- I may have provided a link to THIS process before but if I did it was a long time ago and perhaps there are some new readers that might find it useful to know.

- FINALLY a good use for AI!!!  Go HERE to see what I'm mumbling about!

- THIS looks like such fun to make!

- First go and read about THIS amazing artist and then visit his gallery of work HERE.

- There is tons of inspiration HERE!!!

- oooooh - I want some of THESE!!!!

Today's quote...






Friday, March 27, 2026

Yay!

 One dress - done and dusted!


And....
The Resident Chef appeared in my
sewing room to show me this...

This is a pie-sized butter tart,
due to be gifted to our friend 
(who loves the RC's butter tarts)
when we see him tomorrow.
Wonder if he'll eat it all at one sitting?

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS artist!

- THESE are so pretty and use simple ingredients to create.

- There are lots of free patterns to choose from HERE.

- THIS would be a fun project.

Today's quote...







Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Who knew?

 I mustered my courage and attempted to sew a little dress for our grandie.  I was reminded quite thoroughly that I am NOT cut out for sewing clothing when I was feeling quite smug about my progress only to realize that I'd made the opening for the back on the shoulder instead. AND, to add insult to injury I completely overlooked the pattern where it very clearly said you should cut the front bodice on a fold and I cut it in two pieces (and then wondered why the facing pieces didn't fit...duh.   Good thing I'm such good friends with my frogging tool.  Luckily (?) I had to order additional fabric to do the skirt and there's enough that I can re-do the pieces I messed up.   I'm also pretty sure it's quite a bit too big for her, despite using the 'proper' size on the pattern.  Oh well.  She'll grow - maybe it will fit her NEXT year.  Now you know why I don't sew clothing!!!💣💥💩😒

Here's the pieces put together correctly (I hope!) waiting for the
skirt to be sewn on.


Pattern I used is Simplicity CS9280.

- THIS would be such fun to make and gift to someone - it could be filled with anything you like.

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS incredible artist!  

- And THIS gallery made me smile!  (Be sure to check out her other works too).

Today's quote...




Monday, March 23, 2026

A bouquet?

 Here's the bouquet of flower coasters I finished over the weekend (there's still one not quite completed).  

These could be made in varying sizes - perhaps used as a spring bunting?

- I thought THIS article was very on point and something you really might want to consider working towards during these times of uncertainty.  We keep a fairly well stocked pantry but can certainly do better with this article as a guide.

- If you'd like to make an inket print waterproof, have a read through THIS article that discusses various sealants that are readily available and easy to use.

- Some things just simply make me smile and THIS is one.

- And here's a little public service announcement...apply some petroleum jelly to the lids of glue and paint jars to keep them from sealing shut.  You're welcome.

Today's quote isn't a quote, but interesting nonetheless...


NOTE:  the above prices are rather out of date
because fabric costs a lot more than $11/yard now!





Friday, March 20, 2026

Squirrel!!!!

 Yep, I've gone off on a different tangent and decided I'd create a few flower coasters using the tutorial found HERE.

🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈

AND...

I suppose I should be celebrating.  It was twenty years ago today that I hit publish on my very first blog post.  And they said it wouldn't last!  If you're interested in reading that bit of mumblings, you can see it HERE

- If you  have any Bluey fans in your life, I think THESE would be welcomed.

- There's an interesting discussion HERE around pricing handmade articles vs. big box store prices.  I ran into this the other day when I was surfing the 'net and came across a Canadian artist who does similar work to mine (but without the addition of the hours of embroidery I often add) and must admit I was astounded when I saw that she was asking $1800 and up...and many of her pieces were marked as being sold.  She certainly must travel in more exalted circles than I do, that's for sure!

- Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best as THIS might attest!

- There are some cute Easter bunny designs HERE.

- Although there doesn't seem to be any links towards the patterns for THESE, there are several that are awwwww-worthy to see.

Today's quote...





Wednesday, March 18, 2026

ummmmm.....

 Even I'm bored with me at the moment.  There's been nothing creative happening here whatsoever and so I guess that means an extra dose of mumblings.  However, I did buy myself some pretty spring flowers so at least I have something to show you...

- I've poked around some more on that site about decluttering I sent you to last time and came across THIS excellent article that you might also find helpful.

- THIS is an awww-worthy thing!

- As is THIS.

- There are lots of great ideas HERE for working with paper.

- I enjoyed looking through THESE.

- THIS is intriguing.  

- Perhaps you'd like to play with THESE ideas.

Today's quote...