and....they said it wouldn't last!

 March 20 2006 I began this foray into blogging and am still awed by the fact that I'm still going.  I'm in even more awe that I actually have readers and followers.  There are people who are interested in my mumblings - who knew?  There are people who leave comments and that totally blows me away.  For you to take time out of your busy lives to chat with me means more than any of you can ever know.  A few people who read and leave comments have turned into friends, a blessing I could never have hoped for when I first started into this.  

You all listen to my rants, laugh (or at least pretend to) at my silly stories, and give me a much-appreciated support system for what I do.  For a person who works alone it means so much to have all of you cheering me on and at times giving me constructive criticism that is also appreciated.  

I don't know how much longer I will keep mumbling but as of this moment I don't see me giving it up anytime soon.  As long as you stick with me, I'll do my best to try to keep you entertained.

 (For those who might be interested you can read my very first post HERE)

I read on one of the blogs about growing pumpkins as an indoor vine so I thought I'd give it a try just for the fun of it.  I planted 5 seeds and they've all sprouted (yay for my non-green thumb!!).  Now to see what will happen.

- THESE are a really cute Easter project!

- THESE would be sweet decorations for Easter.

- THIS caught my eye - from the standpoint of being a stash buster but also with the thought that making it longer would create a great draft dodger.  Might have to do some figuring to change the pattern directions to something we're used to.

- Further on stash busting, THIS also caught my eye.  As did THIS.

Today's quote..."Gossip dies when it hits a wise person's ears.  Rumors are started by haters, carried by fools, and believed by idiots"

3/4's

 I am almost ready to start on the final corner of The Quilt but again, I'll spare you the further photo update because it's still yawn-worthy and just more of the same.  

- THIS looks as though it would be a fun (albeit messy) project to try.

- I thought THIS artist has an interesting 'take' on working with fabric.

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

- THIS was interesting to read, and see.

- HERE is another technique some of you might like to play with.

Today the quote is from Linda Morman Stichtenoth..."I spent the first 2/3 of my life acquiring stuff that doesn't matter only so that I can spend my last 1/3 getting rid of it.  What a stupid game of consumerism we play"

Still slogging

 Half done the borders on the quilt....cause for celebration!!  I, however, will spare you yet another photo of what basically looks pretty much the same.  Third corner is basted and ready to stitch which I hope to finish this week.

- If you are planning to add borders to your quilt, check THIS out for a formula.  And THIS for sashings.

- THIS takes you to part one of a series of posts about making fabric collages.

- THIS is a rather cute little design for Easter.

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

- I can't find the original artist for THIS but it did make me laugh.

Slogging away

 Oh yes, it's a yawn a minute here at Chez Magpie where The Quilt is all-consuming it seems.  I've added the second corner and it's basted and hand stitching has begun.  See?....

I dunno about you but I do hate the silly time change thing.  It messes with so many people and serves absolutely no purpose any longer.  I know it did, back in war time, but now it's just plain a PIA.

And speaking of PIA's - I spent some time over the weekend perusing online bookstores  looking at books on making landscapes thinking I might add to my library.  Interestingly (or not so much, depending on your viewpoint of course) the books that are out there are mostly second hand (which is fine with me) but....and here's the thing....they're mostly pretty cheap anywhere in the world BUT here.  You can pretty much add $20 per book to the cost AND, oh, by the way, there's shipping on top of that - sometimes upwards of another $20 per book.  Needless to say my desire to add to my library was rapidly tamped down!  Gotta love living in Canada!  

And further on that particular subject, it's always astounding to me just how many online shops specify in no uncertain terms that they will NOT ship to Canada.  What's the matter with us?  Do we have a collective nation with body odor?  

There.  The soapbox is dusted.

And, never let it be said that this blog is anything but eclectic as this little frugal tip will attest.  Resident Chef was quite pleased with himself when he attempted to re-use some inner milk bags with his food sealer and discovered they work perfectly.  Will save on buying the smaller size refills for the Food Saver.  Thought I'd share in case any of you want to give it a try.

- Thanks to Canadian Needle Nana for the link to THIS pretty design.

- There's lots of ideas HERE for reusing denim.

- No instructions or info on who made it, but I thought THIS looks like a fun idea for a sewing room.

The quote of the day is the 5W's of Life:  WHO you are is what makes you special.  Do not change for anyone.  WHAT lies ahead will always be a mystery.  Do not be afraid to explore.  WHEN life pushes you over,  push back harder.  WHERE there are choices to make, make the one you won't regret.  WHY things happen will never be certain.  Take it in stride and move forward.

Another wee finish

 I had some yarn left over from the fusion quilt project and decided I would use some of it to make this little sweater for our wee grandie.  It will fit an 18 month old through to a 3 year old so she'll be able to wear it for awhile.  Heading for the Christmas box I think.

Pattern is HERE

PATTERN NOTE: The buttonholes aren't
all listed in the pattern.  There's one at Row 5
and I used those directions to add two more at
Rows 21 and 37

And...one corner is stitched on the quilt and now I'm working on creating something for the other corners.  I had contemplated making pillow shams and leaving the top of the quilt unadorned but I think I will opt for more flowers (primarily to use up the fabric!) and not bother with shams.  There might be enough left to recover the two throw pillows we have on the bed.

- I think THESE are really pretty!

- HERE is an idea you might like to try.

- THIS would be a great project for both kids and adults.

- Scroll down on THIS post to see why these caught my eye.

Today's quote...."Before you assume, learn the facts.  Before you judge, understand why.  Before you hurt someone, feel.  Before you speak, think"

The next section

I'm currently working on appliquing one of the floral sprays onto the quilt.  At this point I don't know what I'll end up doing on the other sides but I'm thinking that I might add more of the same.  Will have to do a test fit on the bed and then I might have a better idea.

- THIS takes you to a picture of an interesting method of putting quilts together.

- There's another 'awwww' moment HERE.

- Although THIS is technically created for jewelry, I think there's a myriad of other uses.

- THIS is a great upcycling idea.

This is your quote of the day..."Two things define you.  Your patience when you have nothing, your attitude when you have everything"

Holes

 Yes, there are holes in my fingers from the needle stitching all around this big applique for 'the quilt'.  Remind me why I ever thought this would be a good idea?

At least this part is done and dusted and now it's on to adding the floral spray(s) for the border...sort of.  It's not exactly a 'border' but I don't know what else to call it.  I have to also decide just how much I want to add and if I will need to make some more flowers.  

We got snowed on Friday night and into Saturday.  Resident Chef huffed and puffed and removed at least two feet from around our car.  Not exactly what he wanted to be doing with his life!  Sadly, they're calling for more on Monday.  Have I ever mentioned how much I hate winter?  Although, to be fair, this is the first real 'dumping' we've had this winter.  

- Making a set (or more!) of THESE would be a great stash buster.

- Have a peek through the creations of THIS amazing artist.  I'm so hoping our library can find a copy of her book because it looks very intriguing.  Be sure you check her other galleries as well.  

- I thought THIS was an interesting way to make a thread holder.  And HERE is another one.

- HERE's another 'awwwww' thing.

- THIS takes you to a short video that shows a great storage solution.

Today's quote..."If it's out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind too"