Small update and of course a continuation

I think you can see that there's been some progress on the latest landscape....

And yet more photos of the Grande Declutter Project

(good thing January is coming to an end, sez you!)

assorted dishes and salt & pepper shakers, along with a 'not-real-silver' jug

Assorted dishes along with a plate 'holder-upper thingie'

glass - wine glasses, bowl, etc.

mugs, plate, vase too large to hold any flowers I ever get, and two serving bowls

casserole dish, teddy Christmas tree topper, 2 teapots & pig candles

Resident Chef unearthed these metal pans, a canister & two lids of undetermined origin from the
kitchen

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

- There's a cute tutorial HERE for a heart pillow/quilt that would be perfect for Valentine's (or any time of the year!)

- There is a very detailed tutorial HERE to make a purse organizer. And there's another one HERE.  

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

Today's quote..."Nothing makes me more productive than the last minute"

Big excitement!

First of all I have to show you the latest addition to our

family...

Evan Richardson

born January 20, 2020

We're in love!

Here's more of the decluttering efforts..

two small jewelry boxes; assorted earrings & pins; a horrible metal nail file that shreds your nails to bits (THAT went in the garbage!)

two towels; and a box of books (actually there were two boxes but I overlooked a picture
of the second one)

two banks, 4 balls of yarn; a Christmas bracelet & a blob of white stuff that for the life
of me I can't remember 

dishes, candlesticks and a glass hanging plant holder

bowls - I have at least as many more still in the cupboard

Halloween decorations, more dishes, and a glass tube that holds flowers
(the brown 'blob' is a paper-covered plastic pumpkin)

- THIS is a cute cross stitch dragonfly pattern - and it looks as though she has a number of other designs as well.

- I know there are a number of different fund-raising efforts happening for aid to the animals of Australia, but THIS one in particular caught my eye.  

- THIS is a pretty cowl pattern some of you might like.

- 2020 is the Chinese Year of the Rat, and HERE is a really cute rat pattern (scroll down for the free version).  And yes, rats CAN be cute!!!

Today's quote:  "In life, it's important to know when to stop arguing with people and simply let them be wrong"

Another update

I made a little progress on the landscape over the weekend....

And here are a few more results from the

Grande Declutter...

3 plastic storage boxes, 2 pairs of pinking shears (I still have two!); a pen that doesn't write, a word search
puzzle book & a fridge magnet

A pile of manuals and such for the computer I had years ago; a pile of paper; 3 journal books, a single
knitting needle, and some dull rotary cutter blades (I treated my cutter to a new blade)

a bunch of bookmarks, a wooden box, some sort of breathing apparatus, a thingie used to
fill my water pillow; a partially carved Santa, a single shoelace; and a thingie of
undetermined origin

2 more calendars, old crazy quilt magazines, and a bunch of
crafting books

sewing patterns, a roll of drywall tape (???), a roll of silver tape evidently used for
taping furnace pipes (ummm....????); tracing paper, a pair of tweezers

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

- Making one of THESE might be fun - especially if you know someone who is 'in' to sheep.

- Although we've had a weekend of a lot of snow here, I thought THIS would be really cute to make for Easter for a little one.

- There's an interesting article HERE regarding how to price your creations for sale.  

Today's quote is from Joshua Becker..."Owning less is better than organizing more"

Progress on a couple of fronts

Not a great picture (very dull outside) but you can see the progress I think...

And....some more results of the decluttering efforts here at Chez Magpie....

A ruching marker thingie, a flower yo yo maker, sequins, a needlecase, sheet holders, and a head

old calendars and CQ magazines that are very outdated

old pictures and picture frames 

cotton yarn (I hate the stuff); a sleeve of recordable CD's, some white cloth 'bits' too
small for what I need, and a couple of storage  containers

two dog brushes (no, I don't have a dog!). a knife sharpener that didn't have directions so I have no clue how to use it, a couple of rulers, two lethal cutters that have led to a lot of blood shed, and a bobbin case for a sewing machine I got rid of years ago

- There's a nice crocheted scarf pattern HERE (scroll down for the pattern itself).  Great for stash busting!

- THIS is one of those small projects that just might be something you - or someone you know - needs.  And THIS one is too!

- Have a look at the sculptures gallery of THIS amazing artist!

- Finally, for those of you who are 'in' to gnomes, perhaps THESE cute little guys might be something you'd like to make.

Today's quote..."The beauty of handmade lies in the imperfections.  Anything perfect is machine made"

There be a tractor!

Well, there's at least an OUTLINE of a tractor.  There's a long way to go yet before it looks quite right but at least you can see the beginning...

....or is it the beginning of the end?  Time will tell!

And...further on the decluttering project, here's some more results....

Beads, beads and more beads

Assorted beads, metal 'thingies', wooden bits, shells

glass doorknob (why???); a clock face; metal bobbins that have never fit any sewing machine I've owned,
hinges, blenders and a wheel of pins (I have more!)

A bag full of assorted paper 'bits' having to do with sewing; some fabric covered wire,
a pile of harvested fur, a sewing gauge (several more still) and a couple of pincushions

3 pkgs of seam binding, some paper bits; more beads, and a scarf

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

- I really like THIS - great use for a piece of upholstery fabric.

- Sometimes the most simple ideas are the best, and THIS is proof of that.

- Great eye candy HERE!

Today's quote is an apt one from Francine Jay..."Your home is living space, not storage space"

Is it over yet? And a beginning

Just to give you something else to look at other than my downsizing efforts, how about an inspiration for a new landscape?  This is a photo of my uncle with the tractor he refurbished and now drives in pretty much every local parade in his area.  I've wanted to use a tractor in my work and so this has become my inspiration.  Of course his tractor is far too 'pretty' for my liking, so you KNOW that part of it is going to change!

and this is the beginning of my version....

I know - doesn't look like much does it!!

I'm sure some of you are asking that very question of 'is it over yet?'  and I'm sorry to say you're going to be subjected to  downsizing caper results until the end of the month.  All together now.....groan.....

A box 3 parts full of scrapbooking paper, some plastic rings, a bag of pom poms, some calligraphy guides and a guide to making paper beads

small paper envelopes (I have more!); alphabet stamps, stencils, a pair of scissors that won't cut and some tags

A bag of feathers, a bag of faces, sequins with no holes, bottle caps, plastic eggs and some
stuff of questionable origin/use

card sleeves (I have tons still!); photograph corners; pom poms, and a pkg. of pop dots 

- Seeing THESE resulted in an involuntary 'awwwww' from me.  So cute!

- And THESE are cute too.

- Have a look at THIS and be sure to read her post.  Amazing!!

- For those who knit and want to help out in some small way in the animal rescue efforts in Australia 100% of your purchase price on THIS pattern goes to cause.  Most of you will remember the little gnome I knitted for our soon-to-be-born grandson - the pattern was from this designer. 

- And have a look through THESE incredible crafting spaces....would any of us be this tidy? 

Today's quote is from Deborah  Wirsu....."The thing is, by adulthood, we've learned to recognize quality in other people's work, but find it difficult to see the merit in our own"       

And....there's more!!!

Yes, there's more!  Much more.  Here's some downsizing results for Jan. 8th and 9th (all pictures can be embiggened if you so desire) 

A huge pile of paper ephemera and stickers

a recycled denim knitted bag, a small quilt, a  part roll of gift wrap, and a bunch of page protectors

some random Scrabble tiles and a package of mulberry paper scraps 

random sequins, glitter, broken jewelry, a mini iron that doesn't have a control, a melting pot

AND....just to prove I've been doing something

else with my time, how about the cuteness 

factor of this....

Baby Yoda seems to be all the rage at the moment

and it seems my #2 son wants one (under the guise

that it's for our grandson).

This guy is about 14" high and he's quite heavy.

Pattern is by Allison Hoffman but is no

longer available for purchase.

- There's a number of ideas HERE for using men's ties.

- THIS is a really pretty shawl pattern that looks as if it might be customizable to your needs.

- If you have a little girl in your life, I'll bet she'd love one of THESE!

- Pour yourself a cuppa and be prepared to lose yourself in the mounds of quilts you can see HERE!

Today's quote is from Mari Kondo...."When we really delve into the reasons for why we can't let something go, there are only two - an attachment to the past or a fear for the future"