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, November 04, 2026

A squirrel of sorts

 I suddenly woke up to the fact that it's November and therefore I need to think seriously about getting anything I want to mail overseas ready sooner rather than later.  So...I created a card for a cousin in Australia who just happens to have a Scottie dog...

- There are some great ideas HERE for jarred gifts that are perfect for Christmas giving.

- Although THIS is targeted towards Thanksgiving I think it would be a great Christmas gift as well.

- Of course I JUST threw out an old iron and I could have done THIS.

- There are some nice ideas HERE for Christmas giving.

Today's quote..."When you see something beautiful in someone, tell them.  It may take a second to say, but for them it could last a life time"



Monday, November 02, 2026

A little bit of Christmas sewing

 Over the weekend I made three (of four) pillowcases for the grandies, each in a 'theme' that they like.  Waiting for the fabric for the last one to arrive (as well as the fabric for the pj's).

Pokemon, unicorns, and Lego

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

- THIS little guy is positively awww-worthy.

- THIS is targeted towards kids, but I can 'see' it as being fun for adults too - and perhaps done in a Christmas theme?

- I think THIS would make a perfect gift for your sewing friends - or perhaps a knitter/crocheter would find it useful too.

- If you'd like to do some decluttering prior to decorating for Christmas, perhaps the ideas found HERE will help.  There's a free printable or you can scroll down to read the post.

Today's quote...




Friday, October 30, 2026

Almost forgot

 I almost forgot that a couple of you asked me to share what the end result was of the tin can revamp I showed you a couple weeks ago, so here it is...


By the time I got to the dollar store in search of fall 'stuff' to fill it, most of their stock was gone and this was the best that I could find.

- There are a number of fun things HERE you could do with some fall leaves.

- I think THIS article is interesting and is something I didn't know about.

- THIS little guy made me smile.

- THIS would be a fun addition to your wardrobe (or a gift perhaps)

Today's quote...





Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Bull's eye - sort of!

 Well, here's a new one for me.  Somehow I managed to slow down enough to let a tick have his way with my leg and this is the result...

Not the more well-known bull's eye that is more common for a tick bite.  Meds taken and hopefully no lyme in my future.

- THESE little guys made me smile.  And so did THIS.

- THESE are rather cute and would be easy to make.

This is something you might like to make...

Today's quote..."Don't do something permanently stupid just because you're temporarily upset"


Monday, October 26, 2026

An update of a different kind

 I am surprising my fickle-self by still being enthralled with knitting on this mitred squares blanket.  My box of 'leftover' sock yarns is dwindling but there's still enough to make several more rows.

Each of the squares measures about 3"

And...in further knitting news, I've completed one sock in the female cardinal colourway from THIS wonderful shop.  I'm using THIS colourway - with one sock representing the female cardinal and the other the male.  These will be gifted to our funky-sock-loving #1 son at Christmas.


- THIS would be a great project for Christmas and a perfect way to gift some baking.

- For some reason (and yes my mind DOES indeed work in mysterious ways!), THIS made me think of using last year's calendar pages.

- THIS is rather awww-worthy.

- Some things just make me laugh and THIS is an example.

Today's quote..."Never regret a day in your life.  Good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories"


Friday, October 23, 2026

More, more, more

 Disclaimer: I'm not responsible for any ear worms you might encounter by reading this blog (just sayin').

And yes, there's been more done on the landscape as you can see...

The quilting is pretty much done, I've added 'Him and Me' and am working on a bank of flowers which will be augmented with embroidery, no doubt to the detriment of my arthritic fingers.

- The American Quilter's Society online Parade of Quilts has gone live and you can see all the amazing entries HERE.  Please vote for your favourites!  (you might notice I have an entry - or three).

- THIS guy made me smile.

-  THIS pattern is definitely awww-worthy.  And THESE made me laugh.

- THIS would make a cute gift.  And so would making THESE.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

A further glimpse

 The eagle-eyed among you might notice the change I made to the 'grass' area of the latest landscape (scroll back to my previous post if you'd like).  When I stood back and looked at it, I didn't like the colour I used so now it's changed and I did a patchwork look.  Hopefully it's better!


- I plan on making one of THESE before winter really sets in.

- HERE are some fun desserts you might like to try for fall.

- THIS is so pretty!  I just finished knitting a sock in this yarn in the same colourway (picture will follow once I complete the other sock).

- Have a peek at the creations of THIS artist!

Today's quote..."The fact that there's a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers"