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, July 09, 2025

Mountain majesty

 I had too much fun making this one too!  The embroidery took awhile and I know it's hard for you to see the dimension that most of it has, or that I added glitter to the snow-topped mountains. 



  And here's a closeup of the embroidery so hopefully you can see more detail...



"MOUNTAIN MAJESTY"
measures approx. 18x23"

FOR SALE!

- There are lots of links HERE for making pincushions in pretty much any shape you can imagine.

- HERE is something you might like to try doing.

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

Today's quote..."Sewing is a continual scavenger hunt for the supplies that were just in your hand"





Monday, July 07, 2025

Sort of blah

 It's been hot again and not much is being accomplished it seems.  Spent all of yesterday reading a book that I thought was good until I got to the end and it left me totally hanging.  Oh, but it's going to be continued in the next book expected in late 2025.  Hah, by that time I will have forgotten the entire plot line.  

- If you are creating a fairy garden or simply want to add something charming to your garden decor, check THESE out.

- There are some fun ideas HERE for using twigs.  No directions, but most are easy enough to figure out on your own.

- There are links HERE for making yourself some palazzo pants.

- Have a peek through the creations of THIS artist.

- THIS is a rather cute little project.

Today's quote is from Erasmus..."The less talent they have, the more pride, vanity and arrogance they have.  All these fools, however, find other fools who applaud them"




Friday, July 04, 2025

Four? Check!!

 Yes, there are four!
(pairs of socks, that is)


This is the final pair of the set:


All are made with Paton's Kroy yarn using my usual generic pattern.

Today is Independence Day in the US.  I would be remiss if I didn't wish my blogging friends from there a happy day.  With all that's going on in that country right now, I'm sure not everybody feels like celebrating.  I saw a quote attributed to John Collins which said "It feels weird to celebrate our independence, when it's pretty clear we're losing it".  There's a lot of truth in that.

- There are links HERE to some really cute doll designs.

- And HERE is something else you might like to try if you're into doll making.

- For those of you who like to paint with watercolours, perhaps some of the tips found HERE might be of interest.

- If you're interested in junk journals (or just want to have a peek through an amazing example) go HERE.

Today's quote is from Booker T. Washington.... "Great men cultivate love, only little men cherish a spirit of hatred"



Wednesday, July 02, 2025

A little different view?

 I'm in the process of adding embroidery to the landscape and I doubt that a 'straight-on' photo will show the detail....so....I thought I'd try to be artistic with the camera and try to show you an angle shot.  Successfully I hope!


I think you can click on the picture to embiggen it further.

- THIS might be an interesting process to try out.

- Have a scroll through the works by THIS artist!

- If you like slow stitching and yo-yo's, perhaps one of the ideas HERE might be of interest.

- I came across THIS article and found it quite interesting so thought I'd share.

Today the quote is from Thomas Paine..."A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody"


Monday, June 30, 2025

Happy Canada Day!

 One hundred and fifty eight years ago on July 1st Canada became a nation.  I am proud to be a Canadian and wish our nation a very happy birth day.


- THIS is something you might like to make.

- If you have a little one in your life, perhaps making THIS would encourage them to learn how to cook.

- THESE are rather cute (and would make great gifts too)

- If you visit HERE, you can click on various artists and see their work.  Better pour yourself a cuppa first though because there's lots to see!

Today's quote is from George Orwell..."If you want to know who rules over you, look at who you are not allowed to criticize"



Friday, June 27, 2025

Too much fun!

 I don't know if it's possible to have too much fun, but I can say I did while I was working on that previous landscape....so....I started another one (of course I did, would you expect anything else?).  Here's the beginning....


- THIS is a fun project that is no-calorie!!

- Have a peek through the gallery of THIS artist.

- Some of you might find THIS of interest.

- If you like crazy quilting and embroidery, perhaps THIS interview might interest you.

Today's quote is from Aristotle..."It is also in the interests of the tyrant to make his subjects poor - the people are so occupied with their daily tasks that they have no time for plotting"



Wednesday, June 25, 2025

A finish!

 Yesterday I put the finishing stitches into the latest landscape which is, as yet, untitled.  Now it can be set aside until I see the oral surgeon in December whereupon I will gift it to him for his retirement and in thanks for looking after me for the past five years.  This one measures 18x22".


- THIS might be fun to try.

- Because it's hot, hot, hot at the moment, perhaps playing with something like THIS might be just what you need to amuse yourself.

- And because mindlessness is a good thing when it's hot, how about printing one (or more) of THESE and having fun.

- And you know you always wanted to know how to do THIS...right?

- I've often wondered about attempting THIS but then I'm leery on what it might do to my sewing machine.  Have you tried it?

Today's quote is from Albert Einstein..."Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth"