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, February 24, 2010
ATC's and CQT's
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Great mail day!
Below I have taken everything apart so you can see the treasures individually. The wee cupid is a little envie which held a packet of White Chocolate tea (can't WAIT to treat myself!). Attached to the pretty Valentine tag is the gorgeous brooch she made. I'll try to get a better photo of it tomorrow AFTER I remember to recharge the camera batteries.
Monday, February 22, 2010
for embroidery fans....
Here are a couple of interesting things you might want to check out!
1. Maureen Greeson of Maureens Vintage Acquisitions is kindly sharing 13 pages of vintage embroidery designs. With my passion for old embroidery books and designs, you know I was all over that and have downloaded a copy for my files. You can find it here. While you're there, be sure to check out the rest of Maureen's blog!
2. I have already mentioned this, but I want to make sure you didn't miss it. Sharon B of Pintangle is about to begin her Take-A-Stitch-Tuesday 2 (TAST 2) challenge. Each week she will feature an embroidery stitch and you are encouraged to experiment with it and then you may post what you've done. Sharon explains it much better than I can here. You can sign up to join in and keep track of what everyone else is doing. It's a great way to discover new blogs too! I took part in TAST 1 a couple of years ago and learned a tremendous amount. Sharon is a great teacher and, best of all, it's free!!
Sorry, no pictures today. Haven't had time to even LOOK at anything creative.
EDITED TO ADD: My friend Yvonne over at Inkspillers Attic is celebrating her 250th blog post with a fun giveaway! Go here to read all about it!
1. Maureen Greeson of Maureens Vintage Acquisitions is kindly sharing 13 pages of vintage embroidery designs. With my passion for old embroidery books and designs, you know I was all over that and have downloaded a copy for my files. You can find it here. While you're there, be sure to check out the rest of Maureen's blog!
2. I have already mentioned this, but I want to make sure you didn't miss it. Sharon B of Pintangle is about to begin her Take-A-Stitch-Tuesday 2 (TAST 2) challenge. Each week she will feature an embroidery stitch and you are encouraged to experiment with it and then you may post what you've done. Sharon explains it much better than I can here. You can sign up to join in and keep track of what everyone else is doing. It's a great way to discover new blogs too! I took part in TAST 1 a couple of years ago and learned a tremendous amount. Sharon is a great teacher and, best of all, it's free!!
Sorry, no pictures today. Haven't had time to even LOOK at anything creative.
EDITED TO ADD: My friend Yvonne over at Inkspillers Attic is celebrating her 250th blog post with a fun giveaway! Go here to read all about it!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Pirate map for Persia
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Queen of Hearts Swap Doll arrived!
Below is the doll I made for the swap. I crocheted the heart body and also crocheted some wire for her 'hair'. I had the face and shoe charms in my stash. Her arms and legs are beaded. Hope Leslie liked her!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Persia and her newest addition
When I knew that Persia was to be a pirate I happened across the perfect prop for her while I was in the local dollar store......
.....a pirate ship!!!! Granted, this particular ship didn't exactly look like this when I got it. It was full of bubble bath (which did NOT smell nice and got dumped down the drain in a hurry). It was black plastic with a little bit of blue on the base where the water is. Pretty uninspired actually, but I knew I could gussie it up to make it look better. After several coats of paint, stain and varnish, it does look better I think! I even found a perfect little Jolly Roger flag on the internet which fit exactly on the flag. Obviously meant to be!
Now to decide on what else I want to add! Hope you like the ship Em!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Great mail!!
Today's mail brought all these goodies from Arlee, who managed to find (I think) about the ONLY crazy quilting book I don't already own! I haven't had time to read it yet, but I will. There is a gorgeous denim jacket in there that I'm already drooling over and have added to my 'to-do' list. Methinks it might just jump over a few other things so it's closer to the top of the list! I've been wanting to start another CQ project but couldn't settle on what to make - I think this is it.
There's some wonderful bronze mesh, some bronze beads and a funky sun which is promptly going on my bulletin board to remind me that spring is coming...soon, I hope.
Thanks Arlee!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Knitting Olympics and a freebie!
First, I want to give you a heads up that Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (and friends) are running the knitting olympics again this year. I took part four years ago and had a great time! The premise is that you cast on a project as the Olympic Flame is lit and finish it before the flame goes out. It's a personal challenge. You can find out more details and register here. I won't be taking part this year because I have too many other projects on the go, but I'll be cheering the rest of you on.
Now for the freebie. I have a copy of the 2009 Quilt calendar shown above which contains patterns for 13 different quilts. I hate to throw it out so if you would like it, leave a comment!
Edited to say...if you'd like to see what my Knitting Olympics project was in 2006, go here.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Doll journal for Tabula Rosa!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Beautiful eye candy!
No, there's no eye candy on this blog today, but I have several sites that have some pretty gorgeous and inspiring pieces for you to explore!
1. First, Susan Lenz has pictures on her blog from her art show. Please go and look because she does absolutely stunning work and deserves every accolade she gets for the pieces she has on display. Go here to see.
2. Another artist whose blog I enjoy is enjoying her first show too. Suzan Buckner does great paintings and her husband does great altered art. Check out pictures of their show here.
3. My friend Pam from Kitty and Me posted a link to where you can get all sorts of free (yes free!) images for use in your art. Go here.
4. Sharon Boggon of Pintangle has posted a free embroidery stitch guide for download. Check it out here.
5. Sharon has also announced that she will be running a second edition of TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday). A new embroidery stitch will be introduced each week and participants can practice the stitch and then go on to create their own versions. I took part in the original TAST and learned so much about embroidery so I highly recommend it. Sharon says the new edition will be focusing on entirely different stitches. She's a great teacher and, best of all, TAST is free! Go here (and scroll down) get further information.
1. First, Susan Lenz has pictures on her blog from her art show. Please go and look because she does absolutely stunning work and deserves every accolade she gets for the pieces she has on display. Go here to see.
2. Another artist whose blog I enjoy is enjoying her first show too. Suzan Buckner does great paintings and her husband does great altered art. Check out pictures of their show here.
3. My friend Pam from Kitty and Me posted a link to where you can get all sorts of free (yes free!) images for use in your art. Go here.
4. Sharon Boggon of Pintangle has posted a free embroidery stitch guide for download. Check it out here.
5. Sharon has also announced that she will be running a second edition of TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesday). A new embroidery stitch will be introduced each week and participants can practice the stitch and then go on to create their own versions. I took part in the original TAST and learned so much about embroidery so I highly recommend it. Sharon says the new edition will be focusing on entirely different stitches. She's a great teacher and, best of all, TAST is free! Go here (and scroll down) get further information.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Introducing....Ellyllon!!!
Once again, I want to thank Amy, the pattern designer, for giving me the opportunity to test this pattern for her. I have had a great deal of fun and am no longer afraid to try patterns that are marked as being 'advanced', for which I thank Amy.
To find out more about Amy and her designs, please visit her at her web site, her blog, or at her etsy site. Her pattern, called 'Draconis' will be available shortly and I will be sure to let you know when and where you can get it.
Friday, February 05, 2010
AND.....we have a dragon!!!
I'll be posting more photos once he gets his decorations, so stay tuned.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
He can see!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Houston, we have a head!
I guess my job as a pattern tester is to be sure that the instructions are clear and that other people will be able to follow them without problems. Amy has classed the pattern as being 'advanced' and I don't consider myself in that class quite yet. Maybe someone who is truly advanced in their abilities wouldn't have stumbled over the head, but at least the new diagrams that Amy created to help me through and I'm sure will prove to be helpful to anyone, no matter their level of ability.
Check out Amy's latest creation on her blog here. Now I'm off to needle sculpt!
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Life goes on
If you want to know more about the origins of the bengals and/or orientals...please Google them! They're pretty unique.
Monday, February 01, 2010
No pictures here, but.....
...there are lots to see at the sites I have for you today. I was out most of the day so haven't accomplished much other than recreating the pieces for the head for 'dragon', which doesn't make for very exciting viewing right now.
SO.....
Go here for some incredible art and be sure to scroll down to see some of the work Susan does. She is absolutely an amazing artist!
And, go here for some gorgeous crazy quilting!
And, last but not least, if you want to see the latest in the journeys of our art doll coolaberation, go here and be sure to scroll down to see them all!
Enjoy!
SO.....
Go here for some incredible art and be sure to scroll down to see some of the work Susan does. She is absolutely an amazing artist!
And, go here for some gorgeous crazy quilting!
And, last but not least, if you want to see the latest in the journeys of our art doll coolaberation, go here and be sure to scroll down to see them all!
Enjoy!
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