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.

Monday, December 30, 2019

Completed quiet book!

I have finished the quiet book!  It took some thought to figure out how I was going to put it together but eventually I settled upon making a 'hinge' of sorts for the spine.  I cut 3 3/4" strips of fabric the length of the pages, folded them in half, and sewed them to the sides of pairs of pages.  Then I put two 'pairs' together, wrong sides together, and basted around the outside.  Then I cut my own double fold bias tape using fun fabrics to bind the pages.  I made the cover 'spine' a bit wider in order to accommodate the inside pages.  Then I used some of my 'fancy' stitches on my machine to topstitch the bias tape.   Added handles to the sides of the cover pages for easy carrying.  I ended up with three 'signatures' and the outside cover.  I marked the center of the spine for each pair of pages for a guide for sewing, along with marking three guidelines on the inside spine of the cover.  Pinned each signature in place along the guidelines and stitched in place.  Tah dah.....



And just a little reminder....if you'd like.... please join me 
in my efforts to downsize throughout January.
I'll be posting my results and would love it if
you would join in!

- HERE is another cute pattern (cross stitch this time) for Baby Yoda.

- Some of you might find THIS tutorial for a fabric kimono  fun and a good addition to your wardrobe.

- Here's a little tip you might find intriguing to do....on Jan. 1 and June 1 turn all your clothing hangers backwards on the rod.  After you wear an item, put it back as you would normally.  Once the season is over you can tell at a glance what you haven't worn and it's easier to get rid of your excess.

- And here is another fun thing you might like to do in 2020....get an empty jar and at the end of each week add a note with a good thing that happened.  On New Year's Eve 2021, open the jar and read about the great 2020 you had!


Today's quote..."My new year's resolution is to stop procrastinating.  I am not starting until next week though"

Friday, December 27, 2019

Three more pages

The quiet book is done but I'm a bit behind in posting pictures so here are the rest of the pages....



Above is the inside front cover - a snow globe
with sequins inside.
Below is the front cover.... a family 'tree'



Below is the back cover - they have a 
cat so I made this one using some
fake fur I had in my stash...


I will show the completed book in
my next blog post on Monday.

Many of you will remember my linking to a post on Becki's blog about her month-long 'Less Is More' challenge (go HERE to read her thoughts on the process - well worth a read!) and she has inspired me to do something for the month of January to reduce my 'stuff'.  So...I will be getting rid of (whether that will be recycling, donating or simply trashing) at least 5 items from here at Chez Magpie for each day throughout the month.  I will be posting pictures (gulp!) of what I'm getting rid of, but I will still maintain my normal posting schedule on Mon., Wed., and Fridays.  If you would like to join in, let me know and we can support each other!  

- For those who are in like with Baby Yoda, THIS is a link to a round up of crochet patterns and THIS has knitted ones.

- Have a look at the eye candy found HERE

- THESE would be a fun project for those who are interested in paper.

- And there's some more wonderful eye candy HERE.  

Today's quote...."Be so busy loving your life that you have no time for hate, regret or fear"

Monday, December 23, 2019

Christmas wishes!


Resident Chef and I would like to extend
our best wishes to you and those you hold most
dear for a blessed, happy, safe and wonderful
Christmas...and we would like to share one of
our very favourite songs.
Go HERE and enjoy!  

Friday, December 20, 2019

And.....another page.....and surprises

At this point I'm working on the outside and inside cover pages for the quiet book. This will appear on one of the inside covers....


and this is what's inside...


and these are inside the envelopes...


I used the mailbox pattern from HERE.    

UPDATED TO ADD:




Just look at what arrived from our family out west!!

How did they know I had planned to replace a number of our fading ugly plants with some new ones after Christmas?






There are at least eleven different succulents crammed in this beautiful pottery bowl!





Huge thanks to our wonderful family - love you guys!






- There are some different ideas HERE (I especially like the tree stand plant holders!)

- HERE is a really cute (and quick!) idea for decorating your Christmas table.

- And THIS little guy is bound to make somebody smile!

- THIS link takes you to lots of really cute amigurumi patterns.

- If someone in your life loves tea, perhaps making them one of THESE might be fun.

Today, instead of a quote, I came across this story and thought I'd share....

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid.
I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"
My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumour has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbours, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all us kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!
I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.
"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.
Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.
Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, dropped the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumours about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.That store clerk was one of Santa's helpers,too!


Wednesday, December 18, 2019

A return

Yesterday I returned to working on the quiet book I'm making for our expected baby and this page was the result....


The van has a zippered pocket that holds the transportation-related felt pieces.  At this point I think I can start putting it together so that I can know the size I will need to make the cover.  


I may have shared this poem with you previously but it's one I pull out every year and re-read simply to remind me that all is not sweetness and light this time of year.  Some of us struggle with the holiday season and all it entails.  This poem was published in the Woman's Day magazine dated 12/20/88 so it's an oldie!

Dear Lord,
'Tis the season to be merry and I'm not, really.
'Tis the season of goodwill, of general and particular
blessedness, of worship and praise and warmth of heart...
And I, like the Grinch, have spiders in my spirit, and
garlic in my soul.
And I come in confession and remorse, asking You for....
....for Christmas.
Is it the dither, Lord, that sets my day on edge?
Is it the too-muchness, the lavishness, the
extended list that gnaws at my extended self?  Hmmm.
I do believe I could trim a thing or two off that list.
Is it that I am trying to make a Production
out of Christmas when what I really want is a 
Presence?
That I'm trying to guarantee, by my own efforts,
what can come only as gift, by Thine?
Is it the begrudging, Lord?  That I want to
do lovely things for my loved ones, 
only I resent the time spent 'doing' for the
one I am so irked at right now....or that
I want to do gracious helpful things for 
nebulous 'others' but I certainly want to know that
they will appreciate my efforts adequately!
Forgive my begrudging, Father, and my 
strings attached.
Forgive my production, and my dither,
and fill me with carols of hope, and
hymns of praise, 
and prayers of deep joy....
fill me with Christmas.
Amen

- If you have leftover fleece from making other projects, perhaps one of THESE ideas might help you use it up.  And there are more ideas HERE.

- And THESE would make great last-minute gifts too!

- Have a peek at the incredible eye candy HERE!!!

- THESE are really cute and can be made at the last minute (always a good thing!)

Today's quote is a short one..."Be naughty, save Santa the trip"

Monday, December 16, 2019

Another wee toy


Over the weekend I finished knitting a wee toy for our expected new grandbaby....


I make this toy for pretty much every new baby that comes along because it seems they all end up loving it.  Pattern is the 'Knubbelchen' and can be found HERE.  You can use pretty much any soft yarn to make these provided the needles are compatible with the yarn weight.  In this case I used DK weight and 2.5 mm needles.

- Have a look at THIS eye candy!!!  And there's more eye candy HERE!

- THIS is a different twist on the more traditional quiet book for little ones.

- If you're giving a gift card (or other small item) this year, perhaps putting it inside one of THESE would be nice?

- If you happen to be making drawstring bags for any occasion, I thought THIS little idea was rather clever.

- Apparently THESE are all the rage at the moment, so there's  a free tutorial there to make your own (quick make for Christmas too!)

- THIS is a great idea to do for someone (best to file it away to use next year though).

- THIS link takes you to a number of toiletry bag patterns that can be made in time for Christmas.

Today's quote is from Steve Maraboli...."Want to keep Christ in Christmas?  Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you"

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Landscape reveal

The latest landscape has reached the buyer so I am now able to show you....  


SOLD!

Below is the original photo ...


Photo credit: Laureen Catchpole-Heatley
and used with her very kind permission

- You probably have time before Christmas to knit a pair of THESE (scroll down to get the pattern).

- HERE are a few more creative ways to give a gift of cash.

- Dolores posted about THIS on her blog, and I couldn't resist sharing it as well.  I'd like to make this one!

- THESE would be really cute too.

Today's quote.."Everyone wants to be someone's sun to light up their life, but why not be someone's moon to brighten their darkest hours"

Monday, December 09, 2019

How about this little charmer?



The pattern is the 'Bed Time Gnome' by Knitting By Post and can be found HERE.

- THESE would make quick little Christmas gifts!

- And if you're searching for ideas for creating gift baskets, have a look HERE -there's lots to choose from!

- And HERE are some more cute crocheted snowflakes you might like to add to your tree or use as a parcel tag.

- There are some  ideas HERE for ways to gift cold hard cash in fun ways.

- There are some great ideas HERE for making picture frames (of course I like the Lego version!)

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

- HERE is a cute Christmas activity - suitable for both kids and adults.

- THIS would be a fairly simple item for your Christmas decor.  While you're there, check out the rest of the great ideas!

Today's quote..."The best kind of people are the ones that come into your life and make you see the sun where you once saw clouds;  the people that believe in you so much that you start to believe in you too;  the people that love you, simply for being you.  The once in a lifetime kind of people"

Friday, December 06, 2019

This proves it!


Yep, the fact that I waited all day to make my blog post so I could show you a picture of what I was working on is a moot point now, unless I want to un-wrap a just-wrapped gift that currently holds today's project!!  Argh.  Just more proof that I'm losin' it!



- If you, like me, are suffering from a surplus of 'stuff' in your life, you need (yes, you NEED!) to go and read THIS post from Becki.  She has recently completed the 30 Day Less Is More challenge and in this post she summarizes her thoughts on the process.  Inspiring reading!!

- THIS little fellow would look so cute on a Christmas tree.

- If you have room in your sewing room, how about a tree like THIS one???

Today's quote (and I promise it's not a repeat of the last one!)..."Life is kind of like a party.  You invite a lot of people, some leave early, some stay all night, some laugh with you, some laugh at you, and some show up late.  But in the end, after the fun, there are a few who stay to help you clean up the mess. And most of the time they aren't even the ones who made the mess.  These people are your real friends.  They are the ones who matter most"

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

A little something

The astute among you will have realized that I'm losing it (if you've read to the end of this post and realized that I repeated the exact same quote as I gave you last time!!).  Yep,  not only can I not remember WHY I've entered a room, but I can't remember quotes either!!!  Sheesh.

Over the past couple of days I've been making this pillow to go along with the Super Mario quilt and bed pillowcase I already made.  It will be a themed Christmas for our littlest grandson it seems!


I used a coloring page I found online for the pattern and then appliqued the pieces in place.  

- I particularly like the red sweater pattern in THIS assortment of free ones.

- There's a fun 'Countdown to Christmas' quilting pattern series happening HERE (thank you Jeanne for the head's up on this one!).

- A set of THESE would make a nice gift!  As would THESE!

- Have a look through the galleries of THIS amazing artist!  (it takes a second to load so be patient, and be sure you hover over each of the pictures because the artist tells you what materials she used).

- AND, go and have a look through THESE!!!!  Prepare for cuteness overload!

Today I have the final (at least for now!) in the little series I've been sharing..."As I get older I realize getting lucky means walking into a room and remembering why I'm there"

Monday, December 02, 2019

A little bit of stash reduction


Over the past couple of weeks my knitting needles have been busy creating these two cowls made from mohair I had in my stash for far too long.  All that knitting though - and I only decreased the stash by one single solitary ball!!!!


The patterns are pretty generic  - the beige one is simply 5 rows knit and 5 rows purl, rinse and repeat.  The ivory version was a little more complicated and was a pattern from one of my stitch books.  Unfortunately the design is pretty much lost in the fuzziness of the yarn so if I do more I'll probably stick to the beige version.

- HERE is another fabulous idea to use buttons!  I wouldn't use real greenery though - it would be better with artificial so it could be used more than once.

- Karen Ruane has announced her latest online course called 'The Little Book of Sewing' and, as always, it sounds very intriguing.  Go HERE for further information!

- There is a new free knitting pattern available HERE every day this month.

- Pattern HERE for a really cute Christmas stocking!

And another in the little series of quotes I've been sharing..."As I get older I realize that getting lucky means walking into a room and remembering why I'm there"



Friday, November 29, 2019

Sorry folks!

Sorry to say there's nothing of interest here today.  No photos.  Nothing to show.  Nada.  Zip.  Zilch.  

That's not to say that here at Chez Magpie there aren't things happening.  It's just that I can't show you those happenings - yet.  I do, however, have some links for you and, of course, the quote of the day!

- There are some fun Christmas decorating ideas HERE (I especially like the first one for displaying a village scene).

- Have a peek at the galleries of THIS artist.

- Some pretty winter snowflake patterns HERE.

- There are lots of ideas HERE for gifts-in-a-jar. And there are more HERE

- THIS is a great project to use up some of your button collection (hmmm....I wonder how many of these *I* could create from my button collection???)

Another in the aging quotes...."As I get older I realize that wouldn't it be great if we could put ourselves in the dryer for 10 minutes and come out wrinkle-free and three sizes smaller?

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

A small update

I've been spending a lot of hours working on the latest landscape and here is some of the progress...


This is NOT a great photo - for one thing, it's very dull here today and difficult to get decent pictures AND I've cropped it so you can't see the area I'm currently working on (nothing exciting as yet anyway!).  At this point I will ask you to wait to see the finished project because I'd like my client to be the first to see it done.  I will post another photo once it has been delivered to her.  Hope she likes it!

- There are some great ideas HERE for stained glass quilts. 

- THIS would make great Christmas gifts (at least for those in cold climates!)

- If you're searching for some different cookie recipes for your Christmas baking, have a look at THESE.    There are more HERE.  And HERE too!

Another in the getting older series of quotes..."As I get older I realize that even duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can muffle the sound"

Monday, November 25, 2019

Two days

Here you can see the result of my having two entire days at home and being able to spend them working on this project (those days are definitely rare!)...


The trees have been thread painted (a solid day of work there alone!) and now I'm working on the borders.  The picture isn't the greatest but you can get the general idea I think.

- If your iron gets as gross as mine sometimes does, perhaps THIS cleaning tip might come in handy!

- With all the gnomes that are popping up lately, perhaps you'd like to try your hand at making one of THESE.

- There are some really cute snowman patterns HERE

And, another in the getting older series of quotes..."As I get older I realize that when I was a child I thought nap time was punishment.  Now it's like a mini-vacation"

Friday, November 22, 2019

Landscape progress


On Tuesday afternoon I was able to make good progress on the landscape I'm working on...


and I was lucky enough to have the entire day at home on Wednesday (a rare occurance!) and I was able to get a bit more done...

The grass is pretty much done and I've added the treeline.
  
- There are a number of DIY ideas for Christmas gifts HERE.  And more HERE

- And HERE are some great ideas for clutter free gifts.

- I like the simplicity of THIS - and I don't see why you couldn't use popsicle sticks or something similar from the dollar store.

- Llamas (and sloths) seem to be the thing right now, so HERE is a cute pattern for a llama someone might like under the Christmas tree.

- There's a pattern HERE for a really sweet Christmas stocking, as well as patterns from the two previous years.

- HERE is another quick gift you can make.

Here's another in the series of getting older quotes...The biggest lie I tell myself is "I don't need to write that down, I'll remember it"

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

A little catch up

Today I will share a few projects I have completed recently.  First up is a twin-sized quilt featuring Super Mario's outfit.  Can you see it?



Maybe now?


Our #2 grandson will be getting his room re-decorated for Christmas and they're using a Super Mario theme and a special request was made for Grandma to make him a twin-sized quilt.  Of course, what's a Grandma to do but oblige?  While I was at it, some of you might remember the pillowcase I made to go along with the quilt....

and, if all goes well, there might just be a throw pillow too.

I also just put the finishing stitches in another wee sweater for our expected grandbaby....


The colour here is definitely off (sorry, dull day...again)
but it's using the same yarn as the previous sweaters.
Pattern is the 'Room to Grow Baby Sweater' by Laura Marconi-Cox
and can be found HERE.

Over the past weekend things started ramping up in the kitchen of Resident Chef and one of the creations was a batch of 'Carrot Cake Jam' from THIS recipe (scroll down for the recipe).  Oh boy....yummy stuff!  I haven't done the labels yet, but here's what's going to a few people for Christmas this year...



And here is one of the lace cards I made that will be heading off to live in Australia with my cousin who just happens to own a really cute Scottie dog named Maggie...



And, finally, these three fabric postcards were created...


Very simple, keeping in mind the fact that
they should have been in the mail two weeks ago!


- There's a pretty stitch-a-long happening HERE.  Check it out!

- Have a look through the gallery of THIS artist.  Amazing work!!


Today's quote is a continuation of the series...."As I get older I realize my people skills are just fine.  It's my tolerance of idiots that needs work"

Monday, November 18, 2019

A little update


Over the weekend I did manage to get a little bit done on the landscape and here is where it stands now...



- There are links HERE to tons of ideas for Christmas giving using up your scraps...pages of them!

- THIS is a rather cute idea - could be used in many different applications.  I'm thinking mug rugs!

- THIS is a fun fellow you might like to have in your kitchen this year.  You'll have to scroll down to get the pattern.  And THIS one would make a great gift!

- Those of you who are interested in English Paper Piecing might find THIS blog useful.  There are a number of video tutorials available as well as the blog itself having lots of great information. UPDATED TO ADD: Thanks to a comment left by Boud, HERE is another source for lots of English Paper Piecing information.

- Some of THESE would look so pretty on a Christmas tree!

- Have a look at the work done by THIS artist.  I find her use of small pieces of fabrics intriguing.

Another in the getting older quote series:  "As I get older I realize sometimes I roll my eyes out loud"


Wednesday, November 13, 2019

A new beginning

Now what do you suppose this pile of fodder could be turned into?  Bet you've already guessed!




I've set working on the quiet book aside for a bit for two reasons...#1 I have a landscape that needs to be completed before Christmas and #2 I pretty much need to wait until the baby is born and I know his name before I can finish up the last of it.

############
There's something new here on my blog - if you look in my sidebar you will see that many of my landscapes are for sale.  I finally figured out the mysteries of receiving payments through PayPal!  The 'blurb' in the sidebar gives you more information on how to see the ones I have available as well as how to contact me.
##########


- THIS is a cute little fellow to make for Christmas (or anytime).  Scroll down to the bottom for the English version.

- And THIS is really cute too!

- THIS idea is such fun - provided you had the raw materials!

- I found some more amazing gingerbread houses HERE!  I can't imagine the effort it must take to make anything this gorgeous.  Be sure to scroll down!

- If you happen to have any men's neck ties hanging about (most men don't seem to wear them anymore), perhaps you might find THIS tutorial of interest. 

Today I am going to start a little series of quotes that I hope you'll enjoy...."As I get older I realize:  I talk to myself, because sometimes I need expert advice"

Monday, November 11, 2019

Two more pages


Over the weekend I finished two more pages for the quiet book.  These two will be side by side in the finished book.


I used a leftover piece of fleece for the 
quilt and the little pillow is stuffed.

The little boy comes out and has snaps to
attach his clothes, which can be stored
in the dresser which will be on the opposite page.


The top drawer is zippered so that the
clothes can be stored inside
and here is the 'wardrobe'


I used dome fasteners on the little
boy and the clothing.  The rug is a piece of
fake fur I unearthed in my stash.

For those of you who might be interested in making your own quiet book, there are tons (!!) of pattern links in the list  found HERE.  Also, doing a Google search for children's coloring pages will give you lots of inspiration.

- I've seen THIS in a couple of places around the internet and would love one for my sewing room!  The link takes you to the PDF for how to make it.

- There are a couple sweet little cross stitch projects HERE you could work up quickly for Christmas.

- Every teddy bear (and doll) needs a cozy warm housecoat for Christmas, and you can find a great pattern HERE

- Have a peek at the eye candy done by THIS artist.

- With buffalo plaid being all the rage these days, perhaps THIS Christmas ornament might intrigue you.




Friday, November 08, 2019

and....another one......


Another completed quiet book page....


This one is mostly felt with quilt batting for the clouds and the flowers are pre-made from the dollar store I think.  Ooops - just noticed I forgot to add the door handle!!


- Sometimes it's the simplest things  are the best as THIS will attest (scroll down!)

- THIS is a cute Christmas cross stitch pattern that would be nice for handmade cards perhaps.

- Just for fun, have a peek at THIS board on Pinterest - filled with gingerbread houses (but not just ANY gingerbread houses!!).  Be sure to scroll down.

Today's quote...."One day or day one.  You decide"

Wednesday, November 06, 2019

and....another page....

This is the latest in the series of pages for the quiet book...


Kids these days seem to live in velcro shoes and I can understand why, but still - they should know how to tie them too!

- I'm not quite sure whether I'm in like with the hat or the baby HERE!

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS artist!

- THIS is a really sweet little baby quilt - but could be embiggened for big people too.

- HERE is a really pretty shawl pattern that some of you might like.

- THESE are really cute!  You'll have to use the 'translate' feature if you need to.

Today's quote..."Someone once said: If you look at the people in your circle and don't get inspired, then you don't have a circle you have a cage"

Monday, November 04, 2019

Another page

I pretty much finished this page over the weekend...



The tent (made from a recycled suede jacket) opens and will have a family picture inside once I get some more ink for my printer.


- One of THESE would make a great gift, particularly if it were paired with a casserole!

- And THIS is so pretty!  (I'm thinking of you with this one Kim!!)

- For those who love Lego, perhaps building a fun advent calendar would be just the thing.  Go HERE!

- Once you've liberated some of your kids Halloween goodies, perhaps you'd like to hide the 'evidence' and make some of THESE?

- Mary Corbet has done a blog post about the merits of a product called 'Spool Huggers' - it's well worth a read HERE because some of you might really like the use she's found for them.

Today's quote is from Rick Godwin..."One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up, instead of what they have to gain"



Friday, November 01, 2019

A mixed bag

This was the view from our balcony earlier in the week.  This little tree was sporting her best fall colours and hanging onto her leaves so tight against the wind.  Most of the trees around her had lost theirs.


This little baby was delivered on the weekend - a Brother CS6000i - and now I'm having fun learning all her little ins and outs.  She does everything PMS Albatross was supposed to do and cost less than half the price.  She even has a few more frills than PMS did.

So far there has been no
swearing - hers OR mine!

I'm not quite finished with this page for the quiet book but close enough to show you.  The pieces are backed with velcro and act like a jigsaw puzzle.





- The new issue of the 'Crazy Quilt Quarterly' magazine is available now!  You can get your copy HERE   As always there's a great selection of interesting articles, how to's and patterns, all accompanied by beautiful eye candy. 


And don't forget the 2020 crazy quilt calendar is
available now as well (just click on the picture in
my sidebar to find out more)

- I follow John's blog and am always blown away by his photographs.  THIS post shows the extent some people will go to decorate for Halloween and I have to say I laughed out loud, particularly over the last photo.  Couldn't resist sharing!

Another blog I follow is Lauren's and if you want to laugh out loud, read her post HERE.  

- If you happen across some acorn caps in your walks, perhaps you might like to save a few to make THESE.

Today's quote..."Time decides who you meet in life, your heart decides who you want in your life, and your behaviour decides who stays in your life"