And....another little project for baby

These will co-ordinate with the sweaters I've already

made.  The hat is 'Golden Pear' from Viridian Hue and

can be found HERE.  

The mitts are just generic using the same

stitch pattern/colourway as the hat.
Yarn is Cascade 220.

Extreme boredom set in over the weekend so I spent considerable time surfing the internet and pairing up possible patterns to use up stash yarn.  I found a couple that will, I think, be created and added to the Christmas gift box.  Stay tuned for further developments!

- I thought THIS was rather intriguing so I'm sharing in case you do too!

- THIS is one of those projects that fill so many niches - they would make a great gift AND they stash bust quite handily too.  Especially fun if you stuff them with something special!  And maybe, out of the scraps, you could create THESE to go along.

- THIS link takes you to a PDF file to create a roll up makeup carrier - which, in IMHO, would be even better for sewing supplies!  Perhaps it could go along with the bags in the links above?

- Although THIS is a paid pattern I think it's a wonderful idea.  SO much better than the type of advent calendars that require candies or small toys which kids probably really don't need.

Today's quote.."The main function of the little toe on your foot is to make sure that all the furniture in the house is in place"

Another wee project for our expected grandbaby....

This pattern is "Little Coffee Bean' by Elizabeth Smith and can be found HERE.  For this one I also used Cascade 220 yarn.  Yet to be blocked!

- I have been spending altogether too many hours on the internet researching a) how to fix PMS Albatross myself and b) new machines.  Came across THIS site which gives a ton of good information about a huge variety of machines.  It's a great resource so I thought maybe it was worth sharing with you.  Warning - you can lose a few hours with this one!!  (Just as a side note - I know something I can attempt to do with PMS to fix her latest 'fit' BUT - it involves getting in to the area where the light bulb is and guess what - it's factory sealed so you can't even change the light bulb should you need to!!  A hammer....???)

- I stumbled across THIS and how I want to make it for my grandsons!  THIS one is great too, but I like the house idea because it will easily carry the cars/trucks inside.

- THESE would be cute on the Christmas tree and would use up small bits of yarn quite nicely.

***************************

UPDATED TO ADD:

For better or for worse (hopefully not the latter!)

I pushed the 'order' button on Amazon and a

new Brother CS6000i sewing machine is

on the way!

Now - is anyone in the market for a good used

boat anchor??

***************************

Today's quote:  "You might think that you don't matter in this world, but someone hears a song on the radio and it reminds them of you.  Someone has read a book you recommended to them and gotten lost in its pages.  Someone has remembered a joke you told them and smiled to themselves.  Never think you don't have an impact.  Your fingerprints can't be wiped away from the little marks of kindness that you've left behind"

First of all - a question for you...

do any of you own a Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist

sewing machine?  If so, what do you think of it?
****************************

Obviously no sewing happening here at Chez Magpie for a few days so how about I show you one of the baby things I've completed...

This is the 'Everyday Toddler Hoodie' by Megan Goodacre and can be found HERE.  I used Cascade 220 yarn.  It still needs to be blocked but I'm waiting to complete all I have planned and I will do them all at once.

- THIS is a cute fall project you could make for your decor.

- Thank you to Doreen for the head's up on THIS one - there are tons of free cross stitch projects available (just check out the 'free patterns' label in her sidebar).

- I don't know who to credit for THIS but I thought it was worth sharing in case someone can figure out how to make it for themselves.

- Those who quilt might find THIS article (and the charts) useful.  And while you're there, you might like to check out some of her other tutorials (found HERE)

Today's quote is from St. Jerome...."Good.  Better. Best.  Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best"

Small project

I wasn't planning to show you this until I had the quilt that accompanies it done. But....with no sewing happening here at Chez Magpie, I need to come up with something (anything!) to show you.

It's a pillowcase, made using the burrito method.

And...beware - there's a computer hack going around that says that you have detected viruses through Google Chrome - it keeps popping up with dire warnings that your computer is infected with dangerous viruses.  I checked.  It's a scam.  

Well, now I'm officially bored.  No sewing.  Patterns have been downsized and sorted.  Does this mean I have to tackle trying to fix PMS Albatross which I already know will do nothing more than increase my blood pressure.  Sigh.

- THIS is a really simple maple leaf pattern that might be nice for fall.

- There are some really interesting quilts HERE.

- Have a look at the eye candy created with torn paper found HERE. 

- There's no source listed for THIS, but I love the Grinch, so I have to share!  I'd love one of these hanging on our door (if fire regulations allowed it!).

Today's quote...."Time and good friends are two things that become more valuable the older you get"

Another page

Here is another page for the quiet book...

Now I've switched gears while I try to figure out PMS's latest issue and have a gigantic mess in my sewing space.  See?.....

This is the result of attempting to downsize two hugely stuffed 2" binders of embroidery patterns I've collected over the years into just one.  Am I suffering from piles?  Oh yeah!  (You, at your peril, can click to embiggen if you dare).

- There are lots of free patterns HERE for rag dolls

- Sometimes I come across something that just makes me say 'awwww' and THIS is one of those things!  And THIS did too.

- I know versions of THESE have been around for awhile but perhaps some of you haven't seen them.

Today's quote ... "Love the people God gave you because he will need them back one day"

More on the book...and yet another rant

Here are a couple more pages I completed for the quiet book...

The lights are removable and the

beads slide up and down for counting

Now I'm at a complete standstill because PMS Albatross has thrown the biggest hissy fit yet.  Now she's decided that her take up lever for the thread ought to just throw it out of the slot at will.  I'm at my wit's end to know what to do to fix this particular issue - she's determined to thwart me every step of the way.  The closest repair shop is nearly two hours away and their 'person' keeps insisting that there's nothing wrong with it.  Of course she performs admirably for him and then the minute she comes in my door she says 'I'll get you" and comes up with something new.  As I've said before, do NOT even consider buying a Bernette (or a Bernina either - I've read a ton of reviews for the top/best sewing machines and guess what - not one Bernina is listed).  I know there are Bernina 'people' out there but you're the lucky ones.  Seems like you're few and far between.  

- THIS idea made me smile! 

- With today's laws against little ones wearing snow suits in car seats, THIS struck me as being a good idea and relatively simple to make.

- Although the patterns aren't available, the ideas HERE are great for scrappy quilts.

- THIS is a really pretty crocheted shawl that might make someone feel cozy this winter.

Today's quote - "Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful and magical humans on the earth, for what they believe is what they will become.

Happy Thanksgiving to my 

Canadian friends!

Over the weekend I started working on a quiet book for our expected addition to our family.  Two pages are finished....

- THIS reminded me of one my grandmother had when I was a kid.  

- It seems that gnomes are all the rage at the moment, so HERE is a tutorial you might like to try.  And there's another one HERE.  

- It's never too early to think about making Christmas ornaments and I think THIS is really cute!

- If I were a person that wore shawls, I would love THIS one. And while you're there, have a peek at her other free patterns HERE.  

- THESE made me smile!

- Have a look at THIS Pinterest board - wow!  And THIS too.

Today's quote is from William Arthur Ward..."Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings"

A finish - of sorts, kinda, maybe

I started this sweater for our oldest grandson last Christmas and got bogged down for two reasons.... #1 - it was going to be too big and #2 - I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to make the hood look right.  So it got put in the time out box until recently when I decided it was either finish or frog time.  I took the hood off and just replaced it with a simple ribbing around the neck.  

And - I also finished these....four pairs of sleep pants for #2 son and daughter-in-love.  

It's impossible to take decent pictures of lounge pants!!  So, they're simply in a pile so you can at least see my fabric choices.  All flannelette.   Men's are made using McCall's 4244 and women's are McCall's 4979.  

- Have a look at the eye candy found HERE.

- Some great ideas for your fall decor can be found HERE.

- Two easy ideas for storing your bobbins HERE. 

Today's quote...."The rest of your life could be the best of your life"

Just a little bear

My stash yielded just enough fake fur fabric to create this little guy...

Pattern is an old one - Vogue #7534 - and probably is no longer available.  He's about 15" tall.

- HERE is another cute project you might like to create for your fall decor.

- And THIS is a great project that you might like to make either for yourself or for a gift.

- There are tons of free patterns available HERE (you can click on them and it will take you to the patterns themselves).

- Several nice fall-themed quilty patterns can be found HERE.

Today the quote is from Jules Renard...."It's not how old you are, it's how you are old"

Another finish

This one has been ongoing for a couple of months so don't get excited and think I'm churning things out with great pizzazz!  We're expecting a new baby in the family the end of January so this little blanket will be for him....

- Now THESE are interesting Halloween costumes!

- THESE are really cute for Halloween - should be quick to make too.

- THIS is a little project that could make great gifts and reduce your stash at the same time.  Win/win?

- Making some of THESE would be nice for fall decor.

Today's quote..."Give, but don't allow yourself to be used.  Love, but don't allow your heart to be abused.  Trust, but don't be naive.  Listen, but don't lose your own voice"

A grand finish!!!!!!!!

Although this doesn't look like much on its own, these represent the end of the Grand Sock Knitting Caper of 2019.....

Although it's hard to tell in the picture, these pairs are child-sized....hopefully they will fit!  Now everyone in our family will have new socks for Christmas this year.

- Lots of great links HERE for Christmas-themed table runners.

- Have a peek at the eye candy found HERE.

- And have a look at THIS - so cute!!!  Can't imagine working that small.

Today's quote is from George Carlin...." We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.  We've added years to life not life to years.  We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.  We conquered outer space but not inner space.  We've done large things, but not better things"

The big reveal

Yes, it's time for the big reveal and I know, beyond any doubt whatsoever, that you are all going to be SO disappointed when you discover what it is!!  

Can you guess now?

How about now?

Yes, that's a toilet paper roll lurking in there!  Our bathroom is very small and there's no room for any sort of spare roll holder that might sit on the floor.  So....one that hangs on the cabinet instead, and I couldn't resist adding crazy quilting to it.  

I know.....the disappointment is hard to bear isn't it?!

- HERE is a great little gift project that would work as a stash buster.

- THIS would make another gift, particularly for a knitter.

- Some of THESE got an involuntary 'awwwwww' from me.

- Lots of really fun gift ideas HERE too.

- Nice labels HERE to put on your knit gifts and you can go HERE to get them for your crocheted items.

- Lots of sweet patterns HERE!

- The San Francisco School of Needlework and Design (SNAD) has announced their new  Stitch at Home challenge with a theme of Healing and Reflection.  Go HERE to find out more.  

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