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.

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!

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!


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.


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!

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...



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!








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.




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!!

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!


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.


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.






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"