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?

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"

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"

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"

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"

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"

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.

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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.

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- 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"

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.

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"

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"

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"

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"