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, March 25, 2020

Pondering

I have been working on doing some prep for a new large-ish crazy quilt project I have planned to do for awhile. The bedspread we have on our bed doesn't reach the floor because we have the bed up on blocks in order to have storage beneath and we use a quilt/throw to hide the clutter  well organized area beneath.  I pieced the blocks awhile ago and now is the time to start working on them.  Here is the selection as they look right now...

My original plan was to set them on point but that is quite possibly going to change as I go along and quite probably will mean I will need to create more blocks. The original plan was also to embroider them quite simply with only one or two colours of thread (probably black and white).  Now that we are staying home, I have changed that plan and have now opted to use a triadic colour scheme for each.  In theory, my original idea was to do a sort-of colour study anyway, so going triadic is a further extension of that.  Changing my colours somewhat is primarily because I know I will get thoroughly bored with only working in one colour for the embroidery.  Because this is going on our bed I don't plan to add any heavier embellishments (buttons,etc) which goes against my magpie nature!

Some of you may wonder how I am choosing my triadic colours and I have to admit I'm not smart enough to figure that out on my own but instead rely on a wonderful thing called the 'Ultimate 3-in-1 Color Tool'  (updated 3rd edition) by Joen Wolfrom.  
Picture from Amazon.ca and found HERE.
I use this color tool a LOT and highly recommend it (no affiliation with the publisher OR Amazon)....it's available through other sources as well - just Google and you will find them if you're interested).

I decided to work on the yellow block first  simply because it's one of my least favourite colours.  From my stash of embroidery floss I pulled this selection of colours, using the suggestions from my Color Tool.  

Here you can see my block mounted on my frame and one of the seams underway.  The frame is one I made from PVC pipe from instructions found HERE.  


Next time I will tell you about a couple of further tools I am using to help with my embroidery process on these blocks.  

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Resident Chef is a man of multi-talents; he not only cooks, he cleans, he vacuums, he does laundry.  And no, before you think I have the perfect slave, I DO help with the cleaning!!  Self isolation means no access to a hairdresser, so he changed hats and had a go at mine.  I figure nobody's going to see me for quite awhile so what could possibly happen that wouldn't grow back in short order (I was just careful not to sneeze!).  I think, if the word gets out, he might just be able to make some money at this!  Here's proof positive....
That's the pile of hair he removed

And as you can see I don't look any scarier than
I normally do!

I think I'll keep him.


Today's quote..."The first to apologize is the bravest, the first to forgive is the strongest, and the first to forget is the happiest"

33 comments:

  1. Wow, that's a nice haircut. Stylish and everything. I've been cutting my own forever, for better or worse. Hairdressers rarely train on curly hair, and I thought I couldn't do worse, also it would be free to diy hair. And you can do it in bits, no need to do the lot at once. I wouldn't mind getting an appointment with your in-house coiffeur though. He's good!

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    1. I don't have quite enough nerve to attempt cutting my own, but I do my own bangs and he has cut the bottom of the back for awhile. And yes, he IS good - but I'm not letting the word out to everybody because it's kinda nice having my own personal chef AND hairdresser!!

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  2. The block frame will be a project this summer. Thank you for the link
    The face mask instructions is fantastic. I'm wondering if there's a way to get by the pipe cleaner in order to boils a used mask.

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    1. Some people are using paper clips (straightened) or twist ties for that part of the masks. Perhaps those would work better than the pipe cleaner when it comes to being able to wash/sterilize them.

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    2. If the mask is boiled, then its better the metal isn't in the mask. I think there may be a flexible material that can be added that isn't metal. Clips can pop off when the person speaks or moves around too much. If there's a channel to put the piece into that holds, then that might work.

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  3. Lookin' good Magpie. I have been hacking at my mess too...don't trust Mr Noofy with scissors so close to my head!!! By the time this is all over we may all look like the 'Wild Man of Borneo'! LOL

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    1. and just think of all the people who will discover what their REAL hair colour is!!

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  4. GOOD haircut! The crazy embroidery will keep you busy for a while :)

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    1. Resident Chef has been hiding his talents, for sure. And yes, I have a long project ahead of me but that's certainly a good thing right now.

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  5. Your hair looks great!! I will be on tap to trim hubby's in another week..I've only ever trimmed my bangs so we'll see how that goes!! He is brave;000
    I love your crazy quilt to be blocks... jewel tones are so rich; I like the triad of colors you've chosen..I have that tool also--somewhere--should find it...and use it...hugs Julierose

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    1. Thanks Julierose - I will pass your compliment along to him. I really love that colour tool and use it a lot. I've come up with colour combos using it that I would never have thought of on my own. The yellow block that I'm working on right now would definitely NOT be done in the colours it suggested had I gone with what was 'safe'.

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  6. Wow, nice haircut! I was able to get mine cut 2 weeks ago. Fortunately she cut it almost 2 inches to short. Little did I know that she was doing me a favor.

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    1. I prefer short hair so I'm certainly good with this cut - it's pretty much what my hairdresser charges me $25 to do so it was a nice savings. At least I don't colour it so I don't have to worry about that.

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  7. Hi MaryAnne! The hubster did a great job on your hair! I’d like to make Ann appointment for a trim next Tuesday.... 😂😂

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    1. I keep saying I shouldn't tell too many people because if he doesn't watch out there might be a whole lot of people lined up waiting for cuts.

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  8. Great haircut! You have a project to keep you busy for awhile. Good luck. Interesting link: using cornstarch to stiffen felt. Food for thought.

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    1. Nice that someone thought stiffening felt was a fun idea! Thanks.

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  9. Love the idea for your quilt. Great idea for scraps. Love hair cut. Similar to mine.

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    1. Simple hair cut and simple projects are perfect for right now.

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  10. The Resident Chef is a very talented man. You are very lucky to have him all to yourself. Your haircut looks fabulous and suits you well.

    Good links too.

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    1. Yes, he's a man of multi-talents as I am continually discovering. After 40 years I think I should keep him.

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  11. you look great!! I cut both Terry's hair and mine. His is short and mine is long. We are never happy if someone else cuts it, except my daughter who is trained but now has rotator cuff trouble. I use that color tool too. I'm looking forward to seeing your quilt.
    xx, Carol

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    1. Thanks Carol! Jack has made the offer to continue to cut mine so we'll see. I think for the first while after all this is over we will need to support our local small businesses in any way we can so I likely will do that but it's good to know he's willing (and obviously able!) to do the job.

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  12. Your haircut looks terrific! Hats off the the Chef! I can cut hub's hair if it gets too long, though he's started going to Great Clips to get it done the last couple of years. And have cut my own hair for years, so nothing is changing in that regard for me. I have wondered about this for friends, though. And those who get their hair colored at salons. I loved the meme I saw recently that said something to the effect, "We may soon know each other's real hair color." Can't wait to see your colorful blocks turn into a beautiful crazy quilt.

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    1. I've never mustered the courage to cut my own hair altho' I do trim the bangs. I shudder to think what I'd look like if I tried it! I saw that hair colour meme too and thought how true it will be. Who knows maybe a lot of people will decide to simply stop colouring altogether.

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  13. Yep, keep him. You look great. Thanks for the links. Our whole country is in lock down now - Day 2. Only allowed out for a walk or to visit the grocery shop.

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    1. Oh, I'm keeping him - no question. After 40 years I don't want to have to train another one!! We're in lock down too with only essential services open. Tough times for everyone but we will get through this.

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  14. Well now yes, he may have found a new calling!! I cut my own hair the other day and had my hubby 'even' up the back where I couldn't really see what I was doing haha! It turned out great! Aren't we all so resourceful when we need to be!? Thank you for linking to my post on downloadable patterns! I'm still at it . . . downloading and sewing haha!

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    1. I don't suppose he's going to want to do that job forever but at least it will work for the time being. (and you're welcome!)

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  15. What great blocks for working your color theory examples. WOW you look beautiful! Resident Chef is very multi-talented and accomplished. Good quote to remember and follow. Health is our Wealth!

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    1. Health is our wealth - wonderful words Sherry, thank you. As for me looking beautiful - well, m'dear, you MUST be viewing me through rose-coloured glasses!!

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  16. Gosh love the blocks idea and that frame is so clever!
    Yes I reckon you should keep that man, wish I had one who was natty with scissors now, my own hair needs a good tidy up and a 6 weekly trim round to stay in style!
    Love your hair colour too, wish mine was an all over natural colour but mine is grey at the front sides but charmless gunmetal at the back which I hate. Years of being what the hairdresser said was dark blonde ( read mousey) I cant get used to gunmetal at all! lol
    I reckon you should get paid for all the enabling you do by suggesting various blogs/places and patterns to see, your basically an 'influencer' and should be able to make a living from it! x

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    1. My hair is actually quite yellow - I think a throwback to the fact that I was very blonde up until I turned about three and then it darkened to brown. I would so love to have snow white hair like my MIL did. And yes, I do plan to keep that man - wouldn't want to have to train another one at this stage of life!

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Thank you so much for leaving comments! I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy life to talk to me. It's wonderful to know that someone is actually reading my mumblings and even more fun if I can connect with you and visit your blog.