Painterly - and not of the fun kind!

 Precious little has been done on the creative front - at least not in terms of the type of creativity I like best!  Instead I've repainted our bathroom.  Anybody who has painted a bathroom knows exactly how much of a PIA it is!  The colour hasn't changed much - it's just gone from a grey-blue to a more blue-blue but the paint is the 'proper' paint for a bathroom.  What we used before wasn't and it came back to haunt us in the form of checking and a growth of mildew.  I primed all the mildewed and checked areas first and then applied two coats of paint.  Just having to tape off around all the little areas is enough to make me talk to myself...and then the removal of the tape led to areas that pulled off the paint (!!) so had to go around and do a bunch of touch ups.  Now this is the view in there...

Resident Chef is on his knees uttering rather colorful words as he tries to replace the caulking around the tub.  If you embiggen the picture perhaps you can see the shower tile and the vanity top....the tile is probably 50 years old and can't be replaced (or better term would be - won't be replaced because the building management won't .... unless it's so badly damaged that it has to be).  It's in good shape but dated so it's difficult to come up with a paint colour that blends.  Of course the blue in the vanity top is entirely different from the shower tile too.   

It's a very dinky sized bathroom so almost impossible to get any sort of picture to show you but here you can see the paint colour a little better.  

- For a large dose of 'awwww' scroll down through THIS!  

- And there are more HERE!!  (you can click to get the text translated to English)

- And HERE are more beaded art pieces that are astounding.

- If you enjoy embroidery and also playing with beads perhaps you will be interested in THIS.  

- THIS looks like it would be very useful - would make good gifts too!

Today's quote - 

 I've added a little more of the detail to the landscape I was working on, along with sandwiching it ready to start the quilting and further detail work.  Not sure if I'll be able to complete this one though because my supply of glitter I use for details in the snow has dwindled and it appears it's in short supply at the moment.  Guess everybody else is using it too!

- have a look at the amazing creations of THIS artist!!!  Scroll down and click on the various galleries to see more details.

- I thought THIS was rather unique (and I apologize that I don't know the original source - if you do, let me know and I'll update this post)

- Did you know...that you can mix 1 part rubbing alcohol and 3 parts water in a ziploc bag to make a wonderful ice pack that's mouldable?  You're welcome.

- Have a peek through the creations in THIS gallery.

- THIS leads to a ton of free wallet patterns. (NOTE:  Elizabeth commented and said this link leads to paid patterns but when I investigated they are free...or at least most of them are.  Could you let me know what your experience is like?  If they're not free, I'll remove the link.  Thanks!!!)           A FURTHER UPDATE:  Please check Boud's comment below!

Here's your quote for the day..."The secret to living well and longer is to eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure"

Big Foot?

 Last night I finished knitting the first of four pairs of felted slippers.  These look like clown shoes when they're knitted but they do felt down to actually fit our son (size 13 foot).  I have made these slippers for our family for years and there's always special requests for more so I guess they must like them!

The pattern is the 'Felt Clogs' by Fiber Trends.

And, just for fun, here's a picture of a 'before' and 'after' of the slippers, just to show how much they shrink in the felting process...

Over the weekend I also finished making the backing for the vintage linens quilt.  This is a horrible picture but I can't seem to get you anything much better...

The pink section was a piece of fabric I've had lurking in my stash for far too long...the bits of green used up all but one teeny little scrap of that fabric (and it's the one that I used for the cornerstones and final border on the front of the quilt....the sides and top used up some eyelet that was also lurking in my stash.  The entire thing measures about 72" square.  Unfortunately I can't go ahead and quilt it because I don't have enough batting at the moment.  I checked into mail ordering it and at the rate of over $30 just for shipping it's going to wait until I can get to a store myself which isn't about to happen for quite some time due to the lockdowns.  To be truthful I do have a big enough piece of batting but if I want to do any more landscapes I will need it for those.

Here's a closeup of the fabric I used on the back...

- Bernie is popping up everywhere and it amazes me that someone made THIS and has the pattern on offer already!  

- Have a scroll through the amazing work done by THIS artist!

- If you want to have a grand session of 'Peeping Tom/asina - ism'  seeing ideas for craft room organizing have a look at the links HERE   

- THESE are very cute!

Today's quote..."Always be careful when you follow the masses.  Sometimes the M is silent"

Almost done!

 Yesterday I finished the flimsy....

OH wait!  No I didn't!  I discovered I have JUST enough of the pretty green fabric I used for the little squares to make a 3" border around the outside.  It's like the galloping ick - it just keeps growing and growing!  This will be it though because if it gets any larger it will be entirely too unwieldy to attempt to quilt...

And this is the hunk of fabric I plan to use on the back, provided my stash yields some more fabric to cobble it up to the same size as the front.  I bought this piece of fabric a few years ago and have NO clue whatever possessed me.  I don't even like pink!  It's textured too (ruffled here and there) and so won't be something that could be quilted on a longarm machine.  'Course it might not be quiltable at home either!!!  Methinks I might have to hand quilt this beast and therein lies the next problem.  Hmmm.....wonder if I could try quilting it with crochet cotton....I have lots of that.....

The green you see in the photo will be the additional border I plan to add to the front.  I have JUST enough of it to go around I think ((fingers crossed!!)

- There's an excellent article HERE about sewing needles (and a cautionary tale at the end of the post that's well worth paying attention to!).

- Many of you are familiar with Jenny of Elefantz and her delightful patterns and designs (as well as a beautiful blogger too) and will be interested to know that she has a new (free!) digital magazine that is sure to delight.  Have a look HERE to download your free 'The Homemaker's Heart' issue!

- It sure didn't take long for a pattern to surface for 'The Mittens' Bernie Sanders wore at the inauguration!  It can be found HERE.  I'll bet he didn't know he would become a fashion icon! And there's another one HERE.  

- THIS is a really cute pattern you might like to make for the dinosaur lover you know.

- I think THIS is rather cool!  Be sure to scroll down to see it light up.

Today's quote..."To make a difference in someone's life, you don't have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful or perfect.  You just have to care"

The addition(s)

 The flimsy from my previous post will have these added around the outside, which will result in the overall size increasing by about 12.  That brings it to a size that's more to my liking.  AND - the biggest bonus out of all this?  My drawer that was crammed full of 'fodder' has been reduced by at least half.  Woo hoo!!!!  

Once I get these added to the original the next step will be cobbling together a backing from my stash.  I have something in mind that I want to use up but I fear it's too small.  Might have to do more than cobble!  I have talked myself out of taking it to a longarm quilter and plan to tackle it myself.  It will be pretty plain quilting but at least it's cheap!

I haven't had much time lately to work on the 'Making Space' Challenge but I did come across two bags of paper pieces that would be good for crafting (or for those who scrapbook) so they're heading down to the laundry room to bless someone else.  With the kids being off school due to the pandemic perhaps they might have fun with it.  That brings my total to 48 items.  

- I know Easter is a ways off, but THESE caught my eye and I thought they would be fun to make between now and then.

- THIS is a cute and quick project to make for Valentine's Day (what you put inside is up to you!).

- Have a look at the detail on THESE!!!  

- And the work that THIS artist does is amazing.

The quote today is from Martin Luther King..."The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people"

An almost finish

 According to the directions for the online class this project is now a flimsy ready to quilt.  However I'm a bit of a rebel so I have decided to add to it.  Two reasons for that - the fact that it only measures about 54" square right now AND the fact that I still have stash to use up.  So, onward I go....and you'll have to wait to see what happens next.

It's really hard to get a decent picture, particularly on a dull day but this is the best I can come up with.  

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS artist!

- And THIS artist too!

- I know I've sent you to see the absolutely incredible work of THIS artist but it's always an amazing look into the world of a master embroiderer.  I noticed that her blog seems to be down at the moment, but that she has a book coming out in September.  It's going on my wish list for sure!

- I kind of like THIS idea - a great use for those teeny little scraps you hate to throw away AND perhaps make some greeting cards for use now that we're locked down and can't buy commercial cards?  

Today's quote is from Helen Keller - "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much"

A finish and another step

 There has been a bit more done for the vintage linens quilt project - the blocks are all done and now it's on  to the putting together with the sashing.  

And....a completed evening project!  There are two upcoming weddings this year and this is the second wedding gift done.  The pattern is 'Annie's Lace Throw' and can be found on the Mary Maxim web site.  

And...just because I can....a photo of Resident Chef's fresh-out-of-the oven (but not so fresh that one wasn't taste tested!)  sourdough English muffins...

- There's a fun year-long project happening HERE.  Each week you are given a theme and you create a small tag reflecting the theme.  At the end of the year you will have 52 tags to use for whatever you like (perhaps use as gift tags...or hang on the tree??).   While you're there be sure to check out some of her other fun projects!

- THIS looks like a fun thing to try doing.  

- I like the shape of THIS bag - lots of uses for something like it I would think.

- AND - in the interest of the fact that you just never know what you might discover here at Chez Magpie...did you know....to stop bananas from over-ripening overly fast....let them reach the degree of ripeness you prefer and then separate them.  Stick them in the refrigerator and they won't ripen any more.  The skins turn a little black perhaps but the fruit stays pretty much the same.  There now, aren't you better for knowing that?

Today's quote is from the brilliant mind of Ralph Waldo Emerson..."You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late"

Happy feet

 Resident Chef has happy feet (or at least so he says!) because he has a new pair of socks....

Pattern is the generic one I prefer and used up a ball of yarn I had lurking in my stash.  

I'm afraid I can't show you any progress on the landscape because, quite simply, there hasn't been any.  Instead I've been puttering at making these....

And, here's the overall look of the project so far(sorry about the horrible dull pictures today - there isn't a glimmer of sun outside!)....

All pictures are clickable to embiggen

- THIS is an adorable teddy bear pattern!  And HERE is another one that's equally as cute.  And HERE is another one!  Or how about THIS one?  And just because I can - how about THIS teeny little guy?

- Have a look at THIS great art!

- During these times when we're not allowed to go shopping, perhaps you might find making your own greeting cards to be fun and THIS is a great tutorial.

Today's quote..."One tree can start a forest; one smile can begin a friendship; one hand can lift a soul; one word can frame a goal.  One candle can wipe out darkness; one laugh can conquer glom; one hope can raise your spirits; one touch can show you care.  One life can make the difference.  Be that one today"

Next steps

 Another step in the quilt I'm making using vintage linens.  The center block is supposed to be a dresden plate but my stash didn't lend itself to that so I'm using this pretty piece of embroidery that my maternal Grandma made instead....

The colours are perfect for what I've already done too, so that's an additional bonus.  I certainly didn't want to cut into this one so it's nice that I could use the whole thing.  

And, there's been some progress on the landscape.  I finished embroidering the snowflakes on the border and it only took me four days!! 

- If you happen to be searching for a fun stitchalong to participate in there's a huge list HERE of various ones that are happening around the internet world.  There's bound to be something there that will tickle your fancy!

- THIS is a cute little crocheted toy that has lots of personality.

- Have a peek at the work done by THIS artist.

- You can go to THIS link and see a number of different artists listed - simply click on them and you will be taken to their galleries.  

Today's quote..."You can't control anyone else, but you can control yourself, your thoughts, your words, your choices, your actions, your reactions and your future"

Let there be snowflakes!

 Yes, there's snowflakes - of the kind I like (not the cold wet yucky ones that are outside!).  I'm adding cross stitched/embroidered snowflakes on the border of my latest landscape.  For some reason they needed to be there so who am I to argue?

I'm using waste canvas to do these and no two are alike, just like real snowflakes.

-  THIS is a pretty pattern for an easy-to-knit shawl.  

BEFORE YOU START INTO THIS NEXT SECTION OF LINKS I WOULD SUGGEST POURING YOURSELF A CUPPA.....

- If you are looking for lots (!) of free knitting patterns, have a look HERE.

- And there are tons more HERE.  

- OR if you like to crochet check out what can be found HERE

- And if you're a quilter, have a look HERE.  

Today's quote..."I feel like my greatest accomplishment today has been not saying what I'm thinking out loud"

4 more

 Here are the last four star blocks for 'the project I said I wouldn't do (TPISIWD)'...

And....some progress on the latest landscape....

Not many things for the 'Making Space For What Matters' challenge this week, but at least it's something!  

We got new mugs for Christmas so the old ones are outta here.  One was chipped so got thrown out and the other 3 were recycled to someone else in our building.  The silver 'cup' once held small equipment in my sewing room but was replaced with something else we were gifted with over Christmas.  And the watch?  Yes, I could have purchased a new battery but it's cheaper to just buy another 'cheap' watch.  That brings my count to 46 items.  Not much,  but going in the right direction!

- Pocket shawls seem to be 'the thing' right now, so HERE is a pattern you might like.

- Mary Corbet is starting a fun new project that some of you might like to join and you can get more information HERE.  

- THIS is a great idea for gifts (I know it's too late for Christmas this year but you could watch for deals on glasses and get an early start on next year....or for other occasions throughout the year).

- Sharon Boggon is running her wonderful TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesday) stitchalong once again and if you want to learn new stitches or great new ways to utilize ones you already know, check it out HERE. 

- Of course THIS caught my eye! 

Today's quote is from Shaista Saba - "Walk away from people who put you down.  Walk away from fights that will never be resolved.  Walk away from trying to please people who will never see your worth.  The more you walk away from things that poison your soul, the healthier you will be"

Succumb-tion???!!!!

 Remember awhile ago I gave you the link to Rhonda Dort's free online class utilizing vintage linens/hankies/doilies?  I seem to remember also saying that I didn't plan to play along.  Well then, how do you explain this.....

The 'innards' of these blocks are all hankies - most of them once belonging to my grandmother who died in the early 1960's.  

And while I'm at it, why not add something else to the mix and start this.....

The sky was created using shaving cream/paint technique that I like to play with because it creates a moody winter look.

We won't mention how much of a mess it makes to do!  

Oh, and we won't mention the pair of socks being worked on OR the crocheted afghan being created.

OOOPS!

- There are lots of ideas HERE to use those wall calendars from 2020 that you're getting rid of!

- I think THIS is a very tempting project (along with some of the smaller accompanying designs).  

- The work of THIS artist is astounding!  I simply can't imagine working that small.  It takes a minute to load so be patient!

- And have a look at the work of THIS artist (and what she uses for her canvases!).

- The work of THIS artist is interesting too.

- There's a fun CAL starting HERE- another great use for leftover yarns?

- I like THIS project!

Today this is your quote....