Getting back to it

 And.....we return to working on a landscape!  This time I will be using this photograph for my inspiration...

Photo used with the kind permission of Glen Bowe

Of course I manage to take some liberties with the original and have to say that hard as I try I can't seem to stick to following the photo inspiration exactly.  Artistic license?  

- Have a look at the gallery of THIS talented artist!

- THIS is a really cute project for Easter.

- HERE is a tutorial for making a fun bag that would serve lots of uses.

- If you have a dog (or know someone who does) THIS looks like a great idea.

Today's quote is from Mahatma Gandhi..."When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won.  There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall.  Think of it - always"

Finished dress

 Over the weekend I finished working on the little dress.  I'm happy with it and I think I'll make more with this pattern.  Luckily it comes with a number of sizing options so it can grow with her.  I think that now I've worked through one any further efforts should be easier.  

Pattern can be found HERE.

And, while I was at it I thought I'd attempt making a pillowcase dress from the instructions found HERE. 

- HERE is another small project that you could consider doing to show your support for the Ukraine.

- For those of you who like frogs, perhaps THIS might catch your eye.

- Have a look through THIS gallery!  And how about the amazing thread painting projects found HERE.

- I would never wear one of THESE myself but have to admit it did make me smile!

- Anyone interested in embroidery would find THIS to be an interesting article to say nothing about the eye candy!

Today's quote...."Some days life is all about your hopes and dreams, and creating the perfect future.  But there are other days when life is just about putting one foot in front of the other, and that's OK too"

A gear switch

 I decided to give my needle-pricked fingers a break and switched over to making a little baby dress.  I am the first person to admit that I am NOT a seamstress so it's a struggle to figure out all the terms and how things go together.  The pattern I'm using is THIS one and it's *supposed* to be beginner friendly.  Hmmm.....is there a category for somebody who is a pre-beginner I wonder?  If this  is a beginner pattern I hate to think what a more advanced one would involve.  I'm making the 3-6 mos size so everything is rather itty bitty .  Next time I'll make the larger size and hope it goes together easier.

- I came across something that points to the fact that quilted jackets/coats are currently a 'thing' (again) and thought perhaps you'd enjoy a scroll through THESE.  Take note of some of the prices!!!!

- THIS is an interesting concept that would be fun to try.

- If you've been curious about sashiko embroidery, perhaps you'll find THIS of interest.

- Warning!  These links are going to suck you down the rabbit hole.  Better pour yourself a cuppa and have a snack or two handy...  if you're a knitter, enjoy losing yourself in all the free patterns THESE sites have and if you're a crocheter, go HERE.  

Today's quote..."Strength doesn't come from what you can do.  It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't"

Ouch!

 Never let it be said that your writer knows when it's time to quit!  Instead of switching gears and working on something different she carried on cross stitching and then wonders why her fingers are wanting to bleed.  Never let it be said that she ever says to herself that she'll quit just as soon as she finishes this little bit more....no never let it be said.

Oh well, at least there's a start at one of the chef ornaments as you can see from this photo...

And, Resident Chef appeared in my sewing room doorway with something we've never seen before.  I don't know if the picture is clear enough for you to see but when he cut into what appeared to be a perfectly good tomato he discovered it was sprouting on the inside.   Can you see the little sprout?  The entire tomato was filled with them.  

Today's quote..."When you can't control what's happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what's happening.  That's where your power is"

Check!

 Yes, I can check off an almost complete second ornament.  Still awaiting a shipment of special threads in order to actually complete the final details, but I'm calling this one done (phew!).  Now I'll start working on one of the chef ornaments (mainly because I need more thread in order to do another house).  

For some reason, known only unto my computer, I can't seem to crop photos at the moment.  You'll have to click to embiggen to see the details I think (?!)

- THESE are SOOOO pretty!!!

- THIS is a pretty pattern for a cowl that doesn't look too difficult to make.

- There's a fun little quilt 'game' you can play HERE.  

- If you have little ones in your family, perhaps making THESE for Easter would be fun! THESE too!

- I love THESE and will have to give them a try!

Today's quote is from Scott Stabile..."I look around and see so much fear, people getting more and more comfortable with their hate, more at ease with being mean, more united in their separation.  And I think, NO.  Not me.  I will not get lost in this fearful world.  I will not play with bullies.  I will continue to be brave and kind.  I will speak for real unity.  And no matter what, I will never stop loving"

Phew!

 I thought I'd never get done with stitching the brown part of this ornament!  Now I can start adding the fun details which certainly hold my interest far longer than that awful brown.

Sorry about the horrible picture - it's dull here this morning, plus the computer won't let me crop the photo.  

- If you don't smile (or even LOL) over THESE, I don't know what else I can show you.  I would frame them!

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS amazing artist!

- There's a great tutorial HERE for making thread bowls.

- She also has a tutorial for making some interesting buttons HERE.  

Today's quote....

Progressing slowly

 Still no word on my sewing machine so I'm still cross stitching.  Not sure, of the three house ornaments, which one I will make twice but I do know it's not going to be this one.  It has too much background stitching and isn't exactly stimulating to do.  I plan to do four house ornaments so one design will be repeated (unless I decide to order a different one altogether).  

We dropped off our income tax to be done and made a side trip to the thrift store that's close by.  First time we've done any thrifting in months.  Found a couple items of clothing to augment our wardrobe and I picked up some white ribbon and a really pretty glass mug to hold my knitting needles beside my living room chair.  Might not sound like much but it was big excitement for us after not setting foot in stores for months!

- Have a scroll through the works of THIS artist.

- THIS is something fun that you might like to add to your garden.  Resident Chef did this process when we had our previous house and used it for an outdoor table top by mounting it on top of an old treadle sewing machine base.  Found a picture to show you of what he did...

- HERE is something you might like to make.

- Making some of THESE would be useful - and would make great gifts too.

Today's quote is from Jimi Hendrix..."When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace"

One done - almost

 Over the weekend I finished the main part of the stitching on the first cross stitch ornament.  I'm waiting on a delivery of some special Kreinik thread to make a garland around the door and windows to completely finish it.  Then I have to assemble it into a house. Ornament #2 (the toy shop) has been started.

- No doubt most of you have heard the quote from the lady in the Ukraine and when I came across THIS design I thought I should share it.  

- THIS is a great way to recycle a flannel shirt!

- And THIS would be a fun use for some recycled denim.

- If you're a fan of the Rolling Stones (and even if you're not!) have a look HERE (scroll down)

Today's quote..."Never be afraid to do something new.  Remember, amateurs built the Ark; professionals built the Titanic"

 Some of you will likely have noticed that I've removed a picture from my blog header.  I had no intention of that but discovered when I attempted to update to another picture it ended up showing up HUGE.  For the time being I'm going without a picture in hopes that I can figure out the 'why' of it all.  I suspect it has something to do with the new computer and some sort of setting that needs to change.  The great mystery is what setting and where is it lurking? (and yes, I have clicked on the 'size to fit' button and it doesn't change a thing).  

Nothing much to show you today beyond a little more progress on the cross stitch ornament...

We have a small lending library (of sorts) in our building and often people will leave things they no longer need for others to benefit from.  I noticed someone had left a number of knitting patterns/books and I found these two booklets.  There are some beautiful patterns even though they are older publications.  

- There are some really pretty flowers HERE made from recycled denim.

- Have a peek at the beautiful creations by THIS artist.

- THIS is a different take on a knitted cowl.

- THIS would be really nice to have on hand in the warm weather.

Today's quote..."You are not born a winner; you are not born a loser.  You are born a chooser"

A little bit more

 I guess you will be seeing more hand stitching for a wee while here at Chez Magpie.  My sewing machine is at the spa ailing with some tension issues so whatever I work on has to be hand work.  So, here's a little more progress on my cross stitch ornie...

- If you crochet, you might find some things HERE that you might want to create.  (better pour a cuppa before you go though!)

- THIS is a nice little project that will serve a myriad of uses.

- I like THIS cowl design.

- THIS is for those of you who are intrigued by zentangles.  

Today's quote..."Behind every strong person is a story that gave them no choice"

A new beginning

 Last week I mentioned that I have seen a lot of bloggers working to support artists and designers in the Ukraine and because of that I purchased several cross stitch designs from THIS artist.  I've already begun stitching the first one....Mrs. Santa's Bakery.  Not much progress as yet but you can see the basic design...

You might have noticed that I have changed the colours of the bakery truck to shades of pink because this ornament will be for our new baby granddaughter.

And....my latest evening project is another 1898 hat and matching mittens, both destined for the Christmas box...

- HERE is another great project that some of you might like to create to show your support for the Ukraine.  Perhaps your quilt guild might be interested in making this and then raffling it off with the proceeds going to relief supports for them.  Be sure to read the 'blurb' in the sidebar that explains the project further.

- There are a number of free cross stitch designs HERE including a sunflower.

- Fair warning - if you go and check out all the free patterns to be found HERE, I'm not responsible for the rabbit hole you find yourself falling into.  Just sayin'.....

- If you love homemade bread as much as I do maybe you'll find THIS recipe of interest.  

Today's quote (found via Paper Vernissage blog) is from Elder M. Russel Ballard...."Great things are brought about and burdens are lightened through the efforts of many hands anxiously engaged in a good cause"

Well, then.....ummmmm.......

 Never let it be said that your writer is overly endowed with brains.  I have a wonderful picture to share with you. today.....

Isn't it wonderful?

Oh

You mean you don't see anything?

Well, then....

I planned to take a picture of the sleep pants I made for our grandies.  Honestly I did!  But guess what....the box is packed up already and waiting for UPS to pick it up tomorrow.  And guess what else ....there aren't any pictures to share.  oops

OK then - how about I show you the fabrics I used?  

A big bro and little bro pair out of
each fabric.  

You have a good imagination and I'm sure you can imagine what the sleep pants looked like!!???  I was able to squeeze out enough fabric to make both a big brother and little brother pair out of each one.

- If you are searching for vintage Easter images, have a look at the many found HERE.  

- Those of you who are wanting to show support for the Ukraine and happen to be knitters - you might like to consider making some of THESE (perhaps for use as a bunting?)

- THIS takes you to a whole raft of knitting tips and helps.

Today's quote is a Cherokee proverb..."There is a battle of two wolves inside us all.  One is evil.  It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, lies, inferiority and ego.  The other is good.  It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth.  The wolf that wins?  The one you feed"

A reminder

 Yes, I'm reminded of just how much I dislike sewing clothing.  I struggled my way through making these for our wee one and had thought I would make more using the same pattern (it has 4 different sizes included) but nope.  I will NOT be making this pattern again.  Maybe the hat, but most definitely not the dress.  Talk about a PIA!!!  The entire instructions were left to be desired and the pictures are so small that it's impossible to figure out what they mean.  I know they have size constraints within their printing process but geez.  Oh well, it's done now and won't be repeated.  

Front....

Back...

- THIS is something that would make a sweet little gift, perhaps tucked into a greeting card or into a special book.

- HERE is another little thing that you could make to show your support for the Ukraine.

- Those of you who sew, might find THIS of interest.  (I did not, however, have need of this b'cause said dress used thread loops instead of buttonholes).

- Scrolling through THESE was another awwww moment.

- HERE is another cross stitch designer from the Ukraine that you might want to consider supporting.

Today's quote pretty much sums up my last couple of days....