Done, Done AND done!!!!!

 The Quilt (or at least this part of it) is DONE!!!  It's almost impossible to get decent pictures when our bedroom is so small so these aren't great but I think you can get the general idea...

and here's a closeup of part of one of the border corners....

I'll be calling the longarm quilter to see when she might have time to quilt it.  I'm hoping she won't quilt it too densely because it certainly doesn't need a lot more weight.  She provides the batting so hopefully she'll have something lightweight.  The backing is going to be a purple-ish design chosen by Resident Chef.  It will serve as a bedspread, rather than a queen-sized quilt.

Now to make a couple of throw pillows out of the leftovers and THEN I can call it quits, at least until I need to bind it.

- For those who are interested in weaving, perhaps you'd like to have a go at THIS.

- THESE little guys made me smile.

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

- Sometimes I come across something that just boggles my mind and THIS is one of them.  Be sure to scroll down to see how it was made.  And while you're there, be sure to look through the gallery HERE...wow!!!

- THESE would be cute to create and I would think fabric scraps would work just as well.

- Something else HERE that would be cute for Easter.

- Funny how sometimes the simplest things can make something beautiful as you can see HERE.  

Today the quote is from Erma Bombeck..."Worrying is like a rocking chair.  It gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere"

and....they said it wouldn't last!

 March 20 2006 I began this foray into blogging and am still awed by the fact that I'm still going.  I'm in even more awe that I actually have readers and followers.  There are people who are interested in my mumblings - who knew?  There are people who leave comments and that totally blows me away.  For you to take time out of your busy lives to chat with me means more than any of you can ever know.  A few people who read and leave comments have turned into friends, a blessing I could never have hoped for when I first started into this.  

You all listen to my rants, laugh (or at least pretend to) at my silly stories, and give me a much-appreciated support system for what I do.  For a person who works alone it means so much to have all of you cheering me on and at times giving me constructive criticism that is also appreciated.  

I don't know how much longer I will keep mumbling but as of this moment I don't see me giving it up anytime soon.  As long as you stick with me, I'll do my best to try to keep you entertained.

 (For those who might be interested you can read my very first post HERE)

I read on one of the blogs about growing pumpkins as an indoor vine so I thought I'd give it a try just for the fun of it.  I planted 5 seeds and they've all sprouted (yay for my non-green thumb!!).  Now to see what will happen.

- THESE are a really cute Easter project!

- THESE would be sweet decorations for Easter.

- THIS caught my eye - from the standpoint of being a stash buster but also with the thought that making it longer would create a great draft dodger.  Might have to do some figuring to change the pattern directions to something we're used to.

- Further on stash busting, THIS also caught my eye.  As did THIS.

Today's quote..."Gossip dies when it hits a wise person's ears.  Rumors are started by haters, carried by fools, and believed by idiots"

3/4's

 I am almost ready to start on the final corner of The Quilt but again, I'll spare you the further photo update because it's still yawn-worthy and just more of the same.  

- THIS looks as though it would be a fun (albeit messy) project to try.

- I thought THIS artist has an interesting 'take' on working with fabric.

- Have a peek at the amazing work of THIS artist!

- THIS was interesting to read, and see.

- HERE is another technique some of you might like to play with.

Today the quote is from Linda Morman Stichtenoth..."I spent the first 2/3 of my life acquiring stuff that doesn't matter only so that I can spend my last 1/3 getting rid of it.  What a stupid game of consumerism we play"

Still slogging

 Half done the borders on the quilt....cause for celebration!!  I, however, will spare you yet another photo of what basically looks pretty much the same.  Third corner is basted and ready to stitch which I hope to finish this week.

- If you are planning to add borders to your quilt, check THIS out for a formula.  And THIS for sashings.

- THIS takes you to part one of a series of posts about making fabric collages.

- THIS is a rather cute little design for Easter.

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

- I can't find the original artist for THIS but it did make me laugh.

Slogging away

 Oh yes, it's a yawn a minute here at Chez Magpie where The Quilt is all-consuming it seems.  I've added the second corner and it's basted and hand stitching has begun.  See?....

I dunno about you but I do hate the silly time change thing.  It messes with so many people and serves absolutely no purpose any longer.  I know it did, back in war time, but now it's just plain a PIA.

And speaking of PIA's - I spent some time over the weekend perusing online bookstores  looking at books on making landscapes thinking I might add to my library.  Interestingly (or not so much, depending on your viewpoint of course) the books that are out there are mostly second hand (which is fine with me) but....and here's the thing....they're mostly pretty cheap anywhere in the world BUT here.  You can pretty much add $20 per book to the cost AND, oh, by the way, there's shipping on top of that - sometimes upwards of another $20 per book.  Needless to say my desire to add to my library was rapidly tamped down!  Gotta love living in Canada!  

And further on that particular subject, it's always astounding to me just how many online shops specify in no uncertain terms that they will NOT ship to Canada.  What's the matter with us?  Do we have a collective nation with body odor?  

There.  The soapbox is dusted.

And, never let it be said that this blog is anything but eclectic as this little frugal tip will attest.  Resident Chef was quite pleased with himself when he attempted to re-use some inner milk bags with his food sealer and discovered they work perfectly.  Will save on buying the smaller size refills for the Food Saver.  Thought I'd share in case any of you want to give it a try.

- Thanks to Canadian Needle Nana for the link to THIS pretty design.

- There's lots of ideas HERE for reusing denim.

- No instructions or info on who made it, but I thought THIS looks like a fun idea for a sewing room.

The quote of the day is the 5W's of Life:  WHO you are is what makes you special.  Do not change for anyone.  WHAT lies ahead will always be a mystery.  Do not be afraid to explore.  WHEN life pushes you over,  push back harder.  WHERE there are choices to make, make the one you won't regret.  WHY things happen will never be certain.  Take it in stride and move forward.

Another wee finish

 I had some yarn left over from the fusion quilt project and decided I would use some of it to make this little sweater for our wee grandie.  It will fit an 18 month old through to a 3 year old so she'll be able to wear it for awhile.  Heading for the Christmas box I think.

Pattern is HERE

PATTERN NOTE: The buttonholes aren't
all listed in the pattern.  There's one at Row 5
and I used those directions to add two more at
Rows 21 and 37

And...one corner is stitched on the quilt and now I'm working on creating something for the other corners.  I had contemplated making pillow shams and leaving the top of the quilt unadorned but I think I will opt for more flowers (primarily to use up the fabric!) and not bother with shams.  There might be enough left to recover the two throw pillows we have on the bed.

- I think THESE are really pretty!

- HERE is an idea you might like to try.

- THIS would be a great project for both kids and adults.

- Scroll down on THIS post to see why these caught my eye.

Today's quote...."Before you assume, learn the facts.  Before you judge, understand why.  Before you hurt someone, feel.  Before you speak, think"

The next section

I'm currently working on appliquing one of the floral sprays onto the quilt.  At this point I don't know what I'll end up doing on the other sides but I'm thinking that I might add more of the same.  Will have to do a test fit on the bed and then I might have a better idea.

- THIS takes you to a picture of an interesting method of putting quilts together.

- There's another 'awwww' moment HERE.

- Although THIS is technically created for jewelry, I think there's a myriad of other uses.

- THIS is a great upcycling idea.

This is your quote of the day..."Two things define you.  Your patience when you have nothing, your attitude when you have everything"

Holes

 Yes, there are holes in my fingers from the needle stitching all around this big applique for 'the quilt'.  Remind me why I ever thought this would be a good idea?

At least this part is done and dusted and now it's on to adding the floral spray(s) for the border...sort of.  It's not exactly a 'border' but I don't know what else to call it.  I have to also decide just how much I want to add and if I will need to make some more flowers.  

We got snowed on Friday night and into Saturday.  Resident Chef huffed and puffed and removed at least two feet from around our car.  Not exactly what he wanted to be doing with his life!  Sadly, they're calling for more on Monday.  Have I ever mentioned how much I hate winter?  Although, to be fair, this is the first real 'dumping' we've had this winter.  

- Making a set (or more!) of THESE would be a great stash buster.

- Have a peek through the creations of THIS amazing artist.  I'm so hoping our library can find a copy of her book because it looks very intriguing.  Be sure you check her other galleries as well.  

- I thought THIS was an interesting way to make a thread holder.  And HERE is another one.

- HERE's another 'awwwww' thing.

- THIS takes you to a short video that shows a great storage solution.

Today's quote..."If it's out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind too"

Alas and alack

 It seems there are no photos to share with you.  I know, the sheer audacity of it all.  However, in my defense, I've been (yawn) appliquing all that hexie 'thing' you saw previously onto the background.  The only break in the action has been the occasional blood letting (which I'm sure you would prefer to avoid the graphic evidence thereof).  Maybe, just maybe, later this afternoon I might progress on to adding the floral border.  I know...it's just a huge barrel of excitement here at Chez Magpie.  

We're getting our curb-side grocery order this morning and my wonderment at what they were planning to do to adhere to the current ban on plastic bags has been solved.  We will have to provide 'x-number' of green bins which we will have to 'trade in' for an equal amount of bins filled with groceries.  Sort of a one-in one-out sort of program.  We happen to already have 5 bins that we were using for various types of storage so have had to change things around so we can use them.  Will likely have to buy a couple more as time goes on.  

And, simply because the excitement just never ends - we're taking our income tax in this morning too.  I know I could do it myself but our tax preparer is good at figuring out how we can income split so it works for the most benefit and I simply don't want to do all that math.  What would take me a couple of days she can do in mere minutes.  

- There are some links HERE to some cute Easter projects.

- Have a peek at the amazing work by THIS artist

- And THIS one too.

- And HERE is another one

Another finish

 This cute little hat used up some more of my stash and is going in the Christmas box...

Pattern is THIS one.

- If you go HERE you will find all sorts of links to free tote bag patterns

- There's an 'awwww' moment HERE.  

- I'm putting THIS link here primarily for my own reference because I'm going to need to make some for the quilt I'm working on...at least I think I will, unless I can find something easier and better.

- Seeing THESE might be inspirational to some of you.

- I'm sure you all need to know how to do THESE!

Here is your quote of the day..."Reading can seriously damage your ignorance"

Mourning and hexies

 I have managed to put together the center section of the hexie quilt...

Please ignore the messy background!

The wide back fabrics have both arrived - white for the background behind the hexies and a really pretty purple for the backing.  Now I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to wrestle with all that fabric in order to applique the hexies in place.  And then comes the border which is going to involve yet more wrestling and, I'm sure, a certain amount of colourful language as well.  I am DETERMINED to get 'er done though.

And yes, I'm in mourning.  I mentioned in my previous post that my well-loved and trusty Canon Power Shot digital camera was having issues.  Boud (thank you) suggested that cleaning the lens might be the problem, but alas that didn't work.  I think it's just plain worn out.  After about twelve years of pretty much daily use  I suppose it's to be expected.  Luckily Jack never uses his Nikon CoolPix so I  have one to fall back on.  Now another learning curve commences.

- Have a scroll through THESE and be prepared to be wowed!

- If you're a quilter, perhaps having one of THESE might be handy.

- HERE is a fun idea some of you might like.

- THESE made me smile.

- THIS is a really pretty afghan pattern.

- Have a scroll through all the amazing embroideries found HERE.

Here is your quote of the day..."When you've done something wrong, admit it and be sorry.  No one in history has ever choked to death from swallowing his pride"

and....another finish!

 I spend my evenings in front of the tv with Resident Chef with either my knitting needles or crochet hook in hand and this is the latest project I finished...

For some reason it seems my photos are all coming out slightly out of focus.  Could be because it's dull outside, or maybe the camera is getting old OR (gasp) human error!

- Fun to see some of the things that can be made from paper HERE

- Some of you might enjoy reading THIS - the first part of a series of articles on her process (links to the further series posts are at the bottom of this post)

- There's another 'awwwwww' thing HERE (scroll down to the wee one in the pink outfit)

Today the quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson...

Another finish

 I just realized that I forgot to show you the finished crochet fusion quilt project...

And here are a couple (poor photos, sadly!) closeups...

Above shows the actual pattern, and to the right you can hopefully see the border I used for the outside.  

- HERE is one of my 'awwww's' and there's another one HERE (I know it's a paid pattern but it's still an 'awwwww')

- If you don't like moths, don't look at THIS!

- I like THIS little guy!  I don't need another dragon overseeing my sewing room but if I did, I'd be tempted.

- Proof that people can make art out of pretty much anything - go HERE. 

Today the quote is from Maya Angelou..."Develop enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself - and then stand up for somebody else"

A teeny little finish

 Some of you may remember I shared a link to making a Lego-themed tissue box cover and I simply couldn't resist making one for my oldest grandie who is rather obsessed with Lego.  

The tutorial I used came from HERE.

- As a new year starts there's always some discussion surrounding the making of temperature blankets/quilts.  THIS is a new take on it that I think would be much more doable.

- If you're a fan of Halloween you might like to have a look at THIS.  I should have highlighted it in January so the window for getting those patterns for free is over, but you can get the rest of the year as new releases every month (and the January ones are available for a nominal fee)

- Sometimes I come across something that intrigues me and THIS is one of those things.  I don't want to actually DO what she's done but the concept is fascinating.

- After sharing that little bitty hexie project in the my last post, THIS popped up.  It just boggles the mind.

Here is your quote for the day..."There are no limits to what you can accomplish when you're supposed to be doing something else"

Seeing green

 As you can see from the photo, I've started adding the greens to the hexies.  There are a lot of them to add so it's going to take me a little while.  Currently the search is on for some wide-back fabric to use as the background and also as the backing for the quilt.  I want the quilt to end up being queen-sized hence the need for wide-back - otherwise I'd have to seam it and that's not an easy matter in my small sewing space.  It's going to be difficult enough appliqueing the hexies to it without having to handle it too much.

Sorry about the terrible picture 
(yet another dull day here)
but you can get the general idea

- Thank you to Canadian Needle Nana for the head's up about THESE.  If you love cross stitching and love houses, it's a great place to visit!

- THIS is a little tip that you may not be aware of.

- Yikes!  Must admit my jaw dropped when I saw THIS!  Simply cannot imagine working that small.

- HERE is another of my 'awwwww' moments.

Today the quote is from Keanu Reeves..."None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after-thought.  Eat the delicious food.  Walk in the sunshine.  Jump in the ocean.  Say the truth that you're carrying in your heart like hidden treasure.  Be silly.  Be kind.  Be weird.  There's no time for anything else"

Hexie-ing along

Rows of white hexies have been added to the purple 'flowers' and next up will be adding the rows of green.  It's going to take awhile because there are a lot of them and of course it's all done by hand.  The greens are going to be more of a scrappy look than the flowers.  

- You can go HERE to find out more about a sweet little stitch- along that's upcoming.

- Some of you might find THIS a fun project.

- Have a peek through the gallery of THIS artist!

- Have a look at the works in the gallery of THIS artist - be sure to hover over each picture and see what she's used in her creations.

- Sometimes the simplest things can be just what you need as you can see from THIS.

- And, if you're like me, and end up with snarled bobbins, how about THIS idea?

Today the quote is by Dolly Parton..."Why wouldn't I stand up for everybody, for all people? In the country field, we're brought up in spiritual homes, we're taught to 'judge not lest you be judged'.  We're supposed to love one another.  We're supposed to accept and love one another"

ssshhhhhh - don't tell Resident Chef!!

 Yes, don't tell Resident Chef that I'm cheating on him.  Rumour has it that I'm running around with a handsome guy named Fergus.  We're trying to keep our affair quiet but it seems that the news has leaked out anyway.  Fergus is a pretty sharp dude - long and thin - so it's understandable that I would fall for his debonair good looks.  He's comfortable in his own skin too and doesn't hesitate to step out wearing purple and pink.  He's a very hands on sort of fellow too.  

Meet Fergus Frogit - the love of my life

He and I have been up close and personal resulting in this pile of reverse-sewn hexies....

There are 12 of each colour, plus I have more yet to be massaged by Fergus.  

And - I've started what will be 18 hexie flowers that look like these (they'll all be surrounded with green hexies eventually)...

Sorry about the picture quality - yet another dull day here.  And yes, I see that the second green from the right in the bottom row doesn't 'go' despite it being in the bundle I won. 

- HERE is a cute little project that would be nice for Valentine's Day.

- THIS made me laugh.

- THIS is a different method for felting that some of you might find interesting.

- HERE are some fun ideas for repurposing doilies.

Today's quote, wonderfully presented by Daffy Duck...

Ripping more and enjoying it less!

 Some of you may remember me starting a hexxie quilt quite awhile ago and then I'm sure you noticed that it fell off the blog in short order.  I couldn't decide on how I wanted to put it together.  It's been sitting in the corner of my sewing room laying a huge guilt trip on me ever since so I decided to dust it off and see what I can come up with.

This is what I found when I hauled the project out...

There's not enough to make an entire quilt so I had toyed with throwing these at a large piece of white fabric and letting them fall rather haphazardly (or willy nilly, take your pick).  Well that plan was enough to gag a maggot so back into hibernation they went.  

Spending far too long on the internet looking at possibilities yielded these...

The picture on the left gave me an idea for what I could do for the center of the quilt....picture on the right might be a thought for a border of sorts when it's cobbled together with the border shown in the middle picture.  Clear as mud?  

But (and here's the problem!!) 
I'm NOT a sane quilter so how
can this be anything but a
disaster?

In the meantime my froggit tool and I are spending far too many hours together as I rip apart all that I've already done, cut more fabric and then stitch it all back together again.  And is it any wonder I've never aspired to be a sane quilter (because....wait for it....it's bound to drive me 'insane').  

- If you'd like to see an amazing quilt show, pour yourself a cuppa, and have a look HERE.  

- And take a look at the amazingly detailed work in the galleries of THIS artist!

- THIS looks like fun - and wouldn't it be great to give one with a special chocolate inside for Valentine's Day?  

- Have a close look at the gallery of THIS artist (yes, look closely and you'll see some interesting substrates for her work)

- THIS artist proves that you can embroider pretty much anything!

Here's your quote of the day..."You must always be willing to truly consider evidence that contradicts your beliefs, and admit the possibility that you may be wrong.  Intelligence isn't knowing everything, it's the ability to challenge everything you know.