Fun in the mailbox

 I have come home after our holiday to the realization that a 'certain' day in December is more rapidly approaching than I'd like so there's been a flurry of ordering online for supplies.  This is the first to arrive and will be turned into dish scrubbers which are an easy and quick knit and usually well received....

(don't worry, the work on the landscape has been picked up where I left off and I'll hopefully have a finish to show you on Monday).

- THIS will take you to several pages of free quilting patterns.

- Have a scroll through the amazing creations of THIS artist.

- THESE are rather fun for fall decor.

Today's quote..."If you want to understand how to fix a problem in the world, you have to ask who is profiting from the problem, not who is suffering from it"

And....did you miss me?

We got back late last night and jet lag is still a 'thing' so I'm afraid there isn't much to share with you today.  Thank you for all your lovely comments wishing us a good holiday and yes, it was indeed that.  Spending time with 3 busy little ones was tiring for us 'oldies' but we wouldn't trade it for anything.  Coming home was both sad because we don't know when we'll see them again, and happy to return to our peaceful lives.  

Regular programming will hopefully return on Friday.

and......away we go!

 

Probably when you read this we'll be on the way to the airport heading west to visit our family.  We'll be back on the 19th so feel free to chat among yourselves.  I'll be reading your blogs but won't be responding in my normal manner.  

See ya' later!!

A change

 They say a change is as good as a rest, so thought I'd give you a reprieve from the landscape and show you what came off my needles last night and is heading for the Christmas box...

The pattern is THIS one and I used some leftover Paton's Canadiana from my stash.  

- Because, after all, this is a full service blog (hah!), perhaps the more adventurous souls among you might like to try THIS.  

- You might find THIS interesting.

- I found THESE interesting too.

Today's quote..."Have you ever noticed that people won't take the time to look up important information, but they'll spend 15 minutes taking a quiz to find out what kind of potato they are?"

and....how about another glimpse??

 

This is the upper left corner of the landscape.  Each of those itty bitty leaves is individually stitched on.  Anal is my middle name, don'cha know.  

And...in the interest of true confessions....see those white clouds?  Well, they certainly weren't intentional!  I pressed the border, forgetting that I'd used silk for the dark border and of course a teeny bit of it melted onto my iron which, in turn, deposited itself onto the sky.  What to do - short of scuttling the whole project - hmmmm.    Why, paint clouds over the offending areas and add a few more for good measure.  Phew, disaster averted!

- The work of THIS artist is amazing.  

- THIS would make wonderful gifts!

- You might like to check out Karen Ruane's latest online class - go HERE for more information.

- If you'd like to have a go with watercolour painting, perhaps reading THIS might be useful.

- When I saw THESE, I was blown away (scroll down to see)

- I am intrigued by THESE and now am wondering how I might be able to incorporate something similar into my landscapes...hmmm......pondering.....

Today's quote is from Dale Carnegie..."You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you"

A little glimpse

 I was hoping I would have this further along so I could show you but for now I'll just give you a peek at half....

- THIS is an interesting method for making a hat.  

- HERE is something you might like to try (just be sure you pay attention to the tip about using rubber gloves!)

- Have a peek at what THIS amazing artist does!

- And THIS artist does some incredible things as well.

Today the quote is from Mortimer J. Adler..."In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you"

Boring - so how about this

 Yes, what I've been doing on the landscape is pretty boring and really difficult to see in a photo, so I thought I'd show you what I've been working on in the evenings...

Unfortunately these are coming to a screeching halt until I can get some more yarn.  If you want the pattern, it's pretty simple...

1. Cast on an even # of stitches (I used 52) - any yarn will do, but I'm using Paton's Kroy Sock yarn.  I think a finer yarn shows off the pattern better. Simply cast on enough stitches to make the width of scarf you require, making sure there's an even number.

2.  Knit 4 rows

3. Knit first 4 stitches of each row.  In between, just YO, K2 tog until 4 stitches before the end. Knit the 4 stitches.  Knit until you have a scarf length you like (or you run out of yarn!), making sure you leave enough yarn to knit 4 rows to finish it off.  I am guessing that three balls of Kroy will make a scarf about 60" long.

- Well, I can't say that I ever imagined doing THIS but it is intriguing.

- THIS intrigues me too.  I would like a jacket using this technique.

- HERE is another thing you might like to try doing.

- And HERE is another one.  

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

Today's quote is from Stephen R. Covey..."The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand.  We listen to reply"

Basting, my friends, is boring!

 A bit more accomplished on the landscape - it's now been basted ready to be machine quilted....

- If you'd like to create a Christmas-themed quilt, check out THIS block of the week.  Personally I'd love this one done in blues and whites.

- If you have a Super Mario fan in your life, check THIS out!

- Have a peek through the creations of THIS artist

- I love the creations of THIS artist!

Today's quote..."When older people say "Enjoy them while they are young" they are talking about your knees and hips, not your kids"

Just a motorin' along

 Here is the landscape as it stands now (yet another dull day here so not a good photo once again)...

- THIS is a pretty quilt pattern that would look wonderful for any season.

- HERE is a really cute knitted hat pattern that would be fun done in multiple colours to help with stash busting.

- THIS was interesting to read about, and there's a link at the bottom to more of her galleries too.

- Have a peek at the interesting sculptures by THIS artist!

Today's quote..."Pretending you are okay is easier than having to explain why you're not"

Lots of hand stitching

 Took me the better part of three afternoons to piece all the hexies together for the landscape.  I am nothing if not anal about these things!

- Perhaps you might like to try playing with THIS technique.

- Clicking on each of the categories HERE will take you to more beautiful examples of the work.

- For a little change of pace, have a peek through the gallery HERE. 

- Some of you might like to try making one of THESE.

Today's quote..."If you want to hear the sound of birds don't buy a cage.  Plant a tree"

And...so it begins....again

 I'm sure some of you get tired of seeing me working on yet another landscape but I can't help it - I'm obsessed.  So....whilst cleaning up my sewing room I came across a bag of leftover hexies from when I made the bed quilt.  Not one to want to waste anything, and fresh off the hexie sky in the last landscape, I decided I'd utilize the greens and turn the tables so to speak and make the grass using them.  My grandmothers would be SO proud!

This is the photo I'm working from, once again shared with the kind permission of Dale Stewart...

- Sometimes I come across the most obscure things, as THIS will attest.  I suspect Resident Chef would like one for one of his many hats.  Trouble is...if I make just one...he'll want a dozen.  That man has a LOT of hats!

- Pour yourself a cuppa and have a peek through the galleries of THESE artists.

- And peek through the galleries of THIS artist too!  I love her use of colour.

- Many of THESE intrigued me.

Today I felt this quote is a fitting one, considering all that so many people are going through right now dealing with the effects of storms and wildfires...

Ta Da!!!

 Yesterday I put the finishing touches on the latest landscape and here it is...

It measures approx. 26x22"

FOR SALE!

...and...here's a closeup of the finished corner...

- THIS little fellow is rather cute, and I think he could be done in either fabric OR wool.

- HERE is another of my random things you might want to know.

- There are lots of art quilts to be seen HERE.

- If you're interested in weaving, perhaps you'd like to check THIS out.

Today's quote..."I get most of my exercise these days from shaking my head in disbelief"

Progressing, but still not done

 I'm showing another corner of the latest landscape, despite the fact that there's still more I plan to add.

- Have a peek through the gallery of THIS artist!

- And THIS slideshow has some amazing pieces as well.

- Thank you to Jocelyn for the heads up on THIS great article on how to organize fabric scraps.

- It can never be said (?!) that this isn't a full-service blog, as giving you a link to THIS will attest.  You're welcome.

Today's quote..."This is the beginning of a new day.  You have been given this day to use as you will.  You can waste it or use it for good.  What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.  When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.  In its place is something that you have left behind.  Let it be something good"

Stitching, but not showing (for now)

 I've been working at the embroidery on the landscape but alas the part I'm working on isn't quite ready to be unveiled just yet.  While casting about for something I could show you today I remembered that I hadn't shared the finish of the second crochet fusion quilt, so here it is...

I flipped one corner up so you could see the back.  

- THIS made me laugh!

- And I found THIS quite intriguing.  While you're there, have a peek through her pages of tutorials for all sorts of things, beginning HERE

- You might enjoy a peek through the galleries HERE.

Today the quote is a Tibetan proverb..."The secret to living well and longer is:  eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure"

A little bit of progress, on more than one front

 The embroidery on the landscape has begun and what you see here is pretty much 'done', although the jury is still out on part of it.  Will have to wait and see what the overall look is once it's all complete and then I'll decide.

Car repairs are happening after the big storm - new tail light has been installed and the new windshield will be going in on Monday.  Next Friday we have an appointment to get the hail damage assessed to see if they are able to fix it as is or if it will require more extensive bodywork and then that process will happen when the company can fit us in.  

The first heirloom cherry tomato of the season!

- THIS is a nice quilt you might want to consider making.

- If you'd like to play with water colours, perhaps some of the ideas found HERE might be of interest.

- You might enjoy seeing THESE amazing quilts.

- And, if you're thinking about making a winter-themed quilt, perhaps one of THESE might be what you're looking for....and....if you check the sidebar there you'll find all sorts of themes you can click on to find more designs to suit pretty much any theme.  Best pour a cuppa a'fore you go though (maybe even consider leaving bread crumbs as you fall down the rabbit hole!).

Today's quote..."Failure is not the opposite of success, it is part of success"

Something a little different

 The subject came up about whether or not Resident Chef has an aritistic eye and that resulted in me sharing something he used to do.  He carved birds for several years but had to give it up when he started having breathing problems from the wood dust.  I can't remember how many loons he did (by far the most popular) but he also carved many other species.  He carved and then I painted them.  Here's just one example...

Work is continuing on the landscape but it's not at a point where I can really show you what's happening.  I will just have to keep you in suspense!

- I love the creations of THIS artist.

- THIS is a really nice hat pattern that looks fairly easy to create.

- HERE is something to play with - the finished puzzle is fun!

Today's quote is from C.S. Lewis..."One of the most cowardly things ordinary people do is to shut their eyes to facts"

Progress - of the landscape kind

 First of all, thank you for all your kind comments after our freak storm last week.  As of now, our car is in the process of being repaired...or at least the parts are ordered and once they're in, the windshield and the tail light will be fixed.  The pock marks from the hail will take a little longer because there are tons of vehicles in the same state that are awaiting repair and we'll have to wait our turn.  

Now, on to a more fun subject (at least for me anyway!)...the landscape.  As you can see the details have mostly been added to the truck and I have quilted the sky area.  Next 'up' will be the foreground and then I can play with the embroidery part of it. Foreground is quilted too!  This one, I think, will have lots of embroidery before I call it done.  

Basting threads are still to be removed!

- If you have bits of leftover yarns in your stash, perhaps one or two of the ideas found HERE will be helpful to use them up.

- THIS made me laugh out loud.  And THIS one I'm sure is a self-portrait when I'm frustrated with my sewing machine!!!

- See?  I'm not the only one that's using hexies in quilts...go HERE!

- There are a number of really fun bookmark designs HERE.  

Instead of a quote, this appeared in my Facebook feed and I thought it was something worth sharing.  You can't be too careful!

We interrrupt this segment....

Massive storm here last night

Above, just a few of the hailstones.

Below - water flowing from the embankment

behind our building across the park and into

the river

Above - just one of the many trees snapped off - this one is in the 

park just beside our buildings.

Below - buildup of hail in Resident Chef's
peppers on the balcony

Shattered taillight on our car...hood & roof
covered in pockmarks from the large hail.

We were lucky - several other people
in our complex lost their windshields and
sunroofs

UPDATED TO ADD - we need a new windshield too,
hairline cracks that didn't show up last night

Power out so covered the fridge and our small freezer and bar-sized

fridge with blankets to retain the coolness.

Power JUST came back on and then the transformer blew just behind our building causing a massive light show for a few minutes.  Bless our hydro and fire crews because they had our power back on in the middle of the night.

This wasn't the post I had planned for today, but thought you might like to see our excitement (hah!) here at Chez Magpie.  I know the rest of the town is in worse shape than we are so we consider ourselves very blessed.

Tall Midget

 Resident Chef often refers to himself as being a tall midget and in some ways that's true.  He's a little over 6' tall but only sports a 28" inseam with a very long torso.  You'd think, with a long torso, that he'd be able to get t-shirts in a tall size and he often can, but unfortunately the sleeve lengths end up bugging him by being too long.  So, part of my wifely duties entail shortening sleeves and legs.  Yesterday was 'the' day and I ended up doing at least six t-shirts, accompanied by much swearing aimed towards my sewing machine who balks mightily at sewing knit fabric and certainly no more than two layers of it at one time.  Even using a 'proper' needle meant for knits doesn't make her happy and thusly doesn't make me happy either.  Never mind, they're done.  But...not a single stitch got made on my latest landscape.  Resident Chef = happy; Magpie = not so much.  Oh well, at least I got a little something added to the landscape the day before and I can show you that...

If you have an over-abundance of zucchini and wonder what you can make, perhaps you'd like to give this recipe a try....

ZUCCHINI ONION PIE

3 large eggs                

1 c. grated Parmesan

½ c. veg. oil

1 T. minced fresh parsley

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/8 tsp. pepper

3 c. sliced zucchini

1 c. Bisquik

1 small onion, chopped

   Whisk first 7 ingredients.  Add remaining

& pour into greased 9” deep dish pie plate. 

350 – 25-35 mins or til lightly browned.

- have a peek through the gallery of THIS artist (I especially love the animals!)

- And the galleries filled with works by THIS artist are fascinating too.

- Lots of links HERE for different quilting techniques.

- I've seen a technique similar to THIS that requires a lot of pressure/rubbing to do the transfer.  This looks much simpler to do, provided you have a heat gun.  

Today the quote is from Wayne Dyer..."When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change"

More additions!

 Over the weekend I spent some time adding the ground area to the sky and Resident Chef seems to be starting to see my 'vision'.  Still don't think he's totally on board with it but I'm carrying on anyway.

- I don't know if you've heard about the Loose Ends initiative, but if you haven't, perhaps you'd like to read more about it HERE.

- Have a peek through the designs of THIS artist.  While you're there, have a look at her blog too because there are lots of technique how to's there.

- THIS made me laugh.

- THIS is a fun idea for a collaborative art project.

Today's quote..."It's okay to say - no, if you don't want to do it;  no, if you're already scheduled; no, if you don't have the time; no, if you feel forced to say yes; no, if it doesn't make you happy; no, if you'd rather relax.  It's okay to say no"