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.

Friday, May 30, 2025

Sometimes

 Sometimes, in my travels around the internet I come across something that just hits me and this is one of those things.  I'm afraid I don't know the author so I can't give proper credit (if you do, please let me know and I'll add the information).  In the meantime, I give you this....

“You still have time…”
That’s what we keep telling ourselves.
And maybe we do. But maybe we don’t.
The truth is—we never really know.
Time isn’t generous.
It doesn’t pause. It doesn’t warn.
It slips through our fingers quietly, like sand—soft, silent, and unstoppable.
We measure our lives in years, in birthdays, in milestones.
But life isn’t made of years.
It’s made of moments.
And the hardest part is… we don’t know how many moments we have left.
You might have a hundred more sunsets to watch,
or only three.
You might hear your mother’s voice on the phone a thousand more times,
or maybe you’ve already heard it for the last time—and you didn’t even know.
You might get one more chance to say, “I forgive you.”
Or none.
You might still have time to hold your child while they’re small,
while their arms still fit perfectly around your neck,
while they still say “I love you” without needing a reason.
But those moments pass. Quietly.
And once they’re gone, they don’t come back.
We live like we are invincible.
We make plans as if time is endless.
We say, “I’ll do it later.”
“I’ll call them next week.”
“I’ll chase that dream when things settle down.”
But what if they never do?
What if tomorrow never comes?
What if the life you’re waiting to live is passing you by right now, this very second?
What if this moment—this exact one—
is the last chance you have to say what matters most?
To hold someone you love without distraction.
To cry without shame.
To laugh without holding back.
To be fully alive?
This isn’t meant to make you afraid.
It’s meant to make you aware.
Because there is nothing more tragic than realizing too late
that you were sleepwalking through the days that could have changed everything.
So please—wake up.
Look up from the screen.
Call someone you miss.
Apologize if you need to.
Say the words you’ve been swallowing.
Do the thing that terrifies you but lights a fire in your soul.
Stop waiting for the “right” time.
That time is now.
Right now. This breath. This heartbeat.
You don’t need more time.
You just need to stop wasting the time you already have.
Because in the end, it’s not the years you’ll remember.
It’s the conversations, the embraces, the risks, the tears, the laughter, the love.
The moments.
So live for them.
Cherish them.
Protect them.
Because life isn’t measured by how long you live—
It’s measured by how deeply you feel, how boldly you love, and how fully you show up while you're still here.
And you’re here.
So make it count.
******************************
- You might remember me mentioning temperature blankets before and I came across THIS interesting version.

Sorry folks, but there's only one link to explore this time. I ran out of time to search for any fresh ones. Will try to do better on Monday!




Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Hmmmm - what do you suppose?

 What do you suppose I might be making out of this pile of fabric??



- Although THIS is a 'pay for' pattern, I've been noticing them in my travels around the internet.  I like the concept!  I think they would make a nice gift, particularly if they were tucked into a mug.   There are more designs HERE.  

- THIS would make a great gift.

- Many of us have ric rack in our stash and haven't any fresh ideas to use it, so how about THIS.

- THIS is a nice bag too.

- If you would like to improve your photography skills, perhaps THIS article might have some good tips.

Today's quote is from JRR Tolkein..."Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found.  It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.  Small acts of kindness and love"


Monday, May 26, 2025

Ta and Dah!!!

 Behold - a finished landscape!!!



"What Goes Around Comes Around"

FOR SALE!

This one measures approx. 30x25"

I don't know how well you can see in the photo but the little fox and the leaves in the bottom corner are dimensional.  Each of the circles in the sky and on the ground are embroidered by hand and most have a button added to the center.

For those that missed it, my inspiration (beyond using some rust-dyed fabrics from my stash) came from a poem I found written on a piece of the fabric.  Here it is...

"If there be righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.  If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.  If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.  When there is order in each nation, there will be peace in the world".

For some reason that poem reminded me of a circle and so - there are circles!

T'is chilly here at Chez Magpie, at least if you step outdoors.  I've even resorted to hauling my winter coat back out and have been grateful for it.  According to the weather reporter it's shaping up to be the coldest May since 1967.  The RC is getting a tad fed up with having to haul his plants in and out (and the past few days it's been mostly in).  

- Perhaps you might like to give THIS technique a try.

- And THIS would be fun to make and make a handy reference later on.

- I don't think I'd have the patience to attempt making THESE but they certainly are cute!

- THIS is a rather interesting technique.

Today the quote is from Voltaire...."Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices"




Friday, May 23, 2025

Rhubarb!!

 My landscape isn't progressing very fast so there's really nothing to show you.  So...since rhubarb is in season right now, how about a recipe (or two)?



- I thought THIS was fascinating (Thank you Liz for the heads up!)

- HERE is a fun project you might like to try.

- If we still had a garden I think I'd love to try making THIS.

- I know most, if not all, of us are trying to save money so I thought I'd share THIS article in case there are some tips there that might be helpful.

Today's quote is from Khalil Gibran..."A truth can walk naked, but a lie always needs to be dressed"








Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Progress - of sorts

 I finished the quilting on the latest landscape - all circles and all done by hand, with the exception of the grass area at the bottom which I did by machine.  I decided that I should use some of my overflowing button collection and add a few to help quilt it.  Now it's on to the final embellishments and I can soon call this one done.


- Right now there's an overabundance of dandelions so some of the ideas HERE are rather interesting.

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS artist!

- HERE is something you might like to try making.

- There are links HERE to some really nice knitted bags.

Today the quote is from Marvin Ashton....  "If we could look into each other's hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care"



Monday, May 19, 2025

I gave in

 I have finally given in and made a trip to the drug store in quest of some  supports for my arthritic thumbs.  The knowledgeable lady there sent me home with two different types....a pair of fingerless lightweight, yet supportive, gloves for stitching with and a pair of heavier supports for nighttime wear.  I think, despite the weight of the night versions, that they are helping because I've gotten through a couple nights of not being awakened by the pain in my thumbs.  These are what I came home with...


BTW - do any of you have any experience with copper bracelets?  I've read that they're good for arthritis, but I don't want to invest in any if they aren't helpful.  

- I don't know if any of you will want to try THIS, but I thought the process (and end result) were interesting.  While you're there, click on her 'tutorials' and have a look at some other great ideas.

- Rhubarb is in season right now, so perhaps THIS might be a good use for some.

- THIS looks like a really nice little sweater for summer.

- THESE would be cute to make for summer and a great scrap-buster too.

- And I love THESE (there's a link there to take you to the PDF pattern).



Friday, May 16, 2025

Nada

 Yes, there's nothing to show you - again.  I know - what's Chez Magpie coming to when there's nothing to report about.  I can show you the panel I've been working at thread painting but you really can't tell what I've done at this point so this is a picture of the panel from the internet...

The class I took on Wednesday was to learn how to highlight a panel to make it look a lot more interesting.  Using invisible thread means it doesn't show but trust me there's been a LOT of stitching done.

- There's a Block of the Month starting HERE that you might find interesting.

- Because it's spring here, perhaps you might be interested in THIS article.

- I don't know if I would ever make THIS but it is an interesting concept.  But I think I would like to make THIS.

- THIS is a cute idea and a good use for some pretty buttons you might have.  And THESE caught my eye too.

Today's quote is from Maximilien Robespierre..."The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant"


Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Not much!

 I'm sorry to say there hasn't been much happening here in the studio at Chez Magpie.  Monday I was gone all day teaching the beginner landscape workshop to a guild about an hour and a half away.  Yesterday I spent getting ready for a thread painting workshop I'm taking today, as well as having coffee in the afternoon with a friend.  Needless to say there hasn't been any progress on my landscape to show you.  It's a busy week but all fun things.  So...you know what that means, don't you...

- There's a very good article HERE regarding the use of a walking foot on your sewing machine.  I have one but really haven't explored its uses enough.

Well then...that was a bust.  I ran out of time to give you even any more mumbles than that.  

So...how about a picture of the beautiful flowers I got for Mother's Day?  


Today's quote...






Monday, May 12, 2025

Another small addition

 I hope all of you who celebrated Mother's Day had a good one.  Today I am off doing another teaching gig which entails getting up at dark-thirty in order to get to the venue in time.  

As you can see, over the weekend I added a tree to the landscape....



- THIS would be fun to try.

- Have a look through the galleries of THIS artist!  Note what he uses for raw materials.

- THIS is a rather ingenious method for keeping ribbons in check.

- Further on rusting fabrics (since that's what I'm working with at the moment), I thought you might find THIS interesting.

Today's quote..."If it's not yours, don't take it.  If it's not right, don't do it.  If it's not true, don't say it.  If you don't know, then zip it"



Friday, May 09, 2025

Progress

 There's been a step forward on the landscape with the sky now being quilted and added (also done with circles).  I've also added borders but the jury is out as to what I'll do with them.  I do know that there will be lots of embroidery to come, along with a little surprise too.

Sorry about the horrid photo but my editing program simply would not work this morning.

- Some of you might find THIS of interest.

- I'm  sharing THIS primarily because of how pretty they are, but you can print them for your own use if you'd like.

- Perhaps you'd like to have a play with THESE.

Today's quote is from Pope Francis..."I ask you to ensure that humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it"












Wednesday, May 07, 2025

Phew!

 I had enough thread to finish the circles!  Phew.  It was close though. Now I'm working on yet more circles to quilt the sky.  Nothing really to show you on that area just yet.

I'm sorry that I didn't think to write out the 'rusty' quote for you so here it is...

If there be righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
When there is order in each nation, there will be peace in the world.

I hope, from reading that, you can understand why I decided that circles would be  fitting.

- I don't know how well THIS would actually work, but it might be fun to try it.

- THIS is something that looks interesting too and most of us certainly have lots of supplies.

- I fell in like with THIS.

- If your Mom is a sewer, perhaps some of the gift ideas found HERE might be good for Mother's Day.

THIS  I thought it was an excellent read and a good way to look at those UFO's most of us have. (thanks to Jeanne for the heads up on this one)

Today's quote..."The truth is still the truth, even if no one believes it.  A lie is still a lie, even if everyone believes it"




Monday, May 05, 2025

Circling the drain?

 Over the weekend I did some more circle stitching for the latest landscape.  I'm eyeing my ball of thread and wondering if I have enough.  Time will tell!



- You might like to scroll through all the patterns found HERE (thanks to Jocelyn for the heads up on this one)

- Although we haven't tried THIS (yet!) I thought I'd share in case any of you would like to.

- Some of you might find THIS process of interest.

- You'd best pour yourself a cuppa (or even make a whole pot!) before you peruse the offerings found HERE.

- And, last but certainly not least, you might want to look into playing along with THIS  (thanks Lyn for the heads up)

Today's quote...




Friday, May 02, 2025

A slight adjustment

 I've been merrily slow stitching circles onto the first section of the latest landscape and, upon sitting back and staring at it for awhile, I decided that the circles really weren't evident.  So...I'm 'whipping' them into shape and adding more definition.  I like it better now.



- There are lots of ideas HERE for creating small gifts, perhaps for Mother's Day.

- THIS caught my eye.  So did THIS.  And THIS!

- If I had a garden I would definitely try making THIS.

- I'd really like to try THIS and perhaps you might too.

- I found THIS interesting primarily because I'm saving pieces of all the dresses I've made for our grandie with the thought of making her a quilt one day.

Today's quote is from Ed Begley Jr...."I don't understand why when we destroy something created by man we call it vandalism, but when we destroy something created by nature we call it progress"