Little add-ons and a holiday

 I made these extra pieces to go along with the tote bag I showed you last time.  I really wanted to use up as much of the tartan as I could, so these were the result (a small zippered pouch; a mid-sized pouch; and a tissue cover)....

I'm afraid I fell down on the job and don't have a single link for you this time.  I know, what's this world coming to!  So, enjoy your holiday and I'll try to have some for you on Friday.

Today's quote is from Bertrolt Brecht..."Those who know the truth are fools, but those who know the truth and call it a lie are criminals"

A side trip

 For a little break from landscapes, I thought I'd add some more to the Christmas box and this tote bag was the result.  There's a couple of accessory pieces underway that I will show you later.  The recipient loves highland cows and I was able to get a piece of her family tartan so this is the result...

Pattern for the bag is THIS one.  I purchased commercial leather handles rather than making them myself.

- How about crocheting one of those emotional support chickens I keep seeing around the internet?  Go HERE.

- I rather like THIS little bag.

- Some things just bring on an involuntary awwwwww - THIS.

- I like THIS too. And THIS sweet little companion piece.

Today's quote is from Fyodor Dostoyevsky...."People speak sometimes about the bestial cruelty of man, but that is terribly unjust and offensive to beasts, no animal could ever be so cruel as a man, so artfully, so artistically cruel"

Another finish!

 I finished the landscape!  

 (clickable to embiggen I think)

"MORNING COFFEE"
measures approx. 21x24"
FOR SALE!  SOLD!

As a side note...I don't often make book recommendations here, but I'm making an exception for one I just finished by Jojo Moyes called 'Me Before You'.  It's a book that was enlightening, funny, and soul-searching.  I was sorry to see it end.  I checked our library system for more books by that author and was happy to discover that 'Me Before You' is the first of of a series of three books that follows the same main character ('After You' and 'Still Me' are books 2 & 3).  Looking forward to reading those too!

- THIS is something I think all sewists would find handy!

- There are lots of free designs HERE.  

- If you crochet, perhaps something HERE might catch your eye.

- THIS is a bag that would be handy for so many things.

Today's quote is from Martin Luther King Jr...."We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools"

Narrowing in

 Yes, I'm narrowing in on a finish for the latest landscape but it's not ready for its big reveal just yet.  So how about another sneak peek?

.The Resident Chef and I both celebrated our birthdays with a special steak supper at our favourite restaurant.  Here we are, more than a day later and we'll still recovering from having eaten so much.  We even brought half our steaks home and ended up still stuffed.  Couldn't be the huge (and hugely decadent) freebie dessert they gave us...or could it?

- I rather like THIS idea and wonder if you could use recycled plastic rather than purchasing pre-made bookmarks.

- You likely know that I love dragons, so I found THIS fascinating to read.  While you're at her site, be sure to check her galleries.  All I can say is wow.

Today's quote is from Albert Einstein..."If I were to remain silent, I would be guilty of complicity"

Some would say.....

 ....yes, some would say that I'm possessed.  Perhaps even somewhat anal.  But...don't you think the latest landscape required a pot of flowers?  Multiple hours went into this part of it too.

Picture is clickable to embiggen I think.

- I think I would like to be THIS artist when I grow up!

- HERE is a technique you might like to try (scroll down)

- THIS is a really pretty motif that could be used in lots of ways.

- THIS guy made me smile.

For something a little different

 How about a recipe?  I haven't shared one for awhile (and I don't have anything else to show you at present).  

HONEY MUSTARD BROCCOLI SALAD

3/4 c. mayo (we use Miracle Whip)

1 1/2 tablespoons EACH of yellow mustard and Dijohn mustard

4 1/2 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp. EACH of paprika, salt and garlic powder

1 large head of broccoli, chopped

3/4 c. diced red onion

2/3 c. slivered almonds

2/3 c. dried cranberries

pepper to taste

     Combine and chill before serving.

- THIS looks like a fun quilt project.

- THIS is for the weavers.

- Have a look at the gallery of THIS artist!

Today your quote is from Erasmus..."The less talent they have, the more pride, vanity and arrogance they have.  All these fools, however, find other fools who applaud them"

Further on decking

 I thought, because there's not much new to show you with the latest landscape, that I would show you a little comparison between how the plain, albeit pre-printed as boards, fabric looks vs. what it looks like after I've added the stitching.  All the stitching is done by machine.  I also make sure I add the quilt batting prior to stitching so it gives it a little additional dimension.  Hopefully you can see the difference!

This is the pre-printed fabric...

and this shows it with the stitching added...

I think you can click on both photos to embiggen
them further.

- THIS is a pretty little printable that you might find useful.

- HERE is a fun little project.

- There are lots of links HERE for ideas for using up fabric scraps.

- There's an interesting article HERE that discusses using selvages.  

Today's quote is from George Carlin..."Don't just teach your children to read.   Teach them to question what they read.  Teach them to question everything.  The value of an education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think"

Cracks in my decking?

 Yes, there's nearly six hours of stitching on the deck boards in this landscape - and they're still not done.  I took a photo and I'd be willing to bet you can barely SEE the stitching

For context, the single board tucked up beneath the chair hasn't been stitched yet.  Yes, your Magpie is obsessed and some would say quite looney.  Methinks they might not be far wrong!

- If you live in the US, perhaps you might like to take part in THIS project.

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

- If you're planning to do any preserving over the next while and thinking about giving some of it as gifts, perhaps you'd like to add THESE.

- THIS looks like it would be such fun to try!

Today's quote is by William Wilson (sorry, but I might have shared this one before?)..."We are living in a day where people are proud of what they should be ashamed of"

Of course

 Yes, of course you know what's happening here in the Chez Magpie studio - there's a beginning on a new landscape.  This one, I think, will be aptly named 'The Red Chair' (for obvious reasons).

Sorry about the basting threads!  I forgot to take the picture before I put them in.

- Many of you know I like recycled denim projects so I had to share THIS.

- Have a look through the galleries of THIS artist!

- THIS would be handy for so many different things.

- THIS is certainly intriguing but I don't think I'd have the patience to try it myself.

Today's quote is from Paul Avellino...."Nature doesn't just accept diversity - it survives because of it.  Strip that away, and ecosystems collapse.  Maybe it's time some people stop pretending humanity works any differently"

Mountain majesty

 I had too much fun making this one too!  The embroidery took awhile and I know it's hard for you to see the dimension that most of it has, or that I added glitter to the snow-topped mountains. 

  And here's a closeup of the embroidery so hopefully you can see more detail...

"MOUNTAIN MAJESTY"
measures approx. 18x23"

FOR SALE!

- There are lots of links HERE for making pincushions in pretty much any shape you can imagine.

- HERE is something you might like to try doing.

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

Today's quote..."Sewing is a continual scavenger hunt for the supplies that were just in your hand"

Sort of blah

 It's been hot again and not much is being accomplished it seems.  Spent all of yesterday reading a book that I thought was good until I got to the end and it left me totally hanging.  Oh, but it's going to be continued in the next book expected in late 2025.  Hah, by that time I will have forgotten the entire plot line.  

- If you are creating a fairy garden or simply want to add something charming to your garden decor, check THESE out.

- There are some fun ideas HERE for using twigs.  No directions, but most are easy enough to figure out on your own.

- There are links HERE for making yourself some palazzo pants.

- Have a peek through the creations of THIS artist.

- THIS is a rather cute little project.

Today's quote is from Erasmus..."The less talent they have, the more pride, vanity and arrogance they have.  All these fools, however, find other fools who applaud them"

Four? Check!!

 Yes, there are four!

(pairs of socks, that is)

This is the final pair of the set:

All are made with Paton's Kroy yarn using my usual generic pattern.

Today is Independence Day in the US.  I would be remiss if I didn't wish my blogging friends from there a happy day.  With all that's going on in that country right now, I'm sure not everybody feels like celebrating.  I saw a quote attributed to John Collins which said "It feels weird to celebrate our independence, when it's pretty clear we're losing it".  There's a lot of truth in that.

- There are links HERE to some really cute doll designs.

- And HERE is something else you might like to try if you're into doll making.

- For those of you who like to paint with watercolours, perhaps some of the tips found HERE might be of interest.

- If you're interested in junk journals (or just want to have a peek through an amazing example) go HERE.

Today's quote is from Booker T. Washington.... "Great men cultivate love, only little men cherish a spirit of hatred"

A little different view?

 I'm in the process of adding embroidery to the landscape and I doubt that a 'straight-on' photo will show the detail....so....I thought I'd try to be artistic with the camera and try to show you an angle shot.  Successfully I hope!

I think you can click on the picture to embiggen it further.

- THIS might be an interesting process to try out.

- Have a scroll through the works by THIS artist!

- If you like slow stitching and yo-yo's, perhaps one of the ideas HERE might be of interest.

- I came across THIS article and found it quite interesting so thought I'd share.

Today the quote is from Thomas Paine..."A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody"