Here's what I'm doing

 Remember that pile of fabrics I showed you on Friday?  Well, I've turned them into the beginning of another landscape (sorry about the basting stitches, but you get the general idea).  Sadly, the fact that I added a layer of shimmery organza over top of the 'lights' doesn't really show in a photo.

- THIS might be a fun little project and useful too.

- THIS would be too!

- Many of us remember doing THIS back in the day - nice to see a cute little project that would be nice for Valentine's.

- There are a number of great tips for organizing your crafting space HERE.

Today's quote is from Nelson Mandela..."A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones"

....and.....you knew this was coming didn't you....

 Yes, another landscape is underway and I'm playing with fun colours and shapes that might, or might not, involve these....

Now my reasonably tidy sewing room looks like a cyclone hit it.  Stay tuned to see what I might be hoping to create.

- HERE is a cute little idea for your winter decor.

- HERE is a great use for yarn scraps too small for anything else.

- Why should kids have all the fun?  Go HERE to see what I mean!

- Have a peek through the creations of THIS artist!

- THIS is a cute wee project.

Today's quote...

The above quote is attributed to Maya Angelou
(thank you Boud for the note!)

Another finish! AND....outside our window

 Introducing "In The Palm of His Hand'....

FOR SALE
measures approx. 25x21"

Yesterday I was startled when a large shape flew past my sewing room window and discovered this fellow perched in the tree right outside.  He stayed there all afternoon and was still there when we went to bed.  Needless to say our little woodpeckers and nuthatches steered clear of the feeder while he was there.

I think he's a red-tailed hawk and he's huge (about 20").

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

- And if you have someone in your life that likes funky socks (our #1 son!!) perhaps something HERE might spark your creativity.  I'm eyeing the Fraternal Twins idea and might just make a pair with leftovers with no care as to making them match.  Could be fun!

- If you can't bear to throw away a beautiful calendar from the previous year, perhaps THIS might be a good use for it.

- If you, like many of us, are trying to organize your sewing space, perhaps some of the ideas found HERE might be useful.

Today's quote...

For a little change of pace

 ...how about a picture of a blooming thing?  I was gifted the amaryllis bulb for Christmas and now am enjoying something pretty instead of looking out at all the snow.

Thank you MEK!

- For those of you who like fingerless mitts, perhaps THIS pattern might interest you.

- There's an interesting discussion about sewing for others HERE.  

- The quilters among you might find THIS quilt-a-long of interest.

- For those who are in the season of cold, perhaps you'd like to have a play with doing THIS!

Today the quote is from Martin Luther King Jr..."Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that"

Marbles? Lost or found?

PLEASE NOTE:  My ability to respond to your comments is for some reason messed up so until I get it sorted, some of my responses may show up as being from that elusive 'Anonymous'

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Ok folks, the landscape has made a bit of a leap forward and here is where it stands now...

I was putzing around on the internet looking for ideas and came across the colouring page of the hand and it wouldn't let go of my brain.  At the same time the title of 'In the palm of His hand' came to mind.  Some people will see the tree as being based in a pile of rocks and it's only upon further inspection that they will notice that it's a hand.  There are two ways I am looking at this - either it's a reflection of my faith and the thought that God is holding us all in the palm of his hand...or it could be thought of as being somewhat political with the hope that He is indeed keeping us in his care throughout these troubled times.  The RC, upon seeing what I was doing, raised his eyebrows and shook his head.  Not for the first time.

- Perhaps you'd like to make one of THESE.

- If you enjoy thrift shopping, perhaps one of the ideas found HERE might be of interest.

- I couldn't resist sharing THIS one - if only so you can see the cute little kitten!

- Maybe you and a friend (or two) might like to treat yourselves to an afternoon tea in which case perhaps something found HERE might be what you'd enjoy.

Today's quote is from Bob Marley..."You will never find justice in a world where criminals make the rules"

A little closer

 Here's a photo of the shed/barn in process...

I think I may have come up with a way to make this entire thing better.  We'll see...or then again, maybe we won't.

- If you are like me, you often end up with part balls of various yarns and don't know what to do with them.  I found THIS and I imagine I could adapt the rows to an existing hat pattern I like.  I like the way she married two colours together in a row to make the colour changes look intentional.

- THIS is a rather nice cardigan design.

- THIS is something that would be useful for many different ages.

Today's quote...

Not sure

 I started working on a new landscape and I honestly don't know if this one is going to be the first to end up in the garbage.  I had a hare-brained idea that I would attempt to use small 'bits' (squares and rectangles) of fabrics to create the sky and the ground areas...layered and then stitched down with a hand running stitch.  The greens I used were way too in-your-face and so I have added two layers of netting to dull them down a bit.  I used one layer of the netting on top of the sky, primarily to hold down the raw edges of the fabrics a little more.  There's a way to go on the building itself before I can call that part done.  Now to make the decision of whether to call it quits at that point or perhaps add some trees.  Not at all sure about this one.  To salvage or not to salvage, that is the question.

- Have a peek at the gallery of THIS incredible artist, and if you want to read more about her fascinating technique you can find that HERE.

- If you are contemplating organizing your sewing space, perhaps you might find an idea or two HERE.  I know some of it discusses purchased organization tools, but I thought the other tips were worthwhile and you can always come up with tools of your own.  There's another really good article with great tips HERE.

- From the same source, have a scroll through her great tutorials found HERE.

- Gill at 'That British Woman' is undertaking a declutter challenge in February and you can read more about it HERE.  

Today's quote...

Another (yawn-worthy) finish

I'm posting this for my own records rather than it being the least bit exciting to you (not that I harbour any illusions that ANY of my posts are exciting!!).  I finished another pair of socks using my usual sock 'recipe' and Kroy sock yarn...

Dare I say these are destined for the (gasp) 2026 Christmas box?

- THIS is one of my awwww-worthy things.

- THIS little fellow is rather cute too.

- THESE look like they'd be fun to make and would use up nail polish you don't really like.

First finish!

 Yes, the first finish of 2026 is done and dusted!  

"Solitude"

measures approx. 25 x17"

FOR SALE!

- Sharon Boggon is running her TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesdays) again this year and you can find the first post HERE and read all about it.  She's running a beginner version as well as a 'take it further' version for those wanting to learn more about embroidery.

- THIS is a really nice cowl/scarf pattern.

- You might find THIS article interesting (to say nothing about the eye candy!!)

This is something you might want to think about doing this year.  Something positive to conteract the news that's happening around us....

.....almost......

 I almost have the first finish of 2026 done but sadly it's not quite there in time for a full picture reveal today.  So...I thought I'd show you a closeup of the 'quilting' I did in the sky area.  

It might be difficult to tell from the picture but the snowflakes each have a bead that's quite sparkly in real life.  The 'tracks' of the flakes are all hand stitched using silver metallic thread that was a bear to work with.  

Although I never make resolutions for New Year's, I decided that I would attempt doing this...

I found this on the internet but there was no credit shown.  
If you know, please share and I'll update to give proper credit.

Although weight loss would be a great bonus, just getting more in shape is my goal.  I used to go to yoga classes many years ago until my wrists wouldn't allow me to do some of the poses.  The class was advertised as being 'gentle yoga' but the day the teacher thought it would be a good idea for us to all stand on our heads was the day I walked away (well, more likely I crawled...but you get the idea).  

- I thought THIS might be handy for some people.

- Although the 'C' word is mentioned at the beginning of THIS, I think it would be something pretty you could make for your sewing room.

- THIS is an awww-worthy thing!

- If you are a fan of Snoopy, perhaps you'd like THIS.

Today your quote is from JRR Tolkien..."I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay.  Small acts of kindness and love"

Festive recovery

 I hope all of you have recovered from all the festivities and are tucking into 2026 with optimism for a better world.  Here at Chez Magpie, the chocolate has all been consumed (must happen before Jan 1st so we can go back on our diets) and life is slowly getting back to normal.  Creative things are happening as you can see from this...

I've been wanting to play with silouettes for awhile now and what better time is there than now.  The fabric I used for the sky and the snow in the foreground is some of my hand-dyed using the shaving cream process.  

When I went to bed New Year's eve, I happened to look out the window and this is what I saw 'drawn' in the snow in the parking lot...

- You might like to check out THIS pretty printable (and free!) planner.

- If your sewing room is in need of a makeover, perhaps following along with the prompts found HERE might be what you need.

- Some of you might like to make yourself one of THESE.

- If you're thinking about making a temperature quilt this year, have a peek through the ideas HERE.

Today's quote is from Paul Avellino..."Many of us became accidental activists.  Not out of rage, but out of heartbreak.  Because somewhere along the way we realized silence helps no one.  Not the earth, not our children, not each other"