Another page

Here is another page for the quiet book...

Now I've switched gears while I try to figure out PMS's latest issue and have a gigantic mess in my sewing space.  See?.....

This is the result of attempting to downsize two hugely stuffed 2" binders of embroidery patterns I've collected over the years into just one.  Am I suffering from piles?  Oh yeah!  (You, at your peril, can click to embiggen if you dare).

Today's quote ... "Love the people God gave you because he will need them back one day"

More on the book...and yet another rant

Here are a couple more pages I completed for the quiet book...

The lights are removable and the

beads slide up and down for counting

Now I'm at a complete standstill because PMS Albatross has thrown the biggest hissy fit yet.  Now she's decided that her take up lever for the thread ought to just throw it out of the slot at will.  I'm at my wit's end to know what to do to fix this particular issue - she's determined to thwart me every step of the way.  The closest repair shop is nearly two hours away and their 'person' keeps insisting that there's nothing wrong with it.  Of course she performs admirably for him and then the minute she comes in my door she says 'I'll get you" and comes up with something new.  As I've said before, do NOT even consider buying a Bernette (or a Bernina either - I've read a ton of reviews for the top/best sewing machines and guess what - not one Bernina is listed).  I know there are Bernina 'people' out there but you're the lucky ones.  Seems like you're few and far between.  

Today's quote - "Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful and magical humans on the earth, for what they believe is what they will become.

Quiet book

Over the weekend I started working on a quiet book for our expected addition to our family.  Two pages are finished....

-

A finish - of sorts, kinda, maybe

I started this sweater for our oldest grandson last Christmas and got bogged down for two reasons.... #1 - it was going to be too big and #2 - I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to make the hood look right.  So it got put in the time out box until recently when I decided it was either finish or frog time.  I took the hood off and just replaced it with a simple ribbing around the neck.  

And - I also finished these....four pairs of sleep pants for #2 son and daughter-in-love.  

It's impossible to take decent pictures of lounge pants!!  So, they're simply in a pile so you can at least see my fabric choices.  All flannelette.   Men's are made using McCall's 4244 and women's are McCall's 4979.  

Today's quote...."The rest of your life could be the best of your life"

Just a little bear

My stash yielded just enough fake fur fabric to create this little guy...

Pattern is an old one - Vogue #7534 - and probably is no longer available.  He's about 15" tall.

Today the quote is from Jules Renard...."It's not how old you are, it's how you are old"

Another finish

This one has been ongoing for a couple of months so don't get excited and think I'm churning things out with great pizzazz!  We're expecting a new baby in the family the end of January so this little blanket will be for him....

Today's quote..."Give, but don't allow yourself to be used.  Love, but don't allow your heart to be abused.  Trust, but don't be naive.  Listen, but don't lose your own voice"

A grand finish!!!!!!!!

Although this doesn't look like much on its own, these represent the end of the Grand Sock Knitting Caper of 2019.....

Although it's hard to tell in the picture, these pairs are child-sized....hopefully they will fit!  Now everyone in our family will have new socks for Christmas this year.

Today's quote is from George Carlin...." We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.  We've added years to life not life to years.  We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.  We conquered outer space but not inner space.  We've done large things, but not better things"

The big reveal

Yes, it's time for the big reveal and I know, beyond any doubt whatsoever, that you are all going to be SO disappointed when you discover what it is!!  

Can you guess now?

How about now?

Yes, that's a toilet paper roll lurking in there!  Our bathroom is very small and there's no room for any sort of spare roll holder that might sit on the floor.  So....one that hangs on the cabinet instead, and I couldn't resist adding crazy quilting to it.  

I know.....the disappointment is hard to bear isn't it

Today's quote:  Time decides who you meet in life, your heart decides who you want in your life, and your behavior decides who stays in your life"

Mystery project update

Here is a  photo of the work I've done on the mystery project...

Any more guesses as to what it might be?  I'm really
enjoying the ones you've thought of so far!

Today's quote..."Life is so ironic.  It takes sadness to know what happiness is,  noise to appreciate silence,  and absence to value presence"

Just a little mystery

The past couple of days I've been working on a small crazy quilt project and will keep it a mystery for now....any guesses as to what this might become?

It measures approx. 20x6"

and....another finish!

I'm quite happy to report that the adult-sized sock knitting is done!!! Must say I was getting rather tired of socks after having made at least nine pairs (lost count and too lazy to go and check).  Now I'm working on a 5-year old size which seem REALLY small in comparison!

These were made using Paton's Kroy sock yarn that I had in my stash.  I used the same pattern but made some modifications by adding a few stitches and rounding the toe.  Pattern is 'Wise Hilda's Basic Ribbed Sock' by Kate Atherley and can be found HERE on Ravelry.  

Today's quote is from Eleanor Roosevelt..."Great minds discuss ideas;  average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people"

A finish!

Over the weekend I managed to finish the latest landscape quilt....

FOR SALE! 

SOLD!

This one is a fairly local barn and caught my eye because of the 'L-shape'.  I'm sure there's a proper name for it, but I don't know what it is.  This one is for sale if anyone is interested!

Returned!

I'm back!  We had a wonderful two weeks spent in beautiful British Columbia with our #2 son and his family and although we're glad to be home, we also miss them horribly.  Spending a couple of weeks of time with our 3 year old grandson (lots of stories and Grandma playing with building blocks on the floor and Grandpa baking with him) was a complete joy.  We celebrated the 3rd birthday of our grandson and our 40th wedding anniversary while we were there.  Now we face having to get back into our regular lives, punctuated with having to take our car in the first day we were back for a brake job.  Not exactly the homecoming welcome we had hoped for!

Quite obviously there has been absolutely nothing creative happening here at Chez Magpie (altho' I did a little bit of knitting while we were away, but nothing ready to show), so alas there are no pictures to share.   Instead, I will show you a picture of something that happened a lot while we were there - Resident Chef Grandpa and his sidekick - in this photo they're making cookies. 

Today's quote..."I am not a hoarder.  I just need a bigger craft room"  (wonder how many of us can identify with that?)

An update

This will be my last blog post for a couple of weeks - I'm going on a blogging break and should return the week of Sept 17th.  In the meantime, enjoy yourselves!

I haven't quite finished the latest landscape but thought I'd show you the general direction it's going...

You can see how I use the fabric I was searching

for in a previous post. 

Today's quote..."When you see something beautiful in someone, tell them.  It may take seconds to say, but for them it could last a life time"

Just a half

Today I'm only showing you half of the latest landscape because I'm working on the other side and I want it to be closer to being done when you see it.  

Truthfully, this side isn't done either, but it's more finished than the other (if that makes the least bit of sense!).

Today's quote:  "Do not judge by appearances because a rich heart may be under a poor coat"

Mumblings

I have some more done on my latest landscape, but it's not all that different from what you saw last time, so....instead of a picture of what looks like no change, I thought I'd share the zucchini muffin recipe....

ZUCCHINI MUFFINS

2 c. shortening

4 c. white sugar

8 eggs, beaten

4 tsp. vanilla

9 c. all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

4 tsp. cinnamon

10 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. nutmeg

2 tsp. salt

1 c. sour milk 

8-10 c. grated zucchini

TOPPING:  1/2 c. brown sugar + 1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla.  Combine dry ingredients and add to shortening mixture, along with sour milk and zucchini.  Place in greased muffin tins and top with topping.  Bake at 385 degrees F for 11 minutes or til test done.  Makes 48 large muffins.  NOTE:  milk can be soured with a little lemon juice or you can use buttermilk.

I'm toying with, and pondering over,  and trying to be sensible as I try to decide whether or not to tackle making this....

I've had the Piecemaker's calendar (with pattern) in my stash since, obviously, 2009.  Ten years I've been thinking about it.  But, then my sensible side comes out and I wonder what on earth I would DO with it if I did make it.  We only have one bed in this household and it's already covered.  My boys (and their wives) would turn up their noses at it and there is certainly, most definitely, decidedly, no wall space to hang it.  And then there's the question that IF (big if!) I were to make it would I stick to the black & white theme as shown or go off in a whole 'nother direction and make each block a colour study.  The latter would suite my stash much better because at this point I doubt I would have enough blacks to do it justice (at least not without a lot of repeats throughout).  And then there's the proverbial need/want to reduce my stash....but then.....what would I DO with it!!!  

waffle, waffle.....

And, instead of a quote today, I thought I'd show you this (which came as a revelation to me!!!)...

On the search, and improvements I hope

I'm sending this out there in hopes that someone might have some scraps of this fabric in their stash that they might be willing to part with.  I don't have a clue who the manufacturer or designer is/was - it's just something that has been lurking in my stash for a long time.  I love using the daisies in my landscapes and I'm down to a precious few and I'd love to have some more.  I could, technically, scan it and print some myself but that's not exactly the right thing to do!!

The bunnies measure approx. an inch and a half from nose to tail.  I have another scrap that has much larger bunnies but the scale isn't what I'm looking for.  Anyway....throwing it out there....

There has been some work done on the latest landscape....for better or worse.  The stitched 'bare' trees were bothering me so after much concentrated effort they were reverse stitched.  Then I didn't like the tree line (behind the barn) so it has been elongated and lightened up somewhat because it was just too dark.  Never let it be said that I'm afraid to go at something with paint...or....horrors....completely cover it up with something else!

and....look what appeared in Resident Chef's 

kitchen..

Zucchini muffins!

Today's quote..."Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles.  It takes away today's peace"

Having a little play time

I took some time off from my landscape (doing some pondering on it at the moment) and had a little play with my new embroidery templates that arrived in the mail the other day and came up with a couple of postcards....

You should be able to embiggen the photos

if you'd like to see more details.

The templates are most definitely a huge success and I highly recommend them to anyone wanting to ensure your stitches are evenly placed.  And they don't have to be used strictly for crazy quilting either!  If you want further information about these great tools, you can have a look at my post HERE.   Thank you again Janet for sending these for me to test out!

Today's quote..."Eat the cake.  It's someone's birthday somewhere"

Tramping about

Today there as absolutely nothing creative done in my studio.  Instead we spent the afternoon (along with Resident Chef's brother) tramping around in cemeteries searching out long lost relatives.  It was fun, but hot! 

This is one of the more interesting ones we happened across and it was enough to send me off trying to find out more about the Fish Creek battle.

Information courtesy of Wikipedia....

The Battle of Fish Creek (also known as the Battle of Tourond's Coulée ),^[4] fought April 24, 1885 at Fish Creek, Saskatchewan, was a major Métis victory over the Canadian forces attempting to quell Louis Riel's North-West Rebellion. Although the reversal was not decisive enough to alter the ultimate outcome of the conflict, it was convincing enough to persuade Major General Frederick Middleton to temporarily halt his advance on Batoche, where the Métis would later make their final stand. 

First we knew that there was  a relative in this battle.

Today's quote..."I'd give up chocolate, but I"m not a quitter"

Sometimes I *heart* my mailman!

The mailman brought me something really fun and I must say I'm anxious to start playing with them!  Janet from Creative Impressions very kindly sent me a set of the brand new 'Embroidery Stitch Templates' that were created to accompany Kathy Shaw's new book 'Stunning Stitches For Crazy Quilts'.    

I am so excited to have a chance to play with them and see how much easier getting my embroidery stitches even will be.  There are 5 sheets of very sturdy plastic templates (example below....)

These are great for any crazy quilter or embroider and do not have to be used along with Kathy's book (altho' it's fun if they are!).  

Thank you Janet!!!!💖💖

There has been some progress on the latest landscape, but this is going to change because I'm not happy with the trees in the skyline.  They look awkward so (I'm sure with much angst during the unpicking process) they're going.

Today's quote...."Be careful with your words.  They can only be forgiven, not forgotten"

Over the weekend the main thing accomplished was to make these....

Zucchini relish - a couple jars are

headed for the Christmas box.

And some progress on the latest landscape...

Today's quote..."10% of conflict is due to difference in opinion and 90% is due to delivery and tone of voice"

A new beginning, and a tip (of sorts)

I'll start with the tip...now, don't go getting all excited because it's really nothing all THAT special,  However, most of you know by now that PMS Albatross and I have 'issues' - many issues.  One of them is her infuriating habit of throwing the spool off the holder whenever the spirit moves her.  Maddening to say the least!  So I cast about for something that I could add to the spool spindle to help hold the thread in place.  I didn't want anything too heavy so I hit upon this...

I deconstructed a Gutermann thread spool and got that 'thingie' on the right in the picture.  No idea what it's called!  All you have to do is pry, twist it off the spool and you're left with that funky little piece.

Now you can see it in use.  First is the spool of thread, then the regular disc that's supposed to hold the spool in place, then my little 'thingie' solution.

So far, it seems to be working.  I'm sure PMS is having some sleepless nights trying to figure a way to circumnavigate my solution.  In the meantime I'll bask in finally getting one up on her!



And....you can also use that handy little 'thingie' if you're wanting to use a large cone of thread on your machine - sometimes that little 'thingie' fits perfectly in the end of the cone, making it much more secure on your machine.  

And, here is the beginning of another landscape...

Can't put my hands on the original photo (will

show you later) but it's one of my own and was

taken locally.

Today's quote..."We get so worried about being 'pretty'.  Let's be pretty kind, pretty funny, pretty smart, pretty strong"

More additions

Because I made a teddy pillow cover for our youngest grandson, I can't leave the oldest without one, so here is his (which will be going in the Christmas box)....

Made from scraps found in my stash and using a monster picture I found online to create a pattern.  What little boy doesn't like monsters - especially if they're friendly ones!

And, because I had some leftover Thomas the Tank Engine fabric (from making the little apron to go with the felt food) I thought I'd whip up a pillowcase - also going in the Christmas box....

These are SO (SEW?) easy to make!  All the seams are enclosed which makes it nice and sturdy as well.  

Today's quote..."I was being so good at the craft store, I really was....but then I got out of the car and went in"

Outside, but not looking in

As promised, here are the photos of the outside of the snippet roll needle case.  You can click  to embiggen them if you'd like.

and this photo gives a better idea of the length....

Now it remains to be seen if anyone likes it enough to 

want to learn how to make one for themselves!

Today, instead of a quote.....

A little more CQ

I finished working on my crazy quilt project - a snippet needle roll.  I've been asked to teach a workshop at our local quilt guild and needed to come up with a prototype so people can see what they will be working on.  I did a snippet roll needle case several years ago (and you can see pictures of it HERE  HERE  HERE and HERE).  This time I will show you a picture of the outside, rolled up, as well as the inside and next time I'll show you the outside.

Pictures are clickable to embiggen

You have to imagine the final three photos joined

together.  The final roll measures about 35" long by

5" wide.  The inside features felt to hold your

needles (that's the areas that are bordered with

blanket stitch).  

Today's quote...."Every day is a new beginning.  Take a deep breath and start again"