Two days

Here you can see the result of my having two entire days at home and being able to spend them working on this project (those days are definitely rare!)...

The trees have been thread painted (a solid day of work there alone!) and now I'm working on the borders.  The picture isn't the greatest but you can get the general idea I think.

And, another in the getting older series of quotes..."As I get older I realize that when I was a child I thought nap time was punishment.  Now it's like a mini-vacation"

Landscape progress

On Tuesday afternoon I was able to make good progress on the landscape I'm working on...

and I was lucky enough to have the entire day at home on Wednesday (a rare occurance!) and I was able to get a bit more done...

The grass is pretty much done and I've added the treeline.

  

Here's another in the series of getting older quotes...The biggest lie I tell myself is "I don't need to write that down, I'll remember it"

A little catch up

Today I will share a few projects I have completed recently.  First up is a twin-sized quilt featuring Super Mario's outfit.  Can you see it?

Maybe now?

Our #2 grandson will be getting his room re-decorated for Christmas and they're using a Super Mario theme and a special request was made for Grandma to make him a twin-sized quilt.  Of course, what's a Grandma to do but oblige?  While I was at it, some of you might remember the pillowcase I made to go along with the quilt....

and, if all goes well, there might just be a throw pillow too.

I also just put the finishing stitches in another wee sweater for our expected grandbaby....

The colour here is definitely off (sorry, dull day...again)

but it's using the same yarn as the previous sweaters.

Pattern is the 'Room to Grow Baby Sweater' by Laura Marconi-Cox

and can be found HERE.

Over the past weekend things started ramping up in the kitchen of Resident Chef and one of the creations was a batch of 'Carrot Cake Jam'.  Oh boy....yummy stuff!  I haven't done the labels yet, but here's what's going to a few people for Christmas this year...

And here is one of the lace cards I made that will be heading off to live in Australia with my cousin who just happens to own a really cute Scottie dog named Maggie...

And, finally, these three fabric postcards were created...

Very simple, keeping in mind the fact that

they should have been in the mail two weeks ago!

Today's quote is a continuation of the series...."As I get older I realize my people skills are just fine.  It's my tolerance of idiots that needs work"

A little update

Over the weekend I did manage to get a little bit done on the landscape and here is where it stands now...

Another in the getting older quote series:  "As I get older I realize sometimes I roll my eyes out loud"

A new beginning

Now what do you suppose this pile of fodder could be turned into?  Bet you've already guessed!

Two more pages

Over the weekend I finished two more pages for the quiet book.  These two will be side by side in the finished book.

I used a leftover piece of fleece for the 

quilt and the little pillow is stuffed.

The little boy comes out and has snaps to

attach his clothes, which can be stored

in the dresser which will be on the opposite page.

The top drawer is zippered so that the

clothes can be stored inside

and here is the 'wardrobe'

I used dome fasteners on the little
boy and the clothing.  The rug is a piece of
fake fur I unearthed in my stash.

and....another one......

Another completed quiet book page....

This one is mostly felt with quilt batting for the clouds and the flowers are pre-made from the dollar store I think.  Ooops - just noticed I forgot to add the door handle!!

Today's quote...."One day or day one.  You decide"

and....another page....

This is the latest in the series of pages for the quiet book...

Kids these days seem to live in velcro shoes and I can understand why, but still - they should know how to tie them too!

Today's quote..."Someone once said: If you look at the people in your circle and don't get inspired, then you don't have a circle you have a cage"

Another page

I pretty much finished this page over the weekend...

The tent (made from a recycled suede jacket) opens and will have a family picture inside once I get some more ink for my printer.

Today's quote is from Rick Godwin..."One reason people resist change is because they focus on what they have to give up, instead of what they have to gain"

A mixed bag

This was the view from our balcony earlier in the week.  This little tree was sporting her best fall colours and hanging onto her leaves so tight against the wind.  Most of the trees around her had lost theirs.

This little baby was delivered on the weekend - a Brother CS6000i - and now I'm having fun learning all her little ins and outs.  She does everything PMS Albatross was supposed to do and cost less than half the price.  She even has a few more frills than PMS did.

So far there has been no

swearing - hers OR mine!

I'm not quite finished with this page for the quiet book but close enough to show you.  The pieces are backed with velcro and act like a jigsaw puzzle.

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

And....another little project for baby

These will co-ordinate with the sweaters I've already

made.  The hat is 'Golden Pear' from Viridian Hue   

The mitts are just generic using the same

stitch pattern/colourway as the hat.
Yarn is Cascade 220.

Another wee project for our expected grandbaby....

This pattern is "Little Coffee Bean' by Elizabeth Smith and can be found HERE.  For this one I also used Cascade 220 yarn.  Yet to be blocked!

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UPDATED TO ADD:

For better or for worse (hopefully not the latter!)

I pushed the 'order' button on Amazon and a

new Brother CS6000i sewing machine is

on the way!

Now - is anyone in the market for a good used

boat anchor??

***************************

Today's quote:  "You might think that you don't matter in this world, but someone hears a song on the radio and it reminds them of you.  Someone has read a book you recommended to them and gotten lost in its pages.  Someone has remembered a joke you told them and smiled to themselves.  Never think you don't have an impact.  Your fingerprints can't be wiped away from the little marks of kindness that you've left behind"

First of all - a question for you...

do any of you own a Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist

sewing machine?  If so, what do you think of it?
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Obviously no sewing happening here at Chez Magpie for a few days so how about I show you one of the baby things I've completed...

This is the 'Everyday Toddler Hoodie' by Megan Goodacre.  I used Cascade 220 yarn.  It still needs to be blocked but I'm waiting to complete all I have planned and I will do them all at once.

Today's quote is from St. Jerome...."Good.  Better. Best.  Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best"

Small project

I wasn't planning to show you this until I had the quilt that accompanies it done. But....with no sewing happening here at Chez Magpie, I need to come up with something (anything!) to show you.

It's a pillowcase, made using the burrito method.

And...beware - there's a computer hack going around that says that you have detected viruses through Google Chrome - it keeps popping up with dire warnings that your computer is infected with dangerous viruses.  I checked.  It's a scam.  

Well, now I'm officially bored.  No sewing.  Patterns have been downsized and sorted.  Does this mean I have to tackle trying to fix PMS Albatross which I already know will do nothing more than increase my blood pressure.  Sigh.

Today's quote...."Time and good friends are two things that become more valuable the older you get"

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"