Done!!

Before I show you a photo of the latest finished barn, I have a question for you....

I'm looking for input and would like to throw this over to you for your opinions on the subject.  Most of us know there is always a debate over copyright laws and I'm wondering what your feeling is about using images that are found on the internet (particularly on Pinterest) as a basis for creating art - specifically things like abandoned churches and houses (barns, too, of course).  I live in an area where there are very few old falling-down churches because most have been converted to homes and thus don't have the look I like for my work.  I would love to branch out into doing other old buildings beyond the barns I have managed to source locally.  There are tons of images on the internet that are perfect but simply cannot be traced back to the person that originated them in order to seek permission to use them in my art. I know there is one school of thought that says that provided you use an image for 'personal use only' it's okay, but how does that apply if you make only one - but plan to sell it?  What say you?  

And now, here's the latest barn.....

FOR SALE

Nada - sort of

Today I'm afraid I don't have any photos of progress on anything creative.  The barn quilt is *almost* done so I'll wait to show you that.  Instead, how about the view from our balcony?

This was taken yesterday - dark clouds and a little bit of sun shining on the trees beside the river.  Looks rather chilly (speaking of which, a few minutes ago we were getting a rain/snow mix....yuck, yuck, AND yuck!!).  

Just got back from taking our car in for some repairs.  Apparently the 'differential is leaking' and something else is seized up in the back end.  Makes me wonder if she's menopausal?

Your quote is another from an anonymous source:  "A lot of walking away will do your life good.  Walk away from arguments that lead you to anger and nowhere.  Walk away from people who deliberately put you down.  Walk away from the practice of pleasing people who choose to never see your worth.  Walk away from any thought that undermines your peace of mind.  Walk away from judgmental people, they do not know the struggle you are facing and what you have been through.  Walk away from your mistakes and fears, they do not determine your fate.  The more you walk away from things that poison your soul, the healthier your life will be. 

A tad more

The past few days have led to precious little stitching time (or at least not as much as I'd hoped for), but there has been some progress on the latest barn.  It's been quilted and I'm in the process of adding some flower-y 'stuff' in the foreground, which will be a combination of embroidery and free motion stitching with the machine.  

I think you can click on it to embiggen it a little if you so desire.  I had hoped to have it finished to tote along this afternoon to the local quilt guild meeting for bring & brag but obviously I didn't make my deadline.  Oh well, there's always next month (unless of course it gets sold in the meantime!).

The quote today is from Mother Teresa..."I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples"

A little bit more

There's been some more progress on the latest barn, inspired by looking outside and seeing the leaves turning.

This is mental health month, so I honor that with today's quote..."I lied and said I was busy.  I was busy, but not in a way most people understand.  I was busy taking deeper breaths.  I was busy silencing irrational thoughts.  I was busy calming a racing heart.  I was busy telling myself I am okay.  Sometimes this is my busy, and I will not apologize for it"

Some knitting for a change

I just finished knitting this pair of socks.  I know....who knew?  

The pattern is a really easy one and will be my go-to

sock from now on.  The heel and toe is really simple to do.

Pattern is THIS one and I used Paton's Kroy sock yarn.

One more thing for the Christmas box!

Excitement, progression and wishes

First, I would like to wish my Canadian readers a very happy Thanksgiving.  Enjoy your celebration and be safe on the roads.

I was honored (and beyond excited!!) to be asked to write an article for the 'Online Quilt Magazine' about my barns and their creation.  The issue is out now and if you'd like you can see the free version by going to THIS link.  You can then register to receive the free version of the magazine (scroll down - it's on the left) or you may pay $10 to receive the premium subscription (on the right).  Either way you can see my article.  Thank you Jody for all you do to provide the wonderful resources through this magazine.  

And...over the weekend there was some progress made on the latest barn as you can see from this photo...

Your quote for today..."Thanksgiving, to be truly thanksgiving, is first thanks, then giving"

Teeny bits

There has been a teeny bit of progress on the latest barn but there hasn't been much in the way of studio time this week.  Funny how life manages to intrude on creativity!  Anyhow, here's a picture so you can see what did get done...

The eagle-eyed among you might also notice that I changed the tree line on the left somewhat.

Your quote..."A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right, and evil doesn't become good just because it's accepted by the majority"

.....and......it begins again.....

Another barn.  What can I say....I'm obsessed!  This one has been planned for awhile so I am being a really good girl and doing what I should, but I have to admit I really, really, really (!) want to do the one I have waiting in the wings.  You will just have to wait and see what it is but suffice to say it has an element I've never tried before.  In the meantime, I'm working on this one...

Here is the beginning...

Your quote..."A lot of walking away will do your life good.  Walk away from arguments that lead you to anger and nowhere.  Walk away from people who deliberately put you down.  Walk away from the practice of pleasing people who choose to never see your worth.  Walk away from any thought that undermines your peace of mind.  Walk away from judgmental people, they do not know the struggle you are facing and what you have been through.  Walk away from your mistakes and fears, they do not determine your fate.  The more you walk away from things that poison your soul, the healthier your life will be.  

Some knitting

Felted slippers are a staple in our family and I've lost track of how many pairs I've made over the years.  #2 son and daughter-in-love recently put in a special request for new ones, so there they are...

The pattern is found HERE.  I have always used Paton's Classic Wool yarn which felts perfectly.  Well, there IS now a word of warning about this yarn as I found to my detriment.  When I purchased it I did check the label for the fibre content for one pair, just to make sure I was buying the correct yarn.  I did not, however, verify the content for the other pair and discovered, once I started knitting, that it didn't feel right.  Checked the label and was horrified to discover that they have snuck some acrylic into the content which means it won't felt properly.  I suspect it might felt somewhat but not to the degree that it should.  I emailed the company to complain but haven't heard anything from them.  Now I'm stuck with four balls of enough-feltable-to-make-it-useless yarn!  So if you're making anything that's meant to be felted, be sure to check the label carefully!!  

UPDATED TO ADD:  The question arose as to what I put on the soles of my slippers.  I use a thick coat of 'Shoe Goo'  (see HERE for a link) although I find it at the local hardware store.  It stinks to high heaven when it's curing so I put the slippers outside to dry.  It seems to last on the soles and makes them non-slip.

Your quote for today..."Go inside and listen to your body, because your body will never lie to you.  Your mind will play tricks, but the way you feel in your heart, in your guts, is the truth"

Mumblings Catch Up

I'm sorry I was missing on Wednesday - I was busy all day and simply didn't have time to create a post for you.  Unfortunately the rest of the week has been spend outside of my creative zone so I STILL don't have anything much to share.  

AND - just so I can have some sort of picture to show, how about a slightly risque cartoon?  Sorry if this offends anyone!! 

Another wee thing

Over the weekend I made a few of these little fellows which might end up being my ornament series for this year.  For those of you who don't know every year I make about twenty ornaments which are then used as either a 'bow' on a parcel or are given as little gifts in and of themselves.  The design is by Kathy Shaw and I'm testing it for publication in the spring issue of the 'Crazy Quilt Quarterly' magazine. 

Another anonymous quote..."Nothing annoys me more than when someone expects you to be okay with something that they wouldn't be okay with if you did it"

A little something

Quite literally, it's a 'little' something!  This little fellow (measuring about 6" tall) is something I knitted for our littlest 'grand' out of some scrap yarn I had left over from his Paw Patrol sweater.

The pattern is 'Little Kindness Monster' by Rachel Borello Carroll and can be found on Ravelry.  I altered it slightly and crocheted his arms and legs.

Finis!

The latest barn is done!  

SOLD!

Now I'm itching to start another one but I have a couple of other things that I need to do for the 'Crazy Quilt Quarterly' magazine so I will have to change gears a bit.  Never fear, there are more barns just waiting their turn!

Your quote..."Refuse to please others at the expense of your emotional well-being.  Even if it means saying 'no' to people who are used to hearing 'yes'.  

Proof

Here is some proof that something else other than working on barns happens here at Chez Magpie...

Our littlest 'grand' is currently in like with Paw Patrol and his favourite character happens to be 'Chase'.  I stumbled across this pattern and of course it had his name on it in glowing neon so what's a grandma to do?  The pattern is HERE  (there are several other characters that come with the pattern) and I used Paton's Astra yarn.  If you embiggen the picture hopefully you can see the amazing buttons I found - they came all the way from Ireland! 

  

(just realized that you can't embiggen the picture, so here's a better one of the buttons)

Another anonymous quote..."Just because some people are fueled by drama doesn't mean you have to attend the performance"

A little bit more

There has been some progress on the latest barn, albeit not much.  It's about ready to start quilting now - no doubt you will notice the basting threads!

This is a quote from Mother Teresa..."I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples"

For lack of anything better

The past couple of days have been rather dismal on the stitching front so rather than show you my lack of progress on my barn I thought I'd show you what I DID do (and never let it be said that there is any lack of stimulation here at Chez Magpie!!).

This pile of fabrics began life as men's shirts (mostly - the leaf patterned one was a ladies blouse).  I've discovered that finding various shades of fabrics that are fodder for landscape quilts is an expensive proposition if you look in fabric shops.  All of these were scored at thrift shops for very little in the way of cost and all I needed to do was spend an hour or so cutting them apart.  A couple of these have marvelous texture too (the gold one is very fine corduroy).  I don't worry overly much about fabric content because these are well washed before I use them and it's doubtful that any of my barns will ever be washed later on.  

Now....if someone could come and help me

figure out WHERE I'm going to store all

these in an already bulging sewing room

I'd sure appreciate it!

Another anonymous quote..."Sometimes when you're in a dark place, you think you've been buried, but you've actually been planted"

Progress on a rainy day

First of all, thank you so much for all the happy anniversary wishes for Jack and I.  We had a lovely weekend - two meals 'out' on Saturday  and a relaxing day on Sunday.  Perfect way to celebrate!

I managed to do a little more on the latest barn...added the fence posts, the birch tree, and a shrub on the right.  Both the tree and the shrub need more work before I will be happy with them.

Sorry about the color in the photo -it's dull and

rainy here so the light isn't good.

- I don't often share anything of this nature on my blog, but I'm going to make an exception for THIS.  Depression still often bears the stigma of being a taboo subject - something to be hidden, something to be ashamed of.  Yes, this particular post I've shared discusses it from the standpoint of postpartum, but the symptoms are the same.  I have read a lot on the subject and have to say that what was written here is remarkable and one of the best things I've read.  I know personally how debilitating this disease is - I know what it's like to live with it - I know what a family goes through - I know the denial, the refusal to believe and the shame.  I know all too well and if, by my sharing this (and perhaps you also sharing), it helps someone then I am happy.  Don't wait to seek help and don't be ashamed.

Today the quote is from Maya Angelou..."Hate: It has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet"

39 years ago....

This man committed

the ultimate sacrifice and

married me...

I love you Jack

Forever

and

Always

Progress....and risk

There has been some more progress on the barn building front, as you can see from this picture...

At the risk of breaking your computer, I thought I'd share a picture of moi taken by my long-suffering husband for inclusion in an article I'm writing for an online quilting magazine.  Don't say you weren't warned!!

Today's quote..."No is a complete sentence.  It does not require justification or explanation"

Progress and CQTeers

There has been a little progress on the latest barn as you can see from this picture...

Another anonymous quote for you..."Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it.  The time will pass anyway"