Finally mustered enough courage

 I've been procrastinating over putting the zipper in the sweater I made for our oldest grandie.  Turned out I really didn't need to fuss over it because it wasn't as difficult as I thought (who knew!!).  The sweater isn't wonderful but I doubt he will care because, after all, Grandma figured out how to use the same Minecraft design I did on his hat and translate it into the sweater.  This, as of this moment (barring any unforseen idiocy on my part), will be the last sweater the grandsons will get because they insist on getting bigger and my hands just won't agree with me knitting that large.  I *might* still make one for our littlest one but that remains to be seen.

- THIS is a cute wee gift that you might like to create.

- THIS is a pretty little tree project.

- Pour yourself a cuppa and have a look through the ideas found HERE.

- THIS is cute too.

- There are lots of ideas for snowflakes HERE.

- THESE are pretty and would look nice either on your tree or used as gifts.

Today's quote..."Don't let anyone who hasn't been in your shoes tell you how to tie your laces"

Yay!!

 The last Christmas present is finished!!  The butter tarts are baked (and, for once, RC listened to me and only made a small batch).  Heaven help him if there are no butter tarts.  I even completed most of the wrapping over the weekend AND the Christmas cards are addressed and ready to mail.  Now I can exhale and play with my new sewing machine to see how it performs doing landscapes.

One of the final gifts to be completed is this...

Pattern is THIS one and I added a bit more length to the dress.  Paton's Canadiana yarn from my stash.

*****

Complete change of topic but I wanted to share something I wrote in an email in response to a comment Jocelyn made...."..enjoyment is totally in the making..."  That resonates with me because that's exactly how I feel.  My friends are often astounded that I will spend hours and hours on a project, only to happily give it away without a second thought.  Of course, having said that, I'm a complete lesson in contradictions because I truly do want to sell my landscapes rather than give them away (although I have given some).  For me, it comes down to the distinction between 'craft' (thus giveable) and 'art' (saleable).  I don't suppose that makes a whole lot of sense does it!!  

Please share in the comments how you feel about this because I would be interested in knowing your thoughts.

******

- If you like fudge, or plan to make some for gifting, perhaps THIS round up of recipies might intrique you (scroll down to see all the different varieties).  And, if you have a hankering for some truffles, perhaps one of THESE might be just what you'd like.

- THIS would be a fun little project!

- THESE would make a lovely little gift.

- So would THESE!

- I know THIS is a paid pattern but I thought it was worth sharing anyway.

Today's quote..."We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea, and you don't believe in miracles?

Losing my mind...or a screw loose...take your pick!

 Well, it's now a proven fact that I'm losing what's left of my mind...and the Resident Chef isn't much better.  We just spent over four hours searching this small apartment for two Minecraft-themed pillowcases that I distinctly remember making for the two oldest grandies that were supposed to be for Christmas.  We turned everything upside down (oh, the dust elephants....and the sneezing!) but they were nowhere to be found in the bedroom.  Hmmm....so....did they get scooped up with loose fabric and get put away somehow?  Well....a grand dumpage of buckets and bins and sorting on a grandiose scale certainly neatened things up but no pillowcases. 

It wasn't until we were on the LAST drawer of fabric that the RC had a brainwave and wondered, just maybe, did we give them to the boys for their BIRTHDAYS earlier in the year?  

Surely we didn't.  

Did we??

A mad dash to the computer to message our respective families begging them to put us out of our misery and tell us that we'd already gifted them.  

Crisis averted.
Apartment cleaned.
Dust elephants wrangled.

Back to the regularly scheduled chaos
here at Chez Magpie.

- THIS is a nice design that would look wonderful as a banner.

-THIS takes you to Part One of how to make an adorable gingerbread house. There are further links to Parts Two and Three.

- THIS is an easy and quick little gift you could make (and fill with goodies!)

- HERE is another of those things that just made me laugh.

Today's quote is from Sue Fitzmaurice..."Next time I lose my mind I swear I'm not even going to look for it anymore"

Well, that wasn't very smart!

 I finished making five postcards and a greeting card and, in a fit of no-brains, I sealed them into envelopes ready to mail without taking pictures to show you.  Oh well, suffice to say, they're done.  

You'll just have to imagine what they looked like!

- I know THIS is a paid pattern, but it made me laugh.

- I apologize if I've sent you to THIS before but I think it's a great gift idea that's quick and easy to make.

- I think THIS is cute and a great use for that package of specialty buttons you haven't been able to find a use for (scroll down for the pattern).

- If you're giving gift cards this year, perhaps you'd like to make THESE to go with them.

- THESE are different and don't look hard to make.  Good use for some scrap yarn or that over-sized ball of twine you've been saving.

More additions to the Christmas box!

 PJ's for two out of four grandies - check!!  Well, almost - still have to add the elastic in the waist and awaiting measurements for that so I can finish them up.  There is enough fabric left to make them each a matching pillowcase too...bonus.

- Some small ideas HERE for quickie gifts.

- THIS is meant for a baby but I don't see why, with different colours, it couldn't be embiggened for adults too.

- THESE would be fun to make with kids (or without!)

- Perhaps you might like to make one of THESE for your December decor.

- Some things use the simplest of supplies and turn out rather cute, as THIS shows.

- I absolutely need to make one of THESE now that I have a new sewing machine!

Today's quote is from E. Joseph Coffman..."If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today"

Another thing checked off my list

 One of our grandies loves Catboy from PJ Masks so of course what is a grandma to do but try to make him one for Christmas.  This is the result...

Pattern is THIS one, yarn from my stash (mostly Paton's Canadiana I think). 

I also made one of these - again using scrap yarn I had on hand.  Pattern for that is HERE.  I liked that this one has a bottom which many of them don't.

- Perhaps you'll find an idea HERE for some gift-giving this year (thanks to Jocelyn for this one!).

- Although THIS is a to-purchase pattern, it made me laugh so I had to share.

- I've been curious how THESE are made and this tutorial spells it out.

- Scroll down HERE to see just what caught my eye!

Today's quote is one of those things about words that I find interesting...

 Someone left a comment asking how I made the lip balms and I must admit I cheated somewhat this time by buying pre-made lip balm in a tub that I simply melted down and added flavouring to. You can find it HERE.  I used peppermint and chocolate flavours (make sure they are safe for use on the body... not kitchen flavouring you use to bake with). You can find a selection HERE.   As a further note, you can make it a little more involved and make the balm 'from scratch'.  I've used this recipe...

Homemade Lip Balm

                                            5 T. coconut oil
                                        3 T. beeswax pellets
                                       12 drops essential oil
     Melt oil and beeswax in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.  Add essential oil.  Pour into containers and let cool.  Makes about 4 small containers.

- THIS caught my eye.  I won't be making it, however. 

- THESE would make nice gifts.  She also has a number of other great gift ideas HERE.

- More ideas can be found HERE.  

- THIS is really cute (scroll down for the English version)

Today's quote is from George R R Martin..."A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies.  The man who never reads lives only one"

Mr and Mrs Santa's workshop

 Over the weekend RC and his Mrs were quite busy in the kitchen as you can see from this list...

Chocolates ✔

Fudge ✔
One batch of cookies ✔
Lip balm for ladies ✔
Lip balm for men ✔
Beard oil ✔
Dry chili jarred gifts ✔
Labels for the above items ✔

- Although THESE are made with fancy papers, I think they could easily be translated into fabric and perhaps a brown paper bag?  I found that idea among THESE.  

- THESE would add the perfect touch to a handmade gift.  There are more HERE. And HERE.

- THIS is really pretty and a great use for scraps.

Having fun

 I'm having fun playing with yarn and a crochet hook and working on a couple of wee toys for the grandies.  This is the first one...

Pattern is THIS one.  Jury is out whether or not it actually looks like the Creeper from Minecraft and I'm trying to figure a way to make the head appear 'square-er'.  Had I thought ahead (hah, pun not intended there!) I should have put something like plastic canvas inside to help it hold the shape.  Thinking hat is on....

- THIS is a rather cute little Santa cross stitch design.  And there are more cute ones HERE.  

- THIS was an awww moment (alas no instructions or even who made it).

- THIS would make a nice little gift if it were accompanied by a new mug and perhaps filled with hot chocolate packets.

When I came across this I had to share it - there are some good ones!

Jabba Jabba Do!!!

 I have a matched set of sore arms thanks be to being jabbed, not once, but twice.  Covid booster in the left arm and flu shot in the right.  Always glad to get that over with!

A trip to the fabric store yielded PJ makin's as you can see from this photo.  My goodness, sewing patterns have gotten outlandishly expensive!!  I have to wash and dry them before I sew them up (or at least so the kind lady in the fabric shop suggested).  

Sorry folks, life got in my way and I'm afraid I only have one link for you this time.  It's a biggie so hopefully it will be enough to keep you amused for awhile.

- Never let it be said that I am not an enabler, and you'll find out why when you go HERE (don't say I didn't warn you!)

This great quote was found via Field and Fen (thank you!)...

Too late smart?

First of all - if I'm lax in  making comments on your blogs,  please know that I'm still reading, but I'm having to curtail some of my surfing so I can get other things accomplished.  I will return to the regular system soon (I hope!). 

 As you know, the knitting needles are a smokin' here at Chez Magpie, to the detriment of my hands.  I made an executive decision over the weekend that next THIS year Grandma will not be making sweaters (at least not for the older three grandies who have a disconcerting habit of getting bigger every year).  Instead I plan on making PJ's that, as RC very wisely pointed out, would get a whole lot more wear than sweaters anyway.  He went on to point out that I need to get good use out of that new sewing machine.  Good point.  Hindsight being what it is, I rather wish I'd come to this plan before I attempted to knit  three sweaters this year.  After I reverse knitted part of the second one at least four times, the RC convinced me to cut my losses and walk run away. I'm trying not to feel too relieved.

I did finish this set over the weekend...

Hat pattern is my usual go-to HERE and the fingerless mittens are THESE.  One more set to go (once my reflective yarn arrives).

And...just to prove I wasn't slacking, I made these, also heading for the Christmas box...

Before you get TOO excited, I use
melt and pour soap base and 
just add colouring and scent.  Easy peasy!
(they still have to be 'gussied' up for giving)

- THIS scarf looks pretty easy to create and I like that it's actually practical.

- I've never heard of being able to purl (knitting) backwards but apparently you can and you can read about it HERE.  I don't think I actually understand how the process works but it will be fun to try it.

- There are lots of free patterns available HERE (some are paid as well)

- THIS takes you to a PDF file for a fun 30-day gratitude journal.

- Those of you who quilt, perhaps you'd like to check out the myriad of free patterns HERE (thank you to Canadian Needle Nana for this one!)

Today's quote is from Bernard M Baruch (a very wise man, as it turns out)...."If you have made a mistake cut your losses as quickly as possible"

Just a knittin' away

 Not going to bother showing you a picture of the four hats I've made over the past week...you've seen them before and these are the same pattern just in different colours.  Currently lamenting the fact that knitwear designers aren't exactly uniform in their measurements.  There's something called 'positive ease' that is supposed to be built in to sweaters but some pattern designers don't tell you if it's included in their pattern or if you need to choose a different size in order to get that 'ease'.  Well, one of the sweaters I'm doing for a grandie is, I know, going to be really big.  I went by his chest measurement and his age and crossed my fingers.  Now that I have it pretty much finished I see that it's going to be 3" too big in the chest.  Oops.  At this stage I'm not about to start over so I guess he'll just have to grow in to it (sometime in the next three years!!).  Sadly, it has a Minecraft design I added to it and chances are, by the time the sweater actually fits, he'll have outgrown the Minecraft phase.  

- If you have fabric scraps and happen to need to make a Christmas stocking, how about THIS?

- And, if you have to fill said stocking, HERE are some great ideas.

- THIS is rather cute (and calorie-free too!)

- And THIS is another one of those things that proves you never quite know what you'll find when you visit here!

Today's quote..."Life's biggest tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late"

aaaaa-chooooo!!

 Yes, working with two different kinds of pepper will make you sneeze...guaranteed!  Yesterday I muddled together the ingredients to make no-salt seasoning which will be part of the Christmas boxes this year.  If you're interested in the recipe I used, here it is...

No-Salt Seasoning
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 1/2 tsp. thyme
2 1/2 tsp. onion powder
2 1/2 tsp. paprika
2 1/4 tsp. celery seed
2 1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 tablespoon dry mustard
2 1/4 tsp. dried fine chopped lemon peel
1 tablespoon black pepper

Combine and jar (don't sneeze in it!)
I multiplied the recipe 10x so I had enough
for several gifts.

- If I hadn't already made the button tree last year, I would want to try making one of THESE.  (if you want to see the button tree, you can see it in THIS post).

- THIS is a really pretty scarf pattern that looks easy to create (scroll down for the free pattern)

- There are some really pretty snowflake patterns HERE, most of which are free.

- THIS might be something you'd like to create for gift giving.

Today's quote..."If I knit fast enough does it count as aerobics?"

Nothing much

 Nope, I have nothing to report.  One more hat made and part of one grandie sweater knitted, torn out, knitted and torn out again.  Quite boring, really.  

What I have been doing is an extensive online search to try to find reflective yarn - not an easy thing to locate I'm finding.  #1 son walks home in the dark from work and of course insists on wearing pretty much black from head to toe and then wonders why drivers can't see him.  He's been 'touched by a car' at least twice and luckily wasn't hurt beyond some bruising either time.  Hopefully he's come to the realization that drivers simply can't see him and he can't assume they do.  Anyway, being a Mother-Who-Worries I thought knitting him a hat that was reflective might help.  Oddly, it's easy to find neon glow-in-the-dark yarn which I know he would NEVER wear but finding the reflective version is really difficult.  I finally managed, with the help of my online knitting group, to track some down through Hobbii and have some on order.  They also suggested I try a product by Kreinik called 'Reflective Yarn' which you hold together with the yarn you're using.  Of course finding a Canadian source was impossible (what else is new!) so I have coughed up the big bucks to order from the US.  As usual, the postage is almost twice as much as the thread itself, but I was gratified to discover that at least they were willing to send it here.  We'll see which option works the best.  Of course, making the hat(s) could simply be a moot point if he does his usual and gives his warm things to homeless people he thinks needs it more than he does.  

- There are a number of fun ideas for gifts HERE, most of which I haven't seen before.

- Seeing THESE gave me another 'awwww' moment.  As did THESE.

- And THIS just plain made my jaw drop!  I can't imagine doing it.

- THIS is another of those 'awwwww' things!

Today the quote is from Plato..."No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth"

Switching gears

 The Christmas box has some new additions as you can see by this...

The pattern is THIS one and I'm using whatever worsted-weight yarn I have.  The pattern comes in many size options and the hats themselves are incredibly stretchy so will fit pretty much any size head.

 Remember my asking you to think about voting for my quilts in the American Quilter's Society online show?  Well, they've posted the top vote-getters by region and you can see those HERE.  Mine didn't come out on top but I was hugely thrilled with the numbers mine did get (and thanks to all of you who voted whether you voted for me or not).  If you're interested, the top Canadian vote getter received 304 votes and mine, by comparison,...'Untitled' (the rusty truck) got 92,  'Cobwebs and Splinters' got 116 and 'Cabin in the Snow' received 196.  If you're interested in seeing more, you can sign up HERE to receive 16 daily emails with a selection of the quilts each day.

- I rather like THIS and might have to try my hand at making one at some point.

- If you're a card player or know someone who is, perhaps THIS might come in handy.

- THIS technique intrigues me.

- There are lots of suggestions HERE for some easy DIY gifts.

This quote is attributed to Budda..."In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you"

Ho Ho.... gulp!!

 Well, the battle was resolved and this little (heavy!) beauty is now sitting on my sewing room table waiting for me to figure out how to use her.  It's our Christmas present to each other (hah!) but I get to play with her beforehand.  She came with all sorts of 'foots' that I haven't a clue how to use, plus she has a much bigger table than the Brother does.  I don't know exactly how much she weighs but she certainly is far 'chubbier' than the Brother.  See how pretty she is?....

                                                   Janome 5300QDC

Now, folks, how about you help me with some suggestions for her name.  She needs a name!!

- And if you want a few minutes of pure joy, go HERE and watch the video (thanks Maywyn for this one!)

- Some of you might like to try THIS technique.

- Yet more proof that my mind works in mysterious ways and you just never know what I might find interesting...HERE.

Today your quote is from David Suzuki..."We have become the impatient species, too busy to let nature replenish itself and too puffed up with our own sense of important to acknowledge our utter dependence on its generosity"

And the battle is on

 And, yes, that title was tongue in cheek (sort of).  Resident Chef and I have, over the past few years, gotten away from buying gifts for each other for Christmas beyond just a token one or two little things to open Christmas morning.  We have reached the point in our lives where we don't NEED anything so it seems rather silly to spend money on 'stuff' just to say we did.  Well, he knows that I've been saving my money to get myself a new sewing machine; THIS one to be exact.  Now, I definitely do NOT need a new sewing machine because there's absolutely nothing really wrong with the one I have.  But...I WANT it.  It does more than my current one...it has more stitches....and...it's a Janome.  Some of you might remember my mourning the loss of my previous Janome when it fell off my sewing table and bent the drive shaft beyond recall.  That Janome sewed all those recycled denim jackets with nary a problem and never a spa trip to the repair shop.  I loved that machine ('scuse me while I go in search of a tissue to mop the tears).  He knows I've not been happy with any of the machines I've had since and he also remembers that the reason the Janome fell off the table in the first place is because he forgot to anchor the table top properly.  So...over the weekend the subject of what to get each other for Christmas arose and he insists that we should just go ahead and get that new machine, despite the fact that I don't have enough money yet and that the machine is for me and not for him.  I suspect he will win the battle but that doesn't mean I won't feel guilty about spending that much on just a sewing machine.  

He harvested the last of his little balcony garden and arrived in my sewing room doorway to show me this...

He had a bumper crop of peppers this year despite the damage from the storm and says he thinks he has enough in the freezer now to last us the winter.  Not bad for growing on the balcony!

- THIS is a rather cute little fellow.

- HERE are a number of great uses for vinegar.

- I'm not a weaver, but thought those of you who are might appreciate reading THIS article.

- Not being a sane quilter per se I don't know if many of you would find THIS tip useful but it seems to me that it's rather brilliant.

Today is another quote from an unknown source..."Life is so short.  We spend so much time sweating the small stuff, worrying, complaining, gossiping, comparing, wishing, wanting and waiting for something bigger and better instead of focusing on all the simple blessings that surround us every day.  Life is so fragile and all it takes is a single moment to change everything you take for granted.  Focus on what's important and be grateful.  You are blessed.  Believe it and live your life and leave no regrets"

Yawn-eeee

 Today, instead of a picture (because I don't really have much to show at the moment), I thought I'd share this wonderful poem by Caitriona Loughrey....

Barely the day started and

it's already six in the evening.

Barely arrived on Monday

and it's already Friday.

.. and the month is already over.

.. and the year is almost over.

.. and already 40, 50 or 60 years

of our lives have passed..

.. and we realize that we lost

our parents, friends.

.. and we realize it's too late

to go back..

So..

Let's try, despite

everything, to enjoy

the remaining time..

Let's keep looking for

activities that we like..

Let's put some color in

our grey..

Let's smile at the little

things in life that put

balm in our hearts..

And despite everything,

we must continue to enjoy

with serenity this time we

have left..

Let's try to eliminate the

afters..

I'm doing it after..

I'll say after..

I'll think about it after..

We leave everything for

later like " after ′′ is ours.

Because what we don't

understand is that ~

Afterwards, the coffee

gets cold..

afterwards, priorities change..

Afterwards, the charm is

broken.

Afterwards, health passes..

Afterwards, the kids grow up.

Afterwards parents get old..

Afterwards, promises are

forgotten..

Afterwards, the day becomes

the night.

Afterwards, life ends.

And then it's often too late.

So..

Let's leave nothing for

later..

Because still waiting to see

later, we can lose the

best moments, the best

experiences, best friends,

the best family..

The day is today..

The

moment is now..

We are no longer at the

age where we can afford

to postpone what needs

to be done right away.

It Looks Like An Eternity,

But It's A Short Trip..

Enjoy Life And Always

Be Kind..

- Caitriona Loughrey

Today's quote..."Don't offer a lecture to a person who needs a hug"

A toy...or a tool?

 Some would call this thing a toy but I call it a handy dandy tool for knitters and crocheters (and no, it's not my original idea!).  When I count rows I always have a piece of paper or a notebook for that purpose but often I misplace the piece of paper.  I heard about using a Pop It toy for counting rows and I can honestly say where was it all my life?  You can read more about it by going HERE.  I got mine in a discount store so they should be readily available.

- If you go HERE you'll find a number of ideas for afghan designs.

- If you have some bulky yarn in your stash and wonder what to do with it, perhaps THIS might give you an idea (scroll down for free pattern)

- Seeing THIS brought back memories (but also made my teeth ache at just the thought of eating it!)

- Making one (or more!) of THESE would be cute for fall.

Today the quote is from Nelson Mandela..."There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living"