MAGPIE'S MUMBLINGS

A blog about my interests, which include fabric landscapes and various and assorted other artsy pursuits and sometimes known to contain mumblings of a random nature.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Another finish

 I always have socks on the knitting needles and these are the latest pair to be completed (also going in the Christmas box).  I know it's boring for you to keep seeing socks but I use this as a means to keep track of what I've done.
Yarn is Paton's Kroy.

- Perhaps you can use one of THESE?

- If you have some time when you have nothing else to do, how about making some of THESE?

- THIS would be a pretty addition to your table.

- THIS is a sweet little project you might like to create.

Today's quote...





Monday, January 26, 2026

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"






Friday, January 23, 2026

....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!)


Wednesday, January 21, 2026

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...










Monday, January 19, 2026

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"




Friday, January 16, 2026

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"








Wednesday, January 14, 2026

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...