A day of....

 Spending a lot of time being social over the past few days has meant that there's been very little done in my studio, so you know what I'm going to give you...

- I think I'd go stir crazy if I tried to make some of THESE but they're interesting to look at.

- I've seen THESE before but not quite the same design overall.  THIS one is similar and includes rubberized shelf liner on the back which I think would be a good idea.

- Have a look through the galleries of THIS incredible artist!  And THIS one too (scroll down)

- Those of you who like hats might like to scroll through THESE pieces of art.

- THIS should take you to a short weaving video that looks like fun.

- THIS guy made me smile.

Here is another quote from Albert Einstein..."We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them"

Hmmmm -

 Much contemplation of my navel happening here at Chez Magpie because I'm not happy with the proportions of the original truck in the latest landscape.  Methinks I shall embiggen it somewhat and see if it makes me happier.

Yesterday I taught a second workshop for our local guild and, amazingly, all seem to have survived the ordeal.

- Some of you might want to make one (or more!) of THESE.

- Or maybe THIS?

- It's coming into warm weather in this end of the world, so perhaps you could make yourself one of THESE.

- THIS little fellow made me smile so I thought you might like him too.

Today the quote is from Hans Christian Andersen..."The whole world is a series of miracles, but we're so used to them we call them ordinary things"

and....you know....

 Yes, you know I've started a new landscape (this one will be my 51st) and this time it's inspired by a photo by Glen Bowe (and shared with his kind permission).  Here's his original...

And, this is how I've begun...

I snagged this fun little game from Boud's blog and thought it was worth sharing.  Please post your 'name' in the comments, just for fun.  Mine is 'Angel of Sacred Compassion'.  

- Perhaps you'd like to check out THIS online auction of some pretty amazing quilts (a fundraiser for SAQA).

- I thought THESE were really cute. You might want to use the 'translate' feature, but wonderful to see even without it.

- Have a peek at the amazing denim creations HERE.  

- And check out the various galleries of THIS amazing artist.  I love her use of colour!

Today's quote is from Abraham Lincoln..."We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or we can rejoice because thorn bushes have roses"

A pile

 I spent some time sewing tea towels (16 of them, to be exact) that are destined for the Christmas box...

Otherwise, there's been nothing on the creative front happening here at Chez Magpie.

- Have a peek at the gallery of THIS incredible artist!  Would that I could crochet like him!

- Perhaps making one (or more) of THESE would be useful.  

- Last time I was at a thrift store I noticed they had a pile of glass cases and had I thought of it I should have picked some up to make some of THESE.

- If you have some of the glasses you used to see the eclipse, check out THIS and consider donating them. (UPDATED TO ADD:  Please also see Boud's comment attached to this post for another suggestion of donation for the glasses).

A finish - a trunk show - and AWOL

 First of all, I have finished the latest landscape as you can see...

FOR SALE!

"Lonely Sentinel"
inspired by a photo by Dale Stewart,
and used with his always kind permission.
Measures approx. 22" square

Below you can see Dale's photo...

Yesterday I was invited to a quilt guild that's about half an hour from here to do another trunk show.  It seems that they, and I, managed to survive the ordeal.

Monday was our local quilt guild meeting and of course I was hopeful that the AWOL landscape that disappeared when I did the trunk show for them would reappear but sadly such was not the case.  I guess, much as I dislike to admit it, that I will have to now assume that it was stolen.  All I can say is - I hope they enjoy it.

- Have a peek through the portfolio of THIS amazing artist!

- I don't know if you've noticed all the posts 'round and about the internet talking about the Emotional Support Chicken, but if you haven't HERE is the link to the pattern.  

- THIS would be a pretty accessory to make for summer.

- All I can say is wow over the creations of THIS incredible artist - be sure to hover your mouse over each and you can see what he used for the background.

Today's quote..."Did you ever think all those stars are porch lights in heaven, waiting for their loved ones to come home"

Better late than never

 Finally finished knitting Resident Chef's new socks that I promised him at Christmas....

If you, like many of us, are attempting to declutter, perhaps this quote from Dana White (author of 'Decluttering At The Speed of Life') might be useful... Embracing the Container Concept means looking at every space that holds stuff (a container, a shelf, a drawer, a closet) as a limit and filling it with favorite stuff first. The size of the "contain"er determines when enough is enough, and that makes it easier to get rid of things that don't fit. It's not about deciding whether something has value or is worth keeping, it's about not keeping more than will fit.

- THESE gave me an awwww moment.

- I like THIS but I wouldn't have it hanging in my car because I don't think it's overly safe.  I think there are lots of other uses for it though.

- Have a peek through the gallery of THIS amazing artist.

- And THIS one too!

Today's quote, once again from an anonymous source..."This, my dear, is the greatest challenge of being alive:  To witness the injustices of the world, and not allow it to consume our light"

A couple of you guessed correctly!

Unfortunately there's no sun here today (again...what's new) so I couldn't really get a decent photo of the progress on the landscape so you will have to use your imagination to know that it's made using denim.... 

- I found THIS article interesting.

- And THIS too.

- THESE are rather cute and would use up yarn scraps.

This made me laugh (but how true it is!)...