And.....a switcheroo!

 Yes, the studio space here at Chez Magpie has made the switch from shoveling mode into full-bore Christmas makings, beginning with a few cross stitched postcards.  I started one design (the poinsettia) and decided it would take too long and have now switched to the tree design.  Once I add the beads I think it will be rather cute.  Might peek in my fabric stash to see if I have something that could be used as a 'table' for the tree pot to rest on.  Or maybe I won't.  Jury's out.

Still have to pick out the waste canvas.

Oh, and our Christmas shopping for each other is done.  Now, after yet more moving of stuff, these two have been delivered...

In case it's hard to tell, it's a matching set of small-sized fridge and freezer that fits just exactly into the corner in our storage space.  Our old freezer was running constantly and we knew it was just a matter of time before it conked out.  We got it second-hand and have no idea how old it is.  The fridge replaced a bar-sized one that was held together with just a little too much duct tape.  We'll put a bow on them Christmas day and call it done. 

- Knitters and crocheters might find THIS something useful to know. It looks somewhat confusing but there's a video for those who find them better than written instructions. 

- THIS is for those of you that are interesting in weaving.

- And THIS is something quilters might find useful.

- There are some fun designs HERE.

Today's quote..."Expect nothing, appreciate everything"

Well, who knew?

 After spending the better part of nearly two days scouring the internet for a Canadian source for the  requested-themes for flannel PJ makings I think I've finally done it.  Who knew that finding Spiderman flannel would be so danged hard?!!  The other requests  for something Harry Potter, something with outer space or wolves, and rainbows weren't too difficult to source.  Of course the entire process was complicated by also wanting to find plain ol' cotton in the requested themes for making pillowcases.  Now I await the pleasure of the mail system and keep my fingers crossed we won't have the looming postal strike to deal with.  Serves me right for not getting on this sooner!  Once the fodder arrives I'll be firing up the sewing machine.

In the meantime - the downsizing continues and next 'up' on my dance card is my landscape fabrics that are currently overflowing the storage system I have.   DONE!!! 

Speaking of which...I'm a huge fan of Dana White who advocates choosing an appropriate container to hold specific items and once the container is full, you can't have any more of whatever 'it' is unless you get rid of something.  The container can be anything from a shoebox to a drawer (or whatever size you decide upon).  If you're interested in learning more about her, check out her web site HERE.  I follow her blog and have read her 'Decluttering At the Speed of Life' book (excellent!).  I've read a ton of organization books and that one is the best I've found.

- All of this downsizing and organizing led me to read THIS article with interest.  The main thing I took away was from the very first picture in the article - I was searching for some sort of 'system' to store my spools of Sulky Petites threads and had a 'duh' moment when I saw those jars!

- Have a look at the creations of THIS incredible artist!

- Sometimes the simplest things are the best as THIS will attest

- THIS caught my eye - would you believe the base is a hula hoop?  If you scroll down you can see some other fun ideas.

Today the quote is from Pablo Casals...."It takes courage for people to listen to their own goodness and act on it"  

A minor hurrah

 Sometimes we need to celebrate the small things in life and right now I'm doing just that over the fact that I finally waded through the file drawer filled with genealogy materials.  There's a huge pile gone to recyling and on Tuesday I will be taking a number of books to donate to the genealogy department at the library.  One more file drawer to go through and then it's on to my landscape fabric storage units.  The end is in sight!

Once that is done I must turn my attention to THAT day in December and get busy on projects to add to the box.  The search is on for appropriately-themed flannelette for Grandie PJ's.  Up until now I've pretty much always knitted them each a sweater but my hands are balking at that so PJ's with hopefully matching pillowcases are their replacement.

- I thought THIS was interesting but not sure about using beads.

- I may have pointed you to THIS last year (or maybe the year before).  Thought it was worth a re-do.

- If someone with long hair is on your gift list this year, perhaps one of THESE might be a nice gift.

- Have a peek at THESE!

Today the quote is from Thomas Edison..."Most of my ideas belonged to other people who never bothered to develop them"

Still sorting

 I'm still bogged down in the genealogy files and can't see any light at the end of that particular tunnel, at least not for awhile.  Needless to say you don't want to see pictures of piles of paper!

- Some of you might find making one of THESE would be useful in your sewing room.

- THIS would be a nice project for your fall decor.

- Sometimes I come across something that makes me wonder why I didn't think of it myself and this is one example of that...

- I rather like THIS - would be fun to attempt.  She also has a tutorial to make THIS which is another fun little project.

Today this rather fitting quote is from George Orwell... "In our age there is no such thing as "keeping out of politics."  All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia"    Thoughts and prayers are with our neighbours to the south - as well as for our entire world.

For lack of something better

 How about a recipe today?  You really don't want to see photos of the massive amount of paper mess I'm sorting through so thought I'd share something good to eat instead...

SPINACH DIP SOUP

- 1 bag baby spinach, blanched

- 1 block cream cheese

- 2 large onions, diced and sauteed 

- 1/4 c. roasted garlic

- 3 tablespoons butter

- 2 tablespoons flour

- 4 tablespoons minced garlic

- 3 litres chicken stock **

- 2 c. cream

The recipe doesn't come with actual directions, but we melt the butter and combine with the flour and then add the chicken stock and then the rest of the ingredients.  **We buy concentrated chicken stock and combine with water to get the required amount.  I'm sure you could use regular milk rather than the cream if you wanted to reduce the calorie count somewhat.

- Some of you might find THIS of interest.  It looks like they have a really interesting lineup for the workshops.

- THIS looks like something fun to make.

- THESE look so cute!

- Those of you who are interested in weaving might find THIS article useful.

Today's quote.."There is a seat waiting for you at tables you haven't even seen"

Still shoveling

 Yes, I'm still shoveling 'stuff' and have gotten bogged down in the filing cabinet that holds altogether too much paper that is serving no real purpose.  I've kept all sorts of information pertaining to the family tree and most of it is readily available online at Ancestry.  So far I've filled a big box of paper that's heading for the recycling and I know I won't miss any of it.  Then it's back into fabric sorting and then I hope it's close to being done.  All that to say, I still don't have any pictures to show you and I apologize for that.

- THESE would be a cute addition to your Christmas tree or for use as a package topper.

- If you happen to like white chocolate (not for me!), perhaps you might like to make THESE.

- THIS would make a cute gift if you added the mug and some hot chocolate mixes.

- I know I shared THIS several years ago, but it might be worth sharing once again.

Today's quote..."A wise man said:  Don't seek revenge.  The rotten fruits will fall by themselves"

Lucky escape!

 We discovered upon returning from our trip that the plug-in receptacle in our bathroom had quit working.  Not a huge problem but it does have a nighlight that we use to fumble our way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.  So...I put in a work order for a repair.  The super showed up early yesterday morning and checked it and also went into the storage room to see if the problem might be a fuse.  Good thing she did!!!  She discovered two of the fuses were extremely hot (burned her finger) and she promptly pulled them out and called an electrician.  He repaired everything and installed a new 'fuse section' (don't know the proper name for it).  It turned out that one of the two fuses in question was charred (!!!!!) and was ready to start a fire.😰😱  The fuse should have tripped and shut off but it didn't.  We are so glad we were home and that everything evolved as it did because had it caught fire when we were away we most likely would have lost everything, to say nothing about not having a place to live.  The bathroom receptacle was an entirely different issue so had the super not checked the fuse box, it could have been far worse.  

The clear-out and cleaning continues and I'm currently working in my sewing room.  The rest of the apartment is pretty much done.  Took a huge load to the thriftie yesterday and have lost track of how many bags went to either the recycling or simply was not donatable. Working on a bag full of excess linens that are perfect to donate to the local humane society.  Oddly enough, looking around the rooms, nothing looks much different but certainly behind-the-scenes has changed pretty dramatically.

All that to say, there are no pictures to show you because you really don't want to see our junk!

- Some of you may not want to be thinking about THAT day that's rapidly approaching, but just in case you are, perhaps you might like to make some of THESE.  Or perhaps THESE.

- THESE would be a pretty addition to your fall decor.

- I think THIS technique is cool - not sure if I could pull it off though.

- There are a number of nice Christmas-y themed designs HERE.

- I like the simplicity of THESE.

The quote of the day..."It costs $0.00 to be a decent human being"