Lucky me!

 A few weeks ago I played along with the Villa Rosa Designs blog hop and ended up being one of the extremely lucky winners.  I had nearly forgotten about it and was surprised when this was sitting on my doorstep yesterday....

This is 12 fat quarters of hand-dyed Indah batiks!  Wow - I certainly wasn't expecting such a great prize.  Now to ponder what I might want to make with them!!

- I might have to make one of THESE for our littlest grandie.

- If you'd like to see some of the award-winning quilts from Paducah, have a look HERE.

- Many of the artworks by THIS artist made me smile.  

- THIS is another awwww-worthy thing!

- THIS is a rather nice table-topper.

The quote today is from Ricky Gervais..."The world began to crumble when feelings started overruling facts"

Four equals eight

 Yes, folks, my math skills are correct (and I didn't need to count on my fingers and toes either!).  Four pairs of thrifted jeans do indeed equal eight different shades of denim for use in future landscapes.  See?....

- Have a peek through the galleries of THIS artist!  And THIS one too (note the raw materials he uses)!

- THESE are intriguing.

- THESE would be fun to make.

Today's quote is from Fred Rogers..."Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else"

Additions

 I've added a little to the landscape as you can see from the photo.  I ended up embiggening the truck slightly and, at least to my eye, it looks more in synch with the old schoolhouse.  

And, we came across this wonderful old barn in our travels over the weekend and you already know it's going to be fodder for creativity somewhere down the road...

- The knitters among you might find THIS useful.

- Have a peek at the colourful creations of THIS artist!

- I found THIS article to be quite interesting.

- THIS might be a fun project (and wouldn't it make nice gifts too?)

Today I thought I'd share this (found via Barbara's blog and situated in the Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve)... 

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).