Hmm, things to share.

Every now and then, I run across some article or blog or whatever that sort of draws me in and then holds on to me for a while. I often leave a tab open to the last page I visited so that I can easily return to the site. Most recently I've begun keeping a list of sites that I thought I might share with you. The Sewcialists is one that's chock full of interesting articles about sewing. 

A few highlights that I especially like 

• challenges. Though, honestly, I haven't tried any. They do look interesting and are in keeping with the many issues happening in the world. Perhaps I'll get to one eventually. 
• q&a section called "Ask the Sewcialists" that covers any topic you might want to ask, sewing related of course.
• Theme Month. which is self-explanatory.

If you're looking for a new sewing society, this might be the one for you. It's progressive and liberal, so you know going in that there's a hint of politics hovering around but not so much that I was offended or turned off. I prefer to keep politics out of my sewing room (and most of my life).

Another website is called "Wooden Quilts" and is about an artist from New Orleans who writes, "As a visual artist, I work mainly with wood and junk....These wooden quilts are my way of being with the spirits of my late great elders. They are also a way of finding a higher purpose for the pile of debris hurricane Katrina left me with." 

I wish I could show you one of his pieces. Ahh, you would be intrigued. Go visit and see for yourself.

Lastly, I'll remind you that almost every tool in your sewing room comes from a company that has a website with information meant to keep you engaged. Sure, they want to sell you their products, but they also want to inform you, entertain you, and help you. Fiskars is a prime example of such a company. Their website is amazing: beautiful and easy to negotiate. I have spent much too much time perusing. 

I hope that these sites will interest, teach, entertain, engage you. 

Modern Monday

"Math is an Expletive" is almost done!  Binding and label are all that's needed.  Those will be on tomorrow (God willing) and I'll take pictures (God willing and the weather cooperates).  These pictures were taken while the quilt was on the long arm and this afternoon when I showed it at our guild meeting despite that it needs both binding and label.  

I figured out how to write letters and numbers on this quilt so that I could include a few math problems.  Nothing is solved, mind you.  I'm not that good!  This one says, "(x + 3y) 2.  I have two more but all of them have an embossed feel.  

I also used lots of ideas from Leah Day's website.   

             

I highly recommend her work.  She has over 400 different designs on her site.  Of course, it takes time to go through them all, and I haven't done that yet, but one page shows about 20 pictures just like the ones here.  That allows me to look quickly at the designs and pick a couple that I want to try.  Clicking on the link takes you to a page that explains how to recreate it.  Some of them even have video clips.  The designs are arranged in alpha order, design families, and difficulty level.  In other words, it's a very useful site.

That's me in the pink shirt and black pants.  The quilt I'm showing is "Math Is an Expletive."  

3rd Revolution

If you haven't visited 3rdrevolution.com, you might want to consider it.  This website was created especially for people who  craft, create, build, make, and so on.  The idea is that you post about a particular project when you begin making or refinishing something.  As you work on the project, you take photos and post them along with explanations.  Eventually you post the final photographs and the closing date of the project.  

In the meantime, other people who are interested in the type of projects you work on visit your posts, leave comments and make suggestions or ask questions.  Some follow the project; others follow you.  You can also find like-minded crafters and follow them, chat, and so on.  The blurb for 3rd Revolution notes, 

Share Your Creations. Get Feedback. Be Inspired. Millions 

of people are doing what they love. Join the Revolution, 

and show off the awesome things you do.

For starters here is the link to my own 3rd Revolution site: https://www.3rdrevolution.com/fleurdelisquilts.blogspot.com#!/projects

The website is not just for quilting and crafters, I've seen posts about refinishing cars, old trucks, and motorcycles and a few on building and refinishing furniture.  The one downfall of the site is that loading pictures and finding projects is cumbersome and a bit time consuming.  However, the site itself is a work in progress since it's been up and running only a few months.  

I really like that the people who use the site can give feedback, make suggestions, answer survey questions and so on to help improve the site and make it more user-friendly.  I'm really happy that I stumbled upon it and recommend it to anyone who enjoys creating and making things.  

Happy Quilting,
Mary

Pin It Wednesday #7

It seems that Pinterest has a flaw.  Yes, I've said it.  There's a flaw.  Although I really like the site, I've often wondered where the photos come from.  Of course, there's no one answer: 

some are uploaded by users -- For example, these two quilts, which I uploaded from my computer to share with followers are on one of my boards and gives me credit.

some come from other websites -- For example, these quilts come from a variety of sources, some of which I know, but many are not credited at all.

This cute quilt photo came from flickr.com,
but I have no idea who posted it there.

This darling little quilt photo says, "uploaded by user."
Now who that is?  We'll likely never know.

This one by Bill Kerr and Weeks Ringle gives them credit in the comments.
However, it's easy enough to remove the comment when re-pinning the photograph.  Ouch!

And some are blatantly taken from sites that clearly do not want to share because they are trying to sell something.

From patternspot.com via pinterest.com

So what's the problem, you might ask.  Well, it's quite simple if you visit patternspot.com's copyright page.  

All content and material available via PatternSpot.com is protected by International Copyright Law. The copyrights on individual works are retained by the designer and/or publisher, as noted.

Every file delivered through PatternSpot.com is watermarked with information sufficient to identify the site user. 

No copyrighted material or design may be distributed or reproduced by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical—without prior written permission of the designer or copyright holder. This includes, but is not limited to: photocopying, emailing, file-sharing, recording, taping, posting to a third-party site, information storage and retrieval systems, etc.

They don't want anyone to take or use the photographs on their site.  Sure, it's free advertising, so that might help to sell the patterns, but there's no way to know that the photo came from their website.  The pinterest.com copy doesn't give credit to patternspot.com unless the person who steals (yes, that's the word) makes the effort to give them credit.

Does anyone else see a problem here?  Please weigh in with a comment.  I don't want to start an argument, but I would like to know how others feel about this issue.  Plagiarism, copyrights and information theft are becoming a major problem as a result of the freedom of the internet.  I'm curious about what other people think.

Book Review: Wild Life

I just finished Cynthia DeFelice's short novel Wild Life, which is a perfect read for a young boy.  The hardbound book that I picked up from the library has a large print type, which really helps in reading quickly.  I can barely wait for Thursday when Ms. Sarah's class of eight graders comes in to check out books.  This will definitely be on the book talk list.  The following is a short version of the synopsis from the Cynthia DeFelice website:

Erik Carlson has just passed the New York State Hunter Safety class and is all set to go on his first-ever pheasant hunting trip, when his life is turned upside down. Erik is shipped off to North Dakota to live with Big Darrell and Oma, grandparents he barely knows. Oma seems nice enough, but Erik finds Big Darrell to be unwelcoming and downright mean. When Erik rescues a dog that’s been stuck by a porcupine, Big Darrell says he can’t keep her. But Erik has already named the dog Quill and can’t bear to give her up. After finding his Uncle Dan’s shotgun and camping gear, Erik  runs away with Quill, certain that they can make it on their own out on the prairie. Family relationships and old secrets complicate this wilderness survival story.

At only 175 pages, the book is a quick read that tugs at the heartstrings before it settles down to a quiet life on the prairie.  I generally visit the author's website to get a feel for her interests and so that I can tell students whether she has one and, if so, what I think.  Definitely this website is one to brag about--visit the pages entitled "How I Write a Book" for an interesting take on a writer's process. 

Why don't you take a look and tell me what you think.  Isn't it a fun little peek into a writer's life?  If you write or blog, do you find that you write and rewrite as much?  

National Zoo

If I were to recommend any of the many things we did while in Washington, D.C. last week, one would definitely have to be the National Zoo.  

I wasn't surprised by the variety of animals, their enclosures or how well they are kept.  In fact, I fully expect that this zoo would be one of the best in the world.  

 What surprised me most is the educational opportunities that the zoo provides for its patrons and for the world in general.
I tend to read everything I can get my eyes on.  

So our visit naturally includes my reading every sign, every post, every pamphlet.  In fact, it was a bit of a problem since we were supposed to get to the end of the trail at some point so that we could go on to another place.

Richard rushed me, and hurried me along, and came back for me, and well, didn't give me time enough to read everything.  I mean, how am I supposed to remember the name of this quirky bird if I didn't even have time to read the poster, connect the live bird to the picture and tell someone?  See, that's how I learn.  I read, make a connection, and then teach.  So we arrive at the famed panda bear exhibit.

I have a special connection to panda....first off, they're just cute and darling and cuddly.  But also, I once had a stuffed toy panda as a child.  My panda was accidentally left in a train station and my dad, who was trying to catch up to the rest of the family, saw the toy bear on a bench and recognized it.  He didn't pick it up but, the story goes, he knew he was getting close when he saw my bear, and indeed, found us just a short time later.   

So, I had to read all about the near extinction of the pandas in China, how the National Zoo has helped that government in recovery efforts, and how those efforts helped the two government to begin talks and work toward peace.  Isn't that a great story for a sweet, peaceful little bear?  Yes, well, to get the whole story (and I did) I had to throw a southern girl hissy fit.....but it work!  Want to read it for yourself?  Here it is!  The link will take you to the zoo website page for the giant panda center.  There you can get e-newsletters and watch live action on the panda cam.

We loved the panda exhibit, but I do believe we spent the most time in the aviary buildings.  

There are both an indoor and an outdoor building, and the variety of birds is pretty special and beautiful.

I'll close with a recommendation that if you have the opportunity to visit Washington with children (or without) visit the National Zoo. 

Book Review: Heaven is for Real

I've been telling friends that I'd like to read Heaven is for Real after reading how successful it has become and then reading Marley's child version of the book.  


The story of Colton's experience in heaven had me intrigued.  How innocent and simple would his description and story be?  


I figured it would be interesting to read a child's point of view of heaven.  Remember Christ's admonition to the disciples when they tried to stop a child from "bothering" Jesus?  It had me thinking that a child's heavenly experience would be even more fascinating than an adult's.  

Colton and dad, Todd, signing books.

Now, before you wonder if I believe the story: I believed the story was possible before picking up the book.  I assume that if God is all-powerful and capable of anything, then He is certainly capable of this.  He made the universe.  He made the child.  He determined what realms the universe consists of....moving a four year old through those realms would be a small matter for God.  


I drove our school golf team to a tournament on Thursday.  Knowing my gift for getting into trouble when I'm bored, I considered grabbing a book of the shelves before leaving the library but just didn't get it done.  As I was racing out the door (late as usual) the counselor thrust a book into my hands and said someone (I missed the name) wanted me to read it.  That's my kind of divine intervention.

Recent photo of Colton, 11

I guess that reviewing a book means I should try to remain somewhat unbiased, but that would be impossible, so the heck with biases.  I loved it!  In fact, I now have Richard reading it.  I plan to add it to the library collection and will hand it to a couple of students as soon as I do.


Rather than tell you the story, I'll allow you the pleasure of this easy read.  (I read the entire book in less than three hours.)   But because you may want more information about the Burpos and their story, I'll leave you with the web address which includes their NBC interview.  I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.


Please note: all photographs on this post were taken from various websites.

CRQ Surprise!

I came home to a package today.  My friend Jan-Maree over at Cherry Red Quilter, who also has another blog called Aussie Hero Quilts, both of which are wonderful blogs filled a package till it was stuffed with goodies, then mailed it to me all the way from Australia.  

Photo from Cherry Red Quilter blog

I won her most recent giveaway of the most darling fabrics.  What a doll, don't you agree?  Her original post about the giveaway can be found here. Do pay her a visit.

Photo from Cherry Red Quilter blog

So, here's what she sent--four half-metric (very close to a half yard) pieces of some of the most darling fabrics. The cutest bunny buttons, some smiley face buttons, a multicolored trim, and TWO patterns: one from Rosalie Quinlan Designs and another from Cindi Edgerton.  What fun these will be.  

I'm seriously thinking that I'll use the fabrics to make more NICU hospital gowns. I haven't made any in a while, and Jan-Maree's work with the Aussie Hero Quilts has me thinking about the good our sewing can do for the world.  

Photo from Cherry Red Quilter blog

What tiny baby wouldn't love a gown made of these happy fabrics?  Unfortunately, the gowns can't have buttons or trim because they would irritate ultra-sensitive nerves.

Photo from Cherry Red Quilter blog

For those of you interested in joining me by making a few of these little gowns, you can find my tutorial here.  I recommend that you use whatever cotton fabric you like for the outside of the gown and an unbleached muslin for the lining.  

Here's a photo of one of the gowns I made.  I've used the adhesive backed Velcro in the past, but now I use the sew in without the adhesive.  I really do not like the gummy mess that builds up on the needle.  Besides, I have to sew the adhesive backed stuff anyway because it pulls out the first time it's unfastened.  


Back to Jan-Maree, though.  She is such a inspiration that I truly hope you go to her blog and get to know her.  She's funny, energetic, and giving.  You'll see, just go!


To Jan-Maree: I can't say thank you enough.  But I can let you know when some NICU gowns are finished up.  I'm confident that I'll wrap up Meggan's quilt in a few more quilting sessions.  (hopefully, anyway)  I promise a few gowns as soon as that's done.


Thank you, Jan-Maree.
Happy Quilting,
Mary

Nuts for Tips

Have you heard of tipnut.com?  What a fun site.  It's exactly what it claims to be, which is the following:

This website began in the Fall of 2006 as a way for me to organize all the creative homemaking tips, crafts and projects I have collected over the years. It has grown to feature all the cool ideas and projects that I've discovered online (one of the most popular features of Tipnut).     I'm regularly adding goodies and there's always something new to check out on Tipnut.com, you can subscribe here for free updates:

Have you heard of TQPM?  It's my newest quilting magazine and is completely web-based.  I love that I print only those articles and patterns that I really want in hard copy.  The rest I can download.  


It's from the same lady who started quiltcampus.net, so I can assure you that it's well written and includes articles and patterns by real quilters.  I'll do a profile of Cindy after the craft fair, I promise. (She's already agreed, yea!)  In the meantime, if you click on the link, you can see a few of the current issue's pages--just click on the magazine in the middle of the screen.

Finally, have you heard of favecrafts.com? It's another of my favorite sites. There's all sorts of stuff you'll love. I couldn't possibly tell you half. They're doing all manner of Christmas crafts right now. I just can't seem to keep up! Go check it out!

Okay, one last item--a request. We're starting over with the votes on picketfence.com.  Yep, I'd appreciate it if you did, please, click on the blue/green picket fence button on the upper right.  It's just a fun thing for me to see the votes add up.  I know, it matters not one whit, except that I like it when the numbers climb.  

National Sewing Month Sites

To help celebrate National Sewing Month, I thought you might like the web addresses of some really interesting, helpful websites.  Here are a few of those that I found.  I hope to add more in a day or two.  There are quite a few more that do look interesting.

Sewing.org has free projects, tutorials to help beginners, and a newsletter.

Fave Crafts Blog  is hosting a special blog series throughout the month that includes projects, videos and tutorials, and guest blogs from designers.

Sew News Magazine also has a website for those who purchase their magazine.  It's one of my favorite magazines and the web extras are great.

National Sewing Month.org is holding a contest (deadline is Sept. 30) in which the sewn article must have a visible heart.  This link goes directly to the contest page.

All Free Sewing.com has a multitude of free project and patterns. 

I know, there are only a few listed here, but believe me it will take you days to get through all of it.  I have a difficult time getting off the computer once I start browsing.  I love looking through the tutorials and projects and often print articles to read later.  I like to put the articles in a file in my work bag.  When I have to be quiet during workshops and meetings, I sometimes pull out the file.   It's much easier to be quiet if I calm the boredom with an interesting article. 

Don't forget about my giveaway!  The rules and information can be found just by clicking here.
Good luck and happy quilting,
Mary