TESTING

Just testing the new computer

with the New Blogger.

Hooray - it works!

Quiltdivajulie

Busy Times Ahead

The time has been approaching

for quite a while now,

but I've been procrastinating.

When I figured out that my current computer

(2012 Mac Mini)

would not in any way, shape, or form, 

work with the new Blogger . . .

The time to update had finally arrived.

So over the next few days 

I'll be setting up and personalizing 

my new Mac mini computer.

Be back as soon as things are working.

Quiltdivajulie

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"Listen to the wisdom of trees . . . for trees know that you can be still and grow at the same time."
unknown

Quick Public Service Announcement

If you dislike the new Lightbox feature,

(the one that displays your photos in a non-enlargeable format)

here's how to disable that "feature" . . .

1.  Log into your blog via your Dashboard

2.  Click on Settings

3.  Select the Formatting tab

4.  Scroll down and look for 'Showcase Images with Lightbox'

5.  Select "NO"

6.  Save settings

Woo Hoo ...

No more Lightbox!

Quiltdivajulie

And the Weekend Begins

I pulled 25 purples and one turquoise

plus backing and binding fabrics

for Lynne's Letter Along alphabet sampler.

And I deconstructed the pink dresden bedspread.

These are the dresdens, which will unstitch a bit at a time

from their backing/batting.

The eyelet-trimmed ruffle fabric will be mixed with these brights

and turned into a little girl quilt for Margaret's Hope Chest

(I'm thinking something ala chinese coins, but time will tell).

However, THIS is what took up almost the entire day...

my new iphone 4 is awesome 

(especially now that it has been synched with my laptop,

voice mail set up, photos and music loaded, settings customized, yada yada yada).

[Oh, and if you happen to be in the market for a new phone this weekend,

DO check you local Sam's ... their price was MUCH less than everyone else!]

Quiltdivajulie

Planning Ahead

During November, I have a week of jury duty.  

What to take to help pass the hours while waiting to be called?

Hand work was the obvious first choice - 

but my thumb joints quickly reminded me 

hand work wasn't such a good plan.

Books were the next obvious choice.  

So I spent some time browsing 

to see what I'd like to read.

Adding up even the discounted prices, 

I quickly realized that 'now'  just might be

the time to seriously look at e-readers.  

But which one?  

I consulted several online review sources, 

visited the Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook websites,

talked with DDIL who has an e-reader

and who has co-workers with various brands of e-readers,

and spent some time with the Nook-lady at our local B&N store.

I'm already 1/3rd of the way through my first downloaded book - 

A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff - 

and I can tell that I'm going to like reading this way.  

But then another dilemma presented itself:

The Nook really needs  to be protected as I carry it about.  

So ~ which kind of case to purchase?  

I figured there had to be better prices online than in the store 

(and more options) 

and that proved to be true. 

 Just look at all these covers!!!

(not to mention the prices)

Stopping to think for a minute ~ 

why should I pay for a case designed by someone else

when I am a quilter?

Front ~ closed

Back ~ unfolded/open

Ta-da ~ this is my quilted batik Nook case, 

straight from my scrappy stash!  

Inside

Still need to get a couple of Velcro dots to secure the flap, 

but otherwise, I'm very happy!.

[deeply contented sigh]

Quiltdivajulie

Meanwhile . . .

Each evening last week was spent creating a flimsy 

for Mary Lou Weidman using her new 

Benartex fabrics that are due out next year.

Fun At Heart (the flimsy) will be on the way to her later today ~

(photos very soon)

but meanwhile . . . 

Jester has been waiting not-so-quietly

on the rocking chair in my studio.

Chris did an awesome job of quilting.

(Waterworld is one of my very favorite pantos)

After checking sources, she told me the amazing rainbow thread 

we had chosen was backordered (rats!)

. . . so we had agreed on lime green as a second choice

but ~  look closely at the photo . . .

she had the rainbow thread all along!!!!

And the binding you see in the upper right hand corner

is what was left after binding Spirit Song . . .

just too perfect since Jester was created using

squares and rectangles cut from the remaining bits of

Spirit Song's fabrics.

Can't wait to sit and stitch!

Quiltdivajulie

Birdhouses and Blooms

While I was doing one of my Google and/or Goodsearch searches for obsolete entries, I ran across this birdhouse titled:  Obsolete.  It is part of a series titled Forced Migration.

Being of a curious mind, I naturally explored some of the artist's other work.

Oh, my goodness!

Please be sure to check out some of the most unique birdhouses ever!  His NOLA series is amazing!

Now, where would a bird house be displayed?  In a tree (or in this case, a blooming crape myrtle).

O most definitely agrees . . .

Binding update:  It is going to take a while longer.  I finally went to the doctor earlier this week because my right thumb has become more and more painful. 

As suspected, I have osteoarthritis of the CMC joint (more common in women than men, and especially common in those who keyboard and/or use their hands a great deal - like me).  So, I will continue to bind but only in short bursts (no more binding all the way through a 2 hour movie). 

I'm also learning to computer-mouse with my left hand ~ a challenge (to be sure!),  but I'm getting better at it every day (my co-workers aren't really laughing at me, they're smiling in sympathy knowing they could be next). Wearing my splint at night (and during the day when the pain flares) are other proactive steps in the right direction.

Finally, here's to the weekend ...

Quiltdivajulie 

The Color Purple

For many of you, the iPod Nano may be nothing new, but the one in the photo above is new and it is mine. I've tried and tried to get the music on my MacBook to sync with my Blackjack phone's MP3 player ~ but ye olde PC v Mac issues were just too much.

Now, whenever I plug my Nano into my laptop, the music syncs automatically, meaning no more musical techno-headaches. Another big plus is that I can listen to my audio books whenever and wherever I choose.

Why did I choose the purple Nano? Well ~ here's a photo of Brenrich Cove ~ one of my all-time favorite quilts (the one over the table where I use my MacBook) . . . and pansies and lilacs in the spring or lavender-toned crape myrtles in the summer always make me smile.


These are my newest chocolate-related discovery ~ these beautiful little gems are yummmmmmmy! Although, over the last few weeks, I've concluded that I most definitely feel better when I eat less sugar (which means I no longer eat the entire contents of the box all in one sitting ... they are enjoyed over the span of a few days).

And then, there are my very favorite lavender lotion, soaps, and spa scrub (heavenly!) from Hummingbird Farms. I adore the scent of lavender and appreciate how quickly it lifts my spirits and makes me feel better. In fact, Debbie has info on her blog regarding a Texas lavender giveaway if you're interested. If you've never used their spa scrub, it is better than any I've experienced during any manicure or pedicure, ever!

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As the characters on Sesame Street might say ~ today's post has been brought to you by the color lavender!

Quiltdivajulie

I Did It!!!!

It may not seem as spectacular to you as it does to me ~ but sharing these photos is totally astonishing and amazing.  We upgraded our phones Friday evening which has NOT been a simple process given that we operate from three computer platforms (XP, Vista, and Macintosh) & we wanted our phones to sync our contacts and calendars (no web surfing or roaming e-mail - just  basic PDA functionality + phone).
Having a camera integrated with the phone is a new feature for me ~ so yesterday when we were in Germantown, I snapped photos with my phone of these amazing horses (more on that in a bit).  The hurdle was getting the photos from the phone to my computer so that I could share them with all of you. 

AND I'VE DONE IT!!!!

My head is about to explode (!) but I have managed to sync the contacts from my XP machine via Plaxo online to my Mac's address book and then, using a third party software, to my phone (tons of editing, clean up, and review - but the hard part is done).  My calendar has also been transferred so that it resides in iCal and syncs to my phone.  

Which left the issue of moving photos between my Mac laptop and my phone - Missing Sync software to the rescue again ~ WOO HOO HOO!!

Now, about these incredible horses...  The Germantown Charity Horse Show has a long history ~ this year, these life size horses were placed about the town, each painted by a different artist.  You can click here to learn about the various artists and their horses (links to multiple sites for the individuals, their projects, and their stories).

Anyway, I am thrilled and elated that I have persevered and conquered this massive technological maze!  

Now I'm off to do some housework (gosh, that will be simple after all of this) and then, after dinner, on to the quilt studio!!

Quiltdivajulie

Moments of Grace

This is my screensaver photo for today ... tranquil and serene (not at all like the workload on my desk or the attitudes of several others here).

This is another of my favorites (Webshots download). I have a whole series of interesting doors and entryways gathered into one album.

I also have an album of Webshots photos featuring windows. Windows with flowers, with fancy grill work, amazing stone, fabulous colors, etc.

These images on my computer screen offer moments of grace, calm, color, and natural beauty to soften the effects of pages upon pages of words. I read something the other night about an art quilter who used to be an attorney. She mentioned leaving the black and white jungle behind and moving into a world filled with color and joy. Oh, how right (and fortunate) she is!

Here's hoping that your day contains at least a few moments of grace

Quiltdivajulie
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"May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being."
(Apache Blessing)

Monday Musings

Does anyone out there have a Blackjack II? Better yet, is anyone using a Blackjack II AND a Mac?

DH and I have been shopping for cell phone upgrades and have encountered way too many salesfolk who know little to nothing about the products they're selling. We need a cell phone with the ability to sync our contacts and calendars (via Bluetooth or USB cable) AND we need to be able to do so from Windows XP, Windows Vista and Macintosh Leopard platforms - you'd think that would be simple, right? NOT!

We actually upgraded phones early Sunday afternoon only to discover (after an hour of working with them at home) that they did NOT sync the way the saleslady assured us they would (yes to music and video syncs but not data). So, back into the car as we took them back and reactivated our old phones. Now we have to wait until the AT&T system clears our return and once again shows that we are eligible for an upgrade... SIGH!!!!

We think we've found a resolution to the issue in the Blackjack II ~ so long as I purchase The Missing Sync software for my MacBook (which will also allow me to move photos from my laptop to the phone). Getting to this point took several hours of research while I was home sick plus at least 5.5 hours today ~ needless to say, there was no sewing time this weekend.

BUT, I did get "formal portraits" taken and my entry form completed & submitted for the Delta Fair (opens August 29th; entering 6 quilts - will share photos starting at the end of this week). Still need to fill out the paperwork for the Mid-South Fair (opens late September; entering 3-4 quilts). More on my Saturday photo session soon.

Work today will be intense... but hopefully less frustrating!

Quiltdivajulie

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And, if anyone wonders why so many of us dedicate our efforts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI), please, please read this post from Ami's blog ~

Weekend Notes (interrupted)

This basket of batik strips (2-1/2") and charm squares doesn't look like much (the colorful cushion floor mats are on my studio floor between the cutting area and my ironing table) ~ but I have pulled them out in hopes that I can finally begin on my class project for Tonya's Summer Class

I'd like to create wonky log cabin blocks mixing these with some of my other batik scraps in the stash... Wanda has made a couple of wonderful tops along these lines. Have you seen them? Check out her "current favorite."

Nicole at Sister's Choice Quilts asked last week about what kind of pincushions we use. I have two of these Ewesful felted wool pincushions and absolutely LOVE them. I use one for the flat head pins (used on my design wall) and the other for my glass head extra fin piecing pins. The bent safety pins manage to find homes on whichever pincushion is closer.

I was going to post several other pics but Blogger and Mac are not playing well together this morning so I'll try again later (bleah!).


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"The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, All on a summer day:
The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts, And took them quite away!"
(Lewis Carroll)

Magnolias and Mac

Please welcome MacBook and Mighty Mouse . . . my new laptop and wireless (tail-less) mouse. Now there's even more to explore!!

And this is one of the first blooms on our magnolia tree this year. I wish you could share the heavenly scent...


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"Some people worry that artificial intelligence will make us feel inferior, but then,
anybody in his right mind should have an inferiority complex every time he looks at a flower."
(Alan C. Kay)