Friday, September 30, 2011

Welcome to Friday

It's is very early Friday morning and we are getting ready to hit the road for a trip to NJ. Looking forward to seeing my aunt and my sister. We are going to a closing for my aunts photo show. I love the pictures she hung, a variety of places, scenes, and people.  

I really need a link to Willie Nelson's song "On the Road Again..."

I'll write from the road, as I need to go now. If not hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Ciao for now :D
J :)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Life...

I typically spend the morning hours looking at different career sites, blogs, FB posts, Twitter posts, and more job sites. Today I came across a very interesting post on Google+ that hits a nerve.

Thanks to the Income Diary who felt it was "time to take a look into the world of social media – the who’s who of people you have probably seen around the social media-sphere a time or two while demonstrating their expertise in a variety of fields and others who you might just be hearing about for the first time.The article "20 Most Influential People in Social Media" list Michael Stelzner as one of the 20." The follows was posted from his Google+ site. 

As I said, this does hit a nerve...
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Michael Stelzner  -  [Michael Stelzner is the CEO and founder of Social Media Examiner, one of the fastest growing blogs that is the authority for all things social media. He also is the author of Launch: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition.] Sep 24, 2011  -  Public
Because Google+ for me is a bit more intimate, I find myself sharing my actual thoughts more freely. Sometimes that can be bad. How about you?
Mike Johnson - I think the number one thing that Social Media has pushed on us rapidly is "Transparency". People, on the whole, want to know the character and personality of the individuals they plan on doing business with. The ability to be open on the Social Platforms is a great trait to have. Here's how I view it: I am going to be the same person no matter if I'm at home with my wife and kids, at work, or presenting myself to a potential client. I will avoid (as much as possible) the random dropping of "f-bombs", but only because that is a personal change that I'm trying to make in my whole life. Not everyone is going to like what I have to say, and that's okay. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just want anyone who is looking at building any sort of relationship with me, whether it's professional or personal, to know who they're dealing with, and not be surprised later. [/soapbox]
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My thoughts on this are that when we look at what is posted by so many people on the different Social Media sites, it is not uncommon to hear "They even tell us when the kid is pooping!" I really think that falls under the catalog of TMI (too much information)! 

I don't need that much Transparency... Maybe I'm showing my age... If so, so be it. 

I am off to go sit in front of my sewing machine as I need to work on some more projects, I have to finish up the binding and hanging sleeve, for the quilt that will be hung at the quilt show, and I want to make a couple of hanging dish towel holders, a couple of iPad covers, some coasters, and maybe a bag or two... we will see.

Sew I am off to sew :D

Thank you for joining me on my rant for today, hope you have enjoyed your coffee!
Ciao! :D
J :)

Monday, September 26, 2011

A little bit of everything...

Welcome to Monday...

Ah yes, the question that every new/young/newish blogger asks... "How to attract readers to your blog and make them stay" I was reading this article at TNW (The Next Web) Social Media Part of The Next Web family and it was giving all sorts of ideas on how to attract readers (you can read about it here), how to keep them, and how to bring them back...

Not sure if that is where I am at presently. Right now my blog is keeping me on track to get some projects done and share where I am at with the ones that are not there just yet. More than anything, this blog is to have fun! To help me keep my spirits up and find different ways to express the joys of fabric art, family, friends, and life! So with that said, I am not going to have a give-away, or blast the news via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or any other social media. I am just going to enjoy those who follow because they are special to me.

So, Thank You all of you!

Now off to the sewing machine once again to work on my challenge quilt for the quilt show.

Oh, the quilt show? Did I not tell you about it? Shame on me! I am a member of the Rising Star Quilters Guild http://www.risingstarquilters.org and the Quilt Show is in October! The information for the show can be found here.

I have a quilt that I am showing, so I would love to have you come and vote! And of course I have the challenge quilt...
The 2011 Challenge Quilt Theme is "Birds of a Feather" We are to create a quilt that is our representation of "Birds of a Feather". The reason is that this size will allow quilts to be donated to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.  While RSQ members are not required to donate our quilts to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative in order to participate in RSQ's Quilt Show Challenge, it is for a very worthy cause.

With that in mind, I need to read the directions as the dimensions must be no more than 9 inches by 12 inches. Per the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, "Quilts may be Alzheimer's-themed, but don't have to be. They DO have to be quilts: that's three layers, and the middle one is batting of some sort." If you have time, it is really worth a look at the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

So it is off to the sewing machine, with coffee in hand.
Ciao! :D
J :D

Sunday, September 25, 2011

BOM

So I am joining in on an online BOM over at Canton Village Quilt http://www.cvquiltworks.blogspot.com. Check out the button to bring you to this months BOM. I am so looking forward to doing these blocks! There are some amazing Bloggers joining in on this.

I am also joining the BOM at my local shop, but I need to get over to the shop to sign up :D before I take off for the weekend.

Yes, I am taking off at the end of the week to spend time with hubby and go to my aunt's closing of her show in Highland Park, NJ.

I really should have a link to Willie Nelson's song "On the road again"... I am traveling just a little bit...

Ah, back to coffee and fabric.

Thanks for joining me for today's rants & coffee...
Ciao ;D
J ;)


Canton Village Quilt Works

The reason for the Mariner's Compass block in the button is that... This is your guides for the BOM.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Another post today...

Why is it that I don't post for a few days and then when I do it is a few all on the same day?

Ah well, I finished the thread portrait that I had posted earlier, it's framed nice and pretty. I also did a fabric picture of my cousin, which is below as well.
I also did a pillow cover... and added the pillow.

The writing says "Estoy Chillin a Los 60" as my cousin just hit his 60th birthday this summer. You can't tell by these pictures, but I have done a trapunto type stitching on the portrait and pillow.

I have heard so many people go on and on about trapunto and I did not know what they where talking about so I went and check out what trapunto is exactly. This is what I found at the http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/art/htmls/ks_tech_t.html site:
"In Italian trapunto means "to embroider," and in Latin it means "to prick with a needle." English and American quilters usually call the technique stuffed work
 
This style originated around the fourteenth century in Sicily. It became popular for clothing and other decorations in some parts of Europe, too, especially in Tudor England (A.D. 1485-1550) and in Marseilles, France, in the 1600s. Trapunto was brought to America by immigrants from these countries. A quilt made in this technique would have been considered elegant. "

I guess the portrait and pillow are considered elegant... interesting.

So they are both off to guild meeting tonight to show off and then  I'll pack them up and send them to my cousin in Puerto Rico. 

I am really hoping they enjoy the pictures and pillow... 

Enough  of my ranting... time to get things together to go to guild meeting tonight. Also need to figure out what's for dinner so hubby can cook before I leave. 

Hope you have enjoyed your afternoon coffee :)
Ciao for now ;D
J :D 

Insights From SewCalGal: Sew Biz - Help your favorite Quilt business - writ...

I had to post this insight from SewCalGal's Blog. I am not a quilt shop owner, though I know a few, I am not a designer of quilts, though I have designed a few, I am not a blogger with an agenda, though I have been told I might just have one... Still, I support a few local quilt shops, designers, teachers, and authors. Take a look at what SewCalGal has to say about supporting Quilting business & Yelp.

Insights From SewCalGal: Sew Biz - Help your favorite Quilt business - writ...: "Good word of mouth is one of the best PR opportunities for a quilt shop, designer, author, teacher, etc. Those in the business appreciate quilting, sewing and embroidery enthusiasts that take time to pass on positive feedback, and enthusiasts also appreciate hearing when a product (or business) isn't worth purchasing."

I like the idea of supporting local and of course to give credit, I do use Yelp a lot. I also have Yelped about different shops that I go to... if you go to Yelp, I do accept friends :) Just saying... www.yelp.com

Enjoy your coffee and have a great day!
Ciao ;D
J

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Checking out different Blogs

I'm on the bus... Bored... Checking out different bogs as the bus eats up the miles...

http://2littlehooligans.blogspot.com/2010/10/casserole-carrier-tutorial.html this is a tutorial for a casserole carrier... I think it is adorable.


I might have to start another list of "To Do" projects... Course if my sisters see that list I am in for a teasing.

This is another project I have come across today... http://www.quiltersclubofamerica.com/media/p/251278/download.aspx

It does look like a wonderful idea for a table runner... wonder if I could make it longer...

No coffee, just a bottle of water, the iPad, my phone, and handbag.
Ciao, Catch again soon.
J :D

On The Road Again

I've had a peaceful time in NJ these past two weeks. My Aunt is doing so much better now, compared to when I arrived here the end of August.

I did finish a quick Jelly Roll top, pinned up the 1st of two borders for the DWR quilt, hemmed some stuff, took in some stuff, re-did some other stuff for my Aunt. Also helped my Aunt on some projects she had to have done.

Looking forward to being with my hubby, family, and friends at home. I have missed them all.

Hope you have enjoyed your coffee and my rant.
Ciao!
J ;D

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Official Google Blog: Ten years later

Google has a wonderful tribute that I could never try to duplicate. Worth looking through.

Official Google Blog: Ten years later: The events of September 11, 2001 changed the lives of so many people around the world. In the years since that day, thoughtful online effor...

Remembering

Like so many in the NY/New England area I have refused to turn on the TV, Radio, open a news paper or read stories of what occurred today 10 years ago. I am not hiding my head in the sand, just remembering the statistics. As I could forget the images I saw on TV or the newspaper that day or the days that followed.

This was a post from a FB friend:

IN MEMORY OF ALL WE LOST, TODAY IS THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11- STATISTICS: Times of impact: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. 2819 dead from 115 different nations. 343 Fireman/paramedics, 23 NYPD, 37 Port Authority officers,15 additional state and Federal officers, over 100 cops, fireman confirmed dead from 9/11 Illnesses since, and dozens more awaiting this sad fate. REPOST IF YOU WILL NEVER FORGET!!!

The thought of someone else inserting what I am supposed to think and feel about today does not help me remember what happened. Of all the tributes, news stories, and pictures I have seen over the years my favorite video is the Budweiser commercial on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3eQmzw6n3k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Alan Jackson said http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzzqhaLl_8w

Than you for checking in today, I hope you have enjoyed your coffee and have a wonderful day :D
Caio!
J :D

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Sunday morning rumbling

I am still visiting with my aunt in New Jersey... My husband came down to spend the long weekend with, which I am very happy that he did as it looks as if I will be here for at least another week or so.

It's not so much that my aunt is really sick, but that she is low grade not feeling well right now.

I've been doing some sewing, some reading, and a lot of waiting in different dr's office for follow up appts.

Ah well, thanks for joining me for a coffee break. I'm going to go outside on the porch and enjoy the quietness and my coffee.
Ciao!
J :)

Friday, September 2, 2011

Off to NJ

Hello from sunny Highland Park NJ :)

Last weeks hurricane wreaked havoc in the Northeast. Vermont more than other areas, but still, we had our share at home, in Newton and in Central NJ, where my aunt lives. When I spoke to her the day after the hurricane moved on, she did not sound all that well... So I decided to travel down. I am glad I did, we've been visiting a few doctors offices of late. Ah well, life is better now.

I did bring a few projects to work on here, and now have a few more for my aunt while I am here as well. Good thing I like her sewing machine. It is not temperamental, which is a good thing...

Off to work on some projects and finish my coffee... Thanks for joining me.

Hope you enjoyed your coffee.
Ciao,
J :)