Christine Abela from all crafts on the web has put up a tutorial on her web page with step by step instructions for adding a watermark to web pages. The software she uses free and she provides the addy for it also. I don't know if it works for Macs but will hopefully get around to finding out soon.
Monday
The Stitching Room
Wonderful instructions for this gorgeous little thread holder can be found on the Stitching Room. I haven't had time yet to check it but properly but looks a good place to spend some time.
Wednesday
SewPrimKris
Instructions for a top needle case can be found at SewPrimKris.Need to check it out further when I have some time.
Sunday
Raconteur
Another of my mini hexagons. I haven't been doing many of these lately although I have cut many more. Will get back into it in a few weeks ... perhaps after I clean my sewing room ... and finish painting the laundry... which I am avoiding right now .. I have another half an hour before I need to start on the second coat .... not my favourite way to spend a Sunday .. but at least once it is finished I am free for another eight years.
I can't remember what I named this block but will update the info when I check back
Cucumber Sandwiches
Strange name for a quilt I know but whenI was a child I had always considered it strange that people would meet for afternoon tea and have cucumber sandwiches... that this was what the 'better' people did. Strange what young children think?
Anyway this is a block from my new stitchery quilt. The designs come from my quilt 'Raconteur' which I am still in the process of making ... and probably will be for a year or two as it is now up to 436 different blocks.... oh for some forward planning rather than my usual whimsical this seems like a good idea planning.
Anyway I think there will be either eight different blocks in 'Cucumber Sandwiches' ... although I have already drawn up seven of these I have also started doing another different set on osnaburg so I don't know when anything will be finished... oh for an attention span longer than two weeks.
I did a mental count of WIPs and can count more than twenty at present. I hate to think how many I actually have since this was only counting what I can remember without bothering to look for them.
Wednesday
Where have I been?
Wow it is weeks since I have written here. What have I been doing? Well a lot of nothing ... I have a clean house including having washed the blinds and have cleaned out SOME of Richard's bomb site.
I have been sewing lots but finished nothing. I have so many projects on the go and so desperately want to finish them but just haven't got there yet.
I have started doing hexagon stitcheries. Saw a really interesting one by Nikki Tervo but figured that I could design my own based on the Raconteur quilt. As I already have over 400 designs figured I would use some of them.
Did a couple on muslin with soft pastel type colours and they looked really cute until I saw a stitchery done on osnaburg. Previously I hadn't been too keen on it but this time it seemed to have a bit of class to it and of course the green eyes of jealousy wanted some of that too.
So I have designed some more and am doing those on the osnaburg using hopefully autumn colours. I am going to draw them all up and then take them with me on our holiday to Europe as I figure I can get a long term project in for very little weight or room.
Tomorrow I will upload some photos of my projects ... quite a variety there.
Thursday
TAST
Well over at Stitchin Fingers I have just started a group to hopefully work through Sharon's Take a Stitch on Tuesday challenge from last year. Great challenge for the beginning embroiderer as she introduced a new stitch each week and provided step by step directions. Stitchin Fingers is a new group for anyone interested in textile activites. There are groups for cards, beading, crazy piecing, felting and lots more. Go and check it out.
Wednesday
Crazy Quilt Blocks
Sharon has created some wonderful crazy quilting blocks which are a great source of what to do when you have no idea.
Friday
Sylvia's Bridal Sampler
Sylvia's Bridal Sampler is a collection of 140 six inch public domain blocks which have been put together into a quilt by Jenny Chiaverini. The quilt is based on an Elm Creek novel which she wrote about a group of women who make the quilt for a woman who is soon to be married. There is a link to FAQ as well as a block of the week group and a gallery of many completed quilts and WIPs.
Thursday
Nifty Nine Patch
Rachel Greco has made this amazing quilt and worked out a quick and easy way to construct nine patch blocks .. better than the old one where you simply sewed long strips together and then cross cut. There are step by step instructions as well as a printable page.
Stitching Fingers
Stitching Fingers is a forum for embroiderers created by Sharon B. It has only been created quite recently and so is still establishing itself. Seems a friendly group so far.
Wednesday
Pretty Impressive Stuff
Rissa has collated an impressive array of embroidery stitches and information plus patterns and everything you might want related to embroidery.
Her site Pretty Impressive Things has links to punch needle, shadow work, silk ribbon, crazy quilting, redwork, tassels, needle arts, needle felting and lots more things
Fantastic site worth checking out more than once.
Tuesday
Diane Gaudynski
Diane Gaudynski has won many awards for her fantastic quilts.
On her site are many hints particularly for machine quilting. Don't you just love this quilt?
Monday
Take a Stitch Tuesday
TAST is a great site. This was a weekly challenge organised by Sharon B last year. Each week she uploaded a new stitch with instructions and samples. Lots of photos and a wonderful way to learn new embroidery stitches.
The whole blog is still accessible if you want to work through it.
Capricorn quilts
Bea uploads a new BOM every month. It is free for one month only. The present series "Quilters Blessings" is about things that quilters would love ... like never ending spools, or days longer than 24 hours. Each stitchery is 4 3/4in and with a border comes up to 6in.
Noah's Ark
Lynette Anderson has designed lots of great stitcheries.
She is the creator of the books An Angel's Wish and Friends for Christmas which have some naive style stitcheries and quilt patterns.
Scroll down the left hand side and you will find a gorgeous free BOM - Noah's Ark.
Sunday
Needle 'N Thread
For a blog that has resources galore related to embroidery you can't miss Mary Corbett's Needle 'N Thread
From this site you are able to link to an online video of many stitches, a huge number of online embroidery books, discussions of relevant tools and accessories, review of books, some free designs and a whole lot more as well as more links.
From this site you are able to link to an online video of many stitches, a huge number of online embroidery books, discussions of relevant tools and accessories, review of books, some free designs and a whole lot more as well as more links.
Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith teaches postcards and machine quilting.
The variety of quilts is quite extensive and well worth looking at for ideas.
Thursday
Positive Moments
What a coincidence. Paul has been reading about ways to alleviate anxiety and one of the methods he has been suggesting I try is to focus on the positive things around us.
Well being unable to sleep I decided to do a little surfing and what should appear on a blog I often check out. Interested? Check out Erica's blog. As she says focus on the positive moments in life. We'll all be the richer for it.
Well being unable to sleep I decided to do a little surfing and what should appear on a blog I often check out. Interested? Check out Erica's blog. As she says focus on the positive moments in life. We'll all be the richer for it.
Plus she has some pretty interesting quilting ideas that she is trying out if you are into creative things.
Today's positives - a girl I work with has been practicing a saying "If I can say it, I can write it. I can do it".
She has difficulty saying words and so is reluctant particularly to say new words in case people think she is silly. Have you ever tried to spell a new word without saying it .. even if it is only in your head? Today she tried it and happily spelt most of the words correctly and more importantly confidently.
Monday
Mini Monday Madness - Raconteur
Blueberry Pie don't you just love them. Paul makes the best pastry in the world and there is nothing better than one of his fruit pies especially with homemade filling.
Sunday
The lion
If you're attacked by a Lion
Find fresh underpants to try on
Lay on the ground quite still
Pretend you are very ill
Keep like that day after day
Perhaps the lion will go away
Spike Milligan
Tuesday
Have a Nice Day - Spike Milligan
'Help, help, ' said a man. 'I'm drowning.'
'Hang on, ' said a man from the shore.
'Help, help, ' said the man. 'I'm not clowning.'
'Yes, I know, I heard you before.
Be patient dear man who is drowning,
You, see I've got a disease.
I'm waiting for a Doctor J. Browning.
So do be patient please.'
'How long, ' said the man who was drowning. 'Will it take for the Doc to arrive? '
'Not very long, ' said the man with the disease. 'Till then try staying alive.'
'Very well, ' said the man who was drowning. 'I'll try and stay afloat.
By reciting the poems of Browning
And other things he wrote.'
'Help, help, ' said the man with the disease, 'I suddenly feel quite ill.'
'Keep calm.' said the man who was drowning, ' Breathe deeply and lie quite still.'
'Oh dear, ' said the man with the awful disease. 'I think I'm going to die.'
'Farewell, ' said the man who was drowning.
Said the man with the disease, 'goodbye.'
So the man who was drowning, drownded
And the man with the disease past away.
But apart from that,
And a fire in my flat,
It's been a very nice day.
Spike Milligan
'Hang on, ' said a man from the shore.
'Help, help, ' said the man. 'I'm not clowning.'
'Yes, I know, I heard you before.
Be patient dear man who is drowning,
You, see I've got a disease.
I'm waiting for a Doctor J. Browning.
So do be patient please.'
'How long, ' said the man who was drowning. 'Will it take for the Doc to arrive? '
'Not very long, ' said the man with the disease. 'Till then try staying alive.'
'Very well, ' said the man who was drowning. 'I'll try and stay afloat.
By reciting the poems of Browning
And other things he wrote.'
'Help, help, ' said the man with the disease, 'I suddenly feel quite ill.'
'Keep calm.' said the man who was drowning, ' Breathe deeply and lie quite still.'
'Oh dear, ' said the man with the awful disease. 'I think I'm going to die.'
'Farewell, ' said the man who was drowning.
Said the man with the disease, 'goodbye.'
So the man who was drowning, drownded
And the man with the disease past away.
But apart from that,
And a fire in my flat,
It's been a very nice day.
Spike Milligan
Monday
Sunday
Sunday Smile
You are driving in a car at a constant speed.
On your left side is a 'drop off', the ground is 18-20 inches below
the level you are travelling on, and on your right side is a fire
engine travelling at the same speed as you.
In front of you is a galloping horse, which is the same size as your
car and you cannot overtake it.
Behind you is a galloping zebra. Both the horse and zebra are also
travelling at the same speed as you.
What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?
For the answer click this
On your left side is a 'drop off', the ground is 18-20 inches below
the level you are travelling on, and on your right side is a fire
engine travelling at the same speed as you.
In front of you is a galloping horse, which is the same size as your
car and you cannot overtake it.
Behind you is a galloping zebra. Both the horse and zebra are also
travelling at the same speed as you.
What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?
For the answer click this
Saturday
Scatterday A
 |  |
 |  |
A is for ALCOHOL which is readily available in most restaurants.
A is also for amazing turquoise coloured APERITIFS such as the glow in the dark ABSINTHE. Test this out for yourself with a pocket-sized black light or ultraviolet light . Simply shine the light on products and look for a glow.
Last but by no means least A is for Absolut vodka advertising campaigns which in some countries is quiet in your face and which can definitely leave one feeling very much in the dark.
source: http://chemistry.about.com/b/2007/03/05/glow-in-the-dark-drinks.htm
http://www.emergencemarketing.com/images/spoof%20absolute.jpg
Friday
Thursday
Wednesday
25 Challenge - Laughter
Which comes first
Laughter or the smile?
Does it matter?
Both are fantastic for you
And for those around you.
Try it! You'll like it.
Tuesday
Terrible Tongue Twister Tuesday
 . | |
Mr. See owned a saw.
And Mr. Soar owned a seesaw.
And Mr. Soar owned a seesaw.
Now See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw
Before Soar saw See,
Which made Soar sore.
Had Soar seen See's saw
Before See sawed Soar's seesaw,
See's saw would not have sawed
Soar's seesaw.
So See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw.
But it was sad to see Soar so sore
Just because See's saw sawed
Soar's seesaw!
Monday
Mini Monday Madness - Raconteur
Finally found a name for my mini hexagon quilt - Raconteur.The blocks all reflect a story of some part of my life and so the name evolved.
This one is "All of You" and reflects the people who surround us as we go.
Sometimes they come alone other times they come with a group.
Sunday
Sunday Smile
A loud pounding on the door awakens a man and his wife at 3 o'clock in the morning.
The man gets up and goes to the door, where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push.
"Not a chance," says the husband, "it's three o'clock in the morning!"
He slams the door and returns to bed.
"Who was that?" asked his wife. "Just some drunk guy asking for a push," he answers.
"Did you help him?" she asks. "No, I didn't, it's three in the morning and it's pouring out!"
"Well, you have a short memory," says his wife. "Can't you remember about three months ago, when we broke down and those two guys helped us? I think you should be ashamed of yourself!"
The man does as he is told, gets dressed and goes out into the pounding rain. He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?"
"Yes," comes back the answer.
"Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband.
"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.
"Well, where are you?" asks the husband.
"Over here on the swing!" replies the drunk !
The man gets up and goes to the door, where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push.
"Not a chance," says the husband, "it's three o'clock in the morning!"
He slams the door and returns to bed.
"Who was that?" asked his wife. "Just some drunk guy asking for a push," he answers.
"Did you help him?" she asks. "No, I didn't, it's three in the morning and it's pouring out!"
"Well, you have a short memory," says his wife. "Can't you remember about three months ago, when we broke down and those two guys helped us? I think you should be ashamed of yourself!"
The man does as he is told, gets dressed and goes out into the pounding rain. He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?"
"Yes," comes back the answer.
"Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband.
"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.
"Well, where are you?" asks the husband.
"Over here on the swing!" replies the drunk !
Saturday
Scatterday X
 |  |
 |  . |
Dear Friends,
It is a long time since I have written and so will fill you in on the happenings in the White household.
Paul-James, our eldest boy and a confirmed XENOPHILE, is now truely happy having moved to Paris to study. Yes we did have concerns about his total lack of French but this does not appear to have been too great a handicap as he now resides in the Portugese House at Cite U. His lack of knowledge of Portugese is proving a greater handicap but has not prevented him from forging friendships with those around him.
Richard, once a bookworm but now an XTREME SPORTSMAN has also moved out to live on campus. This winter he will race ducks for Thirroul and has managed so far to remain uninjured. Unfortunately, the same can not be said for his crew person who came close to being hospitalised just last week. When attempting to navigate the high seas during a mass rescue drill Richard threw him out of the duck and then ran over the top of him. From all reports he was black and blue all over as well as in need of stitches to his upper thigh.
With boys having left home Paul has more time to devote to his garden and has decided to venture into XERIC gardens as his contribution to the environment and in line with the water restrictions we have been experiencing over the years. He has managed to source several XERIC plants and feels these should survive well in our yard as we never water anyway and the labels stated they need dry environments.
As for me, well although I once enjoyed xstitiching now days I'm quilting. Last year I made a quilt from some fabrics that I won. Although the fabric designs were vastly different to what I like they had such a gorgeous feel I couldn't resist hand piecing them. Funny though when I finished the quilt the paths were overpowered by dominant Xs.
Hope you have enjoyed my catch up note and I will try to write more often.
Love Cinzia, Paul and Kendall (our dog for those who don't know)
PS the only contribution I could find for Kendall is that he has a continuous desire for eXtra food
Xenofile - a person who is attracted to foreign peoples, cultures, or customs.
duck - inflatable rubber rescue boat
xeric - adapted to an extremely dry habitat.
Friday
Thursday
Trawling Thursday - Ignoble Awards
From Smiley Sue comes this little gem
The Ig Nobel Awards are global awards presented each year for unusual
scientific work. This year's chemistry award was presented to
Mayu Yamamoto of the International Medical Center of Japan, for
developing a way to extract vanillin -- vanilla fragrance and flavoring -- from
cow dung
Puts a new meaning to the phrase "it tastes like sh@t"!!!
The Ig Nobel Awards are global awards presented each year for unusual
scientific work. This year's chemistry award was presented to
Mayu Yamamoto of the International Medical Center of Japan, for
developing a way to extract vanillin -- vanilla fragrance and flavoring -- from
cow dung
Puts a new meaning to the phrase "it tastes like sh@t"!!!
Wednesday
25 Challenge - Eyes
The child watched as she walked away
Sorrow filled the air.
Tears filled her eyes.
Tomorrow.
Perhaps tomorrow.
Hope.....
Tuesday
Saturday
Scatterday N
 |  |
 |  |
Nicholas the Nicobar pidgeon, nicknamed Nick , nicked nine NICKELS and Nicaraguan niniature NICK NACKS, from NIC, while nicking out of the nick, to nick some knickers and nicotine.
Friday
Happy Easter
A lady opened her refrigerator and saw a rabbit sitting on one of the shelves.
"What are you doing in there?" she asked.
The rabbit replied:
"This is a Westinghouse, isn't it?"
The lady replied "Yes it is."
"Well," the rabbit said, "I'm westing."
Happy Easter!
Thursday
Trawling Thursday - Pythagoras
Pythagoras (or the Pythagoreans) discovered square numbers.
The most common method for calculating the square root by hand is known as the "Babylonian method". It involves a simple algorithm, which results in a number closer to the actual square root each time it is repeated. To find r, the square root of a real number x:
Start with any positive start value, call this r.
Start with any positive start value, call this r.
Find the average of r and x/r; call this r2
Now find the average of r2 and x/r2; call this r3
Now find the average of r3 and x/r3; call this r4
Repeat these steps until the two values are as close as desired; that is the square root. The closer they are the more accurate the final answer.
Repeat these steps until the two values are as close as desired; that is the square root. The closer they are the more accurate the final answer.
You have to love maths!
Wednesday
25 Challenge - When
When did you last listen to the rain
Pattering softly on the garden path
The wind howling through the trees
Or a child laughing
When?
Monday
Summer Twirl
Another one down. The fabric for this one was given to me by a friend who always reminds me of a young girl twirling in the summer breeze.
Saturday
Scatterday L
 |  |
A sure fired favourite for any party is fresh homemade lemonade with floating slices of LEMON. To avoid spillage marking wooden surfaces it is suggested that the punch and LADLE be set up on a LAMINATED BENCH TOP where spillage is easily wiped off. The following recipe is a longtime family favourite
LEMONADE
Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar - for sugar syrup
1/2 cup water - for sugar syrup
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
6 cup water extra, (carbonated water is sometimes refreshing)
Directions:
To make sugar syrup, bring equal parts of sugar and water to a boil, stir until sugar dissolves, and remove from the heat. Cool before using. Store unused syrup in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Put the lemon juice, sugar syrup and water in a punch bowl and stir. Add ice to chill. Float lemon slices.
Thursday
Thursday Trawling
Nothings stands out so conspicuously, or remains so firmly fixed in the memory, as something which you have blundered - Cicero
Wednesday
25 Challenge - Coffee
Coffee Thoughts
| Caffeine | Thoughts |
| Often | Helping |
| Finds | Others |
| Friends | Undergoing. |
| Expressing | Genuine |
| Earnest | Hurdles |
| Throughout the | |
| Seasons |
Sunday
Scatterday V
What could better fit the requirements of a big pink sign than
Welcome to Las Vegas
Desert sun upon the sign
Never sleep - Open now
Thought I would try writing a haiku
It must be three lines
5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables
1 season word and 1 cutting/stopping word
Welcome to Las Vegas
Desert sun upon the sign
Never sleep - Open now
Thought I would try writing a haiku
It must be three lines
5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables
1 season word and 1 cutting/stopping word
Saturday
Folded Flower Tutorial
This looks really interesting will have to give it a try sometimefolded flower tutorial
Thursday
Wednesday
25 Challenge - Coffee
25 words or Less Challenge
A new challenge for anyone who likes to play with words.
Write a blog entry using no more than 25 words on the given topic.
Choose an image, either your own or from the web to accompany the entry.
Post your entry on Wednesday.
First challenge - coffee
Posting date Wednesday 12th March
A new challenge for anyone who likes to play with words.
Write a blog entry using no more than 25 words on the given topic.
Choose an image, either your own or from the web to accompany the entry.
Post your entry on Wednesday.
First challenge - coffee
Posting date Wednesday 12th March
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