Excellent --- thanks for the comments about the light. It appears that I'll be switching to LED light. I'll get to work on some research when I get home and find myself an electrician. Thanks!! I know I had purchased different replacement bulbs that are relatively expensive, but I don't remember the details at the moment. So more on that over the next week.
Did anyone watch the video I posted last week about Ricky Tims and his quilt, entitled 'The Visitation? His artist statement referred to the use of AI in the design of the quilt, although he did not use an actual AI design (that's an oxymoron) for the quilt. He used the AI-generated designs as inspiration. Anyway, you can check it out if you haven't looked at it before. Start watching at the 4:00 mark, where he discusses how he utilized AI to assist him.
So, just for fun, I threw in some parameters for the Trendtex challenge into A. I did not ask for an image; I simply asked for a suggestion. OMG!! I am shocked by the results that came back. I received a two-page document with written suggestions on designs and colors. I am STUNNED!!!! I printed it off and threw it in my portable office bag. Will I actually look at it? I took a cursory glance at it before I threw it in the bag, but I haven't had a chance to really read it.
I might just for fun. And I must confess that I spotted a couple of words that got me thinking while walking the girls before I left the house. I think I may have a plan based on two words!!
I am not a fan of AI, as I think it will take some of our creativity away in writing, creating photos, quilts, or other forms of art. BUT, if we use it to add to our pool of inspiration? Well -- it might just become a new helpful tool to use.
I'll keep you updated on what happens.
The drive to Kingston was uneventful, although I spotted many OPP cars along the 407 and the 401. Some of them had cars pulled over, and others were waiting to nab someone. Google Maps would pop up every time to alert me that police were ahead and ask if they were still there. I knew they were going to raise the speed limit on the 401 to 110 KPH, and since I keep my cruise control at 120, I knew I was OK with many cars speeding past me.
There was a lot of traffic on the road, but what drives me mad is when people hang out in the passing lane or the next rightmost lane and drive 100 km/h. Move over, as you are messing up many lanes of traffic when you do that.
I made one pit stop to use the washroom, and then I arrived in good time.
But wait -- what did I use to entertain myself on the drive? Good old Nancy Drew. Oh my goodness — it was such a hoot to listen to the audiobook. They added music at the end of the dramatic chapter endings - just like on those old radio programs. I was cheering Nancy on as I drove. It was hilarious!!!
OMG -- the things you can learn when you search the internet! Do you know what year the first Nancy Drew book was published? Take a guess!! Nancy Drew is older than my parents! That first book was published on April 28, 1930. GASP!!! I did not know that. It was also rewritten in 1959. Read this story to get more information. I found it fascinating.
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| Nancy Drew books |
The Pony Express is always working, and I met with someone yesterday - I had items for her, and she had items for me. Mary is always fortunate in finding good deals in the local thrift stores, and look what she spotted. 23 Nancy Drew books for $70. I'm going to pass - I love the audiobook version, and the version I read was the 1959 version. Wouldn't it be fun to track down the 1930s version?
Nancy is still under copyright laws, but in the US, it will become public domain in 2026. That's interesting -- it's all in that story.
Good grief -- there are over 620 Nancy Drew books in 13 different series! The last one was published in 2003, if I recall correctly. I loved Nancy when I was a kid, but I read more of The Hardy Boys because my brother got them. I didn't have access to Nancy when I was a kid.
Wow -- who knew all that about Nancy? Now I have to find The Hidden Staircase - just because!! OMG -- I just downloaded the audiobook version on Libby, so guess what I'll be doing on the drive home! My drive will be split into two segments as I have demos at another store on the way home.
It was easy to unpack the car because there wasn't much in there. The technician was waiting for the machine when I arrived. You have to love being able to make appointments for servicing!
Then I unpacked my samples and had two excellent presentations - one in the afternoon and one in the evening. It's interesting because, as many times as you go over the presentation in your head, there are always different ways of presenting that go through your mind as you do so. However, that's OK- there are many alternative ways to achieve the same result, and I'd like to redo a couple of samples or add to the existing ones.
I have a free day today and will be at the store, where I hope to stitch out a couple of samples or design a few new ones. Sample making (and learning NEVER ends).
Speaking of challenges, Stitch by Stitch in Kingston is one of the few Canadian stores that stocks the Cherrywood challenge. I debated whether to purchase the bundle, as it is not cheap. You can buy FQs or half yards.
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| Cherrywood Challenge display |
We discussed the challenges at Monday Sewing, and while no ideas came to mind while we chatted, it was niggling in the back of my head. Oh my --- a thought just popped into my brain while I was walking the dogs, and I was hooked!
I picked up the half-yard bundle, and I'm getting the FQ bundle for a friend. I also picked up the floss, but they don't have any of the optional Sketchbook bundle in stock, so that is on order. Anyone back home want a half-yard bundle?
What idea came into my head? You will have to wait. However, here's the thing about challenges — first off, I think some of my best work comes from taking on a challenge. And this is something I have wanted to do for a while, and here is the perfect opportunity. So even if it doesn't get accepted, I like this piece!! Now that I have the bundle, one of my priorities (just add it to the list) is to get it designed, and then I can start to work!!
Let's just say that I have many things on my plate that I want to accomplish, and now that my work time is going to be somewhat reduced, I'll be able to do some of the things I've been wanting to do. I can hardly wait!!!!
Here is the list of events over the next couple of days, including links to the Virtual Retreat scheduled for the weekend.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82693702241?pwd=QpQkm8Ppppy1XwCPOqva1bcgJCWKdP.1
Meeting ID: 826 9370 2241
Passcode: 795071
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81073536036?pwd=uxRqMnK1aSKrmrcSO78w8QQs5g44eA.1
Meeting ID: 810 7353 6036
Passcode: 596838
PS -- In case you wonder how good AI is, there are times when my Grammarly editing software goes beserk. It will catch things like leaving an extra space after a sentence - it should be one space, not two. But there are times, like this morning, when it removed the LAST LETTER of every sentence instead. Seriously??? And there are times when I write "okay" and "OK" and Grammarly wants to make them consistent, which it attempted to do this morning. But seriously? That correction process this morning was painful, so if you spot something that looks odd, blame it on AI, not me.
In 1969, I joined the U.S. Army. Since I knew that I wouldn't be able to take all my pocessions, I gave all of my Nancy Drew books to my little sisters. A few weeks ago, my brother, who inherited the house we grew up in, showed me some cartons of books, telling me to take what I wanted to. There were a few Nancy Drew books, including a book with a blue cover, and a 1938 copyright date. I was tickled to get the Nancy Drew books, but I wonder, what happened to the rest of them?! Torry
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