Digital file clean-up

Well, I seem to have some major computer issues this morning. They actually started yesterday, and the biggest problem is with Microsoft Outlook. I've always had issues with that program, and it doesn't disappoint. 

I've had to reboot my computer twice, and it's not even 5 AM. Yes, I rebooted many times yesterday, so it wasn't like I was irresponsible. 

The issue is that it won't synchronize, meaning it won't send and receive emails. Seven emails, all written yesterday, were still waiting to be sent. I see it is finally syncing, and let's hope it finishes in time to load a picture or two. 

Today's post will be short. I'm off to spin class this morning and cannot be late. 

I'm back in the saddle, and it seems I need a deadline to get me moving. Thankfully, I'm starting to work further before those deadlines, but I know I'll be scrambling. 

What happened? Well, this is why the memory on my computer was totally messed up. I was trying to find a file to send someone, and I wasn't 100% sure where it was. I grabbed my USBs and attempted to find it. It ended up in me moving HUNDREDS of files to a new spot on my cloud storage. It also results in DELETE DELETE DELETE many times. 

I'm far from sorting out that mess, but I've started. The issue is that I had MULTIPLE places to store stuff, and it's a HUGE mess. I'm putting similar subjects in the same folder and subfolders, so it'll be easier to see what I have and sort them. 

My biggest issue is duplicate files. I'm very good at duplicating files and then not deleting them. I emptied several USBs and tossed one that is write-protected. I have no idea how to get rid of it. I also have another with ONE protected file on it. I have no idea how to get rid of that. These do NOT have a little switch on them - they are write-protected in the device. Since it is write-protected, I cannot delete it. I've since renamed the folder, so I know it's a garbage folder. 

I seem to be missing the primary USB I used most recently. I'm sure I put that in a safe place, but where is that safe place? Other than finding that one, I think what's left on the other USBs is minimal. My goal today is to move all that stuff into that one storage spot, put the USBs away, and then work on that cloud storage folder. It's on shared cloud storage, so I can work on it upstairs, downstairs, or on the road. What will this do to the backup storage on my computer? It'll get thrown into a tizzy!

Outlook synced and sent the emails, but it did NOT receive them, so there are NO pictures this morning. I must call Microsoft because that product is NOT stable. I hate using the server to get my email, and I much prefer using Outlook. And where or where did that other USB go? I'm even trying to visualize what it looks like. It's tiny and silver, but I can't visualize the dratted thing. Did I leave it beside the embroidery machine? The digital cutter? The computer? It could be anywhere, although I'm usually very careful with the darn thing. 

And all this because I'm looking for a specific machine embroidery file that I ENED. I could recreate it, or perhaps it's already in that cloud storage. Wish me luck with that. 

I can receive my email on my phone, but I hate and seldom respond to emails using that tiny keyboard. So, I must get this fixed. Yes, even when I manually select Send/Receive, it won't sync. That's been an issue for years, but it seems to have gotten much worse lately. It's sporadic! 

As mentioned, I did find the PowerPoint presentation, which was one of the emails stuck in the Outbox. But all is good—everything is sent. 

Wait - I have four pictures from yesterday that I didn't have time to post. I'll post those this morning. 

A photo from the storage magazine. Here's an item we won't ever need again. A sorted for those plastic grocery bags! 

Plastic bag sorter

Here's the latest quilt I'm sleeping with. It's time to donate it. I made it as a class sample in 2010, but it was never used until recently! 

The next donation quilt

I also did some sewing the other day, so I'm back at the ender and leaders with this project. I must finish it, as it's been sitting around for a while. This was the one project I rescued when I agreed to take care of the remnants of someone's stash. When it's complete, this quilt will be donated. 

My current end and leader project

Speaking of someone else's stash. The trip to Diane's was postponed, and I'm scheduled to go on Thursday. 

And it's time to dig out all the filming equipment. I need to get it all connected to make sure that I remember how. I need some help with a setting on one of my two camcorders, so they are out so I can take them to the camera shop. They are helpful and knowledgeable, so they can probably do it quickly. I've tried working through the menus, but just not sure how to eliminate this one thing from the screen. It's gone from one, but not the other camera. 

The box of video stuff

On that note, I'm out of here. It's cold outside, but not that cold if you're dressed for it!

Have a great day!

Ciao!!

Making new friends

Can you believe? I didn't take a single picture yesterday. Well - just pictures of the ice on the sidewalks which I still need to write a letter about. There's just not enough time in the day. No - I spent most of yesterday fiddling with technology. Shooting videos to be precise!

You see, I wanted some videos to go along with the Vintage Christmas and Christmas Fig Sew Alongs that start today!! I'm super excited and I'll be sending out e-mails to the two groups later today. I was hoping to have all the videos done as well. However, I ran into trouble.

In case you're thinking that I waited until the last minute - I did not! I started the videos a couple of days ago. Plenty of time to shoot them and edit them. But first, the microphone didn't work. I watched a YouTube video and realized that I might need a new cable. It was New Year's Day when I discovered that so I couldn't check with anyone. Well, after a trip to the mall where I couldn't find a cable, I called the store where I bought the microphone and OH MY - I have all the cables - I just didn't attach them properly.

Back home to shoot the videos. Got them all shot and went to edit - darn the camera wasn't in the right spot! Oh, it was in the right spot, just that the top of my head got cut off. I had already shot some of the videos without the microphone and I needed the microphone. It's all a learning experience!

I'm happy to report that ONE video is done and three more to go. The more you do, the easier it becomes. Once I get this technology nailed down, I should be good to go in the future. What I need is a tripod stand for my iPad Pro. They don't make one for the big iPads so I'm going to have to find something else. In the meantime - I found a solution.

Of course, when I went to upload the video, I had issues with a password. So the video isn't uploaded yet, but I'm hoping to have that resolved later today. See - technology tries every which way to get me!

It's not too late to join the Sew Alongs if you want to join in the fun. Next Friday is the cutoff to sign up. There are two separate Sew Alongs and they are $25 each to join. Check out this link to see the two Sew Alongs.

The other way that I spent my day was messing around with my Virtual Challenges. Oh boy - this is quite the thing to get set up, but I think we have it done now. If I were doing it alone, that would be OK, but NO all four members of the Quilt Posse are doing it and we wanted to see each other's progress on the map. Well, that took a wee bit of effort, but thanks to Ronda, we're good.

The total distance of Route 66 that we're walking in 2020

It's actually pretty cool how they can take your mileage from your FitBit and map it onto Google Maps. I love it. We've just started, but I'm outside Chicago now. The others are hot on my tail!

The progress of the Quilt Posse members

To reach LA by the end of the year, I have to walk 6 miles more or less each day. Yikes - that's a big commitment. I did walk to the mall so I was good yesterday and I'm .7 mile ahead of schedule. I'm crazy about tracking numbers like this so I know I'll do it. Even if I have to go for a walk at the end of the day to make up the numbers which I guess is the point of the whole exercise!

There are going to be some days which present a challenge - such as being in meetings or teaching, but I'll find a way to make it happen. There's lunch hour to take a walk and before and after class. I'm in meetings/training all next week - so I'll have a good time to practice making up those steps.

I swear it helps so much (with my steps and my weight and my health in general) to do my errands or the majority of them without using the car. The bank, the dentist, the hardware store, the library, the mall, and even the grocery store. It's all within walking distance of my house so why would I take my car? Walking is so much healthier and you get to checkout what's going on in the neighborhood and no idiot drivers to deal with, no parking to find. I love it! And at the end of this year, if things go well, we're supposed to have a huge movie complex at the mall. With Virtual Reality - oh yes - I want to try that.

Well, here's a quilting thing for you today. And I swear I read in the paperwork that the sign-ups started today, but NO - registration started yesterday. It doesn't matter - you can still sign-up. This is called the Quilt Canada Mini Swap. You do not need to be a member of the Canadian Quilters Association to sign up. The deadline to sign-up is January 23. Then you'll get assigned a "friend" who has similar tastes in fabric and quilting styles as yourself. You will make each other a mini quilt based on those likes and dislikes. The idea is that you'll swap at Quilt Canada in Edmonton in June of this year. WAIT - even if you're not going to Quilt Canada, you can still participate. It just means that you'll mail your mini quilts.

This is going to be so much fun. I've already signed up. A mini quilt (maximum size is 24" square") doesn't take that long to make. DO NOT worry if you're a beginner - they'll assign you to someone else who is a beginner and so your skill levels should be similar.

I participated in this kind of a swap last year for QuiltCon in Nashville. It was a riot as Katherine and I e-mailed back and forth to get to know each other better. Then we met at QuiltCon and exchanged our quilts. You can see us in the blog post and the quilts that we made for each other.  It even transpired into a road trip to North Carolina last year to see Katherine and her quilt shop.

Get yourself together and SIGN UP!!!!  Apparently, a lot of people signed up yesterday - I don't know if they have a cut off for the number of people, but you'd better get signed up BEFORE January 23. Come on - this is the year you are going to branch out and do something new! And seriously - if you need help coming up with an idea - ask me! Everyone else does!! I don't mind a quick brainstorming session to help out.

Here's something else to ponder this morning. We need more of this to get the younger generation sewing. Way to go!!!!  How can we do more of this in the schools?? The problem for us quilters is that we're a bunch of old ladies - we don't have the same wow factor as athletes!!

On that note, I've got a couple of e-mails to get out before Ronda comes over so we can finish our backpacks. Hopefully, we finish them today! I need to get back to sample making!!! And finishing those other videos.

Have a super day!!!!


Ciao!!!

Quilting on the edge.....................

I know that some of you are probably exhausted just reading about my schedule. However, I'm thriving on it! I know that sounds absolutely bizarre, but I did write the other day how obsessed I am with this hobby/career.  Which of course has only gotten worse now that I'm officially "in" the industry.

I was chatting with another designer yesterday who is madly making quilts for Spring Market. She received fabric for FOUR quilts last week. All have to be done by next Wednesday. She laughed and said she is having fun. She LOVES the rush of adrenline. And I totally get that!

It's like we're out to prove a point - how much can we shove into one day? how many quilts can we make on a dime? Bring it on - the more the merrier!

So I'm going to officially declare that quilting is a sport! Sometimes it's an aerobic sport and sometimes it's not. Now I wouldn't say that quilting is like sky-diving (which I've done - well technically, I've parachuted TWICE). While we quilters can get an adreline rush, it's not like jumping out of a plane. Is quilting like mountain climbing?  Nope - not quite the same.  Nope - I would compare quilting to cycling.  I KNOW - who knew!!!  Why?  Because both are activities that you can do all day, everyday. You can do them alone, you can do them with friends, you can see your accomplishments (well if you're cycling from A to B like cycling across Canada - which I've done!), both are exciting (at least to me!).   That's how I'm justifying not being on my bike these days because I'm behind the sewing machine. Now if I could only figure out how to get exercise while sewing?  Oh yes - I need one of those bikes that fit under your desk - then I would be set. Better yet, I need a sewing machine that operates from pedal power. I did see that on YouTube once. Let me try to find that video.

Well - I didnt' find that video, but I found this.  Seems there is one problem - I'm not sure I can ride the bike AND sew at the same time. Or how about this one - same girl as I was looking for - different video.

Speaking of videos - ACK - I knew this day was coming and well it's arrived!  I made a video. Well - I didn't make it, I "starred" in the video. I tell my quilting students that when they are learning a new motif, they need to stitch the first one, stitch the second one, and maybe stitch the third one and by then all the kinks will be worked out.  Well, here's the first one. A few kinks to be worked out.  But it's all about having fun. NO ONE is allowed to laugh, unless you're laughing WITH me. There are several goofs - can you spot them?  There will be more videos - BUT they will be shorter. This was ambitious!!!   If nothing else, look at the cool stuff in the background.  M?  - Do you recognize any of those things????

And now for a progress report. The one quilt is winging its way to the US officees of a magazine in a FedEx box. Yeah!!!!  I sewed the sleeve on at work. Done!  Check!   I'm working on the last quilt that technically has to be done for Market - well, last quilt top that still remains to be sewn. There is one and a half borders to sew on (bobbin ran out and I need to clean the machine - sounded like a good time to take a break).  The backing is made and all will get loaded on the long arm this morning. I'm debating how to quilt it?  I have several ideas and we'll see once the top is completed.

Got several "story lines" for the blog lined up. Need a major picture taking session and uploading those. That's for later today when I need a break from quilting. Finished that first row on the other one that will be "nice to have".  I would like to put two more rows on if possible which should be doable and then there is my 3-D item.  I will cut it today and see how it goes.

Let's keep that adreline running. My only problem is that I'm older than the designer that I spoke to yesterday. She can pull an all-nighter - I can't!  If I don't get my sleep?  I'm cranky!  But I can go to bed early and get up really early which is what I did today!

Here is a picture of an art quilt that I bought several years ago. It was part of the TrendTex challenge at CQA.  Judy Morningstar is the artist.  It's called Quilting on the Edge!   Yep - that's me in a heartbeat - that's why I paid a lot of money to get this. I absoltuely love it and it hangs in  my studio where I'm reminded every day - quilting is a SPORT!

And on that note, I have two impatient girls who would like to be driven to the dog park!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

For my American readers, the video is about a Canadian quilt, but you could easily substitute one of Northcott's American panels in there as well.

Work work work!!!!!!!!

Last night, DH in his infinite wisdom asked me why I was going to bed so early the last couple of nights. Around 9 PM.  First off - I work all day and I am tired - secondly I am waking up early because of the time change!  And even if I wanted to just go to bed early - is that a problem?  I guess going to bed early is out of character and he is concerned for my well being!!!!!

I love show n tell and I especially love when students bring back stuff that they worked on in one of my classes. At the guild meeting the other night, I had the pleasure of seeing Elizabeth's completed top from the class on striped fabric at the beginning of September.

Elizabeth always puts her own unique spin on everything and this quilt top is no exception!  She took ALL THREE techniques taught in the class and incorporated them into ONE QUILT.  I LOVE the end result. 

Check out this link to see the blocks from the striped fabric workshop at the beginning of September.

Yesterday was a quilting day for me.   Got another customer quilt done!

Customer quilt - done

And I don't know what is happening, but it appears that every quilt I am getting these days is HUGE - I mean HUGE. The one above was 97 by 107.   Now to trim and deliver!  

M is learning all about "her" video camera. NOT even close kiddo!!!!   Anyway - we (OK - she) was playing around with it the night she opened the box and LOOK  - that projection feature is pretty cool.  She snagged some video of me sewing and then seconds later we watched it on the wall.

Video projected on the wall directly from the video camera!!!!

Apparently there is an instruction video right on the camera and it says that you can use your phone as a remote!!!!   PERFECT - I wanted a remote!!!   I guess I had better watch the video.

I am working on completing those gift bags.  Got three of 7 bundles completely done including ribbon insertion. I need something to do while watching quilt related learning videos on the computer. Those DVDs from the library have a ONE WEEK lending time frame and that is NOT a lot of time.  I just love to learn (maybe that is why I love to teach?).   Anyway - as I have said before - the day I stop learning is the day I die!!!!  

On that note - I have a class on pieced curves today and I had better out of my PJs and get to class.

Have an awesome day!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!