Picasa 3.8 Release has “Face Movie”
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The New version of Google’s Picasa Photo Organizing/Editing software has just gotten better. The coolest new feature is “Face Movie.” Combining the face recognition feature, I selected the Album of all of the photos that my daughter was in. I then told Picasa to make a face movie. What a great slideshow of memories! The software tries to keep the face in the same place and change the picture. What a quick way to make something for a birthday or other special occasion! Down load Picasa here.
Summer Reading — Lifelong Learning
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How do I use a library?
Well, I first locate the children’s section followed by the “NEW” non-fiction books. Hopefully, they are in a close proximity of each other so that I can keep an eye on my children and browse the new books at the same time.
Although this is my method whenever I go to any library; this summer, I came to the realization that I am really a lifelong learner. I pick books on topics I am familiar with — but want to know the latest tidbits about. I also pick books that just sound interesting to expand my horizons.
These are my first two selections of the summer:
In her book, The Creative Family, Amanda Soule takes us back to basics with our children as “less is more.” Her many ideas spark even more for her readers. Some of my favorites include: having kids transfer a favorite drawing to fabric to embroider, the idea wire, using good art supplies for family drawing time, stenciling a T-shirt. I have tried some of her ideas, and many more are on my list to pull out on a rainy day.
My second selection, Staging Your Comeback, was a bit more of an educational stretch for me. I consider myself rather casual in the beauty area — don’t wear much makeup, simple clothes. In this book, though, Christopher Hopkins tagged me as a “Classic,” and taught me a few tricks that I have already incorporated. The big point here is you can be comfortable without looking “dumpy,” and that it doesn’t take a whole lot of time or money to do so.
I recommend both for a great summer read!
Sewing With Nancy’s Favorite Hints
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I have many Nancy Zieman books, but I refer to this one for reminders and inspiration. I have watched her PBS program for probably the 20 years that it has been on! This compilation takes you from an organized sewing room (do you have one of those?) through notions, embellishments, quilting, and machine embroidery. In the 20th anniversary edition of this book, she shares “Take 5″: a behind-the-scenes look into the production of her TV show.
10, 20, 30 Minutes to Sew for Your Home
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In Nancy Zieman’s 10, 20, 30 Minutes to Sew for the Home, you’ll find many great projects for home dec. Her wonderful approach to sewing in short periods of time really does work!
Sew Gifts With Love
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Looking for that perfect gift? This book takes you through many projects including some fun techniques including: paper piecing, punched suede, strip quilting, embroidery, and photo transfer. Create one-of-a-kind gifts for the special people in your life. Includes patterns and ideas for purses, pillowcases and pillows, wall hangings, serving tray, ornaments, napkins and tablecloths, towels, scarf and mittens, and a lot more!
Fleece Throws
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Here is another favorite for whipping up a quick gift for one of my daughters’ friends. I buy the fleece throws when they are on sale 3/$10 to have them on hand. I embroider their name and a picture on them, and “Viola!” a personalized gift for pennies!
Pillowcases with a Personal Touch
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I also enjoy making travel pillowcases (and I include a pillow, too). For the bigger friends, I make regular-sized pillowcases. They are a real hit with everyone.
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Whenever my daughter’s have a birthday party to attend, I make the birthday girl/boy a personalized pillowcase. I have done both travel-size and bed-size. I supply the pillow also when making the travel-size ones. I get the pillow forms at Walmart or K-Mart for under $5.00 each. It is fun to see them use their pillows at slumber parties and school pillow events!
For the Love of Sewing
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I remember first learning how to sew on a machine after doing numerous hand sewing projects in Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls. My first “real” sewing project involved digging into the rag drawer to find some old sheets, and then sewing tubes with a single seam to make sashes for our “Beauty Pageants”. To complete the project, I had a snap fastener to close the sash and the names of the states (Miss Iowa, Miss Minnesota, Miss Wisconsin, and then — Miss USA) were neatly printed in medium blue liquid embroidery tube paint. That was in 6th grade.
From that project came formal training in home economics class with Mrs. Means in 8th grade. She taught me the finer points of matching plaids, putting in a zipper in a flash, doing waistbands, hems, elastic, and more. Being tall, it isn’t easy to walk into a store to find clothes that fit. I hate 3/4 length sleeves and Capri pants — because they weren’t in style when I was wearing them! I continued to sew my own garments with my mother’s help after my initial training in home ec (now called consumer science) class. I can remember many a time when my mother would calmly gather up a project that I had thrown across the room in frustration. When I went back to the project, what ever was wrong was ripped out and pinned so I could get sewing again. My mother’s patience with me kept me going.
My graduation present from my A.A.S. degree at college was a Kenmore Sewing Machine with decorative stitch Cams.
Another advancement in my sewing abilities came from the introduction of “Stretch and Sew” into our town. I remember the wonderful coordinating knit fabrics and the great classes. I remember the T-shirt makeover projects they had — you sat through a demonstration and then could buy the instruction sheet for 25 cents. What a deal! I still have a book of them. The explosion of the multi-sized master patterns made me a designer!
I upgraded the Kenmore to a Viking 1+ after stumbling into a sewing machine store one day and seeing the beautiful 4×4 embroidery that you could do. Wow, clipart for the sewing machine; what could be better?
I continue taking classes now at a local fabric store and go to one of their monthly clubs (Jane’s Creative Club — by Jane Kiser) to keep my skills current, and to keep up with the latest techniques.
I now own a Viking Designer I which I adore. It automatically adjusts my thread tension for me, puts the presser foot down automatically, and embroiders beautifully in a Mega Hoop size.
Now as I take my daughters to the fabric store, I smile with pride as they reach out to feel the “hand” of the fabric. I have taught them well. I only hope to help them find the same love for sewing that my mother helped me find.
Double Needle Embroidered Sweatshirt
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On a ready-made sweatshirt, I used Card #1 from the Viking 1+ Sewing Collection to create this unique design. Instead of the usual single needle, I used a double needle to create the design. The design required a number of re-hoopings, but the results are stunning. I also made a vest with this same design and used cutwork. I think now that I have a Designer I, I will try combining some of the design to see if I can do it with less hoopings!
Block-of-the-Month Club
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Our local fabric store, Neal’s Vacuum and Sewing Centers has recently (October 2006) started a Buck-a-Block-a-Month club. This is where you buy a $6.00 kit of Thangles to start with your first block; then, the remaining months are just $1. What is the catch? The catch is that you need to bring back your completed block sometime during the next month to get the next block.
I am happy to say, "The first block is done! " The process is really easy and fun. I also like the small sense of accomplishment of having a "finished" project to show. Here’s hoping I’ll be able to keep up!
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