Sunday, June 6, 2010

Blog Formatting, Goodies, and How Do You Stop?

The whole world of formatting blogs is so foreign to me. In January I finally was able to set up 3 columns but I could not change my sidebar text due to the template I had installed on blogger. Today, I moved to the Minima Template (and had to reset the 3 columns) and can change my sidebar fonts, but apparently only to the ones Blogger wants me to. Regardless, this template seems to be a bit better because there seems to be more support online for it. So bear with me. I know the header photo is huge. I'm not technically savvy. One day I'll get to it! No promises as to when though!

A couple of weeks ago I received this wonderful fob from Mylene. Isn't this adorable?! Tulips are a very favorite flower of mine.
Not only is Mylene a wonderful stitcher, she does exquisite finishing.
Mylene lives in the Netherlands and her blog features her surroundings along with her stitching and family. Stop by and say hello to her!

Last month at Moda Maniacs, I won this designer pack of a new line from Moda called Happy. Isn't it cute?
Lots of bright colors. This should be fun to work with - one day! :)

I have been quilting but mainly prep work for another Stitchers Garden class and I'm trying to catch up with last months blocks. I have not yet finished those. I used Bernina foot #21 for the first time today on one of the blocks. It was easier to use than I expected.

Knitting wise, I'm still working on Traveling Woman - it really is a fun knit. About a half dozen or so of the knitters who case on for it at the Midnight Knit have finished it. Hopefully I will soon!

I have no idea why I'm buying charts, yarn, fabrics and patterns but I have been. It's all beautiful, inspiring, and looks fun but the reality is - I probably won't have time to do any of it this year or next. But I want to! How do you stop when it's all so pretty?

31 comments:

Annie said... 1

Minima is nice so you can grab those cute free backgrounds that exist all over the place.

Mylene does such beautiful work. And she is so generous with sharing her stitching.

Have fun deciding on what great project to tackle next!

Margaret said... 2

I hear you on the blog formatting. I've given up. lol! I love the little pillow from Mylene. I love tulips too! All your projects sound great! I can't stop the stashing either, although at the moment, it seems to be more fabric related than stitching related. Have to stop! lol!

Anonymous said... 3

I haven't figured out how to stop --- not sure I want too.

Knitting, stitching --- it's just all too much fun to shop for.

Anonymous said... 4

Mylene made you such a lovely fob. Love the new fabric bundle too.

Pat said... 5

I do very minimal changing on my blog as one time I tried to do something more drastic and had it messed up for a day or so. I'm not very technologically savvy either!

Deb said... 6

I don't think you can stop buying when everything is so pretty. I always hope that I'll get burnt out on collecting fabric, and then a new line comes through and BAM I'm all over it.

I hate blog formatting. I went through all kinds of things when I changed mine. There are still things I want to do, so I ended up setting up a dummy blog to play around with when I had time. Someone actually found it and wondered if I was starting a new blog!

Beautiful fob too. I was a recipient of one of her wonderful fobs. She does excellent work.

Abby said... 7

I kinda remember the gigantic logo syndrome when I was moving to 3 colulmn minima like you have. I looked at my set up and it looks like I have my picture "instead of title and description". I have NO idea if that will help at all, but thought I'd let you know and say "howdy"!

Nancy said... 8

Mylene made a beautiful fob for you! I love the beaded edging.

I don't think the word stop is in a needleworker's vocabulary! Part of the fun is getting new patterns, fabrics and threads. Like you said it is all so pretty!

Maria said... 9

Why stop? I recently looked through some of my stitching magazines and patterns and realized that I have enough for several lifetimes if I work on something every day. ;) If you can afford it go for it. It is very inspiring to just browse your collections.

Karen said... 10

Great gift...too cute. Love the bright colors in the fabric too!

Unknown said... 11

i love your fob and your new blog layout....i used to tinker with mine and then i'd mess it up, so i just leave it be, it's hard to me. haha

Anonymous said... 12

Oh good! I'm thrilled to hear you're normal, just like the rest of us whose "eyes are bigger than our stomachs" when it comes to buying books, patterns, and anything for the stash.

But you showed us the best trick: guilt-free fabric that you win! THAT'S the right way to build a stash. Congrats!

Anonymous said... 13

Oh good! I'm thrilled to hear you're normal, just like the rest of us whose "eyes are bigger than our stomachs" when it comes to buying books, patterns, and anything for the stash.

But you showed us the best trick: guilt-free fabric that you win! THAT'S the right way to build a stash. Congrats!

Anonymous said... 14

Congrats on the Moda Maniac fabric win. That's absolutely the best, guilt-free way I've heard of to build a stash. Sure would be nice if I could do that too.

Simone de Klerk said... 15

Such a lovely stitchery and a great win for you!
Luckily I have my DH who figures out all the formatting for me ;o)

Hazel said... 16

Lovely fob from Mylene! x

Carol said... 17

Mylene's work is so pretty--you're lucky to now be a proud owner of one of her little fobs. And what brilliantly colored fabric--you're on a lucky streak, Jackie--hope it continues for you :)

Anonymous said... 18

I know what you mean about not being techically savvy. I have the same problem ! I love that Moda fabric! Lucky you! The stitching you received from Mylene looks great!

Susan said... 19

I like the changes that you made to your blog layout...it looks very nice!

Julia said... 20

Your blog looks great to me. I like the large header. I tried once to make a decent header and gave up when I couldn't make it work. Perhaps now that I have more experience - ha- I'd be able to do it.
I love the little pillow from Mylene. I'm going to check out her blog. Thanks

Giovanna said... 21

Very cute pillow from Mylene, good for you!

woolwoman said... 22

I don't mess around with my blog too much - probably need to change the face soon but like you said it requires time and then if you mess it up - urgghhh - Oh gosh - stashing can be a sickness - I'm really bad about yarn - I have done lots better about buying needlework related items and actually turned my back on a np canvas this weekend I would normally have bought in a flash with no regrets. So I am making some progress. Can't wait to see you Saturday! Mel

Zlaty said... 23

I love that cross-stitch with your initial! How talented is she!

I like your new fabric, too!

Have a great week!

Lois said... 24

What a lovely fob, beautiful finishing on it.

I don't think any of us can stop buying and adding to our stash. It's just part of the whole process. Sometimes I can be good for a few months and then, those good intentions head straight out the window. There are just so many 'must haves' out there!

I'm no help with you on blogger I'm afraid, I've yet to really fiddle around with my layout just in case it all goes pear shaped!

Siobhán said... 25

I love the tulip pillow from Mylene! Nice fabric, too.

Good luck with the blog formatting. I get my daughter to help me with anything that isn't incredibly clear. That & You Tube have been godsends!

Mylene said... 26

WEll done on the formatting, Jackie. I had a bad experience with it before, i nearly delete everything. Thanks for sharing the link, i might try that one, one day.

Goodluck on the new projects! And i am so happy to hear you love the fob and thanks for mentioning my blog.

krayolakris said... 27

What a pretty fob; beautiful finishing work!

Marjo said... 28

I hear you on buying stash that you want to do but time escapes you. Then you think if I get the time and don't buy the chart, supplies now they won't be available and then you spend more money/time looking for the chart. Vicious cycle but you just have to do it. Love your fabric and can't wait to see what you come up with for it. Marjo

Beth said... 29

Love those bright colors!

sewfunquilts said... 30

Hi Jackie! Your projects are wonderful!

I am shameless and begging everyone! I need you and everyone you know (friends/family/twitters/facebook/bloggers..everyone) to go and vote for me (sewmeow) to win a GO cutter from AccuQuilt at Bejeweled Barb's Blog. I am one of 5 finalists and am behind in votes. Here's the link:

http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-stressful-daywaitingand-waitingand.html

Thanks sew much! The contest ends Sunday.

Mary said... 31

Your new blog format looks great! One of these days, I need to do some blog renovating.