Above is my current project, a split 9 patch. This one is totally "process" -- no one would ever make blocks this size the usual way. This is from Jackie Robinson, and her method is Strip and Slash. I have her CD and enjoy watching, just to be watching something quilty. The individual squares are 1.25 inches, so the blocks are very small. The photo is horizontal, but I'm going to finish it in vertical configuration. Remember the lesson, you can use any fabric, no matter how ugly, if you cut it small enough! I have a LOT of strips 2.5, and they were used as well as a lot of strips cut smaller.
I think this is a perfect example of adding "twinkle" to a normally ho-hum quilt. Look how the turquoise blue "pops"! (it was accidental!)
My younger brother and wife (also Elaine) visited over the weekend. His goal was to help me pick out a new computer. He worked for HOURS getting it set up - while I don't consider myself a dummie, I could never have done it myself! I paid him back somewhat by sending them off with 6 quilts. We encouraged them to take more of our stuff to help us downsize. They went home with quilts, family paintings, and below he is trying to pack one of DH's boats.
And here is DH (below) playing with the new computer/laptop.
Windows 8.1 is just FULL of "stuff" that, for now, (IMHO) we are finding useless. Skype was fun for a day or so, taking our picture was entertaining, but I prefer e-mail. OK, YouTube was good . We had to purchase Excel and MSWord separately. I know we will get better, but it's so full of gizmos, and stuff, and popups, and full-page pop-up ads, and "stores" to purchase more stuff, and unexpected screens in and out, enlarged or reduced screens for no reason, (?) no menus that are easily available, that I already ordered "Windows 8.1 for Dummies." Bookmarks, so far, are unavailable, the URL bar, if I can remember an address, jumps in and out of the screen, and one never seems to "close" anything. BING is the Search Engine (don't want that either). If you are familiar with Windows 8.1, PLEASE send me some encouragement that it will get better!!! I purchased the laptop specifically so we would have less stairs to maneuver. This present XP is downstairs, and I really like it, but felt we should try to keep up with the times.
I made my living on the computer during my working years, using the computer as an aid to working using Windows XP. This laptop seems more of a toy, with the goal being playing, and figuring it out, rather than using it for sensible purposes.
OK, enough whining!!! I am thrilled I kept my "old" desktop. 8-))))
Elaine, I had to laugh about your windows 8 experience. I purchased a w8 laptop a little over a year and ,finally in frustration, took it back. Purchased an iPad which I love, but it has limited capabilities.... no printing without special printer, etc. After mastering the iPad, I decide I could also master the w8, so bought another one. After two weeks of frustration again, I took that one back. I'll make it with my iPad and older laptop by plugging printer into USB port. Desktop died a year ago. CD player on laptop died today, so I need to buy an external one. Does it never end???
ReplyDeleteI had rather quilt than try to figure out electronics!!
At first glance, I thought you were doing Bonnie's leader/ender challenge for the year, which is a split 9-patch, which I am NOT doing. Love her ideas, but not jumping on this one.
ReplyDeleteThe pink adds a lot of sparkle, too. Lovely.
I hate learning new things on the computer. Just leave well enough alone already, right??
I just read or heard? (can't remember now) that Microsoft is not going to support XP much longer which will leave it open to hackers, spammers and other nasties that like to drop viruses. So be careful on your older desktop.
ReplyDeleteI heard the same as Paula the XP will not be supported after April. My old desktop (11 yrs. old) is also XP and I will keep it for some older programs but not have it hooked up to the internet after April. On my laptop I have Windows 7 which I love.
ReplyDeleteI purchased a new laptop at the end of 2013 and it has Windows 8.1 also. I purchased the book, My Windows 8 by Katherine Murray and it has been helpful. I think I purchased it from Amazon. I to miss my xp computer and programs. I don't know why they don't give us a choice of go with what you are used to updated or go with the new stuff which is designed to drive you insane in 30 minutes or less.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is that one of my best friends bought a new laptop with Windows 8 and after weeks of frustration, returned it. And I think of her as being pretty savvy.. I haven't heard of anyone who really loved it (or understood it for that matter).
ReplyDeleteI only know a few people who have bought a computer with Windows 8 and none of them like it. They keep asking me what I know about it and I have to admit, "nada". No one will buy me a laptop so I can learn. Can you believe that? :) There is a free program called "Classic Shell" that you can download and install to get back the classic Windows 7 look and menus. It's all there under he hood, you just can't find it in all the Windows 8 clutter. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI love the thought of getting new computers and electronic gizmos but always forget the learning curve can be daunting. Even getting a new stove is a challenge because it is all digital. We recently purchased a new car and there are a bunch of controls to learn that are on a screen. It takes a lot of time that I don't always want to spend but after learned are kind of nice to have.
ReplyDeleteYour split nine patch looks fabulous! Keep on going with that.
ReplyDeleteBut the W8 report from you is the first that I've heard about it. sounds awful, you poor dear! I am successfully running w vista home premium and am terrified of anything new!
I also used PC computers extensively to do my job. When I retied last year my son gave me a Mac laptop. I uploaded an ad blocker on it and am so happy with it-very intuitive to use. I still have my laptop from work w/ XP, was able to buy it cheap, but hardly ever use it. Now I know I won't use it after April.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the discussion about 'tugging' to set seams! I'm a new quilter-finished my first quilt in June and have made two more since-lots to learn!
Isn't it nice to have a computer knowledgeable person to help out. I have to get my son in America to help me yet somehow he still manages to fix glitches for me...
ReplyDeleteLove your zig-zag quilt.
That is the same set I used for my split 9 patches--just got it back from the long arm quilter and hope to get a binding on it soon.
ReplyDeleteI love your fabrics--looks great
I feel your pain re the new windows. It's awful. I'm a Mac girl except I need if for EQ and for my embroidery stuff. Although most of the embroidery stuff gets saved to the Mac and then only moved to the windows machine if I need to do so etching with it. I'm looking forward to when EQ moves a program to the mac platform. Should be sometime this spring....
ReplyDeleteRegardless if a laptop is old or new, the important thing is that it's still working fine and could be used as a back-up in times of emergency. I hope you also consider having an online drive for your computer files, that way it'll be accessible wherever you are.
ReplyDeleteRuby Badcoe
What a cute project you have there! I like how the blues are accentuated in the pattern, although as you've said, it's by accident. Hahaha! Good thing you have a 'techie' brother to help you out with setting up your new laptop. I totally agree with you on the on the new Windows. The XP will still be my fave of all those operating systems, just because of it's functional simplicity. I hope you get to work things out, though.
ReplyDeleteGene Sullivan @ ETech STL