I thought I would do a fun interactive post where everyone can ask a question or questions and have all of you and myself included answer them.
There are so many helpful people in the world who can share so much...some have blogs, and some do not. I thought this would be the perfect solution for everyone to ask any question and then we can all help!!
Ask questions about cooking, recipes, crafting, sewing, vacations in other countries or states, Christmas gift ideas, decorating...anything goes.
Here's how it will work...
- post your question in the comment section
- everyone will read the question
- if someone has a helpful answer, that person will click the "REPLY" button right under that particular question and post the answer!!
- that way everyone can read the answer too!!
- this is helpful for some who don't like to share their email address or who are "no replies" and there isn't an email address to respond to
- just come back to this post to see if your question has been answered!!
I hope this will be successful and helpful too. If it is, maybe I'll make it a weekly post!!
Have a great day and ask away!!
~Karen~
I don't really know how to machine quilt except for some simple, straight stitching; however, I would like to learn to do it correctly. How do I stop in one area and start in another? Something about pulling up the bobbin thread so it won't hang loose?
ReplyDeleteYes you stop, cut the top thread and bottom thread, leaving a tail. Then you turn the needle by hand while holding the top thread until the bottom one comes up. You can then take a needle and bury the threads in the quilt. A good place to learn about quilting is http://daystyledesigns.com Leah Day is a great teacher. She also had a class on Craftsy.com that is excellent. I am still learning myself and she has been the best help so far.
DeleteAlso here is a youtube video showing exactly what you were asking..
Deletehttp://youtu.be/3Ct988DXkNQ
I was going to tell you to buy a lesson that Leah Day has on Crafty. I am total slef taught when it comes to quilting and I have learnt everything off the net, Leah Day andis great and so are the you tube videos and they are free. Good luck
DeleteThis is a great idea Karen! My question is how do you store your Christmas lights? For your tree and outside. I spend lots of time unraveling the big mess each year and I always say I need to find a better way to store them so they don't get all tangled.
ReplyDeletehaving experienced exactly the same, what I now do, is hold each light bulb in my hand then the wire in between each bulb makes a looped stem, & the bulbs in your hand will look like a bunch of flowers. Then wrap the long length with the plug on the end around the stem of wire. Then the next time use them before unwinding the wire, plug into a socket to check if all the bulbs are working. This makes it so much easier. As i have several sets of lights I put them in a labelled shoe box. Hope you can follow my instructions. Have fun decorating your tree. What colour theme will you be using? have a peep at my latest post on my blog.
DeleteI cut pieces of a cardboard box to fit sideways in another box. I notch the top and bottom (large area) to wrap the cords around. The unnotched sides (left and right) keep the cords from falling off the cardboard as you wrap and store them. I wrap the lights around the cardboard with one or two strands and then stand it upright in the box and cover it up. I actually use plastic totes to store them in this way. I do the same with garland so it doesn't ravel and with electric cords. It's so easy to check the lights the next year too if you leave the outlet part out at the last before securing it and then you can just plug them into the wall to test them before putting them on the tree, house, etc. I just unroll them from the boards as I go around the tree so they're slick and easy to put up! No more tangles!!
DeleteCindy
Good Evening to you, I use the cardboard from the centre of tin foil, or kitchen roll. I take the lights off the tree and lay them on the carpet in a straight line. Then I take one end of the string of lights and gently roll around the cardboard. I have quite a few sets, so I lay them carefully in a large cardboard box layered with paper, and there they sit until needed next year. We did this for my daughter when we visited, at the time she thought we were mad as hatters, but come the following year she was thrilled, because the lights were so easy to unroll. So easy, but it works. Best Wishes Daphne
DeleteWe use cord wrappers. They are usually found in the electrical cord area, and you just wrap your lights around them, and then unwrap them next year.
DeleteThere is also a pin all around Pinterest showing christmas lighst wrapped around a clothes hanger :)
DeleteI like a lot of lights on my tree. I mean a LOT of lights. I bought one of those orange extension cord holders and just wind the giant string of lights around that (or around four of them to be precise.)
DeletePlease can someone advise me. I am trying to add "you might also like" buttons to my blog. I have tried using NRelate and also Linkwithin, but when I tried to install firstly Linkwith a note popped up saying "not possible because of cross scripting" and so I tried NRelate, but the same thing happened. Does anyone know how I can overcome this? I would appreciate any advise. Thank you, Daphne
ReplyDeletehttp://www.linkwithin.com/learn?ref=widget
DeleteI clicked the above link, put in my email, and my http for my blog, and clicked the place my blog is hosted at and it was added within 2 minutes, could be that your blog is on Google+ and google doesn't allow other companies to do things sometimes on their pages.
I had this same question! So thank you Daphne for asking it, because I would have forgotten, and thank you Ann for answering! I used your link and it worked for me! So happy!
DeleteGood Afternoon Ann, Thank you, you have answered my question. My blog is on Google+. Does this mean I cannot move forward and have thumbnails of "so you might like"? I did try your link, but it still did not work.... this is so frustrating. Daphne
DeleteWhat are some of the best, simple sewing video tutorials that you have found? I am fairly new to the sewing world (I can maybe fix a small seam, that sort of thing) and am really looking to up my ante. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteI see you say sewing. I'm a quilter, I don't sew. For quilting, the Missouri Star Quilt Co. on YouTube. has a ton of videos for easy quilts and they have some on making other stuff, too.
DeleteI had to teach myself how to sew and the way I did it was to get a very simple pattern ie. Simplicity, and folow the directions. Try to start with a skirt and work your way into harder things. They pretty much walk you through step by step. If you are still having problems, don't be afraid to ask someone. Also, I found the magazine Threads very helpful.I now make most all my outfits as well as the dresses for ballroom dancing my husband and I do. L
DeleteMy first question would be what do you want to sew? If it's crafts, I agree with Lindi. Simplicity has some excellent patterns for beginners and their directions are straight forward and easy to follow. If you want to make clothing, try to find "Easy" or 1-hour patterns in their catalog. And no zippers until you've mastered a few basics! For clothing, besides the magazine, Threads also has videos on beginning sewing. I've never seen them but their other products are excellent and I'd expect no less from the videos. Practice keeping your seam line accurate (clothing seam allowance is usually 5/8" while quilting is 1/4"). Taking a piece of lined paper and practicing with no thread in your machine is an easy way to start.
DeleteI did alot of scrap practice sewing lines and stuff like Mary mentioned. basically I just followed tutorials I found online! and also I started using pdf patterns, I think they're so much easier to use and understand than the tissue patterns from the store...
DeleteJust starting to blog with WordPress. I need to resize my photos before uploading but I don't know what size to start with before uploading. I'm using Picasa to resize - it has you pick number of pixels. WordPress generates smaller thumbnails from whatever size is uploaded. I don't want to upload the full size because that would use up my space allowance way too soon. What number of pixels should I choose in Picasa?
ReplyDeleteI cannot see your blog but take a look at my blog here: http://www.dianarambles.com/. My wide photos are 640px wide. Is your post space wider than that? If so, then go wider than 640, but probably not wider than 800px.
DeleteFirst, thank you for this topic. My question is: How does one get other bloggers to add your blog to their “blogs I follow” list. They tell me to ‘follow them’ which I do, but I do not see my blog on their ‘list’. I have even e-mailed them asking to please add me to their list. I would like to start getting more followers so I can have ‘give a-ways’ but so far I only have 2 followers. Please help. L
ReplyDeleteA good way to get other followers is to comment a lot on blogs you do read, and if anyone is having a linky party, join it. It gets a lot of traffic to your blog, and if people like what they see, they will stick around. Before you know it you will have lots of people following.
DeleteAnn Marie is right. Here are some comment tips I recently posted that expand on what Ann Marie said.
DeleteThere is a difference between followers & 'blogs I follow'. When you click to (publically) follow someone via GFC (Google Friend Connect) your avatar will show up on their followers and you should be able to see their feed on your Blogger Dashboard. (BTW~ I am following you now, so 4 followers). "Blogs I follow" is a link-list widget that you have to manually add the blogs you want on the list.
I am new to blogging as well and am trying to learn as much as I can! This questions/answers Segment is such a good idea. I IS am now following you too, Linda.
DeleteHi, Computer question for you. I have windows 7 and for E-mail use the Outlook 2010 that came with. I have two computers that are linked together. Question is when I delete a message on one computer, I want it deleted on the other.
ReplyDeleteI can't find the area where you set this up.
Thanks, Dian
It's been awhile since I've used windows but you want to look at the settings on your email account (on each computer). Look for something that says, link/sync to server. There should be something that says "leave on server" or "delete from server". Hope that helps!
DeleteI really need to redesign my blog. I don't like the look of it. I'm willing to pay someone a nominal fee to do this but wanted to see what other people have had experience with!
ReplyDeleteAny time I need a new look for my blog or a special holiday background I always to to Amy of Amybugs. I love her designs and she is great to work with.I know a lot of the gals out there can do their own but I have never tried it.
DeletePlaying around with the blogger templates is the best way to experiment with the look. You can change colors, fonts, sizes of fonts, etc. You can google how to do some things you don't know how to do, or search right here on Karen's blog as she has great tutorials how to add or do things on your blog. If you have a photo, you can use it as your blog header if you want. The best way to learn is to play around.
DeleteBut keep in mind that whether you do things yourself or pay someone to do them, there are things that are helpful to your blog and things that can take away from your blog too. Read about what people like about blogs and what they do not like about blogs (search Karen's blog here to find out some of these things).
This is a great post Karen. My question is how do I get involved in blog hops.
ReplyDeleteHi Maria. Small world to meet you here on Karen's blog. Maria, did you mean how do you join in on blog hops that others start? Or did you want to create your own blog hops? If you want to join in on other blog hops, you have to see when those blog hops announce they are having a blog hop and usually you email that you want to join in. If you want to create a blog hop that others will join then you have to announce it on your blog and list the requirements such as what is the blog hop about? What item will you make that you want others to also make? Then make sure you get all the email addresses, and Url addresses, etc. so that you can post them on your blog on the day/days of the hop so people who not only join in on the hop but visitors can find everyone who participates. You would also ask those joining on the hop post the link lists on their blog. You can create a blog button, etc. to advertise the event too. It's a lot of planning ahead of time if you want to do this. Even though I have not hosted a blog hop, I have joined on on many and they are fun to share, and see what others create as well as have more visitors (and new followers sometimes) to your blog. Some people do give-aways then too. If you still have more questions, well you know where to find me, lol.
DeleteThanks for all the information Daryl.
DeleteGreat idea Karen! I want to know how big my stitches should be when fmq. The photos I've looked at show them to be quite long (but hard to tell), but mine are quite tiny, maybe 1mm (approx 1/32")
ReplyDeleteI don't think stitch length matters for free motion quilting as long as the stitches are consistent. You don't want tiny stitches and then large ones. They should all be close to the same size, whether tiny or large, just keep all the stitches the same size. A lot of times stitches can be different sizes for beginners when they are learning to free motion quilt, because they don't have the hang of the FMQ yet.
DeleteHi Pauline. If your fmq is a large design, then 2.0 - 3.0 is plenty big. I rarely go larger than 3.0. If you're doing smaller, more intricate designs like feathers or small stippling that has lots of curves, then your stitch length should be smaller like 1.0 - 2.0. Do you remember doing dot-to-dot coloring as a child? If you can imagine the longer the length in between the dots, then the more angular your curves become. As long as your stitches look smooth and not too "puckery" then you are doing good. Consistency is nice too, but that will come naturally as you develop your skills.
DeleteThe size of your stitches is a fine balance between the speed of your hands and how flat to the floor you have your foot lol if you are going fast on the machine you will have to move your hands a bit faster if you go a bit slower then you are giving your hands a chance to keep pace, try and stay comfortable its not a race Cheers and good luck
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is a non-quilting question. My nephew would like to do more camping especially cooking with his cast iron pots. Do you know of any books or websites with recipes and suggestions to get him started? He requested a book on his holiday list.
ReplyDeleteBecky, Once when visiting family in Amarillo we got to attend a dude ranch cookout where they cooked everything like they were on a cattle drive. I'd search for "dude ranch" or "cattle drive" or possibly pioneer book. I'd try adding "cast iron" and if there were not many results, then go back and try again without. Finally, I'd check the results on Amazon to "look inside". If none of that was fruitful, I'd try my local resource librarian. They can find anything... they were the "search" function before the internet :)
DeleteBlessings!
Type " camp oven cooking books" into google you will get a great selection
DeleteKaren - what a timely post! I just sent you an email but I will post my question here too. I am about to embark on my first giveaway and want to know how to choose a winner? How can I randomly choose a winner? Putting names in a hat and pull one out? Thanks for your help!
ReplyDeleteYou can use random.org I have used them before. I also like the old fashioned way of writing all the blogs down and throwing them into a bowl. I usually have one of my sons pic the name and I take a pic of him ( which he hates) holding the winners name. Giveaways are so much fun!
DeleteI agree with Cyn...Random Number Generator is great for give aways. I did a post this past summer on how it works. You can click the link below to read about it.
Deletehttp://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/search/label/Random%20Number%20Generator
just discovered your posts. wow, such great organizing ideas! i'm moving to a smaller space, any tips on organizing my extra fabric? they're currently in separate ziploc bags in a box...
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to 2 posts I did on filing your fabric in file cabinets!!
Deletehttp://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/search/label/fabric%20filing
I know there are so many other great ways to store fabric, so I hope there will be more replies from everyone for this question!!
I think the filing cabinet idea is best because the fabric is so visible and thre are so many sizes to choose from. You can pick up an old metal 2 drawer cabinet for next to nothing, spray paint it and it will double as an extra table. I did purchase 1 of those 3 drawer plastic containers from target, and they hold quite a bit of fabric. Does anyone have any suggestions for storing fat quarters?
DeleteI like to keep my fat quarters folded and stacked upright in a plastic shoe box. You can sort them by color, theme, or whatever works best for you.
DeleteSince i am fairly new to blogging i need to know the best way to create a blog badge, button, whatever its called for my blog. So that people can "grab a button". :)
ReplyDeleteIf you google how to create a button for your blog, there are many sites that come up. Som require photoshop, which I don't have, but others have tutorials showing you how to create a button on their site.
DeleteAs Usual,Karen you have the best and timely posts! Thank You :)
ReplyDeleteMy question is this... Recently while typing up a post and uploading photos,a message popped up telling me I was out of space on Picasa? I have purchased more space so that I can continue to blog,what I need to know is... How do I Compress my photos in Picasa,and where in Picasa,do I do this?
I'm not sure how Picasa works, but for myself I learned my camera was set to the wrong setting and I was taking pictures with the recording pixels set way too high sucking up a lot of space on my computer. I set my pictures to 640x480 pixels now for blogging. My camera has it under "great for emails". The other pixel size settings are for printing..some 8"x 10" size pictures, so the quality of the picture has to be there with the pixels. These settings take up sooo much space in my computer and probably Picasa. The large pixel setting are 3264x2448 or 2592x1944 or 1600x1200. Too big for blogging...slows down page loading time too.
DeleteSorry couldn't help with the compression, but maybe changing your pixel size now will help with more space in the future.
If you already purchased more space in picasa, then you have plenty of space once you buy more space. You get so much free space and then they charge you, or you could have gone back and re-sized your photos to create more room or you could have deleted some photos to make space too. But once you have purchased space you get more space than you could use and you are charged monthly or annually for the space. If you do not continue to pay for space, then you cannot add more photos, unless you go back to the allotted amount picasa gives you for free. Or continue to pay on a monthly basis or whatever they charged you.
DeleteThere are many online free site for re-sizing your photos to a smaller size if you want to try them. Pretty easy to use, just read the instructions. You can google how to re-size your photos for those sites to come up.
Thank you ladies :)
DeleteWow! So many Q's! I have a question? I caught a glimpse of your heagon piecing and would love to get your size and method. I would love to make a baby blanket with small hexagon shapes. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt that I am sewing uses a 2 1/4 inch hexagon. I measured the 2 1/4" with one of the points up and measure flat side to flat side. Here is the link to my favorite method of sewing them
Deletehttp://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2010/08/english-paper-piecing-tutorial.html
Hope this helps. If you type in hexagon paper piecing or English Paper piecing templates in Google search, there are a lot of free patterns you can print .
Karen, looked it up and read it! Thank you! The accuquilt looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteDo you think it would be possible to machine stitch (using a zig-zag stitch) the hexies together after they have had the corners turned under. Might give that a try.
Love your work! Katherine
Blogging question : I have just re'd this message from one of my followers:
ReplyDelete''I have a problem with your link in my sidebar..no matter what I do, the feed just won't take..I have this problem with some other blogs.. I'm trying hard to sort it out.. do you have a solution maybe? ''
can anyone help ?