This week is Question and Answer Day...
If you're new to the Question and Answer post, it's very simple...ask a question (any question at all) and my wonderful readers from all over the world will answer it for you!! Another reason why I love blogging...so many people willing to help and share their thoughts!!
Thanks to everyone who asks and for all who answer. I LOVE IT!!
Just ask a question in the comment section. Anyone who reads my blog from all over the world, can answer that question by clicking in the "REPLY " button under THAT specific question.
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!!
Just an FYI...when you are clicking "reply" in any blog comment format, you are not "replying" directly to that person's email address. You are just replying on my blog under the question, so everyone has to return here to see the answers.
Ask questions about cooking, recipes, crafting, sewing, blogging, photography, vacations in other countries or states, decorating, families, babies...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!!
If you'd like to read the other Q and A post we've had over the weeks, you can click the Q and A link in the labels section. Today's post will be the first one you'll see, but scroll down for the others.
Have a great day everyone,
~Karen~
I recently received a Baby Go Accuquilt cutter. I only have one die so far, a 4 1/2" square, 2 1/2" half square triangle, and a 2 1/2" square. I'm wondering if anyone has a favorite way to use it?Also, what is your favorite die? Thanks so much, Karen, for this venue.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy--My favorite die of all time is the hexagon for the Go Baby! I use it for cutting both the freezer paper templates and the cloth. Since it has 3 sizes you can (for instance) pick the smallest size for papers and the next size up for cloth--they'll fit perfectly. Have fun, Julierose
DeleteHi Nancy, I use the 2 1/2 in. die to cut quilt bindings, very accurate and fast! From another Nancy B
DeleteI love using the circle die. It's hard to cut perfect circles for fused appliqué and the machine makes it really easy.
DeleteOoops, I guess that was three dies. (They were in one package.) LOL
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ReplyDeleteFor the past year or so, I've been seeing kids (mostly boys) riding bikes around town, usually in groups of 3 or more. It's great to see them riding & some even wearing helmets, but it's their bikes I wonder about. They are usually very plain (no brand names) no brakes and no gears--totally stripped down! Can anyone please tell me what the deal is
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I've only got a few thoughts, not a knowledgeable answer:
Delete* Maybe it is a 'cool' thing. In the UK it is not uncommon for young men to debrand their cars
* the no gears makes me think maybe they are doing stunt cycling, although I would have thought brakes were a necessity for that. I learnt recently that bikes with really low seats (or no seats) are stunt bikes. It can hurt a lot if they make a mistake and hit the saddle!
The kids are probably riding BMX or freestyle bikes. They are less for riding, and more for doing tricks. The brakes are not hand brakes, but the manual ones where you pedal backwards.
DeleteI have started my blog not too long ago, and I am wondering about the many linky's that I see in so many blogs: Can anyone point me to an explanation of how to create my own linky tool?
ReplyDeleteI think it is a subscription service you pay for to have the ability for people to "link up".
DeleteLink parties are for bloggers to link their projects for others to check out to increase their blog traffic, I have been doing it for a couple of months and it really helped with my traffic ALOT!
Deleteto host a link party yourself, you will need a link service, there are a few out there:
1. http://www.linkytools.com/
2. http://www.inlinkz.com/
3. http://www.misterlinky.net/
4. http://www.simply-linked.com/
These provide free and paid services. most free services do not provide thumbnail link parties, only links, so you will need to review each to see what you need.
To host a successful link party, you might want to co host with others first to get your name out there and for others to follow you first, then you can host your own.
Make certain what you want accomplish, for example, if you want to have more traffic to your blog, have a general link party where others can link anything they want, if you want a specific crowd then host a specific link party, and so on.
Most of all, be consistent, host your party once a week or once a month and stick to it. I hope this helps
Thanks very much, Mandy, that was very helpful!!
DeleteI find that after years of sewing quilting has taken over a large part of my life. I have 2 sewing machines and am happy with them, BUT as I make more king size quilts than small I need a machine that can handle them. What do you recommend? Is it worth the expense of a long arm quilter and if so which model?
ReplyDeletePam, I have had 3 frame set ups and 4 machines. I would suggest trying out a friends machine, renting time at a shop, and/or trying out as MANY as you can get your hands on. (big quilt shows are a great place to try many quilting systems). There are many choices in sizes(where can you put one?), budgets (how much do you want to spend?), and add ons (how much to you HAVE to spend?) I have known people who purchased a system, only to NEVER set it up and use it. (like buying a car and parking it in the driveway). Some quilters don't LIKE that part of quilting. Its a personal thing and only YOU can decide that. Feel free to email me and I will answer any more questions. (by the way, I sold my old frame and bought an Innova. I'm in LOVE with this machine/frame!)beth in az (soccertxi@aol.com)
DeleteMy husband and I are building a paver path called a "Zipper Pathway" designed by Home Depot. The "mondo grass" that they show in their instructions doesn't grow in our area (zone 3). I'd love to have some suggestions for a very low profile, easily maintained ground cover suitable for our very northern climate. You can see the pathway at http://www.wildernesswife.com/home-depot-zipper-pathway-digin
ReplyDeleteSheryl--thyme is a pretty hardy ground cover and has the advantage of a great scent when you step on it. This is a great website, too: http://www.stepables.com/
DeleteHi, I live in Texas so I don't know if this will work in Maine. If I was putting in a staggered path, I would fill in the area with crushed or decomposed granite. You can see it applied here as a ground cover: http://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/2013/03/xeriscape-landscape-design.html
ReplyDeleteor here as a path: http://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/2012/06/loving-leslies-garden.html
After 4 years I've got access to my sewing patterns, material and ongoing projects again. I'm keen to start sewing again, but concerned that I've now got two young children who would love to get hold of anything I'm working on or is left out. How do I get started? How do I review what I've got? How do I keep it organised and away from curious hands?
ReplyDeleteI guess that is three questions not one;)
I keep my projects together in a large reusable grocery bag. When my little one wakes up, in the bag it goes, and put up somewhere high out of reach (like on top of the fridge). Then, I work on it again when she goes to sleep. Sometimes if she is very absorbed in some play, I will try and work on it, but it seems to be an exercise in frustration for the pair of us.
DeleteI have been sewing all my life and have had four kids. You can use a locking lid storage container to put your project in. They also work great for sewing supplies. They are clear enough to see what is inside also.
DeleteLimit the number of 'ongoing projects' that you're working on, keeping them in one of those clear plastic shoe boxes (or regular shoe box that's been repurposed). I sewed when my children were young allowing them to watch and see what I did. At one point, when my son was around 5 or 6, I had my sewing table set up in a corner of his bedroom (his sisters shared a room - he got me!) I heard one of his friends ask one time "what's that?" He said, "my mom's sewing machine. Don't touch it!" I think if kids grow up around things they understand better.
DeleteMy kids, and now my grandkids, loved to 'sew' with me, they had their own scraps to play with and sort, put together and so on. You might cut up some random shapes of fabric, have an area for them to 'work' with you, maybe a small felt board they could use as a little 'design wall'...all good ways for them to experience working with fabric, color, shapes, etc. They can have their own containers, learn to put away what they are working on and so forth. It will take some of your time to work with them, but the shared memories are worth it!
DeleteWhen my children were young (4 and 2) they sewed with me well sort of! I gave them my scraps ,stick glue and some paper or scrapbook,most of the time they played quite happily with only a few interuptions for cutting shapes or more scraps, my daughter loved the threads and could be seen sliding around the floor looking for threads ( they made great hair)the 2 year old sat for hours trying to get glued material off his hand only to get it stuck on the other lol, and the word No this is mummies don't touch works well if they hear it often enough and it is re enforced with reward i.e a little glitter or some stars for their care not to touch your work
DeleteDoes anyone have a great idea for yarn storage/organization? I crochet voraciously, and my stash isn't huge YET :-), so I'd like to come up with a system before it does gets overwhelming. My scrapbook stuff ran me out of house and home til I finally got THAT under control. I'm VERY short on space, so I'm looking for something that I can do in a relatively compact area. Thanks in advance for any ideas!!!
ReplyDeletewhen space is limited, always go up. hang wall shelves to organize stuff, and use baskets or tubs to organize your stash, yarn are easier to store than fabrics so you can simply use those dollar store plastic bins for your yarn and label them on the outside of the bins so you know what you have in each bin, or simply buy clear bins!! haha :) but i would really just line the walls with shelves (like I am gonna do to my crafts room too) now if you need to have storage with lids, simply buy those plastic drawers then your stuff wont be dusty.
DeleteI have a spare bedroom that has shelves on the inside side of the closet. I store my yarn on them. I had a lot of yarn I'd bought at a couple of yard sales but have used and given much of it away so now I put what's left in tubs on the shelves.
DeleteDiannia
I live in a small apartment so most pieces of furniture are required to do double duty. I have two cube footstools (I think I picked them up at Target or Wal-mart for 20 dollars each) that store most of my yarn. They look a lot nicer than plastic bins, can stay out in the living room, and get lots of use as footstools, tables, extra seating, etc.
DeleteHi all, I have been renovating our 1960's home for a while now, and almost all the rooms are done except for the doors..... I have tried to paint doors but the hollow indoor doors are tough to paint since they are not solid wood and sanding them is tough and dangerous if i am not careful. what ideas do you have in painting them and have them turn out good?
ReplyDeleteWe are also remodeling a 1960's house. Unfortunately, most of the doors in ours were damaged. We have found that Home Depot regularly puts their six panel doors on sale for $19! We have been replacing them one or two at a time- whenever we catch the sale! :-) Good luck!
DeleteHi Mandy, recently I was watching Home & Family on Hallmark. They were using a paint called chalk paint. It is not chalkboard paint but paint for situations like yours, no sanding or much prep work to use it. You can only purchase it at smaller paint stores. You won't find it at Home Depot or Lowes. It was just last week that it was on so you should find it quickly in their site hallmark.com/homeandfamily I'm sorry I don't remember the exact name. Good luck. Tina
DeleteI have used cotton batting in the past and have never pre-washed it, and have been satisfied with the quilt after washing it. Today I purchased some cotton/bamboo batting and am wondering if I should prewash it. (I did prewash all the fabric for this quilt, something I have never done before.) Any thoughts and advice will be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen for hosting this link!
Enjoy your day!
~Vickie
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ReplyDeleteHi, I know it's not Thursday anymore, but I thought I'd ask a question anyway. What would be the easiest craft or hobby for me to take up? I am hopeless at anything artistic and can't knit, sew or crochet, but I really want to be able to do or make something in my spare time. Thanks sue
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried cross-stitch? Aida cloth is numbered by the number of holes per inch so start with a 10 or 14 Aida cloth and a simple pattern. Technically cross-stitching is sewing, but since you're just making x's using the holes in the aida cloth it isn't as hard as sewing or embroidery on fabric. When I started knitting and quilting I didn't have time to continue doing cross-stitching, but it was my hobby of choice for 10 years. I'd be happy to give you more advice if you want. You can contact me through my blog...peasinapodcreations.blogspot.com
DeleteHi kymberly thank you, I will go to your blog and have a look. Sue
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