5/25/12: How to Back Up Your Blogger Blog - Step by Step

As promised, I'm back this week to tell you how to back up your Blogger blog, both past posts and the blog template. Backing up is a good habit to get into and it is really quick to do with Blogger. Especially when you have a road map like this one I put together for myself:

To backup blog's content (i.e. past posts):

Go to your blog's "Settings" and click on the subcategory "Other."

At the very top of the page click on "Export blog" and download the xml file. That's it. This one single file will hold all your past posts.

Blogger suggests testing this file because sometimes a post may be missing. To test the file, I made a make-believe blog titled Rebekah's Test Blog and I imported the xml file to this blog. (You can import by clicking on "Import" found right near the "Export" option you clicked previously.) I then compared the number of posts from my real blog to the newly imported posts found on my Rebekah's Test Blog. The number matched.

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To backup blog's template:

Go to your blog's "Template" and click on the "Backup/Restore" button found right below your account button in the upper right corner. Click on the "download full template" button and another xml file will be created. Test out this file by uploading the template your make-believe blog. (The upload option is found right below the "download full template.")

Now go forward and back up!

5/8/12: My Wares

Last month my sisters and I attended a craft show at our church and I put together a video to show what we sold. OK, to be completely honest here, Catherine is the one who edited this video! She is a whiz with video making (I have proof here), and had this video done and published in a blink of the eye. Thanks, sis!



If you are interested in those potholders or rosaries you caught a glimpse of, I have them up for sale in my Etsy shop. Those potholders are fun, aren't they? Both in creating them and the finished item!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel so you will be always up to date! Thanks!

5/2/12: A Million and One Things to Do

Is it common? I'm talking about the number of crafting related projects I have going at one time. "Oh, it can't be that bad!" people might say. But what do you say to this list?

Works in progress. . .

• Crocheted Cable Afghan
• Log Cabin Throw
• My Quilt
• Holi Mitts
• Straight Skirt for Catherine and for Etsy Shop
• Video Tutorials for FaveCrafts and AllFreeKnitting
• Felted Purse
• Crocheted Baby Afghan
• Alterations and Mending Jobs: Seven
• Jeans for me
• T-shirts for me
• and I'm sure there's more!

Do you think I have a problem here?

My sister has said in the past that I start too many things. I chuckle to myself and think, "Me? Nah!" But then I look at the five or so tote bags that I have sitting on a shelf. They are chock full of forgotten works in progress that are usually remain in that forgotten state until the kitten curls up on one of them.

Most days I don't find this bothering me. But there are certain days when I just feel like I'm swimming in too many things and have bitten off more than I can chew. I think this culmination of "things going" is caused by the worry of being bored.

If I was asked if I got bored often I would say, "No." The secret to this is having 101 choices at your finger tips. If I feel the onset of boredom coming when I'm knitting I can switch to sewing. Or if I can't stand inserting another sleeve, I will work on a quilt. And it goes on and on like that. That's why I have those tote bags and a Ravelry queue full to the breaking point. I love the word "queue." I use it all the time.

I listen to the Knit Picks podcast (which I talked about before), often when I'm crafting away and the host, Kelly, is like me. She doesn't have tunnel vision; she needs multiple projects. She really only knits but she knits lots of different things at once. She has on-the-go projects like socks, lace knitting when she wants some mind stimulation, and just lots of stuff on the needles. . . Just so she doesn't get bored and always has fun knitting.

So in conclusion: I'm not going to change this predicament I'm in. Having a long list of crafty tasks to do suits me fine. Most of my crafting projects do not have deadlines and some might not even see the finish line. But I think that's OK. Crafting shouldn't become a real chore and should be treated more as your haven. I know for a fact there has, and always will be, moments of frustration and monotony, but that's OK to. As Kelly from the podcast would say, "It is part of the process."

Other parts of life can be trimmed, downsized, and scheduled better, but for my crafting, well, it is going to stay its sporadic, crazy self.

What about you? Do you share the same style of crafting as me and have a long list of things to do? Do you think less is more or more the merrier?

3/23/12: Noisy Silence

Wanted to pop in for a little bit this evening and share what I've been up to these last couple weeks!

I'm working on some video tutorials for www.favecrafts.com, one of which is a project that is bold and cute. I'm loving it!

Been dabbling in another type of hands-on work I've never done before. . . Assembling electronics. Yeah, weird, huh? I'll share more on that later.

Just starting to work on a made-to-order skirt that was bought via my Etsy shop. No actual stitching yet but I'm still loving the process of selecting the fabric and altering the pattern.

Not much headway on the quilt. The running total is 134 and I need 192. I'm glad I tucked all my blocks into that sewing caddy because I don't know if I could stand the urge to quilt if I have it out and in view. The quilt has to wait just a couple more days--priorities, priorities!

Gosh, it has been a hot week, hasn't it? It got up to 87F in my part of Michigan! Not a happy camper. Haven't started knitting or crocheting anything because of the weather. The weekend should be a lot cooler so maybe I'll look into doing the Holi Mitts soon!

That is in my world of crafting. Farm work, house work, and cooking makes up the rest!

So that is my little update. I don't know why I have such choppy sentences this evening. As I read through everything I feel as if I'm back to writing school reports in 4th grade. :)

5/29/11: A Round Up of Topics

Have a mismatch of topics to talk about today.

Giveaway: I first want to thank all the participants in the Rosy Days of May Giveaway (which will be ending tomorrow, by the way, so spread the word!). Catherine and I think it was a success and we learned so much from doing it! I can't wait to find out who the winner is on May 31st and send her a special package of goodies. The future is sure to hold more giveaways here on my blog, so be sure to keep an eye open for those.

Here's a question for you: What giveaway prizes do you always look for? Crafting supplies like fabric, yarn, or patterns? Handmade items? Books?

Stool Cushions: I'm coming along well with the stool cushions I mentioned about yesterday. The only problem I've ran into so far is lack of good synthetic foam around here. I went to Wal-Mart last Thursday and spent a couple seconds looking in their fabric section. Even though I go there almost every week, I haven't looked at their fabrics before because I find fabric and notions way too tempting! Fabric is one of those things that causes impulse shopping for me I'm afraid. :) But I knew I could handle the onslaught of fabric bolt attacks by having a real plan. Plan of attack was get in, look for foam and knit fabric, and get out.

It turned out to be a disappointment. The foam was thin and ridiculously priced and they didn't have one single bolt of knit fabric. I've been thinking of sewing some knit t-shirts for myself and so I am need of interlock or jersey fabrics that are lightweight. I find it hard to choose a knit from an online source because I personally want to see how much stretch it has and feel the weight of the fabric.

So, yeah, the foam choices at Wal-Mart did not make me happy. So now I am looking for an online source to purchase from. Do you know of any online source that carries synthetic foam that is typically used as cushion forms? I don't need the foam right away I just want to replace the foam I used for these stool cushions I'm sewing.

Silky Scarf Plan: I have been getting many, many compliments about the silky scarf and rose pin I made for the giveaway. Because they were both quick and easy for me to make, my eldest sister suggested that these items would do well in my Etsy shop and the Craft Room that is located in my family's farm stand. That has been a major problem with me over the years: choosing items to sell that require too much time and hands on work. I think this tendency of mine is linked to my fondness of intricate work and making things that have lots of eye-catching details. This habit can really slow me down and I causes me to fall behind.

So this scarf idea kind of hit home with me. The scarf and pin can be changed up in so many ways that I know I'll never run out of ideas. And the scarf isn't only a scarf, it can be used as a kerchief, sash, or snood. What I did find at Wal-Mart is lots of satin and silk-like material. . . That is where I'll be going this week if I can.

So that leaves me with questions for you all: what color would you buy the silky scarf in? Would you keep it navy blue or would you rather have it in a different color? How would you wear it? Like a scarf or maybe a sash?

5/19/11: A Bit of Crafting Journalism -- Interview with Catherine Fox

{ source }

I'm going outside the box today not only in doing my second interview (see my first one here), but choosing a crafter that is very different from myself. Different, yes, but she has played a big role in my life--you'll see why in a little bit. 


As you can well see from reading my blog entries, my crafting expertise lies mostly in sewing and knitting/crochet, so I am very excited to let you meet my younger sister, Catherine Fox, who does jewelry making, painting, drawing, and much more.
Read more »

5/13/11: Where Has it Gone?

Let me try to explain. . .

Yesterday I wrote a late post around 1 PM and shared with you some of my favorite picks from blogs I read, BurdaStyle.com, Ravelry.com, and Etsy. I titled the post "Inspirational Clippings" and it was published. So when evening came I discovered that Blogger.com was out of order and so I couldn't work on my May 13 post.

And now today (May 13) I couldn't get internet access until one in the afternoon. (Could have been caused by our router equipment or our cable provider--not sure.) So I went to check if Blogger is back online (which it is, obvious), and then I visited my blog. Wait a sec. . . Where's my post from yesterday?! "Inspirational Clippings" has totally disappeared.

I looked in my drafts--nothing. I tried searching for the page on Google--nothing.

It was most likely caused by Blogger's problem yesterday and now I have to rewrite May 12's post. Sigh. How frustrating. So bear with me for today and tomorrow--I'll try to get everything running smoothly again. I've been contemplating about moving my blog to WordPress; I might just take that leap after having gone through this!


UPDATE! It is currently 7:14 PM on May 13 and my mysterious "Inspirational Clippings" post has returned--and I had nothing to do with it. :) See it here. I really wonder where it "went off to" earlier today! Anyhoo, I am glad to see it back safe and sound. 


Now on to writing May 13's real post. Hopefully, I can finish it before the sun goes down!

5/9/11: Off the Beaten Path

May 8 brought sunshine galore, warm temperatures with a refreshing breeze, and blooms. And blooms will be the subject of today, which is a path I don't often tread upon here at Art and Needlework. Sewing and knitting have been the main topics here since the beginning so I thought a temporary change for today will do me good. You can say that I am stopping to smell the roses. :)

The best place around these parts to get your spring-bloom fix is an enclosed garden my sister planted dedicated to the Virgin Mary. We call it the Marian Shrine. It is located near our house and it is there where you will find a million and one different plants, shrubs, and flowers; most of which you will be able to identify or pronounce. OK, I may be able to figure out the obvious ones--crocuses, daffodils, tulips, irises, etc.--but I have to ask the gardener for most of them!

So yesterday I took my camera along and took a few pics of what is currently blooming at the Shrine and I hope you enjoy the beauty of God's world:

Anemone

Azalea

Hyacinth

Tulip

Wood Poppy

5/8/11: Thoughts on Mother's Day

Today's May 8 and that means Mother's Day for 2011. When I started thinking about writing today's post I wondered if I could tie in Mother's Day somehow, and I decided to go along the route of how my own  mother played such a significant role in giving me such a fondness of crafts and needlework. So I will dedicate this one to her.


Now I could be wrong in saying it, but when I was growing up I didn't mind sitting down and working quietly for awhile. (Maybe I should ask my family about that!) But even though I had the ability to keep still and my mother sewed almost every day, I never really began sewing until I was fifteen. I did dabble in hand stitching and embroidery on and off but I never really pulled back my sleeves and did a real project. I've always regretted not spending time with my mom and learning from her before she passed away, but I know that if it wasn't for her dedication and enjoyment in making something with her own two hands, I don't think I would have conceived the idea of learning how to sew or knit.


I mean, if you think about it, how can you not think about knitting when you come across a box of needles left by her? Or a sewing machine, knitting machine, and a sewing room full of notions? Not one word was said by her on how to layout a sewing pattern or make a purl stitch, but I learned those anyway; indirectly because of her.


My mom was very talented in sewing and quilting, (Not too sure about knit and crochet, because she was held back by arthritis in the hands), and made everything from clothes for the family to top covers for the beds. What always comes to mind when I think of what she made, was the doll clothes and accessories she made my sisters' and my dolls. When my mom was growing up, she loved to play with her dolls--Shirley Temple, Tony, Silvia, Sue, and Imp were her favorites. I think that is why my sisters and I spent hours upon hours playing with her dolls and dolls of our own. One of the first purchases us girls made was to buy American Girl dolls. Felicity was mine. :)

{a drawing my sister did of my mother's five favorite dolls }

She was always very thoughtful when it came to our birthday gifts. I remember each birthday from the time I was six to when I was ten, by something she made for me. Such as my eighth birthday: she made me Raggedy Ann and Andy themed curtains. They were the cutest curtains you'll ever see! 

From what I gather, a good portion of today's sewers or knitters learned from their grandmother or mother at a young age. I am different in this regard for I learned when I was a teenager and I taught myself. I may not have sat down with my mom and had one-on-one time learning these handcrafts, but no one else could have motivated me as much as she did. She planted the seed and I did the cultivation. :)

What about you? How did you learn your craft, such as knitting and sewing? Did your mom teach you are did you pick it up by chance? Have you taught anyone a craft? 

5/7/11: Unwrapping Etsy

Way back in March I said at the beginning of a post:

No posts in the last week or so but that doesn't mean I haven't been up to some mischief. I've created something rather special a few days ago but that will be under wraps for just a little while longer. 

What has been "under wraps" shall be revealed today. I created an Etsy shop! I wanted to wait until I had a wide array of items up for sale in my shop before I tell you all, but I thought I waited way too long for this. It has been over a month since I created it! 


Click here to visit St. Gemma's Art and Needlework Etsy Store.

An Etsy shop of my own has been on the brain ever since I learned about the website about five years ago. As some of you might know, I've been selling what I create (by way of knitting, sewing, rosary making, watercolor, etc.), in a "craft room" that is adjacent to my family's farm market. I've been selling my handcrafted items since 2003, I think, so I guess you can say that I've been in the "biz" for awhile!

{ View of Magicland Farms }

Last November and December I did something out of the ordinary, I sold a few items on Ebay; namely my Sunny Spread afghan and two shawls. I was pessimistic about the whole thing from the beginning but it turned out to be very successful. I sold everything I listed. Awesome!


Since I had such great success with Ebay and I bought a laptop and camera, March was the perfect time to set up shop. Right now I am selling just a few items--rosaries and a crocheted sweater but I had my first sale today! I'm very excited about it and I hope to add more listings very soon. I have a load of ideas of what I can sell and create, so visit again to see what is new.

4/30/11: May-Every-Day -- A Month's Worth of Posts

Did you know? May is tomorrow. . . A big event in my book for it is my favorite month of the year. And is throughout this coming May I will be trying out something a little bit different--or maybe I should say BIG--here on my blog. I will be doing daily posts for the entire month! Yikes!

So far I've been one spontaneous blogger, posting maybe once or twice a week. Finding things to post about has never been a problem for me; searching and finding the time is where the trouble lies. But I am going to give it my best shot anyway and I have a long list of topics I will be covering. Tutorials, vintage needlework magazine snippets, my crafting space, my works in progress, interviews, and a May giveaway is what I have in store. I already have a few posts scheduled!

So starting tomorrow morning my May-Every-Day project will begin and I do hope you enjoy reading it all!

3/15/11: On What is to Come

You might have noticed that I changed one of my buttons below my blog header. I changed "Etc." to "Tutorials" in preparation of creating some more sewing and knitting tutorials. As you probably know, I am a big fan of online tutorials and as I am quickly discovering, I like to make them myself! :) So far I've done one on threading a needle and another on creating and inserting an inseam pocket. I have a long list of other topics I want to cover--especially those sewing questions I had when starting out--so be expecting them soon!

You also might have noticed that all of the buttons direct you to multiple posts except for "Watercolor." I have dabbled in watercolor a few times but haven't yet posted about my work. In all honesty, watercolor for me is one of the hardest things to get motivated about. From past experiences in many things I do, I've come to realize that it is difficult for me to branch out and do things outside a set of "rules." In watercolor, there is an explicit need to act quickly, precisely, and try to do it your way. There is no one set of instructions to follow--like the step-by-step instructions you find in knitting and sewing--so I get. . . Nervous from all things!

I perfectly realize that this nervousness will subside if I practice. I remember painting and re-painting a red tulip a few years ago and now I have no problem whatsoever in reproducing it. It actually turned into my favorite flower to paint and is one of the few subjects I enjoy painting. So it goes to show that practice is the key.

In conclusion, I think it would be a good idea to take out my paints and brushes ASAP. I've been constantly sewing and knitting and now I think I am in need of something different and out of the ordinary. I need to do something without following instructions to the T, and watercolor is a great way to do this.

So be expecting some sewing/knitting tutorials along with my first post about watercolor painting!

3/04/11: Something New

Something new has arrived this week and it actually helped me with my last post about the satin pajamas. I'm talking about a new digital camera! I finally have one. Yay!

I've been waiting for awhile to get one for myself and have been a busy little bee today working on a top secret project with it. Nah, not really, for the secret will be made public this weekend. Make sure you come on back and see what it is. ;)

2/21/11: How-To's and Tutorials I Love

Just like people who adore that one knitting dictionary or that one sewing how-to book, I am an avid fan of internet tutorials. Be it done in video format or written out with big, bright photos. Oh, I do like to look up my many questions in books I own (such as The Quilter's Companion. . . That is one indispensable book of mine), but I am continually awed by the many wonderful people who take time out to produce amazing step-by-step demonstrations on their blogs, YouTube channels, and/or sharing sites.
Read more »

1/31/11: Retrospect

You know what I've been wanting to do for a long time? It is a 2010 list of FO's, WIP's, and UFO's, (Finished Objects, Works In Progress, and Unfinished Objects, respectively). I'm really interested in discovering the craft projects I started, finished, and/or laid to rest throughout the past year. So after putting my thinking cap on, this is what I've gathered together:

January 2010:

FO: Picked up my Liesl sweater that I started in Spring 2009. Took me a long time to get back to this project!

FO: Finished sewing a satin pajama set for my younger sister.

February 2010:

FO: Finished my long-awaited Liesl on Feb. 20!

Read more »

11/17/10: Timing is Everything

Can blogs get dusty? I'm not sure but I think it has happened to my poor Art and Needlework. I've fallen behind in posting not because of lack of projects, ideas, and tutorials to share, oh no. The root of the matter is this: I am waiting to have more time to post. I am waiting to buy a computer of my own so I won't be doing what I loathe to do, and that is borrowing. I've been borrowing my parents' and siblings' computers constantly and because blog writing takes time, I decided to wait with my posting until I have my own.

As soon as I do purchase one, just wait and see the flurry of new things I will be sharing. I can't wait! After Thanksgiving sales are coming up and you know what that means. ;)

I have some news for you tomorrow so come back then!

8/7/10: We All Love a Giveaway

A couple weeks ago I was googling some sewing information and came across a site called WeAllSew.com. It is a sewing website created by Bernina and is updated weekly with online sewing material geared towards the sewing and quilting enthusiast. It includes Free Stuff!, Sew to Serve, Favorite Facebook Finds, Favorite Sewing Blogs, and Favorite Videos. This week, starting Friday, August 6, my St. Gemma's blog is being featured in their Favorite Sewing Blogs section. Yay! Thanks We All Sew for adding me to your list this week!

For all the new visitors that are coming here through We All Sew, well, I have something monumental to bring you. My first ever Giveaway. I've been dreaming of doing one for months and now I am finally going to make it a reality. I read many sewing blogs faithfully, some of which have a giveaway almost every two weeks, so I'm very excited to have the shoe on the other foot. :D

The Prizes:

The winner of the Giveaway will be receiving one of these three items. . .
1. A quilted set of potholders made by me, in a color scheme of his/her choice. The finished potholders will look similar to these:

2. A glass pearl rosary made by me.

The winner chooses the color, the medal, and the crucifix.

3. Or one of these cute amigurumi dolls (Japanese crocheted dolls), that were featured in Crochet Today magazine.

How to Enter the Giveaway:

• For one entry, leave a comment stating which prize you like the most. Remember to leave your email address or make sure it is available in your profile.
• To better your chances of winning, you can do a second entry by becoming a follower of my blog and leaving another comment saying so. However, you must do the first entry before the second!
  

Giveaway Deadline:

The Giveaway will end on Sunday, August 15, at 12 AM EST.

That's all you need to do! Hope to hear from you soon!

5/29/10: Ten Things About Me

I found a really unique Amy Butler giveaway on this blog and I thought I would give it a go. This is why I bring you. . . Ten Things About ME. I hope you are not too comfortable because you just might wind up falling asleep in your chair. ;D

1. I own a collection of The Happy Hollisters, a book series about a family who solves mysteries. I haven't read one in years but they are still in plain view on my bookshelf.

2. My favorite bible verse is John 14: 3. "And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

3. I have watched almost every episode of Stargate SC1 and Stargate Atlantis. And Jack is my favorite character.

4. I can crochet faster than I can knit.

5. I have watched Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley, approx. six times. :-0

6. I am a huge cat lover and dearly want one.

7. I know a lot of the lyrics from folk songs, movies, and musicals. Getting to Know You from The King and I is my current favorite.

8. When growing up I enjoyed playing the Kings' Quest computer games with my siblings. Number four and seven are my favorites, can you guess why?

9. The worst part of knitting for me is knitting the gauge swatch. I bet I am not alone!

10. My guardian angel's name is Jim. :)

Well, there you go!

3/16/10: Shopping for Craft Supplies

I make a lot of online orders from craft stores such as JoAnn, fabric.com, Herschnerrs, and the like. Last year my sisters notified me about a website called ShopAtHome that gives you 1 or 30% cash back on your orders when you go through their site. When I ordered some quilt batting from JoAnn's last year I went to the JoAnn website through the ShopAtHome site and saved $3.68. Pretty nifty, huh? Especially when I just needed to make a few extra clicks of the mouse!

JoAnn is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the variety of stores ShopAtHome includes in their "cash back" list. I also spotted Amazon, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Dick's Sporting Goods, Barnes and Noble, Aeropostale, Walmart, and lots of other big name stores.

So check out the ShopAtHome website by clicking on the link on my sidebar and start saving on your fabric, yarn, and notions!

10/30/09: Blank Slate

After searching through my large lot of notebooks, sketch pads, and yellow pads for that one quick crochet pattern I wrote up for myself, I knew then and there that a blog devoted to my crafts would be coming soon. I have many projects going at one time, be it sewing, quilting, cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting, machine knitting, tunisian crochet, rosary making, watercolor cards, etc., so you can plainly see my dilemma in keeping track of all those notes!

My younger sister is really the mastermind behind this practical, yet pretty, blog. The buttons situated below the header are linked to specific posts with specific tags, in order for me to quickly and easily get to my, let's say quilt block measurements, without searching through the entire mass of random postings. You have to love that.

Here is some background info to see what I have done so far:

In 2004 I taught myself how to knit and crochet and I began to make things to sell in my family's farm stand craft room. In 2005 I taught myself how to use my mother’s knitting machine and I began to knit hats for the family and for sell. In 2006 I learned how to use the sewing machine better (with help from a sewing course I did for school), and started mending, doing odd jobs around the house, and selling baby items. In 2007 I got better at knitting and crocheting and began making lots of things for my family and the craft room. In 2008 my sewing skills were much improved and so I made a dress, skirts, blouses, etc. for me and the family. In the Fall of 2008 I bought a serger and now am able to make much better looking seams! During the Winter of 2008 I learned a bit of quilting. This past year I knitted a vest for my youngest sister, crocheted a place mat for my Papa, sewed a pleated skirt, made a blouse for myself, drafted a sewing pattern for a dress, quilted a large set of potholders, figured out how to replace broken zippers (that one was bugging me forever!), and now I am working on a quilt for my older sister's bed.

So what's next in line?

I hope to work on some Christmas presents, make satin PJ’s for my younger sister, pants for myself, a knitted bolero, and slipcovers. There is always something to make; the list never seems to get shorter!