Today I Learned

September 28, 2011

While visiting today's Fall Theme AccuQuilt Blog Hop host I learned:

Katrina at Sunshower Quilts Blog  reminds us that in order to win you need to make sure your blogger settings are set to allow replys.  "If a no-reply blogger is chosen then I will be forced to draw another name and I really don't want to do that!" 

Are You a No Reply Blogger?

Katrina points us to the Pleasant Home Blog which has a step by step tutorial to check for your reply status and to fix it if necessary.




Appointment at the ophthalmologist:

• My pressure is good, I don't have glaucoma (runs in the family)
• My eye health is good - no adverse effects from the Type II Diabetes.
• My eyes are having a hard time coping with the use of  my CPAP machine every night (dry eyes, blurriness, can't see the computer screen with or without my glasses).

Solution: Dr. Shammas recommended "Refresh PM" or "GenTeal Gel" and game me an Rx for "Maxitrol" ointment.  The procedure is to wash my eyes with warm water, when I'm ready to go to sleep put a drop in each eye before putting on my CPAP mask.  Wash eyes with warm water again in the morning.  For full instructions see the instructions in or on the box.

What I Learned Today

While visiting today's Fall Theme AccuQuilt Blog Hop hosts I learned:

From Terrie at Bits and Pieces :

• About Pellon Fusible Stabilizer 1" Quilters Grid (it comes in 2" too) and how to use it.  If someone has a link to Pellon's website, I would love to have it.  Updated 10/5/11 Found the link: http://shoppellon.com/Default.aspx
• A really cool way to use the GO! to cut multiple sized fabric pieces at one time.
• The slew of things you can make from one Charm Pack (amazing).

From Sha at Craizee Corners :

• Apply Steam-A-Seam 2 to the back of fabric before using the GO! to cut applique shapes. 

SewCalGal: Fall Theme AccuQult Blog Hop

Tips, Tutorials & a Giveaway(s) from SewCalGal

Today is Day 1 of the 2nd Fall theme AccuQuilt Blog Hop

"where various members of Quilters with Modern Tools will be sharing tips, tutorials, inspiration, and a few giveaways throughout the coming week."

Darlene is providing this year's prize herself, Halloween fabric pre-cut using the AccuQuilt tumbler die to make a lapsize quilt.  The winner will be announced on October 1st. 

Check out her blog for all the details.

"you'll find a few of the blogs in this blog hop will have a giveaway that they are being generous to give on their own. But, all the participants are sharing wonderful tips, tutorials and inspirations in this blog hop, all with a Fall theme, so I hope you'll visit all the stops in this hop. Plus, they are all wonderful quilters and have delightful blogs."

Here are the participants of this years Blog Hop:
[Note: This is my personal reminder to go to these sites day.]

Monday, September 26th
•Darlene (SewCalGal) - http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 27th
•Terrie (Bits & Pieces) http://www.terriesandelin.blogspot.com/
•Sharon (Craizee Corners) http://www.craizeecorner.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, September 28th
•Katrina (Sunshower Quilts) http://www.sunshowerquilts.blogspot.com/

Thursday, September 29th
•Connie (Quilting by the River) http://www.conniekresin.blogspot.com/
•Mary (the Tulip Patch) http://www.tulip-patch.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 30th
•Polly (Polly's Porch) http://www.auntpollysporch.blogspot.com/

Darlene has a wonderful tutorial for a quick and easy tumbler quilt for Halloween.  Tomorrow Later this week we'll learn how to add the borders.
 
This actually looks like something I could make. She makes it look easy any way.  Cutting fabric is really not something I do well but...
 
If I win this giveaway.
OR
If I had an Accuquilt tumbler block die.
 
... I can see this as a future project.  Dreams are wonderful things.

My Memories Free Software Giveaway

pieceful life: my memories free software giveaway:

This giveaway starts Thursday, September 22, 2011 and ends Friday, September 30, 2011.

Elizabeth from pieceful life is:

"having lots of fun learning how to use this digital scrapbook which includes many templates, backgrounds, fonts, and embellishments to choose from. It is also possible to make your own by starting with a blank canvas, or you can visit their website and choose from their wonderful selection of kits."

While you're visiting My Memories check out their My Memories Suite Giveaway.  Two chances are better than one. 

Just sign up for the free digital scrapbooking newsletter to enter. One entry per person.  One winner will be randomly selected every day. Winners will be notified by email within ten business days.

Good luck,

Cheryl

Farewell Food Pyramid, Long Live MyPlate

United States Department of Agriculture

On June 2, 2011 the USDA officially retired the Food Pyramid (its been around since 1982 - doesn't it seem longer than that?) in favor of MyPlate.

Balancing Calories
● Enjoy your food, but eat less.
● Avoid oversized portions.


Foods to Increase
● Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
● Make at least half your grains whole grains.
● Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.


Foods to Reduce
● Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
● Drink water instead of sugary drinks.



I guess this explains Weight Watchers newest program, PointsPlus, where fruits and veggies are free.

My cousin Debbie Sue has lost over 61 pounds on Weight Watchers and looks great.  We went together to WW meetings years ago and I lost over 30 pounds but found them again.  I also tried NutriSystems, lost over 30 pounds on that one too and found them again.


I've been toying with the idea of joining the Weight Watchers Online plan but I'm a little worried that I won't be able to afford the foods that I will need to eat.  Okay, that's a cop-out... I am on a fixed income but the real reason is that I don't want to cook - I hate cooking (and the cleanup).

The costs to join Weight Watchers online include a one time Sign-Up Fee of $29.95 and then a monthly fee of $18.95.

If you sign up before October 15, 2011 they will wave the $29.95 fee.

NOTE: Your subscription will be automatically renewed at the end of your payment plan at the standard monthly rate (currently $18.95) until you cancel.

I have to think about this some more.  Anyone have any suggestions?
Update: I joined Weight Watcher's Online Program on September 19, 2011.
Thanks,
Cheryl

BIG MUTT ON CAMPUS

 
 
Monty, a certified therapy dog, is on call at the Yale Law Library as part of a pilot program to help ease stress from high-pressure studies. During part of the school year, students can check him out for 30-minute cuddling or Frisbee sessions.
 
Don't you just love it!
 
Taken from Parade's Top Pets.

Facebook - How to search your wall for contests and giveaways.

Facebook Epiphany

Today I discovered that I could search for "contest" and "giveaway" or any other search term(s) on my Facebook wall, allowing me to go right to the posts I want to read right now.  The best part - I could save this search to my favorites in Internet Explorer 8 (sorry I don't know what this is called in Chrome, Firefox etc.) so I could check for new posts every day.  Way cool!

STEP 1:

Go to your Facebook Wall ("Home").  Click on "Most Recent" posts.

In the search box at the top of the webpage type in the search term(s) you want to find.

I wanted to search for contest and giveaway so...
I entered "contest | giveaway" without the quotation marks.

Note: the symbol between the 2 search terms is the | (shift + \) aka pipe. This tells Facebook's search feature to search for both terms.
 

Click on the magnifying glass at the end of the search box.  If you accidently click on an item in the list that appears below the search box just start over again.


STEP 2:

Under All Results (top left side of webpage) click on "Posts by Friends".  This narrows the search from all of Facebook to just your Facebook friends.

STEP 3:

Save the url (it's a very long one) for this search to your favorites.

There are lots ways to do this, use the method you use most often.

My way:  I left clicked on the IE icon to the left of the url and dragged it to my favorites bar.  Then I renamed it by right clicking on the newly added link, choose Rename and then typed in the new link name.

Hope this helps someone else!

World of Charity Stitching

Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway

World of Charity Stitching is hosting an amazing Giveaway, sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop. We have not one but TWO $50.00 Gift Certificates that you can win.

This Giveaway will run from August 30 thru September 16. Winners will be chosen by random generator.

While you're there check out their Wheelchair Arm Bag Tutorial.  Good stuff.