Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Pinterest

Technology creeps into our lives from every direction.  Some time ago, I was told about this social networking site - Pinterest.com.  I have a Facebook account, YouTube account, Twitter, Myspace, etc. and now I need another one?  It was regulated to my "to-do" list.

Finally, it is off my to-do list.  I can not imagine why I waited so long!  I set it up this week and I feel like I have a new lease on where stuff is.  It is a free site, though you need to set up an account - email address and password and then you are sent to your bulletin board, for lack of a better term.  You are requested to sign up for a couple of categories/Boards and then click a follow button.  Don't worry, you can "unfollow" them later.

You will also need to download the "P" for your browser.  That functionality will allow you to Pin what you are viewing to your own Pinterest account.  If you are using a tablet and/or smart phone - then download your respective app for your device.  Wow - it's that simple.

Now you are off in "pinning" images.  How it works is simple.  In the past, you would visit a webpage and if you liked it, bookmarked it in your browser window.  That way you could visit it again, provided your browser list is really organized and you could remember what site it was!

Pinterest is a way to pin the image to your account - it actually connects the image with a link, all in the background back to the absolute original before any pins.  On your account - you can set up your own boards to help you organize your finds.  You can have public boards and secret boards.  I've set up boards on different types of lace, great food, gifts, etc.  Some of my pins are from other members in Pinterest and some of my are directly from websites that I have visited.

This is even better than going to a candy store.  Now I have a place to store/see those images I thought were cool (of course at the time I saw them).  My niece, Jessica's, P account came up and I clicked to 'follow' her.  In the last couple of days, we have 'texted' and we have decided that we have lots of 'cool' pins and each of us will make one of our pins each month and share them.  Stay tuned for our first share!

Give Pinterest a try - just watch, it can become addictive!

Interested in looking around my Pinterest account is here to view.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Alencon Lace

This morning at the NELG Blog - there is a post from Sharon that gives a great link to a video on alencon lace.   This page, written in 2010, discusses places to visit in Normandy-Pays de la Loire - especially this about this famous lace.

Quite some time ago, NELG had a field trip to RISD Museum in Providence and we were able to see a great piece of Alencon lace.  It was part of the bed covers from Napoleon Bonaparte.  There was this "bea", hundreds of them, on the netting (click on it to see the picture from RISD).  Each of them separately made - (needle lace) - and caught the attention of one of the members Carolyn.  Later on, she hosted a program at the NELG monthly meeting, and we were able to make the 'bea'. I'll admit, this is needle lace and not up my alley yet.  So you won't bea seeing my attempt at this time.

Go to the video, while in French, it takes the viewer through the stages in preparing the pattern, setting the outlines, and makin the lace.  The finishing of the lace was quite interesting - see the tool that was used - can you guess what it is?

PS  you can find an article in PieceWorks Lace addition from a few years ago by Carolyn.

Love your lace,
Patty

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Time to get back to the Lace

Lauran Sundin & me
It's been some time since I wrote.  NELG responsibilities are coming to an end so I'll be writing more here and making more lace!  I've enjoyed the ride, one may say, it's always a challenge. 

Today's picture is to honor Lauran - she is an amazing artist and lace maker.  She wrote to me to give me links about the Under 40 event that was held in Italy back in April.  It was an amazing event.  One blog is on the IOLI site - thank you Devon -
and
http://stitchlily.blogspot.com/ Written by Orla.  Check both of them out.

In the mean time, welcome back and lets see what is going on about lace.  I'll be sponsoring a lace award for the Creative Arts - Big E to open on September 13th!  So are the any Tatters out there?  It will be for Best Tatted Lace.  I won't be able to win it this year, yet we can begin to offer awards to lace makers in whatever their favorite type of lace they enjoy.

Stop by - see you soon!

Patty