Book Bub Anyone?

My daughter and I are both prolific readers...she has more spare time to read, but I'm a faster reader! Given the time, we can easily read a dozen books in a week.  A couple of years back I got her a KindleFire and have the same myself.  Both are registered to me so we use only my account...which means I ask her to look only for "free" books unless she asks first. I don't like "surprises" popping up on my account...ha!
Anyhow, I found this website months and months ago...and subscribed to be notified about FREE E-books (and books at a great discount) DAILY. I get an email notice every day...here is what one recent one looked like:

When the email opens...it is a list of books. Each has a short synopsis of the book with the current price at Amazon.com   When you click the "Amazon" link...you get the specific book to order.  

   Always check the "Kindle Price"...the free book should show $0.00 before you click. I have never had an instance when this is not correct...but it is always good to double check before buying.

Here is a link to the website for Bookbub.com so you can check it out yourself...if you like to read! The categories cover a lot of things...we "signed up" for notification of a lot of variety of romance novels, military fiction, and mystery novels.   Hugs!

New Blogger Platform

I'm finding the new Blogger platform to be very cumbersome and I'm having an overwhelming feeling of un-easiness about keeping up with my participants posts on the courses. So, far..being the end of the year...it is not so bad because the activity on the courses has died down.   The "old way" when I opened my Blogger Dashboard...it shows me the blogs that I author...in order of which one was "used" last. That was easy enough for me to open each one, starting with the top one, and check the new posts.   But, here is what the "New Improved" Platform gives me:  

   Here is the closeup of the most important part:

Basically, it now lists "all blogs" in alphabetical order. Then, it "showcases" only the last 3 blogs that have had posts. I've been watching this over the last few weeks...and there are never more then three blogs listed in the "Recent Blogs" listing. 
This means that if more than 3 blogs are active...the 4th, 5th, etc. will just be down in the Alphabetically listed area. But which one? I have to open each and every one of the class blogs to see that someone has actually posted something. It will take way too much of my time each day to do this considering that as of this morning...there are 51 blogs (44 of which are open class blogs). These are not the blogs that I go and read, which belong to other folks even...THESE are the blogs that I personally author and monitor for student/participants work.
This is the reason for my having to change how the courses will be run this next year. And, if it still becomes an issue in time for me...even after reducing the number and frequency of courses provided...AND "retiring" some of them all together. Well, then I may just have to stop providing the "oversight" to all classes and just provide them as free downloads on the Yahoo Group Site. Already, I have moved the ICQC-101, the ICQC-102 and the SP-301 instructions to that site. (BTW, you can find the site by going to the right side bar...and clicking on the "Yahoo Group" button.)
I would like to go back to the "OLD" Blogger platform...but have not found a way to make that happen. If any of you have any ideas, please let me know. This is very frustrating for me!
Some folks need to adhere to the "if it ain't broke...don't fix it" rule! Geez!
 

2017 Registration Dates for Shawkl Design Courses

Today, I have updated the course calendar for 2017 Courses.  So far, I'm only showing the First Quarter courses, but more will follow as the year progresses.   Courses that are retiring:   After consideration, and more consideration, there will be some major changes this year. First, some courses will no longer be offered. The ICQC-102 and ICQC-107 courses are mostly included already in the books I've published...so no need to keep repeating the same information. The ICQC-101 course will be re-issued as Tutorials here on the blog this year; so no need to sign up for a course to obtain that information.   The Special Courses (SP-301 and SP-302)...will be moved to the Shawkl Yahoo Group files. So, if you have signed up for membership there...look for these files to be uploaded within the first quarter of next year. If you have not signed up, you can do so at the side bar link. This site is free and just provides me a place to provide free downloadable patterns, instructions, etc.   There will also be Two New Courses this year:   BCQC 1 & 2: The first new course will be a "second opportunity" to take a BASICS course. So, the BCQC-1 will represent the class that has been offered for the past couple of years...no changes. Then, the BCQC-2 will represent a new version...with new seam designs and a different block design. It will still include some of the same instruction as the BCQC, just different seams and layout information. This second class will also include a silkie image for printing.  IF you have already taken the BCQC in the past...but you still are a "wee bit uneasy" with crazy quilting on your own...the BCQC-2 will give you more practice and teach you about printing on fabric.  

ICQC-105: The second new course will be all about Silk Ribbon Embroidery. It will be loosely based on the information included in the Crazy Quilting Volume II: Ribbon Embellishments book. But, will also include some new designs to work on. This intermediate course will require the completion of one of the BCQC courses, just as we have done in the past years...but will not require you to have completed the ICQC-103 or ICQC-104 before taking it.

Courses that are coming back:

The Traditional Quilting Course (TQC-201) will be offered again. It is the piecing of different types of quilt blocks, using different techniques. I'm still thinking on the TQC-202 course offering, so it will not come back in the first quarter most likely...but perhaps later on.

The ICQC-103 Course will continue as the module for Embroidery Motifs and other basic surface embroidery work. It is required to be completed before you can register for the ICQC-104 module.

The ICQC-104 Course will also continue as the more advanced Embroidery Motifs module and covers several different techniques for more complex embroidery slips, raised embroidery, and dimensional work.

So, in conclusion...Please check out the FREE On-line Quilt Classes tab above for more information about the courses and links to the Registration dates. As always, I'll open each registration ON THOSE DATES here at Shawkl.com and will not be taking any late or early registrations so mark the dates on your calendar if you see a course that you don't want to miss out on taking. Also, as always...each of these courses is FREE to take. No cost for the instruction. You are responsible for obtaining your own supplies of course, as kits are not provided and I don't sell kits on my Etsy page (except for the special order of a printed fabric image for the BCQC-2 new class...which will be a nominal fee and postage) OR you can use your own printed image as well.

Hugs to all...and enjoy the celebration of the New Year soon approaching!

 

 

Classes for next year...

Hello and Happy Holidays to everyone! I've recently had a couple of queries about the classes for next year, so thought I would do a quick post.   At present, I'm "chilling out" and reading....not much sewing...but some baking. Just enjoying some down time here at the end of a hectic year.   But, I do plan on having classes next year...just have not gotten around to doing a calendar yet. Will think about that after Christmas. The first classes will be mid to late January...so you will have time to sign up and get your supplies before they begin.   So, no worries...keep watching the blog for the updated Calendar 2017 classes. Hope all have a Merry Christmas...and praying for great health and happines in this upcoming new year!   Blogger has changed their platform, and it is making it a bit tedious to keep up with the number of open class blogs at the moment. So, one change for sure will be that the blogs still open at the end of December...and that opened prior to October...will be closed down. I've got to reduce the number of open blogs and still need to make room for the new ones coming up...so, if you are working along on your tasks...please try to finish up soon if you are in a Jan-Sep 2016 course. Thanks!   Hugs!  

Personal Request - For a Friend - Please Help

Good morning everyone! I'm posting something a bit unusual today...a request for help for a friend. Most of you probably know her, or know of her from her blog or facebook posts. She is also the driving force behind the Crazy Quilt Quarterly Magazine.  

Pam Kellogg has been an avid cross-stitcher and designer for years...and found crazy quilting a few years back. She has spend countless hours creating and posting inspirational photos of her work and teaching and sharing. She is a very giving and generous woman whom I am happy to consider as a friend. I can't remember a single time when I needed her help that she was not eager to jump in and assist. She expects nothing in return for her help and I view her as a very special lady.   Her husband was recently diagoised with cancer. As a result, he is missing some work days and will miss many more as he goes through the various rounds of therapy. These are unpaid days, on top of the extra deductible costs for medical treatments and prescriptions needed to battle the disease.   Pam has a lot on her plate at present, and could use your kind thoughts and prayers. She could also use some "girl power" in the form of donations. The family has opened a Go Fund Me page and if you are moved to help out a kind and wonderful woman through a hard time...please consider donating. Even $10 will be helpful...because several folks doing that will add up fast to a real help with medicine and routine costs of just getting through the days. The site accepts major credit cards for the donations. If you don't like to use your credit cards you can PayPal a donation directly to Pam's email which can be obtained through her blog "Kitty and Me Designs".   Thanks for your consideration in lending a helping hand to a wonderful woman and fellow stitcher!  

Jumbo Pin Cushions and Made to Order Pin Cushions

Whew, what a couple of weeks! Where did the time go! I have finally managed to get some time to work on the pincushions that I wanted to do before Thanksgiving. Three are ready to ship now, and the other three are "orders placed". You can check them all out (with closeup photos) on the Etsy Shop site.  

The silk ribbon work was done to showcase the techniques in my Crazy Quilting Volume II: Ribbon Embellishments Book. The photo above is of the floral cluster in my light purple pin cushion and the photo at the top of the post if of the golden floral cluster. I'm also including the more whimsical pincushion below for the Florida Keys lovers out there. :)  

Also, I've decided to take orders for Monogram Pincushions because I get a lot of questions about the monograms in the book. There are 3 varieties and all are available in your choice of color (medium blue, light pink, etc.) and any LETTER is fine for the monogram itself as I'll be creating these as the orders are placed.   

The first style is the Petite which is a rectangle shape and the letter is a Classic style of monogram.

The second choice is the Full Floral which is a larger letter and is square in shape. This is a Shabby Chic style.

The third choice is the Moderate Floral which is the same size/type as the fuller variety but with less leaves. This is a more Victorian style. NOTE: If you place your Monogram Pin Cushion orders before the 11th, you should receive them before Christmas.