Followers

I wanted to name this post "How to make sure the people that you're following can see your blog using Google Friend Connect" but that seemed too long.

I always try to look at the blog of any new follower.  But for many people, it isn't listed.  When I went to see if my blog was listed in my profile, it wasn't there so I don't think that it is a default setting.  So, since it is tutorial day, here's what you do...

1) Go to the page of someone that you follow and click on your picture.  Hopefully you'll see your blog listed under Links.  Otherwise it's pretty easy to get it there.

2) Go to the blogger dashboard.  (I find the easiest way is by clicking the B in the upper left of my blog, but I'm sure there are other ways too.)

3) Click on the little down arrow by your name on the top right.  (Click the image to enlarge and see the red circle.)

 

4) Click Blogger Profile

5) Click Edit Profile in the upper right.

6) Click Select blogs to display

7) Click the blog(s) that you want to show up and then click save.

8) You should be all set, but I'd recommend going back to a blog you're following and clicking on your picture again to make sure it showed up.

Reaction Buttons

Some of you may have noticed that I recently put reaction buttons on the bottom of my posts.  These buttons are a nice way for people to quickly give feedback without having to actually write anything.  On my non-quilting blog they get used quite a bit, and it's nice to know that people read the posts.  (Beware though - the blogger has no idea who clicks the buttons.  So if readers want feedback or want to try and expand their own readership, comments should still be written.)

Do you want the buttons?  Here's how to put them on.  (You might want to click on some of the pictures to enlarge.)

1) Click the design link on your blog.

2) Click the layout link on the left side of the screen.

3)  On the "Blog Posts" area, click edit.

4) A pop-up window will appear.  Check the Reactions box.  Click edit if you want to change the reactions.

5) Put in your reactions, separated by commas.  Click save.

6) Enjoy!

June accomplishments, July goals

This month I didn't do as well on my top three goals, but I still got a lot done and have good reasons for not getting my top three done.

So let's review.  

1. Finish the shower curtain. This didn't get done because my LQS didn't get more fabric in that I need as expected.  I'm going to give it another month and then change the pattern if it isn't in.
2. Mend. This didn't get done either.  I only have one more item to finish up  and was planning on getting it done after my short vacation, only to find a quilter in the basement when I got home.  Understandably, the mending got ignored.

3. Finish piecing the coasters.  Finished!  They're going to be double-sided...I just need to figure out how to pair them.

4. Quilt the coasters - No progress.
5. Start a heart quilt.  - Started!  It took a lot of work to get the first block all made, but I think it is going to be really cool. 

6. Quilt the other baby quilt. No progress - hooray!  Now I have something that's ready to quilt on my new machine!
7. Come up with a design for the fabric I won. I'm still thinking.  It's amazing how many designs I'm thought about and tossed out.

Onward to July.  My top three should be pretty easy to hit.
1. Finish the mending.  (I really need to do this.)
2. Make leaders for the quilter.
3. Practice with the quilter.

And if I still have time...
4. work on the heart quilt
5. participate in the Tetris quilt-a-long
6. finish the coasters
7. start an I-spy quilt
8. quilt the baby quilt
9. come up with a design for the fabric I won
10. Make a pattern for the heart block

I'm linking up with Lily's Fresh Sewing Day and Small Blog Meet, Crazy Mom Quilts, Lawson and Lotti, and Tracy Jay's Just Three

Don't Touch Me - tester giveaways

I had the privilege of working with two wonderful women who were willing to test out the pattern for Don't Touch Me.  They gave me some awesome feedback.  And it was so interesting to see how their quilts turned out!

For reference, this was mine.

Karen from K's Quilting Korner made it more scrappy and used a colored border.  It looks great!

Kat from Made with Love and Ladybug Hugs made hers in softer pastels.  It'll be perfect for a girl.

Both ladies are having a giveaway!  So stop by and see them!
Kat is giving away the pattern.
Karen is giving away the pattern and some beautiful fabric.

additional quilts:
Lea from Podunk Pretties made this one:

A Huge Surprise

For the first part of this week, my son and I went up north.  So this post was going to show you some of the blocks I cut, some of the colorful scraps, and the cloth I bought.

BUT, then I got home.  My husband said, "I have something to show you in the basement."  And I found this...

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?  I still can't.  He even put the quilting frame together and that took him all three nights while we were gone.  And here I thought he was just relaxing.  I had been thinking how awesome it would be to have a quilter, but was having a hard time justifying the money and the space.  But since it was a gift I can just enjoy it!!  The only sad thing is that I only have one quilt top that needs quilting right now.

I've been smiling at my husband all evening.  And wishing that I didn't have to be an adult for the next few days so I could just quilt.  But the baby needs to be taken care of, so quilting/piecing can't be my first priority.  It can be my second though. And they might be able to overlap a little bit. :)

Quilt 11: arrival

I sent off Quilt 11 to its handsome owner and just saw the following blog post appear.  I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you.  (Images and text used by permission.)

A Michigan blanket in Alabama

A few weeks ago, a gift from Michigan showed up. But this was no ordinary blanket, it was a blanket who enjoyed the outdoors.  Knowing that, we took it outside to make it feel more at home.

First it decided to soak up some Alabama sun after borrowing some sun glasses. Fortunately, a dark complexion means no worrying about sun screen.

Next, some tree climbing. Or at least, the closest thing we have at the house.

Then a little more relaxing fun rolling down the hill out back. 

After that, some leg-dangling off the porch with a cool bottle of water.

All that play was pretty tiring, so it came in and collapsed. But it moved around in its sleep and ended up snuggling [the baby].

Tetris

Happy Quilting is hosting a Tetris Quilt-a-long.  I've never done a quilt-a-long before, but this one sounded like a lot of fun.

I got my fabrics.  I'll have some time apart from my sewing machine next week, so I thought it would be a good time to start cutting.  You'll notice that these are very similar to my heart quilt colors.  I'm in a bright solid phase and just going with it.