Blogging Tips: browsers & security

Hello friends. Our topic today is web browsers. A browser is the application that retrieves and sends information via the world-wide web, www. Some of the most popular Windows browsers are: Internet Explorer (IE), Firefox, and Google Chrome. So, why are they so important?

Browsers are the medium we use to get online. They need to be the most current versions. Why? Because out-of-date browsers are not updated any longer. Windows updates regularly, and our computers need to be set to allow important Windows updates. Some updates are optional, but the important ones need to be allowed for sure. Viruses look for out-of-date applications that they can sneak into. This is always a bad thing. Windows will prompt you when the latest browser versions are available, and they are free. Out-of-date applications of other programs such as flash players and reading programs need to be updated regularly as well. The current browser versions are: IE 11, Firefox 29, and Google Chrome 34. To see which browser version(s) you are currently running, visit this link and it will tell you quickly and for free: What Is My Browser.com These browsers can update at any time, so check the link often. Please continue reading.

Secret Garden dress hair bow

Remember the I Love To Read Sewing Challenge from February? Pictured above is the fabric hair bow that I made to match The Scientific Seamstress' Precious Dresses pattern. This dress/hair bow fabric was chosen with the classic Frances Hodgson Burnett novel The Secret Garden in mind. This fabric is just so pretty, isn't it? To see the dress that I made for the Challenge, go to this post: I Love To Read Sewing Challenge: my entry. To see the straw hat purchased to match the dress, visit this post: Garden Shabby Straw Hat.

*Remember the Simple Times Giveaway runs through 10 PM CST 03 April!*

Too-cute chick dress

Good morning, friends. Today's sewing project is a darling little girl's dress. Very Spring-looking, isn't it? Of course, it's for my granddaughter Macey. The pattern is: Simplicity 7189, and is now out of print. Simplicity has re-released that same pattern with a new number: 1450. 'Had this one for a while. There are several views, plus hat and bloomers patterns. This is view C, with the yoke more narrow for a smoother fit. There are supposed to be two little chickens pockets on the dress, but I have done only one. Chick's legs are yellow rick-rack. Notice on the front edge of the pale grey linen yoke there is a yellow chicken beak and two white buttons for eyes. How cute is that? Please continue reading to see the matching hair bow.

Primitive chocolate rabbit

Don't you just love rabbits/bunnies? The one pictured above is made from a pattern by: Vicky at: Paintspots & Splinters. He is made of osnaburg, painted chocolate brown and cooked to prim and age him. I made this one approx. 5"X7", smaller than the original pattern. The pocket has a rusty safety pin and holds some Sweet Annie. 'Smells so good, and just in time for Easter. Thank you, Vicky, for this adorable pattern.

St. Patrick's Day green dress

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all. Our family has some Irish descent, so we love this holiday. Green is also my favorite color. Pictured above is a darling pattern: Simplicity 2063. This pattern is simply too cute, isn't it? This dress is made of 100% cotton fabrics: kelly green with white micro dots and white with kelly green micro dots. Two white buttons fasten at the left shoulder. The photo doesn't really do this beautiful fabric justice. Do you all think that my granddaughter will like this dress? Please continue reading to see the matching hair bow.

Sunbonnet Sue quilt beginnings...

Yes, I have begun to make my first large quilt. Pictured above are some of the Sunbonnet Sues that have been sewn thus far. For a full-size quilt,there will be a total of 42 blocks (6 across and 7 vertically). Each one's shoe will be either brown, black, or white, depending on her color of clothing. 'Thinking of making some of them barefooted. There are many variations on this ages-old quilt pattern, and this particular one is designed by Eleanor Burns in her book titled, Sunbonnet Sue Visits Quilt in a Day®, ©1992. I purchased the book years ago, and am just now tackling the job.

This quilt will be for my darling granddaughter Macey. The Sunbonnet Sues are sewn from remnants of the clothing that I have sewn for her. Traditionally, ladies would use clothing remnants to make quilts. Perhaps this was done of necessity, which makes the quilt even more personal and special. An heirloom for many years to come. 'Will keep you all posted on the progress. Do you prefer squared binding corners or mitered?

~Simple Times Giveaway~

Good morning friends. The Spring solstice in North America arrives on the 20th March, and to welcome that I am having a Giveaway. The theme is Simple Times, and the items are in the photo above: an Amish-style stump doll, a wood frame chalkboard with chalk, a double-stacked pin keep, 3 prim clothespins, a set of 4 homespun coasters, and a bag of Fresh Linen potpourri. This is one of my favorite times of the year. To be entered in this Giveaway, you must:
*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*
♦ Be a follower of this blog via GFC, Bloglovin', or Linky Followers.
♦ Have an active, family-friendly blog that you have posted to in the past 2 months.
♦ Due to shipping costs, reside in the contingent USA.
♦ Comment on this post that you want to be entered.
♦ Tell us in your Comment what you love most about Spring time.
♦ By entering this Giveaway, you affirm that you have read, understand, and agree with this blog's: Privacy Policy/ Giveaway Rules. You may also left-click the post image for a smaller sidebar-sized image for your blog. Please link the image to this blog post.

The Giveaway will end on 03 April 2014 at 10 PM CST. The winner will be selected by Random Number Generator©, and announced on the morning of 04 April 2014. Prim Spring blessings, and best of luck to you all.

~Spring Pin Keep Swap 2014 goodies~

Recently I participated in Ravenwood Whimzies' Semi-Annual Pin Keep Swap 2014, and my partner was Sheila of:Seasons of Thy Heart. She sent the beautiful bee skep on a wooden pedestal pin keep pictured above. Sheila also sent: the pretty green kitchen cloth, a bunny on a crystal pedestal, an Easter egg tuck, a rusty can of Spring flowers, a painted bucket of white flowers, some Lemongrass melt tarts, a Spring Bunny Make-Do pattern, and a Spring Wool Pocket pattern. Thank you so much, Sheila. Everything is lovely, and very much appreciated. To see the items that I sent to Sheila, you can visit her blog and also keep reading.

Thrify Thursday: Granite ware coffee pot

Happy Thrifty Thursday, friends. Pictured above are two great finds. The vintage granite ware coffee pot is blue speckled, and shows some rust from many years of use. The hinged lid still opens. The coffee pot is approx. 8 1/2" tall, and was only $6.00 at an antiques store in a nearby town. 'Something about granite ware that I just love. Beneath the coffee pot is another vintage item: a black cast iron trivet.
'Learned that this trivet's style is rooted in Pennsylvania and that the design is called, "Dumb Dutch". The two brooms, two hearts, and pair of birds are characteristics of the design. This trivet has been in our family for many years. 'Was not able to find out more about the origin of that name, "Dumb Dutch". Do any of you know any history about that?

~Win from FAAP Etsy : A Heartfelt Love Celebration~

Pictured above is the cute pattern I chose with the $5.00 gift certificate won in FAAP Etsy team's: ~A Heartfelt Love Celebration~. The gift certificate was from Karen at: Red Dirt Primitives Etsy shoppe. Hand Made creates an 18" mammy doll with a darling little sheep. I have named her Beulah. This pattern is unlike any I had made, and was a fun one that will be used many times more, 'guarantee it. Beulah's dress is 100% cotton mustard with little bumble bees. Her apron and head wrap are 100% cotton homespun in burgundy and cream checked. The pantaloons are bleached muslin. Her hair is black wool roving. The painted face was a bit daunting, but got it done without a disaster, lol. Beulah is coffee and vanilla stained. Her little sheep is made of 100% cotton white terry cloth with black painted features. Thank you so much Karen and the whole FAAP Etsy team. There were several lucky winners in this awesome giveaway. Don't you think this pattern is just too cute? 'Gotta love mammy dolls and sheep. Prim Spring blessings.