Friday, November 12, 2010

Let's Get Techie With Apple And Rightcliq

iPhone Screenshot 1

I am a simple girl. I don't expect my husband to buy me jewels or clothes. I didn't mind it when he bought me something that I could plug into the wall to charge for my anniversary. No, it was not a blender although I could use that for blending paper pulp for making fancy paper! It was an iPad. I love it! Some readers and friends on Facebook asked me for my opinion of the iPad. I love it! It doesn't replace my laptop or desktop but it sure has its purpose for me beyond watching movies on it. I use it to keep projects and things organized, jot notes down and maybe even sketch a bit here and there, but there are other ways that I use it as a visual communicator.

Most important, I keep my portfolio on it. It was really useful having it along my trip to Quilt Market recently. I keep press items on hand. This was the interview by American Patchwork & Quilting.


 I keep images from all of my publications here too.


Images from my blog are handy when trying to show someone my own style. Did I ever tell you how much I love to photograph Aurifil threads for my blog?


 I keep my downloaded craft patterns here so that I can refer to it as I am working on a project.


I read books on it too although I would say that this is one of the areas where the iPad is weak. You have to be careful of eyestrain because it is an LCD screen and not an e-ink screen like the one on my husband's nook.


Most of all, I live for the apps. The kids and I love playing games and learning things on it. However, as a quilter, it is interesting to see how the world of quilting is starting to embrace the iPad/Touch/iPhone technology. My friend, Alex Veronelli, of Aurifil has developed this amazing app, Aurifil, for you and it is FREE!

iPhone Screenshot 2

It includes, general Aurifil contents like product and how-to-use information, videos and designer information. There is also a store locator that includes shop information and a rating system for the shops.
You will be able to see shop specials too. Awesome, right? Don't worry, Droid users. I believe that he's developing an app for that one too!

So, in a nutshell, I love the iPad. There are many more ways that I use the iPad but these are some of reasons in my craft life.

Another new tech related cool thing was introduced to me a few weeks back but because I was in the middle of Quilt Market stuff, I didn't look at it again until I was contacted again.

Rightcliq of Visa contacted me recently and wanted me to share an interesting new way to shop for you. I am not paid for this but I thought this would be a fun way to shop for my yarns, fabrics, and other craft supplies.  I haven't had a chance to try it yet but let me know what you think!

Here's the Wishspace. You can put all of the things that you desire into categories and store them so that you don't have to go hunting around for it again.



Your Dashboard.



Here's the place where you can get advice from your friends.


Oh, and here's where I can keep everything organized and track your purchases.

[Photo credits: RightCliq by Visa]

They have created a craft bundle to show you what it can do! This may change the way that you shop! Rightcliq lets you visually centralize all of the items you want to buy on a place called Wishspace. This awesome place lets you organize all of the things that you are drooling over your keyboard for but it also offers a way to let your friends and readers connect with you by asking for their advice. You can send your Wishspace collection to your readers on request. Double awesome! This video explains Rightcliq. There's another video too. Looks cool, right? 

Let me know what you think about Alex's app and Rightcliq. I would love to hear! Do you use computers and other electronic devices in your everyday crafting life? 

xo, L

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Ahoy, Maties!


I know that you are enjoying the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour! Too busy to miss me, I'm sure. I have been swamped with deadlines and planning but I have been around. I am planning a seriously awesome event with all of the Henry Glass Designers that will happen from December 1-7. There's a hint of it on the top of my sidebar at the top. Please join us then, won't you? You won't be disappointed!

Talk about serious business. I didn't forget about selecting winners for my giveaway. Well, it turns out that there are a couple of winners because I'd forgotten that Quiltmaker is giving away a copy of the magazine too!



The winner of a copy of the magazine plus a fat quarter pack of Hugs & Kisses is:
Hugs & Kisses is just perfect for a little girl's quilt! Love the fabric line :)

The winner of a copy of the magazine to be sent by Quiltmaker is:

What a fun block -love your fabric! I have been having my son (5) help me with block layouts -he loves it!!!


Please e-mail me your information. Thanks!

Some of you wrote to me asking about my kids' machine. I bought this Hello Kitty Janome machine a few years ago at Quilt Market. I love it for good basic sewing. My kids love to use it. I let them use my two Bernina machines but I have to be in control of that situation!

xo, L

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour - Day One Of Fun!


Welcome! Today is the first day of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour! Make sure that you pop over to Quiltmaker's site to join in all of the fun, meet other designers, and enter the planned and the sometimes surprise giveaways! Otherwise, run out and buy this awesome issue. It hits the newsstands on November 16, 2010. Please check out my block #139, Hugs & Kisses, on page 40. I had just received some sample pieces from my latest fabric line, Hugs & Kisses and I had fun putting it together for this volume of the magazine!


For those who are first-time visitors, my name is Linda Lum DeBono. I am the designer behind block #139, Hugs & Kisses, on page 40 of the magazine. I had just received some sample pieces from my latest fabric line, Hugs & Kisses and I had fun putting it together for this volume of the magazine!

I am an author and fabric designer. I have designed for Henry Glass Fabrics for 11 years now. I write for Martingale and Leisure Arts and have written books on quilting, sewing, scrapbooking and knitting.


I am also an Aurifil Expert and I teach on-line at CraftEdu.com. I love designing bright, happy quilts and patterns. My latest class, Chirp! is totally cute, if I must say so myself! You can preview it here and join my classroom!



Here's a sneak peak at the next class. Can you see some Hugs & Kisses fabrics?



I am totally inspired by my boys who love to quilt. They are more "serious" than I am when it comes to the placement of the fabrics!





They just started quilting recently and they love it. Here's Little A with the quilt that he made for his stuffie penguin.


Big A's quilt was supposed to be 5 squares across and 7 squares down but he quickly expanded it and now it fits a twin sized bed.


I love to be inspired by all things related to kids. I love the style of their clothes, the styling of kid's books and most of all I love their personalities. It's all so totally happy, innocent, and fun! When I designed the block, I added the yo-yo center for a touch of whimsy. When you are working on a project, try to add a little dash of personality. It makes the difference between something that's different and inspiring and something that's just everyday.

Thanks for visiting. Please leave a comment and I'll pick a winner of a copy of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Magazine and few fat quarters of Hugs & Kisses. Then, hop over to the Quiltmaker site. I've donated a book for their giveaway and they're going to have lots of fun for the rest of the week. Good luck!

xo, L



Bloggity! Jiggity!


Tomorrow is the start of one giant quilt block lovefest. The Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour is on tomorrow. I'm on for tomorrow. I can't wait. It's going to be a wonderful week of blogging and quilt block fun.Won't you join me?




Next, I've gathered all of the awesome designers of Henry Glass Fabrics for another week of fun. This will be the event of the season and will happen from December 1-7, 2010! Come and join us for the Henry Glass Designers Holiday Project Parade. There will be free patterns, inspiration, stories, little giveaways and one gigantic giveaway at the end for a chance to win a bundle of fabric from Henry Glass and a small gift sent to your house from each designer! Check out the list to the right! You can't miss this awesome event!

xo, L

Thursday, November 04, 2010

More Quilt Market Fun



First, I'm so excited to tell you that I will be on the Quiltmaker Designer blog hop this Monday, November 8, 2010. Please stop by! It's going to be fun!


Let's get to some more Quilt Market news! I loved this booth. The ladies of Handbehg Felts were fun and their felted kits were gorgeous. I bought a few of their kits. Sorry, I can't divulge how many on account of the fact that it might incriminate me.





Oh, Riley Blake. I love your fabrics and trims. No words necessary.




Anna Griffin's booth was beautiful as usual. She had inspiration boards up everywhere showing different color ranges.


I love the folks at Alexander Henry. Their fabric is always to die for.


Adorn-It is another awesome fabric and trim company. You will have to check out their site. My photos were fuzzy. I'm sorry!


Kaffe Fassett's booth was full of gorgeous quilts.


I have been so blessed to have met some wonderful people in this industry. I must say that Barb and Alma of Blackbird Designs rank at the top.


Karla of Sweetwater Designs is another one at the top of the list. I met her at my very first market.





Melly & Me, your monkey fabric is so cute!


Look at the art that Meg Hannan of Rag Sky Art Studio makes. Check out her website. She explains the process there!



More Ty. We're on a first name basis now. [well, in my mind at least]


Lynette Anderson, who used to be a Henry Glass Designer is now with Lecien. She has a fabulous new line of fabric. 



That's all for now. I hope that you've enjoyed today's visuals!! Check out Henry Glass Fabric blog. They should have pics of the designer's booths there and we have a big announcement coming soon!

xo, L