Monday, January 11, 2010
New year, new blog
Crafty Katie's Commonplace Book is moving! I never did like the title for my craft/inspiration blog, so I've decided to start 2010 with a new one. Visit commonplacecrafting.blogspot.com for more musings from an avid reader and crafter.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The End...
Well, it's hard to believe that I've finally made it to the end of CML's Learn and Play. It's been interesting to say the least. I had no idea that there was so much to do on the internet when I started, and there are definitely some that I'll take with me now that it's over.
The exercise that has impacted me the most was the Google Documents one. I have another job where I work partially at the office, partially at home, so having a place where I can save my work and not have to worry about sending it to myself so that I can work it at one place or the other has saved me time and frustration.
I also liked YouTube more than I thought I would. I thought it was mostly a site for people to do crazy things--you can thank the news media for that; it seems like every week there's a story on "you won't believe what I saw on YouTube." But there are really informative and interesting videos on it too. I'll probably check it out a little more once I get the time.
Even the basic act of writing a blog post was something I hadn't done before. I'm wasn't sure if I would like it--I told one of my bosses that I would rather have someone else look at it before I send it out into the world. But then again, this is a forum for my thoughts, so they aren't influenced by what someone else thinks. If nothing else, this has helped me get back into the swing of writing on a semi-regular basis, which is good for a budding writer.
Still, I'm not sure how often I'll be able to continue with this blog. I have high hopes for it, as I do with most of my projects. I tend to think big and usually fail to aspire the greatness I expected. And yet I am usually satisfied with the results. So here it is, the end of an enlightening few weeks and the beginning of real lifelong learning. And with that this is Crafty Katie signing off until next time...
Let no one say I don't have a flair for the dramatic!
The exercise that has impacted me the most was the Google Documents one. I have another job where I work partially at the office, partially at home, so having a place where I can save my work and not have to worry about sending it to myself so that I can work it at one place or the other has saved me time and frustration.
I also liked YouTube more than I thought I would. I thought it was mostly a site for people to do crazy things--you can thank the news media for that; it seems like every week there's a story on "you won't believe what I saw on YouTube." But there are really informative and interesting videos on it too. I'll probably check it out a little more once I get the time.
Even the basic act of writing a blog post was something I hadn't done before. I'm wasn't sure if I would like it--I told one of my bosses that I would rather have someone else look at it before I send it out into the world. But then again, this is a forum for my thoughts, so they aren't influenced by what someone else thinks. If nothing else, this has helped me get back into the swing of writing on a semi-regular basis, which is good for a budding writer.
Still, I'm not sure how often I'll be able to continue with this blog. I have high hopes for it, as I do with most of my projects. I tend to think big and usually fail to aspire the greatness I expected. And yet I am usually satisfied with the results. So here it is, the end of an enlightening few weeks and the beginning of real lifelong learning. And with that this is Crafty Katie signing off until next time...
Let no one say I don't have a flair for the dramatic!
MOLDI
The Mid-Ohio Library Digital Initiative is a great resource. If there is a particular title that a customer is looking for that the physical library doesn't have on hand, there is another place to look. I was surprised by how many titles there were. I was a little overwhelmed trying to browse through it all.
After a little while, though, I did think of something to search for and was able to find it. Back in high school, I had purchased a copy of "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux. It didn't really capture my interest once I started reading it, though, so I put it with books that I've already read. Now that I've seen the film (which I absolutely love) I'd like to read it. The only problem is I can't find the book.
There's an audiobook of "The Phantom of the Opera" on MOLDI, so I won't have to purchase another copy or put it on reserve at the library. Plus, even though I love being able to turn the pages of a physical book, I'll be able to listen to the book while doing something else too. Since I don't have a lot of free time and still have a lot of Christmas craft projects to make, this is really appealing.
After a little while, though, I did think of something to search for and was able to find it. Back in high school, I had purchased a copy of "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux. It didn't really capture my interest once I started reading it, though, so I put it with books that I've already read. Now that I've seen the film (which I absolutely love) I'd like to read it. The only problem is I can't find the book.
There's an audiobook of "The Phantom of the Opera" on MOLDI, so I won't have to purchase another copy or put it on reserve at the library. Plus, even though I love being able to turn the pages of a physical book, I'll be able to listen to the book while doing something else too. Since I don't have a lot of free time and still have a lot of Christmas craft projects to make, this is really appealing.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Podcasts
Maybe it's my overachieving nature, or maybe I just really liked this exercise, but I picked two podcasts to write about. The first is a knitting how-to podcast from Cologne, Germany, called "Secret Knitting." I found this podcast interesting because instead of just talking about knitting, the speaker actually gives you instructions on how to knit a particular project. What makes it "secret" is that you don't actually see what you're knitting until you finish it. Not really sure if I like that feature or not. I wouldn't want to waste my time knitting something I wouldn't wear/use or give to someone else...still it's an interesting concept.
The other one I really liked was a quilting one, ironically enough also from Germany, called Driven to Quilt. I like this one for the complete opposite reason than Secret Knitting. When I was in college I studied essays and creative nonfiction and loved it. This podcast reminds me of an audio version of an essay. The speaker kind of rambles on, in the one I listened to she rambles about Christmas, that is very specific to her life, and yet has a universality to it that makes me want to keep listening. I'll have to go back to this one to see if she deals with anything more specifically about quilting in her other posts.
The other one I really liked was a quilting one, ironically enough also from Germany, called Driven to Quilt. I like this one for the complete opposite reason than Secret Knitting. When I was in college I studied essays and creative nonfiction and loved it. This podcast reminds me of an audio version of an essay. The speaker kind of rambles on, in the one I listened to she rambles about Christmas, that is very specific to her life, and yet has a universality to it that makes me want to keep listening. I'll have to go back to this one to see if she deals with anything more specifically about quilting in her other posts.
Monday, November 3, 2008
YouTube
I was looking at my blog the other day and I noticed that I don't have very many of my interests represented in any posts thus far. So when I needed to explore YouTube for Learn and Play, I saw that as an opportunity to show something I love to do.
So I did a search for cross stitching. Granted, cross stitching isn't the most exciting craft for video, but I wanted to see what was out there. After sifting through a whole lot of "how to" videos that just covered the basics, I finally found an interesting one.
This video is from Leisure Arts, a crafting company, and it shows how you can stamp on fabric, then add cross stitching to it. Check out the different leaflets you can buy that use this technique at the end of the video, they're even more interesting than the project they demo.
I keep telling myself that I don't need to pick up any more crafts, but this one just might be worth trying. Who am I kidding, I'll probably try any type of craft at least once...which is why my apartment is filled with supplies and half finished projects!
So I did a search for cross stitching. Granted, cross stitching isn't the most exciting craft for video, but I wanted to see what was out there. After sifting through a whole lot of "how to" videos that just covered the basics, I finally found an interesting one.
This video is from Leisure Arts, a crafting company, and it shows how you can stamp on fabric, then add cross stitching to it. Check out the different leaflets you can buy that use this technique at the end of the video, they're even more interesting than the project they demo.
I keep telling myself that I don't need to pick up any more crafts, but this one just might be worth trying. Who am I kidding, I'll probably try any type of craft at least once...which is why my apartment is filled with supplies and half finished projects!
Monday, October 27, 2008
WorldCat
For the CML toolbox exercise I decided to explore WorldCat. I'd heard of it before, but never spent a large amount of time trying it out. It has some neat features with it, like having a list of libraries that have the item your searching for in order by distance (and even tells you how far that library is). It also links to Amazon.com if you want to purchase the item.
Unfortunately for me, the books I was looking for could only be found at librarys at least 300 miles away, and are out of print, so there aren't even that many options for purchasing them. I also wish there was more information about the books on WorldCat. Then again, these results probably aren't typical since the books I was searching for are very specific and don't have the mass appeal that others might have. I should search for something I know should have more detail to see how it compares.
Unfortunately for me, the books I was looking for could only be found at librarys at least 300 miles away, and are out of print, so there aren't even that many options for purchasing them. I also wish there was more information about the books on WorldCat. Then again, these results probably aren't typical since the books I was searching for are very specific and don't have the mass appeal that others might have. I should search for something I know should have more detail to see how it compares.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Web 2.0 Award site
I've been wanting to create my family tree for awhile now. Mostly, I want to see how far back I can go, but there's always that hope that I'm related to someone famous. So I decided to play on the geni.com site.
It's really easy to use--just click on the arrows to select people you want to add. You can add pictures, video, and all sorts of information to each person's profile. You can even have the site give you birthday reminders. And there's a map where you can show the different areas of the world where your family lives. Most of mine live in the same area, but I can appreciate a tool like this.
It took me awhile to figure out how to add exes into the mix. For a little while I had some relatives that appeared to be married to two people! The site also assumed that my great-grandparents were deceased, which isn't the case (my great-grandmother is still alive). The only other gripe I have about the site is that there isn't a selection for adopted children. Sure, adopted children aren't technically part of my family, but it would be nice to have them in there so they aren't left out.
Another good feature of this site is the share feature. Only you, or members of your family, can view the tree, but you can e-mail relatives the link so they can make changes. That way the tree can grow without a lot of work from one person. Then again, my grandmothers, who would know the most about the family, don't really use the computer much, so I'd probably still have to do it the old fashioned way and just ask.
It's really easy to use--just click on the arrows to select people you want to add. You can add pictures, video, and all sorts of information to each person's profile. You can even have the site give you birthday reminders. And there's a map where you can show the different areas of the world where your family lives. Most of mine live in the same area, but I can appreciate a tool like this.
It took me awhile to figure out how to add exes into the mix. For a little while I had some relatives that appeared to be married to two people! The site also assumed that my great-grandparents were deceased, which isn't the case (my great-grandmother is still alive). The only other gripe I have about the site is that there isn't a selection for adopted children. Sure, adopted children aren't technically part of my family, but it would be nice to have them in there so they aren't left out.
Another good feature of this site is the share feature. Only you, or members of your family, can view the tree, but you can e-mail relatives the link so they can make changes. That way the tree can grow without a lot of work from one person. Then again, my grandmothers, who would know the most about the family, don't really use the computer much, so I'd probably still have to do it the old fashioned way and just ask.
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