The National Parks: America's Best Idea

Here's something to set your recording devices for;

The series starts this Sunday, September 27th at 8pm ET/PT on your local PBS Station.

http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/

The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a six-episode series directed by Ken Burns and written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan. Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales – from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska -

The National Parks: America's Best Idea is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background – rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.

Available also on Blu-Ray and Book at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/National-Parks-Americas-Best-Idea/dp/0307268969

Another Technique to Hem Circles

A Hodgepodge reader sends this along:

I have seen another technique (years ago...) to do circles... cut out same sized circles of pre-washed muslin... sew the fancy fabric, face down to the muslin all the way around. cut a small slit in the center of the muslin so you can turn the faced circle right side out... press and proceed....

I can see these two different techniques appealing to different 'learning styles'.... I've become convinced over the years that quilters have a variety of very different 'learning styles'

peace.
Lynn

Yes, I do remember seeing this somewhere along the way. Thanks Lynn for sending this on to Hodgepodge.

Easy Turn Circle Edge

Now as I had explained the Funky Fabric Quilt is made up of circles that are folded over squares. So a neat edge was needed all the way around the circle before it was turned in around the square. I found this method to be the easiest, neatest, and fastest way to do that.
The no-melt mylar will start to warp after repeated use but it does still work.
Also instead of using the no-melt mylar you can just cover a piece of cardboard with foil.

Layout of the Funky Fabric Quilt

You may remember awhile back I was collecting all these, what I called "funky fabrics" to make into a quilt. Each square is made by folding a circle around a square.
The technique is from a book called quilt by Ruth Van Haeff. In her book she used it to make beautiful a Folded Japanese quilt (pages 102-109)
I'll hand stitch each of the 9 rows across together. Then, the 9 rows together.
I do this by putting the right sides together of ajoining two squares (using Coats - Dual Duty Fine thread) and sew a close whip stitch along the very edge.

UpToDate

Physicians at major academic medical centers worldwide rely on UpToDate's complete and current medical information to answer their clinical questions.

UpToDate is an evidence based, peer reviewed information resource that can quickly answer your medical questions via the Web, desktop computer, and PDA. For doctors it can increase their clinical knowledge, and improve patient care. As a patient you can learn more about a medical condition, better understand management and treatment options, and have a better dialogue with health care providers.

The UpToDate community includes a faculty of more than 4,000 leading physicians, peer reviewers, and editors and over 360,000 users. The faculty reviews include a synthesis of the literature, the latest evidence, and specific recommendations for patient care. UpToDate users provide feedback to the editorial group. This community's combined efforts result in the most trusted, unbiased medical information available.

Check it out here:
http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html

Are You a Complainer?

Guideposts Magazine has this little five question quiz to find out if you are a complainer. Go to the link, take the quiz and see how you do. Be honset with your answers!

http://www.guideposts.com/no-complaining-rule-assessment?emaileid=NL_PC_Sub%20Category

Did you find yourself to be a major complainer?
Do you need to follow the 7 day plan for no complaining?

http://www.guideposts.com/no-complaining-rule

Healthy Choice $2.00 Off Coupon

Going to this link will give you a coupon you can print out for $2.00 off any one Healthy Choice Frozen Meal. Coupon expires: 10/9/2009

http://www.healthychoice.com/?WT.mc_id=HCPPC_GOOG04_B&WT.srch=&WT.mc_ev=click

To check out all their products go here:
http://www.healthychoice.com/products/healthy-meals.html

simple crochet

I picked up a new book over the weekend. I actually went in mind (with my 40% off coupon) to Borders expecting to walk out with a new quilting book but nothing caught my interest, so I thought I'd check out the books on crocheting. (I've never gotten the hang of knitting.) Anyway, this book, simple crochet by Erika Knight caught my eye because not only were more unusual yarns used, but because it also made some very different things. There were directions for containers, towel edging, a table runner, placemats, turkisk slippers, a rag rug, textured throw, a beautiful fine filet pillow, a big floor pillow and some other cool items. You can find the book on amazon used for as little as $5.99 or check it out at your local bookstore. Note she has another title right under this listing there on Amazon.


Here's the Amazon link should you like to check it out:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=simple+crochet+erika+knight&x=14&y=19

Arnold Sandwich Thins

Perhaps some of you already knew about these Arnold 100 calorie little thin sandwich rolls that I just discovered. They come in four varieties - Multi-Grain, Seedless Rye, Whole Grain White, and 100% Whole Wheat. I bought the Multi-Grain over the weekend and loved them. There are 8 in a package and they retail for around $2.99.

To learn more about them or to locate a store by you that has them go to:
http://www.sandwichthins.com/

Energy Savers

The U.S. Department of Energy can help you learn ways to save energy and use clean, renewable technologies at home, while driving, and at work. You can start with and energy audit and learn - Where you are losing energy money, How to conduct your own audit or How to hire a professional to do it for you.
There are many more topics at this website to help guide you in your decision making process:

*Appliances & Electronics
*Designing and Remodeling
*Electricity
*Heating and Cooling
*Insulation & Air Sealing
*Landscaping
*Lighting & Daylighting
*Water Heating
*Windows, Doors, and Skylights

Also there is information about using Renewable Energy
Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Hydropower, Biomass

To learn more go to:
http://www.energysavers.gov/

New York Pass

If you plan on visiting New York City and its attractions you might want to consider getting the New York Pass.

Go to the website to learn more about it: (There is a Labor Day Special at the Website.)

http://www.newyorkpass.com/

How You Benefit from The New York Pass®

• Free entry to over 50 attractions – Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, New York Skyride, Madame Tussaud’s, Circle Line River Cruise, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Madison Square Garden Tour, NBC Studio Tours, New York Aquarium, Top of the Rock™ Observation Deck, Uncle Sam's Hamilton Financial Tour & many others

• Free 140 page guidebook in English, German & Spanish, containing hours of operation, maps and directions to every tourist attraction, shop and restaurant included in New York Pass

• Line skipping privileges – As a New York Pass holder you are entitled to fast track entry to some of the New York City’s busiest attractions

• Additional Package option available – You can use our Pass & Hop on – Hop off Bus Packages for the ultimate New York sightseeing experience, more >>

• Over $700 worth of entrance fees – that’s how much it would cost if you visited all the attractions that New York Pass grants entrance to - without using the New York Pass. That doesn’t even include the additional discounts you receive for having a NY Pass!

• Many special offers and benefits – apart from entry to attractions you also get great offers on theatre tickets, entry to special exhibitions, audio tours & discounts on shopping in Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, and much more.

• 100% Risk Free, Money Back Guarantee – New York Pass insurance gives you extra comfort in case your travel plans change, offering refund on non-used Passes, more ...

Note:
You can visit each attraction just once with the New York Pass. However you can visit as many attractions as you want - even more with the time saved with fast track entry. You don't need to carry too much cash and the New York Pass keeps control on your spending.

Cornwell Scribe Works

From the General Convention Exhibit Hall I bring to you the beautiful medieval and Renaissance-style calligraphy and illumination by James and Hilarie Cornwell.

To see and learn more go to:

http://www.cornwellscribeworks.com/about.htm

Tinikling - (Part 2)

Part of the presentation that evening was of the traditional folk dance of the Philippines - Tinikling. How many of you learned it in school? I did! Check out my brother and Barbara giving it a try. The video from YouTube will give you an idea of just how it is done if you have never seen it. It's really a lot of fun! At least it was back in Junior High!

Philippines - Feast and Feed (Part 1)

The Filipino community that meets at St.James had their own farewell dinner for Barbara and Q. It was a four course delicious "Feast" and with an evening of traditional song and dance. Contributions were given by attendees to "Feed" the hungry.