Grace Full Creations :: Creative Interests

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Grace Full Creations'
Creative Interests

Come and enjoy news and articles especially collected for quilters and crafters. Read articles about quilting techniques, keeping your identity safe, saving money, organizational techniques and many others. New articles will be posted every month or so. If you would like to know when new articles are posted, please become a fan of our Facebook Group (Grace Full Creations) or subscribe to our Blog.

The following information is provided as a service. We have done our best to make sure the information is accurate and complete. On all legal, tax, and financial issues, please contact your attorney to know all legal ramifications that might affect you. We are not accountants nor attorneys. If the information is provided by another source, its inclusion does not constitute our personal beliefs nor is it an endorsement.

A CREATIVE LIFE:

What is Creativity?

Written by Ronna Lynn Ross
Grace Full Creations

What is creativity and why do we need it? Creativity is defined as “The use of imagination or original ideas especially in the production of artistic work.” “Work?” How did “work” get involved here? Wasn't’t creativity the pictures we used to make in kindergarten that our parents swore they would keep and cherish forever? (My mom framed one of mine and gave it to me when I was 30. — So cool.)

The truth is that creativity is everywhere. We can implement creativity into every aspect of our lives – home, work, parenting, church, social activities, and even rest. It is the act of putting that extra thought; that extra something into what ever we are doing.

The following news-feed is provided as a service and should only be quilting or Art Quilting topics. If any of the links do not work or lead to other subjects, please notify us.

Having Quilting
Fun Online

In this day and age of social media everyone can get aquainted and stay connected to old friends through Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin. But the internet not only brings us education, business, shopping and these social sites, it brings us entertainment for everyone.

I was randomly searching the web, I came across several Online Quilting games. I was amazed that theses games existed. Keep in mind I visited these sites for a brief time. Some of the games might ask you to join their site or download a program. I did not see or have any problems with the sites being unsafe, but as with everything on the web, use your own judgement as you surf along.

Crazy Quilt Solitaire

This is probably the one that is the least like "quilting", but as a solitare lover I had to include it. The purpose is to get all of your cards onto the home piles in the proper order. The cards are laided out in a crazy quilt fashion. But there is a trick...you must have a short end free to be able to use the card. The rules are tricky, but the game maker did a great job to give tutorials as you are playing so you can see an example immediately. You can play Crazy Quilt Solitare by following this link.

Quilting Time

Quilting Time seems to be the most accessible game on the net. I found it in several gaming sites. You can play online or download it. You can play online as a guest.

The purpose of the game is to build the puzzles (quilt blocks). You get points for building the block correctly and in a timely manner. As your blocks are made, you get to assemble the quilt. It is a great little game to test how well you know various blocks. It also would be a great teaching tool for anyone just beginning to quilt to see how patchwork is made. To play follow this link.

Patchworkz

Patchworkz is another puzzle building game, but does not have the traditional style blocks like Quilting Time. It is challenging but not too brain taxing. It also is kind of fun because you complete against another player. The thrill of trying not being beat makes up for the simplicity. It reminds me of the a game called Perfection that I played as a kid. You had to get all the shapes in the proper place before the timer went off. Did I mention that the patterns get harder with each level? You will have a lot of fun challenging yourself to get quilcker and quicker. To play follow the link.

Quilting Resources

The interest is a vast resource for almost everything quilting. If you want to learn quilting from the beginning to the end you can read articles, watch videos, and even take an online course. Here are some links for you to get inspired and learn a new skill.

Quilt Videos

Quilt Classes:
Quilt University
Quilt Campus
Beginning Quilt Resources
AQS & West Kentucky
Community & Technical College

Preserving the Quilting Heritage

Articles:

Keeping Your Identity Safe
It's not by giving up the internet!
(Security Series - 1 of 5)

Written by Ronna Lynn Ross
Grace Full Creations

A few years ago, I surveyed our members and asked questions regarding security issues. One hundred-fifty people responded. It was shocking to see the results, especially with the question "have you recently had your credit card or identity compromised?" Twelve out of one hundred-fifty had. That is 8 percent. (Please note: Respondents explanations did not indicate or imply that the breach came from our web site.)

Quilting is a 3.6 billion dollar industry as stated in the 2006 industry report "Quilting in America". Per the report, 17 percent or 19.135 million of all U.S. Households reported having someone that participates in quilting. The total number of quilters in the U.S. now exceeds over 27 million. (1) Most of these quilting dollars are being spent through credit cards at local shops or via the internet making quilters a target of identity theft more than ever. Some have protected themselves by not shopping on the internet at all. Some find no increased risk in internet shopping.

The question remains, "are any of us safe from credit card fraud or identity theft?" Probably not, but some of us are definitely more safe than others.

Written by Ronna Lynn Ross
Grace Full Creations

Not to toot my own horn, but I am "Queen Bee" of anal retentive storage. I sometimes wonder if I am bordering on obsessive compulsive, but I figure my studio wouldn't ever be messy, if I was to that level.

O. K. here is the buzz about keeping your scraps under control ...organize! No, duh! But how? Many of us have been quilting for 5 to 30 years with rooms of fabric stored here and there. Some of us are diligent and throw away scraps after we are done making a quilt. But I, the Queen Bee, says "No more." My motto is: "If it is larger than a 1.5" x 1.5" piece, it is usable." Fabric is expensive, do not waste a bit.

Links and Resources

Links and Resources is a list of various resources within the Quilting and Crafting industries. Looking for something special? This is a good place to start.

Coming Soon!