Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Checking In


Periodically I seem to go through blogging slumps for no particular reason.  I enjoy my blog and appreciate the interaction with other bloggers.  I also love having dated records with pictures of my projects and other quilting activities.  So, I really don’t understand this lethargy that creeps up on me from time to time.

We recently replaced my computer and, to my dismay, it appears I can no longer download the free Picasa 3 program that I’ve used for photo editing ever since I started blogging.  Many of the replacements require annual subscriptions and work online rather than as a program installed on my computer.  And I rather not use something that requires my photos be stored in a cloud.  I would love to hear what others are using in lieu of Picasa.  This is my first attempt at uploading pictures to Blogger using the photo editor capabilities in my Microsoft package. Perhaps that will be all that I need.



On the quilting front, I’ve added quite a few log cabin blocks to my design wall.  In digging through my stash of reproduction fabrics I even found some 5-inch charm packs.  I certainly don’t remember purchasing them or what I had in mind to do with them.  Fortunately, they are perfect for adding some diversity to this project.  The pile of fabrics I pulled for this may be going down … but that’s probably just wishful thinking.



Wanda at Exuberant Color has been sharing pictures of her indoor cacti garden.  She has an abundance of blooms this year.  My own cacti blooms are not nearly as prolific, but the orchid I received for my birthday a couple of years ago, is putting on a show!

Wishing any who read this a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.  It will be just the two of us this year, but that’s okay.  We expect to have a number of other family gatherings in the coming months.

 


4 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I use the microsoft program for photos that came with the computer. I find it easy to resize, crop, and change color a little if I need to - it isn't perfect but I'm not extremely talented at the computer and it takes me awhile to learn how to use programs so for what I do this works. Your photos look great to me in this post.
Love your plants

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

That orchid is an overachiever! I have never seen such an unusual bloom.

I downloaded Picasa 3 in March when I got my new Windows 11 computer. I just did a search and it says it can still be downloaded and used offline. Offline is the only way I have ever used it. I make all of my collages in it but don't use it for anything else. I have a program that came with an older Canon camera and I have found it online to download since new laptops don't have a CD/DVD drive. You can also use Paint to edit your photos. Resizing them in that program is pretty easy.

Susan said...

I'm so impressed with your orchid. Every time we get one, it does well, and then it just completely dies to a brown stick. I left some of them in their pots and watered them once a week, thinking that might be normal, but no, it isn't. Now we have a new one with tiny white blooms, but I don't hold out much hope for it surviving, either! Yours, though, wow!

Susan said...

P. S. I use a free version of Image Tricks that is on my computer. I don't know if it's still available, if there's still a free version, or if you have to have Mac to use it, but I do know it does a great job, and offers lots of options. I've heard a lot of people like GIMP, as well. Best of luck finding a new one you like.