As someone who spends a lot of time writing, I’m always looking for new ways to do it more efficiently to speed up my work. To my surprise and delight, I recently discovered that Vista comes packaged with speech recognition capabilities, and I’ve begun working with it to see what it can do for me.
In fact, this entire blog entry was dictated to the computer (as opposed to typing it). I can see that I'll need to work with it in order to teach it how I want it to work. And, it may be a bit of a stretch at the moment to make it work with my crochet designs due to the nature of the many abbreviations in the crochet language. But, I have high hopes for it, and it is already helping me in my general writing. At the very least, it will speed up my blog writing!
If you’re interested in trying this out, I suggest starting with a quality headset microphone that has a USB connector for best results. (I bought mine from Best Buy for about $29.95.) To the best of my knowledge, speech to text only works with Windows Vista unless you have installed stand alone voice recognition software.
Here is a page from the Microsoft Web site that explains this far better than I could and will help you through the setup.
The speech recognition software is not limited to writing. You can use it to open and close programs, switch between windows and a multitude of other tasks. If you have a chance, give it a try. At the very least, it’s fun to work with. At most, it has the potential to make your work easier.
Now, I just have to explain to my family why I’m sitting here talking to my computer…
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Discovering the World of Netbooks
What’s a netbook, you ask? It’s the new mini notebook that is taking the computer industry by storm. What does this have to do with crochet? A lot, actually.
Like many of you, I spend a great deal of my day working at my computer. I also travel quite a bit, which makes computing on-the-go an absolute necessity. I already have a laptop, but I wanted something that was even smaller and easier to travel with—something that I could tuck into my purse or crochet bag for easy note-taking, pattern writing or editing. I was certain that it would make my life easier, but since I count computers among my hobbies, I thought they also looked like fun. I was right on both counts.
I did some research, discovered what I did (and did not) want in one of these little computers, then persuaded my husband to take me computer shopping. Within just a few minutes of entering the computer store, I found what I was looking for and bought it on the spot.
As with anything else you buy, there are pros and cons to the different brands, and it’s not my intent to recommend one over the other. But, the Asus EEE PC 1000H had everything I wanted and needed at a price that I found affordable at less than $400.00 (that is if you don’t count the extras I bought that I didn’t necessarily need). So while I’m sure that there are plenty of other great buys out there, this one was right for me.
Because the keyboard on a netbook is smaller than on a standard desktop or laptop, I was a little worried that I would find it hard to get used to but that wasn’t the case. After stumbling through a few lines of text, my fingers soon figured out the smaller key spacing, and it has been smooth typing ever since.
With the smaller amount of memory a netbook has, I was also concerned whether it would be powerful enough to handle my Microsoft Office 2007 Professional suite, but I needn’t have worried. I installed it shortly after bringing the computer home and haven’t noticed any system slowdown.
One word of caution, though. Some of the netbooks are distributed with Microsoft Windows XP, while others are distributed with Ubuntu, a Linux operating system. I have no experience with Ubuntu, but I’m told that it can make installing new programs difficult if you aren’t familiar with Linux.
As I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, I am totally thrilled with this little computer. It does everything that I need for it to do and is much lighter and easier to carry around. If purchasing one of these minis is an option for you, I definitely recommend them!
Like many of you, I spend a great deal of my day working at my computer. I also travel quite a bit, which makes computing on-the-go an absolute necessity. I already have a laptop, but I wanted something that was even smaller and easier to travel with—something that I could tuck into my purse or crochet bag for easy note-taking, pattern writing or editing. I was certain that it would make my life easier, but since I count computers among my hobbies, I thought they also looked like fun. I was right on both counts.
I did some research, discovered what I did (and did not) want in one of these little computers, then persuaded my husband to take me computer shopping. Within just a few minutes of entering the computer store, I found what I was looking for and bought it on the spot.
As with anything else you buy, there are pros and cons to the different brands, and it’s not my intent to recommend one over the other. But, the Asus EEE PC 1000H had everything I wanted and needed at a price that I found affordable at less than $400.00 (that is if you don’t count the extras I bought that I didn’t necessarily need). So while I’m sure that there are plenty of other great buys out there, this one was right for me.
Because the keyboard on a netbook is smaller than on a standard desktop or laptop, I was a little worried that I would find it hard to get used to but that wasn’t the case. After stumbling through a few lines of text, my fingers soon figured out the smaller key spacing, and it has been smooth typing ever since.
With the smaller amount of memory a netbook has, I was also concerned whether it would be powerful enough to handle my Microsoft Office 2007 Professional suite, but I needn’t have worried. I installed it shortly after bringing the computer home and haven’t noticed any system slowdown.
One word of caution, though. Some of the netbooks are distributed with Microsoft Windows XP, while others are distributed with Ubuntu, a Linux operating system. I have no experience with Ubuntu, but I’m told that it can make installing new programs difficult if you aren’t familiar with Linux.
As I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, I am totally thrilled with this little computer. It does everything that I need for it to do and is much lighter and easier to carry around. If purchasing one of these minis is an option for you, I definitely recommend them!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Lattice Rose Set & Midnight Roses Tea Cozy
Several of my designs were recently published in Crochet! magazine. Midnight Roses Tea Cozy appeared in the January 2009 issue, followed by the Lattice Rose doily and rug in the March 2009 issue. All of these projects feature rose embellishments.
If you’re at all familiar with my work, you may already know that I design a lot of floral projects. My fascination with flowers dates back to when I was a little girl. My father was an avid gardener, and he particularly liked growing roses. He grew many other flowers as well, but the roses were always my favorite. Admittedly, I don’t have his green thumb, but the beautiful flowers that graced our yard have been my inspiration for designing floral projects for many years.
Lauren at crochetstitches.blogspot.com made the Lattice Rose rug as a birthday present and posted the photo on her site. If you would like to see it, check out her site.
If you’re at all familiar with my work, you may already know that I design a lot of floral projects. My fascination with flowers dates back to when I was a little girl. My father was an avid gardener, and he particularly liked growing roses. He grew many other flowers as well, but the roses were always my favorite. Admittedly, I don’t have his green thumb, but the beautiful flowers that graced our yard have been my inspiration for designing floral projects for many years.
Lauren at crochetstitches.blogspot.com made the Lattice Rose rug as a birthday present and posted the photo on her site. If you would like to see it, check out her site.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Weaving In Ends, Color Changes, Etc.
One of my least favorite jobs in completing a crochet project is weaving in the yarn ends. When I first learned to crochet, I saved them all to do at the end of the project, but I soon learned what a chore it was to face them all at one time. So, practically from the beginning, I’ve worked them in as I go.
There are different methods for accomplishing this, but I was intrigued by some of the tips in the following video I found at YouTube. It addresses several issues, including hiding the yarn tail at the beginning of your work, closing the gap that a beginning chain-3 at the beginning of a row or round can produce, color changes and working in the back ridge of a chain. Enjoy!
There are different methods for accomplishing this, but I was intrigued by some of the tips in the following video I found at YouTube. It addresses several issues, including hiding the yarn tail at the beginning of your work, closing the gap that a beginning chain-3 at the beginning of a row or round can produce, color changes and working in the back ridge of a chain. Enjoy!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Lead-testing Legislation Postponed 1 Year
The lead-testing legislation by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has been postponed for one year, until February 10, 2010, in order to work out the details. You can read about it here.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html
If you have not been following this legislation, I urge you to familiarize yourself with it since it will impact crafters and small, home-based businesses nationwide.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html
If you have not been following this legislation, I urge you to familiarize yourself with it since it will impact crafters and small, home-based businesses nationwide.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Bits & Pieces of Yarn
If you’re like most of us, you probably have odd skeins and bits and pieces of leftover yarns to deal with after completing a crochet project. It’s not too hard to find a project to use up the leftover whole or even half skeins, but what do you do with the smaller bits and pieces? Personally, I can’t bear to throw them away, so here are some of the projects I use them for.
....Crochet motifs for gift blankets or other items.
....Tie the ends together to make into magic balls.
....Donate to schools, senior citizen centers, etc.
....Make hats and scarves for charity.
(Note: I do not advocate placing the bits and pieces outdoors for the birds to use in building their nests. While the idea is well-meaning, I feel that the potential harm it poses for the birds is not worth the risk.)
What is a magic ball, you ask? It’s a ball of yarn made up of short lengths of leftover yarns. Simply tie the ends securely together, leaving a tail several inches long. (The tails are not woven into whatever project you choose to make with it.)
Some suggestions for magic ball projects are:
....Pet mats or coats
....Fun and funky afghans, lap robes or coverlets
....Mud rugs
....Coasters
....Mug and soda can cozies
If the pieces of yarn are very short, consider saving them for use in stuffing pillows, toys or other items that require stuffing.
I’m sure you can think of a wide variety of projects I haven’t named here!
....Crochet motifs for gift blankets or other items.
....Tie the ends together to make into magic balls.
....Donate to schools, senior citizen centers, etc.
....Make hats and scarves for charity.
(Note: I do not advocate placing the bits and pieces outdoors for the birds to use in building their nests. While the idea is well-meaning, I feel that the potential harm it poses for the birds is not worth the risk.)
What is a magic ball, you ask? It’s a ball of yarn made up of short lengths of leftover yarns. Simply tie the ends securely together, leaving a tail several inches long. (The tails are not woven into whatever project you choose to make with it.)
Some suggestions for magic ball projects are:
....Pet mats or coats
....Fun and funky afghans, lap robes or coverlets
....Mud rugs
....Coasters
....Mug and soda can cozies
If the pieces of yarn are very short, consider saving them for use in stuffing pillows, toys or other items that require stuffing.
I’m sure you can think of a wide variety of projects I haven’t named here!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
In With The New...
With the holiday season over for yet another year, it’s time for me to get back to work! As I mentioned previously, I’ve taken quite a bit of time off this fall and early winter, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been idle. I’ve lots of plans for new designs and directions to take my work in 2009. But, more about that at a later date!
I’ve learned that making New Years’ resolutions doesn’t work for me. Instead, I set goals, which I allow to change as time and life dictates. It puts a little less pressure on me, yet gives me something to work towards. Last year, I met two of the three goals I set. Considering that I had a change of heart and circumstances dictated that it wasn’t time for the third one to be fulfilled yet, I’m fine with that.
For 2009, my goals are:
1. Spend more time relaxing with family.
2. Put my Web site to better use.
3. Produce even more and better designs.
We’ll check back in another year to see how well I did.
Happy New Year 2009!
I’ve learned that making New Years’ resolutions doesn’t work for me. Instead, I set goals, which I allow to change as time and life dictates. It puts a little less pressure on me, yet gives me something to work towards. Last year, I met two of the three goals I set. Considering that I had a change of heart and circumstances dictated that it wasn’t time for the third one to be fulfilled yet, I’m fine with that.
For 2009, my goals are:
1. Spend more time relaxing with family.
2. Put my Web site to better use.
3. Produce even more and better designs.
We’ll check back in another year to see how well I did.
Happy New Year 2009!
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