I honestly don’t think that we really appreciate the wonders of high speed internet until we don’t have it.
I don’t have it.
I have doable – I can print invoices and mailing labels. I have enough strength of signal to play Pandora off my phone while connected to the Post Office WiFi – but this internet access comes through Century Link and the phone line – not cable, not satellite – and it is costing an arm and a leg just to get what meager function I have.
But we tried. And we will try again when I can be fully hard wired.
Yes, I had a 50 foot cable – but forgot that my slim line lap top doesn’t have a PORT for that cord, so trusty Amazon has one on the way that will hook to a USB port and hopefully give me a better signal.
On top of that – Facebook has changed their business page format for those with pages – and there is no longer a simple GO LIVE option right on the front page when viewing by computer – you have to click Creator Studio at the top – and jump through a bunch of hoops to find it.
But we got this far yesterday -
The beginning of the lay-out process -
So glad I added that extra triangle on the corners of the basket blocks!
Sadie – keeping a fair distance!
But then deciding she needs to test it out!
The top center is webbed in one direction – all rows are complete, and the rows are held to each other by the chaining threads between the rows.
I have also stay stitched around the entire outside to keep those sashing seams from popping open or stretching.
Today’s job is to start in on the cross seaming – borders as yet to be determined.
Fancy Basket block from a previous Addicted to Scraps column. This quilt is likely slated for a “next book up the road.” So stay tuned.
The other thing – I don’t have enough signal to easily download the Quilt-Cam video from Facebook so I can upload it to YouTube so it can live there, and also here in the archives. I may be able to do it and edit this post later when I have more signal, but video files are large and my simple phone-data plan here at the cabin can’t do it, and I’m not sure if even the QPO has enough to download the Facebook video and upload it to Youtube. This is embedded directly from Facebook.
Click to Play with Fairly Blurry Warning.
To say the least – I was somewhat frustrated by the time I got home last night. It’s difficult when all people’s comments are “It’s blurry.” “I can hear you fine but you aren’t clear….” And I know. I know, but I can’t fix it.
To say the least – I was somewhat frustrated by the time I got home last night. It’s difficult when all people’s comments are “It’s blurry.” “I can hear you fine but you aren’t clear….” And I know. I know, but I can’t fix it.
I can say that things WERE CLEAR on my end while I was recording so it isn’t that I am out of focus on the camera. It’s a combination of Facebook and my Internet, and that likely is not going to change, so I’m on the cusp of only doing Quilt-Cam when by chance I am back home in North Carolina, or not at all.
From what I can tell it can take up to 2 hours to download the video at the signal I’ve got – and I don’t have that much battery power left of the laptop. Yep. I left my laptop cord at the QPO. LOL.
Unless the ethernet connector coming by Amazon (hopefully tomorrow) will work. And we may try. Because I would like to get this straightened out more than anything.
As for Quiltville Inn? The same thing. We are very VERY rural. There will be enough signal to email, to use wifi for phone calling, for posting photos to instagram or facebook, but unlikely to stream netflix or videos or broadcast them live. It is what it is! And maybe stepping back from technology is a good thing from time to time.
I’ve been up since 3am – the brain just won’t shut up. So I got up.
I’ve been puttering on a few things and trying to get some direction on how to present this year’s Quiltville Winter Mystery. I want to do something a bit different because I need to shake things up from time to time even for myself to keep my own interest. So we shall see.
Part of the time the mystery is running I’ll be in Germany on a Craftours tour – so all of that needs to be written ahead. (I’ll be gone just one Friday, December 6th.) Maybe we just do that week as a cutting week so things are ready to sew the next week? Again, we shall see!
And that brings me to now. 8am here. I’ve been up for 5 hours. There may be a nap in my future.
My friend Martha and I are going to meet for some lunch and a round of shopping – I need to break out of the QPO for a while!
Quiltville Quote of the Day
Now if we could only get half of the world to do the same!
I think I’m going to focus on that quiet and smiling thing for the rest of the week -
Have a great Thursday!
54 comments:
I was fortunate enough to see quilt cam yesterday— it was great!! As always!! Keep up the good work!! When is the new leader and ender challenge?
Your quote of the day is what my older son tells me; "Just smile and nod, Mom, smile and nod."
One of my go-to lines is "I just smile and nod and listen for my name." Or there's always "Smile, it makes people wonder what you've been up to." Thanks for my morning smile, Bonnie! Beautiful vintage quilt 😊
I would one thousand times rather see you blurry than not at all, just saying. The quilt cam yesterday with the tour of QPO, was so fun! Guess we are all going to be silent and smiling and thinking mysterious and leader / ender .... all this happy sure makes my day.
Always July. Stay tuned! :)
LOL, love it!
I totally agree that sometimes we need to step away from all the technology from time to time. I am not that tech addicted, but when I can't use my phone or access the internet, it is restful rather than stressful. It will all work out.
My best guess is that when viewers are emailing you about "blurry" they are trying to be helpful and just don't realize that you are receiving a bjillion of those emails and it is stressful!
I look forward to a future visit to "very, VERY rural" Mouth of Wilson, getting away from the tech crazy everyday world just to rest, relax, and sew at Quiltville Inn. I am blessed to live rural and look forward to your "very, VERY rural" setting. Have a wonderful day, Bonnie!
I enjoy quiltcam in whatever state it can be delivered! It's like you invited me to join you for a little sit and sew, and I feel privileged to be included, blurry or not. Thank you for sticking with it, figuring it out, and sharing it. My vote is to keep it up when you can.
I only got to watch a little of it, but what I saw was good. Very early morning here too and no time for a nap today. Sometimes it is very hard to just smile and nod but is the best thing to do most of the time!
You are right in that you need to get away. The speed of internet in rural areas is a problem. My daughter moved from one part of a city to another and was so excited that her cable speed is about 10 times faster. She doesn't have cable so that is huge. Rural cable and cell phone service is very hard and isn't going to change soon.
Blurry, yes, but still a wonderful opportunity to spend time with you and to see what is happening at the Quiltville Post Office. If you ever need a temp postal employee, I'm your person. Almost 40 years of sorting mail in Illinois, I think I'd be a good replacement. Keep up the good work and I enjoy seeing the progress.
Most of the time I'm "watching" quilt cam while I'm quilting so I need to hear you more than see you clearly. I would miss quilt cam if you stopped. Also, thanks for a great time in Minnesota in your class and presentation at the banquet. You were clear there!
I will take whatever I can see or hear of you. Your blog post is the first thing I read every morning. Blurry, not blurry, whatever. I don't miss QuiltCam. Is there satellite internet service available where you are? I looked into it years ago, but it was pricey and since I live in an urban area, there were plenty of other more affordable choices. It probably is still expensive, but maybe not as much as when you use your phone data plan. But knowing you, you have probably already explored this option.
I was not able to watch quiltcam live yesterday but was thrilled to see it on Facebook last night. I agree that I would much rather see (even if not quite as clear as usual) and hear you than not have that opportunity at all. Thank you for all you do for us everyday. QPO looks wonderful and love seeing Sadie there. Enjoy your day away from technology!
I must admit I am somewhat addicted to technology. That being said, when I go to our quilt retreat we have very littler internet service and I love it!! I can focus on getting my many projects done in the time I am there. Hopefully the people staying at the Quiltville Inn will find they can do without a strong signal, put the phone away, and enjoy the peacefulness of your beautiful place. As far as QuiltCam, you are taking time out of your time to do this, you don't owe it to anybody, if the work you put into it can't be appreciated, then take a break from it. You have so much to offer the quilting world, QuiltCam won't be the end of Bonnie Hunter!!!
A blurry Bonnie is better than no Bonnie :)
Your tech knowledge far far exceeds anything I could ever understand, and we are thankful for all your efforts!
Fun to see your new location and hear about your latest adventures!
From ismacs.net I found a date of May 1925 for your machine.
Clear, blurry or any other way I love, love Quilt Cam and all things Bonni K Hunter. Wish I had half your creative juices. Keep on.
Please do not stop quilt cam! I love it and understand the signal problems, where I live we experience the same problem. Life isn't always perfect, people need to be more understanding.
I happened to catch you live yesterday here in Colorado. Quilt Cam was clear and wonderful as always!
I watched you last night never had a problem with it. It was nice to be able to watch you live.
Last week I traveled through a part of Canada that has zero cell service. I had read about it head of time but to actually see old fashioned phone booths was still a bit of a surprise. It was interesting to try to find some place each evening that had Wi-Fi so I could let my loved ones know that I was safe and where I was. So, yes, I understand being frustrated with technology. Also, I bought a new laptop recently that is driving me insane trying to figure it out. I keep asking my kids, is newer really better? If it works why replace it. Thanks for pursuing technology so we can have quilt cam from the QPO.
Bonnie, Quiltcam really wasn't all that blurry. It was well worth your effort to do it, as we always love it! Thank you for all your hard work and generosity.
Oh Bonnie, I am so sorry you are having these technological problems. Technology is a mystery to me! I loved seeing your PO work space. It's so cool! But if it doesn't work out for you to do quilt cam in the future, it's ok! Your followers will be happy with whatever you can do or not do, because you already do so much for us!
Looking forward to the wonderful gift you give in the form of the mystery quilt. Thank you for all you pour into me and quilters in general.
A!! Great to see you "out and about". Now get that lazy cat of yours to write up a blog so the rest of us can catch up to *you*!
I caught the impromptu quilt cam yesterday and it was great! Sorry it was such an ordeal for you. I live in a very rural area and understand the frustration.
Thanks so much for trying, Bonnie. I really appreciate all that you do. Hope you can work things out, so that you can continue Quiltcam. I really enjoy it. But, totally understand if you are unable to.
Thanks for trying! Amazon to the rescue again. I caught the take 2 Quiltcam. It was just fine, sorry about the complainers. Love when you shake things up with the Mystery!
I'm sorry everyone's a critic. Do what you want, when you want, where you want. It's your time that you decide to share with us. People need to remember that!
There is hope for your internet speed. I don't know if you're aware of the supposed update coming to Grayson County, but here's a link in case you aren't.https://www.roanoke.com/news/local/grayson-county-poised-for-a-broadband-expansion-via-new-state/article_270bed18-55a6-5dc4-a02c-5e3260414e3d.html
Bonnie, People need to remember how just a a few years ago we didn't have any of this technology available. Instead of being frustrated, we as your audience should be so glad you are able to share with us what you are able. For many things it will be nice that Quiltville is so rural, a time to unplug. Please see that the majority of us understand and truly enjoy however you are able to share with us, in whatever format. Thank you for being you and sharing your life with us as you are able and technology will allow.
Rural places that provide a chance to disconnect from internet mania is fine with me. 😁 ❤
Some people don't appreciate anything, maybe they should try to set it up. I didn't get to see it live yesterday but did watch it on fb this morning and you were clear in speaking and the picture was not blurry. I would love to tell those who are complaining to not watch then, those who don't live where major cable companies are don't understand. They just need to get a life. You are appreciated by many of your fans and we out number the nay sayers.
I live in a rural area and I could see fine!����♀️ I have internet problems everyday! It’s nuts! I sure all the progress you have made on all your redos! Enjoy and I’m enjoying your journey! I love tiny piecing! I’ve found my niche! Thanks Bonnie!
I watched quiltcam yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it, didn’t even notice the blurring I was more interesting listening to what you were explaining. Love hoy your basket quilt is coming together. I sent you a pic of my last years leader ended quilt hope you liked it I had so much fun putting the flimsy together can’t wait for this years, thank you for sharing so much fun with us.
Love and quilty hugs
Anne xxx
Oh! When you showed us those black/rainbow sashes a week or two ago, it never crossed my mind that you'd be combining them with the basket blocks. Such a fun combo! I love how colorful and cheerful that quilt is turning out to be. Fantastic progress!
Hi, Sadie. You look sleepy, ol' girl. Back to the doggie bed.....
Watching through your current internet provider was just fine. Don't worry about the blurry view at times or sound slipping. People who live in rural areas understand that you take what you can get and be thankful you have it.
I love your quote of the day. How true. I watched a bit of quiltcam last night. Not home early to watch live, and no energy to watch the full quilt cam, but honestly I treat Quilt Cam like a nice gift from you. Blurry or not, you can still listen and I find the audio awesome while I am piecing. Thanks Bonnie for each opportunity you give us.
Sadie is a sweetie pie. Give her a kiss on the head and tell her she is loved.
I remember when we first moved to our tiny rural town, being on dial-up wasn't so unusual then, and that's what we had, same as back home in the suburbs. But as the years passed and visitors would come from out of state, they would be so amazed (and somewhat frustrated) by the slowness of the process of going online, while we just plugged away with what we were used to. Eventually, when President Obama signed legislation to bring high-speed access to rural areas, we were able to get a fiber-optic cable to our house. Oh my word! I finally understood why everyone was so surprised at how long things had been taking. Now, it still takes us awhile--for some reason, even fiber optics take longer out here on our gravel road--but we're catching up. Still, country life is not city life, and that's just the way things are. Which of us would trade quick internet access for the sounds of birds in the morning, or a walk down a quiet country road, or any of a hundred other things that comes with living far from the conveniences?
Watched your quiltcam and it was fine. Understand what you are dealing with as we live in the mountains in Pa. Took us a while to adjust after spending most of our lives in a metropolitan area but have learned to love this new slower lifestyle. Don’t let the complainers get you down, I am so grateful that you are always willing to share your knowledge.
I have never caught you live but hope to. Please know I treasure all your quilt-cams, complete with your various trials. Your love of sharing always out-shines the trials. Your wisdom and wit always brings me joy. I look forward to more when and as time allows. Keep smiling!
Welcome to off grid living! We went from fios to cellular internet when we moved! We only need solar panels to be totally off grid! It helps that we're on top of a hill in the middle of the woods for a great signal.
Thanks for all you do! Sorry people can't understand. I know you'll figure it out!
Enjoy!
Lynn
I am temporarily unemployed (I hope) and had the time to watch this Quiltcam. Loved it, loved it, loved it. The tour of QPO was great and I think that webbing method for joining quilt sections might be just the thing for me to try. Thank you and happy travels!
So great to have you live at the post office! That stay stitching not only as you demoed on the web cam but outside of quilt prior to quilting is making my life so much easier and able to put out better quilts or at least get them started!!!
Here in Oregon I could watch QuiltCam and you came in clearly. I really like your basket quilt! It looks fantastic! Keep up the good work and don't be discouraged - you are awesome!
I was thrilled to accidentally catch QuiltCam. What little blur there was wasn't an issue at all.
I got lucky and saw that there had been Q-C only a few hrs earlier. Did I imagine that Bonnie said she was going to do a Garden Party table runner tutorial for some other website or blog? I played the whole thing 2x! After making My Secret Garden Party quilt, yes, I am up for making more posie and path blocks. Her aqua path is striking
Bonnie--Quilt Cam was fine on You Tube. It was blurry only for a few minutes at the beginning and then it cleared. Please don't stop doing Quilt Cam. I need the company...
I'm a little late to the party here, but it sounds like your signal was fine to broadcast, but maybe it was the signal at the other end... the recipients. The country was experiencing a lot of weather anomalies, and that affects the signal broadcast, from tower to satellite, back down to tower, and through the ground cable to their homes, back through WiFi, on Thursday, the 20th. As I'm reading the comments here, some were saying it was blurry, others were saying it was coming in crystal clear. So, I'm thinking it was just a combination of events that caused all the problems... a perfect storm event.
Consider investing in a WiFi booster for the QPO? Might want to consider one for the Inn, too. They really aren't that expensive, but it might boost your signals up high enough that they're more efficient. The reason why your signal is weak is that the farther you're away from the switching station from CenturyLink's network, the weaker the signal gets. I used to work for AT&T as a Universal Sales Agent, and frequently we'd get calls regarding this problem, and as someone who was selling all of the product lines, it was part of my job to know about the technical aspects to explain why some customers couldn't get the better signals.
Bonnie, It was so pleasurable to watch your quilt cam (my first)!! I am definitely trying webbing the next time. Thanks for all you do!!!
HI Bonnie, I can see you perfectly from Quiltville blog. I amconfused-is the Post Office on the Quiltvilla propertyvor in town?
Is this a new pattern you are working on--love the sashing
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