
I went to update the index page of my website. My webhost started out as Startlogic, then they were acquired by iPage, which then got swallowed up by Network Solutions.
I built my page myself, simply, using Weebly many years ago. It was just a landing page, with links that took folks where they needed to find things, and my Ecwid store was a tab attached to the main page. Easy. Functional.
Well, upon accessing my dashboard on Saturday morning to upload an edit, I was greeted with a message to update my PHP. It wouldn't update me because my Weebly page didn't accept the higher PHP version. Weebly is being discontinued.
So I upgraded to build a new front page on another builder. This one cost more, but you know. How hard could it be?
AWFUL! And I leave for India on Saturday so this has to be done.
I uploaded a "good enough" index page only to have my SSL certificate not work for a secure website. I had paid for it, my subscription was on the last website. (It's now fixed)
Then I was told I couldn't link to the Ecwid store as a subdomain, but I had to jump through hoops to embed it and it is beyond me. I'm going to have to hire *their* professionals to do that.
So the Ecwid store is now linked directly to the URL of my store ID, it works. it's the same, it's just not part of my website right now.
Then we found out that NONE as in ZERO of the PDFS for the free patterns, tips & techniques that are in the PDF folder on my website will work. NONE.
They don't store things on the website anymore - everything is uploaded to the cloud. There are hundreds of PDFs. Seriously.
So I am moving them back to the computer by Filezilla, and will upload them to Google Docs but it's going to take a while to get everything under the free patterns tab on the blog linked.
You can still access the tutorials, you just can't print a PDF for it.
And we have Mystery clues starting in November, and I need to be able to provide the PDFs. I think Google Docs in the answer.
Unless I come up with something better.
Yet. I'll do what I can, but this is going to take a while and as I said, I leave for India on Saturday!
(And yes, that is some *special* Y2K fabric off to the right. LOL! It keeps on living!)
Back to the story - Last night I transferred the PDF files to my computer and uploaded them to Google Docs where I thought I could start linking things back from the free patterns tab.
Going to the old pattern posts, some of the photos are also *GONE* Because those photos were originating from my website, not embedded in the blog. (learned my lesson there long ago) and I am just removing some of the really old do-nothing patterns at this time because I can not go and rewrite everything. Especially things that are 20 years old.
What I might do is just post the quilt photo - and the link to the PDF on Google Docs for the patterns that the photos are all gone on. But it's going to take some time - and like I said, I leave for India on Saturday.
Quiltville Store - you can get to the Quiltville Store through the link on my main page at Quiltville.com
There is weird spacing on the page, and I can't get it to work so I'm looking for a college kid to help.
The address Quiltville.com/shop no longer works. I'm still working on getting the store site merged with the new website page. But the store is functional, it just opens to the Ecwid ID. (Store host.)
At any rate, it's still a work in progress and will be for a long time.
Some things are just going to go away because I can't recreate them.
And I really don't deal well with change.
I think I made 2 of these over the entirety of the weekend!
But at the retreat things are going gangbusters, and they keep me laughing!
(And cocktails on the porch late-afternoon also help!)
I love watching productivity come together.
Old Town blocks are appearing here -
And the links for PDF patterns now go to the main store URL because the original address for each with my quiltville domain DO NOT WORK. OMG.
Lupine & Laughter units and blocks here!
And there were top finishes!
And tops still growing, row by row!
Kathy's tumblers are all selvages!
And this top is rowing rapidly as each round of borders goes on.
Winter Blues is now a topper!
Hearts of Hope, pieced, quilted and bound!
And of course Saturday brought a lot of quilt shop hopping into play as well.
There are good things happening along with the frustrating things.
I'll be back with the help desk today to see if we can get the store embedded so it works on my site.
And through it all we keep stitching the pieces together, because what else can we do?
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
But I never toss away fabric scraps!
Have a marvelous Monday, everyone -




















I enjoy looking at the fabrics that are sent to you. I have some of the same in my stashes and it's fun to see them again, getting a new home!!
ReplyDeleteJane Sayler
Bonnie! Take a (another) deep breath and have a wonderful time in India. We will survive the tech debacle until you come back refreshed! We all wish you to revive & renew on your trip!!
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe some of the Quiltville friends& family still have some of those older downloads that could be forwarded back to Boone when she’s ready
DeleteOh NO!! I feel your pain with computer difficulties. Thank you for all you are doing for us.
ReplyDeleteBonnieeeeeeeeee this is a terrible story. I'm so sorry. You do so much for us and for the quilting community in general. Honestly I appreciate hearing all the work that's often invisible, that you're making it visible so we understand what's involved (and also so that anyone considering doing a similar blog-based quilty business project understands the work involved!) And also just love the way you find the good when and where you can, whether it's the cows and flowers or the gorgeous quilt projects on retreaters' walls.
ReplyDeleteYou know that with all your readers, there are probably some smarties who might be able to offer some tech support...so just say the word and I think support will appear. I'm not skilled in tech support but once you're settled, if you do need alternatives to google docs that's something I can be a little helpful on.
I hope the universe gives you a break and lets you enjoy your time prepping for India!
I remember when computers were supposed to make our lives easier. Ellen Thompson
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I have some of the M&M Y2K fabric in my stash.
ReplyDeleteI am faced with wanting to migrate to a different platform (current site's owner is reprehensible, and I don't want to give him any money), and I'm like you - this is not in my wheelhouse. I often find it confusing, because help pages are either out of date, incomplete or circular. My saving grace is that my situation is a desire to switch, so I have time. I can't imagine how stressful this is with your current time limitations. Best of luck, and hugs!
ReplyDeleteAndrea in MO
love the chandelier quilt!! (does it have a pattern? beautiful colors too).. hate (not just dislike) when computers defy all laws of compatibility. my condolences
ReplyDeleteHang in there! I feel your pain. Computers!. I get such joy reading your blog Laura
ReplyDeleteI like Google Docs. Hope you can get help with figuring it all out before the Mystery. No worries about lost photos. It happens when computers change too. They might be backed-up in Google Photos. I need so.e Y2K fabric. I didn't have any in the year 2000.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, if you have a High School near you check to see if they have a computer club…if they do, these kids might be willing to take on your project for the experience they gain and do it for a donation to their club! I have been very lucky getting the young folks in our former town to take on different tasks for me that were either beyond my ability to solve, or too time consuming. The kids were happy to take them on for the experience of learning something new. Your idea of a college kid is equally good, and even a Senior Center will often net you a retiree who is looking for something to challenge their brain! Go and enjoy India…the website will still be there when you get back! And honestly, we can wait and just keep stitching!
ReplyDeleteI so totally feel your pain and frustration! I’m about 1 year into retirement from my legal practice and I have learned so much about computer failures and mixed accounts. When my firm cut off my account with them I lost tons of personal stuff. All my contacts and appointments that I had entered while at work and were synced to my phone disappeared! I have spent so much time reconstructing things and still discover missing things! Hope you’re able to get everything working. Enjoy your trip to India. It sounds fabulous.
ReplyDeleteYou've got this Bonnie. As said previously "big breath" . We are a patient group and will be here when it's all fixed. Enjoy your upcoming trip to India. Travel safe.
ReplyDeleteOh, Lordy, Bonnie! I feel for you!!! I hate computer tech headaches! I wish they wouldn't change things!!! Best wishes!!!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain! I spent 2 hours trying to get printer to print out a pattern applique page, and gave up! It took away my mojo to make the quilt!! The chandelier quilt looks like the Deco quilt on Lo&Behold site. Going over there now to check it out. Whatever pattern it is, it is a gorgeous choice of colors!!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain! I like the suggetions for getting help from a high school club or others in the community. Meantime, I think most of us have enough UFOs and/or planned projects to keep us busy until you get reset. Enjoy your trip!
ReplyDeleteThe amazing chandelier quilt has a block up side down! Right next to the woman’s face, the last block with the orange square. Easy to fix now, dreadful after quilting. So beautiful tho. Inspiring! Chris in Roseville
ReplyDelete