Monday, May 7, 2012

This and That

I am just about ready to tear my hair out.

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I thought that I had the free PDF hosting sites all figured out but I guess I was wrong.  4Shard, the site that I’d been using for over two years started playing games with people wanting to download my FFF files from their site by randomly and all of a sudden saying that they now had to join their site in order to do so.  NOT! 

That was unacceptable so after doing a bit of research, I found Scribd which seemed to be the answer.  NOT! again.  Evidently, as many of you have experienced since this past Friday, they want you to sign up for a Facebook account before you are able to download the files. 

When I signed up for a Scribd account, no where did it mention anything about needing a Facebook account to partake of their services.  I don’t have and never will have a Facebook account so I certainly don’t expect those of you who don’t have one either to sign up for one just to be able to download my designs.

So here’s my dilemma.  Unless I can find another site to host my designs, it looks like this is going to be the end of my First Friday Freebies.  When I first started offering them about two and a half years ago, I had no intention then or now to charge for my designs.  Now that I’m retired, I offer them simply because I like to design and create.  I earned a living in my ‘real’ job as an artist, designer and teacher in the decorative painting industry for over twenty-five years.  Now I design for fun and pleasure and a great deal of the pleasure for me is to share them FREEly with you.  Having said that, I’m open to any and all suggestions as to how I can rectify the problem so please let me know if you have any suggestions with respect to a solution.

Note to Lynn S:  You asked if I could send you a copy of the file for the Spring Floral Needle Case design.  I’d love to but you came up as a ‘no-reply’ blogger and I have no way of doing so without your email address.  Please email me with it and I’ll send it to you immediately.

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On to more pleasant things now…stuff that calms and lowers my blood pressure rather than make it rise…like springtime gardens and playing in the dirt.

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Aside from a week of 70 –80 degree temperature in March, it’s been a cool spring here in the Annapolis valley of Nova Scotia.  With the longer  days  and the cool nights, everything is as green as can be and you can really see the difference in the tree foliage just this past week.  All the perennials have broken ground and the growing season is under way.

The flowers, trees and shrubs that we planted last spring are growing profusely.

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Brunnera Jack Frost

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Pink Magnolia

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Rhododendron – Nancy Steele

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French Lilac

Later today we’ll start to plant the new stuff that we  I bought over the weekend…and this is only the beginning.

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At this time of year, spring becomes my favorite time of year but come September, Autumn takes over very quickly as my favorite season.   As for summer and winter?   *yawn*

When it comes to seasons, are you as fickle as I am?

knametag1b

51 comments:

Janet O. said...

Could you put these Freebies in a page format and add them to your blog as a tab?
Love the gorgeous flowers showing their color in your yard!

Messy Karen said...

as far as i know you don't have to log in with FB. i just ignore that and log in as a Scrib member.

Anonymous said...

Kaaren, I am with you.....Spring and Fall are my favorite times of the year. Hope you can get the FFF problem figured out, love the needle case. Hope you have a great week.

Lori said...

It looks lovely at your place. I love spring and the hope it brings.

~Laurie~ said...

I am not a computer expert, but I was thinking maybe you could put them on Google Docs as a shared document? Something worth looking into? PS - My condolescences to you for Mac - I know the heartbreak of losing a beloved pet. But I also know that he is in heaven enjoying freedom and joy! There will be a day when you can reunite and what a day that will be :D

Rosa Robichaud said...

99% of Internet providers give you FREE web space.

You just need to download a (free) program put your PDF on your own personal web page.

Call your internet provider - they may be able to help.

Rosa
Saint John, NB

Kathleen said...

I also agree with putting it on google docs..I did download the pattern after I signed into FB but I am not one for posting on FB, I then deleted my account from Scrib...I just have FB so I can keep in touch with my daughter...

Ann J said...

I just ignored the Facebook login, which I believe is aimed at current account holders and registered with Scribd just by entering my email. I've just tried downloading the document again and went straight in no login, no fuss! Hope this helps.

Ann J, France

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

I feel your pain about the technology issues--some days it makes me want to pull my hair out!

Spring is a wonderful time of the year. The garden centers love to see me coming.

onlymehere said...

Autumns is definitely my favorite! I'm with you on FB, I don't have any desire to ever join it. I hope you find a way for the freebies to go on. You do have such a wonderful talent and it's blessed so many of us with your designs. Have a great day and enjoy those beautiful flowers you have up there!

WoolenSails said...

I have not used any of the hosting sites, they seem to be too much trouble and cost. For my business ones, I make the pdf files myself, and then send them after the person pays, but that is too much for a freebie. Would be nice if there was a way to put them up with an instant download for the free ones. I do know that pattern mart has freebies, maybe she could host them for you?

Debbie

B J Elder said...

It is maddening when the rules get changed. I hope you can find a solution as I have really enjoyed your FFF. They have been a wonderful gift to us. Thank you for them. If there isn't a solution, that's okay too as we've been blessed with many of your wonderful designs.
It is a lovely time of year with the flowers, trees, plants all blooming and showing their spring colors. God does good work!

Pat said...

Was able to download using Facebook. Agree with you, FB is a pain in more ways than one. Only use it when our son posts photos from Alaska...being so far away.

We also had a very unusually warm March...now weather is more typical of early spring in Northern Wisconsin. But this is my favorite time of year - as I age, winter brings on too much melancholy. And Fall tells me winter is on the way...

Anonymous said...

I have downloaded a number of other PDF files from Google Docs. I believe it is a free service and I've never had to login to download anything. However I do have a Google id so that may be why.
Thanks,
Susan

Cyndi loves to stitch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cyndi loves to stitch said...

Kaaren I use google docs to store my free things. Just don't forget to click share when you upload a new one. I have forgeotten that a couple of times (oops! they let you know right away). And once in awhile when there's a lot of people trying to get it all at the same time (like shortly after you blog about it),a few people said they had trouble (maybe I still had google docs open ?), but said if they went back later was able to get it fine. Maybe this will give you another outlet. Hope you're doing better, takes a long while to get back to normal. Cyndi at beetreedesigns dot blogspot dot com

conny's quilts en creaties said...

Did you try this? Make a google account- go to documents- put your PDF on that, now you have a link which you can share at your blogspot blog!

Lesley said...

Sounds like you have some wonderful suggestions from the blogging community for your FFF. Hope something will work for you, as we are all so spoiled now and look forward to your wonderful creations. Your property is certainly starting to look like old man winter has been put to sleep for awhile! The warmer weather will follow...it has to, right?

gracie said...

Once again thank you for your creative work and I would miss the opportunity to stitch your patterns...but I do understand. Your flowers are so pretty and inviting. Looks like you have a lot of suggestions. Hope something works out for you.

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Kaaren, I post free patterns to my blog via Goggle Documents. All it requires is that you have a Google Email account (which by the way has worked great for me). I simply add the PDF to my Google Docs and set the sharing to anyone with a link. I've had no complaints from anyone about not being able to download. Best of all it's easy, no waiting so the can try to sell you a faster method of download and no pressure to buy anything.

Caron at Michigan Quilts said...

I also use Google Documents when I want to share something in pdf form with my readers. Works beautifully! And it's free. What could be better than that?

Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery Lady said...

So good to check in and see you pictures of Spring in garden (so to read about the pdf stuff!). Big Hug for you from me.

Sydney said...

I had no trouble at all getting the FFF. Ever! Love them ! Please don't stop!
I am sorry for the loss of Mac.

Deb said...

Just like you my dear - love spring and fall, and can do without the heat and humidity of summer, and the snow of winter. We had a very MILD winter, so everything is about a month ahead, we actually mowed the yard in MARCH, a first in our lifetime. We've also already had a few days in the 90's, way too early for that!

Stina Blomgren said...

Ok..you do have a google account... I'm using it for my pattern site....hope it's still available... It's a way out of this because blogger don't handle PDF s... Good luck ...hope this was to any help..hugs!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kaaren,

I was able to download just with the Scribe account. I just ignored the FB request.

Your gardens are starting to look as if spring has arrived. Look forward to hearing more about them.
I also enjoy all the recipes you have posted in you blog. Keep up the good work.

Enjoy your day.

Dianne

Paula, the quilter said...

I would concur with using Google Docs. I have done this. You can check out my freebies page and then click the first one "Christmas Cheer". It will go to the pdf on my google docs.

Allie said...

I concur with Google Docs. I'm going to be switching to it as soon as I come up with something to share, lol. All your plants are looking so pretty, Kaaren, a great time of year to enjoy. I always love the start of the seasons - even winter - but ALWAYS look forward to summer and never want it to end!

Janet said...

OH what a pleasure it must be to be in the garden and playing with the dirt.
Like a lot of the others, I use google docs too and it's worked well for me but I hear your frustration.

grammajudyb said...

I had no trouble downloading the FFF. Of course, I already have a FB account, so maybe that's why it worked so well. I love it by the way. Hope you can find a way to continue.

Bonniedoo said...

Kaaren, I really hope you can find a solution to your FFF problem....I have done many of them and look forward to the new oone each FF.
As for summer and winter.....who needs them? Bring on endless spring and fall!!!!!!!!

Candace said...

Hee - I love the current season the best until the next one comes along ;>) But if I had to pick, it would be Fall, Kaaren - ask me again in Summer ;>) We have very similar plant tastes, too! However - I've never seen such a beautiful rhody! I may have to look for one down here in the lower 49! So sorry to hear about your PDF dilemma. If I find anything that suits your needs, I'll be sure to pass it along!
Cheers!
Cheers!

Candace said...

Just a note, Kaaren. I went to Scribe and dowloaded your FFF with no questions asked.
Cheers!

JLL24 said...

Totally agree with you, hate it when they expect you to have a Facebook account. I have one only for a few aloof family memebers. Love your FFF's, but its okay, still love your blog. Happy to know that there seems to be many of us who love spring/fall seasons.

Heather said...

Not sure if it was already mentioned, but you can try Google Docs. Here's the link:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?pli=1

It allows you to enter in the location of a document that you want to be able to download as a PDF. Might work. :o)

Love all the photos!
Heather

annette said...

hi heather. am with you I will not have a facebook thingy... have you looked at picasa as a site for your free stuff... they dont accept pdfs but you could just save it as an a4 picture and see if it works that way... I enjoy the free stuff and as I dont have internet at home to be able to download software... it has been good for me this way...

Jenny's Place Online said...

Hi Kaaren, I'm another one on the list to mention Google documents. Yes, they do have a limit, however if each document is stored in their (Google's)format, it doesn't count towards your limit. As the author, you can work on the document online, or upload it. You can also decide what document to share, or keep private. I recommend you have a look at it, and click the 'help' to answer any questions you have :) Although I'm computer illiterate, if any of this makes sense, let me know if you want to know more. Happy crafting, Jenny :)

Vickie said...

There is nothing like playing in dirt for me except playing in the snow! Yes, I love spring and fall but winter is my favorite! I am sure your gardens are going to be gorgeous! I hope your pdf problems get solved!

Mary Chevalier said...

Hi Kaaren i taught last month problem was a err on my part .Sorry you are having problems i have so enjoyed your FFF.If they must come to and end thank-you for all you have gave,and we will still know you are doing well.

Wendy said...

I have never been able to download files from Scribd, it just doesn't work. How about Google Docs?

JudyCinNC said...

I love Spring and Autumn and that is just the way it is. Staying cold in winter and in the summer since I don't like AC - same result.

We recently bought a Kousa Dogwood tree for our next new house - wherever that may be. Just too beautiful to leave at the plant market.

I would really miss the FFF - but understand if you need to make other arrangements. Judy C

Sandy said...

Hi Kaaren,
So sorry to hear about your beloved friend. Our pets provide us with so much joy.Your garden is lovely. I was going to do work in the garden but it is rainy here so that will have to wait.
Thank you so much for your lovely needlecase but I unfortunately have spent the last hour to print it and no luck. I was wondering if you could possibly e-mail it. I hope that you can solve the issue with putting them in a file and if I had any knowledge of a computor I would help you. I am on my second binder of Kaaren patterns...they are all so lovely.
Hope that continued good health is with you. You are a gem. Have a great day.

Nanette Merrill said...

I feel your pain. It is hard to overcome obstacles like this. I love your flowers.

Lline said...

I skipped the FB thing. Like you I don't want anything to do with that.Under the FB thing it asked if I had a Scrib Acct. Clicked yes and got the pattern. Hope this helps.

roccagal said...

I luv Google docs too but I just joined Scribd and got your pattern with no problems-for free and they have lots of interesting stuff for free. I found a textbook that my daughter needed for university course and saved myself the money for the book and for shipping. I just had to print it!

Patty said...

I can speak for all, we love and appreciate your designs, But please don't let the technical computor stuff cause you headaches. You do not need to bring stress into your life after all you have been through.

Unknown said...

Other blogs i read that share files are moving to google docs. I have had no issue with downloading from there. I hope you can find a solution that works so you don't have to keep problem solving and can keep sharing.

Bunny said...

So sorry to read about your little Mac passing on. I know even time does not heal, but savor your memories you shared with him. Happy to see you are enjoying your garden again. Hugs.

Silly Goose said...

Another one who uses Google Docs. I have a whole separate 'identity' for want of a better word with google/hotmail. My blog has its own email addy, google account, etc so everything I need hosting goes into google docs. I find it really easy to use and free too, if you don't go over the limit (which is huge).

Cathy said...

Kaaren, I just discovered your blog through the yahoo small quilts group. I love it! Anyway for a place to share pdf. files I use Box.com. If you check out my blog in the right hand column I have a free rabbit ornie pattern and you can follow it to Box.com so you can see how it works. It's a free site too. Hope this helps.

Cathy ♥

Linda said...

Kaaren how about this one. I get a message that I can't download any more pictures uhnless I start paying Google. How's that...
It was free.