QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
Why do this website?
I decided to this website after we moved to South Carolina in
2003. I was tiring of having to send so many pictures via email.
Inevitably, there would be someone who couldn't receive the pictures
for whatever reason. I thought it would just be easier for me to
post information and pictures and leave it up to family and friends
to keep up with us at their own convenience.
What software/hardware do you use to create this website?
I use Macromedia
Dreamweaver to design the website. My coding is very basic and
is made up mostly of nested tables. (For those who know how to code
and want to criticize my archaic practices.) The website and graphics
were made from scratch using no templates.
Macromedia
Fireworks is the web graphics program I use. I used it to make
the headers, titles, navigation buttons, Polaroid pictures on the
Memories page, and the thumbnails on
the girls' page.
I used Macromedia
Flash to make picture slideshows on the About
page. I really have no idea how to use Flash and just got lucky
on figuring out the slideshows.
Now for the picture albums I use a handy, little program called
Rea Gallery
Pro. It has been fabulous! Once I played around with the way
I wanted the album to look, all I have to do now is follow a few
steps to get an album made.
How did you learn to do this website?
First, I tried to learn everything from books. Big mistake! I had
basic web design knowledge, but I just couldn't seem to overcome
some obstacles. I do have a few books that I use for reference as
well when I come across something that I can't figure out.
Someone told me about Ecelectic
Academy that offers 6-week-long computer software courses for
$20 each. There is an actual instructor and message board for each
class that allows for any kind of question regarding the software.
I decided this was a great opportunity to get some major questions
answered and learn other stuff that would come in handy. I took
a class on Dreamweaver and Fireworks. I am so glad I took these
classes because I really learned so much.
Where do you host your website?
I have been using ModHost since
I launched the website. I pay a year at a time for the webspace.
I get 350MB of storage and domain name for about $65 per year. I
made need to upgrade to their next level of webspace as I've already
used about half of my webspace already.
What camera(s) do you use?
We have an Olympus C-5050 Zoom that we use for the majority of
the pictures taken. It's a 5-megapixel camera that allows for other
lenses to be added on to it. I'm still figuring out how to use it.
Right now I basically using it as a point and shoot camera with
the auto features.
Mike purchased another camera, a Canon Powershot S-410, to take
to Iraq with him. Many pictures are taken with the Canon since it's
a compact camera that's easy to grab for a quick picture.
Pictures taken before Christmas 2003 were taken with a Canon SD-200
Elph. This was our first digital camera, but I wanted something
that could take professional-looking pictures. My mom now has the
Elph, and it's perfect for what she needs.
How do you edit your photos?
If I do any editing to photos, I use Adobe
PhotoShop 7.0. I don't usually do any editing on the pictures
I post on the albums since there are so many of them. Sometimes
I change a picture to sepia-tone or black and white. I am certainly
not an expert PhotoShop user, by any means.
How do you make Roman shades?
Materials Needed:
decorator fabric
drapery lining fabric
plastic rings (1/4" diameter) - approximately 25 rings needed
cord - masonry cording works perfectly
metal dowel (1/4" diameter) - length equal to width of shade
wooden slat (length equal to width of shade)
3 eye hooks
something to connect shade to wooden slat (I use my staple gun)
1. Measure the window. I like to hang my shades inside the window,
but some people like to hang them to cover the moulding. Measure
accordingly. The best fabric to use is decorator's fabric. You will
also need the same amount of drapery lining fabric. Buy fabric yardage
based on the length of the window plus around 12".
2. Cut the fabric adding 5/8" on each side for seam allowance
and add about 10" onto the length to allow for the seam allowance
on the bottom and extra length for the pleats and hanging.
3. Measure 5/8" on each left and side of both fabrics and
then press a fold along each side using an iron. This is personal
preference, but I like to measure about an 1/8" more on the
lining fabric. Pin right sides together and sew a top stitch along
the left and right sides about 3/8" from the edge. See pictures
below.
4. Fold up about 1/8" on bottom and sew across as close to
edge. Then fold up the bottom about 1" and sew across about
7/8" from bottom. You should have a pocket which will be used
for the metal dowel to help weigh down the shade. See picture below.
5. Now to make the pleats: Starting from the bottom, measure up
5" and draw a line across from left to right. Repeat this step
until you've reached the top. However, make sure to leave enough
fabric at the top to fold over the wooden slat to hang in the window.
You will also not want to make a pleat too close to the top. I usually
like the last pleat to be about 5" to 6" from the top.
After measuring all the lines, fold at each line accordian style,
and then press with an iron at each fold. For instance, at the 1st
line you will fold with wrong sides together. Then at the 2nd line
you will fold with right sides together. Keep alternating until
you've run out of lines. After pressing all the folds, sew along
folds about 1/8" in from edge of fold. You will have to work
with the fabric to make sure both layers of fabric make it into
the fold. See pictures below.
6. Now to sew on the rings: Measure at the middle and in 2"
from the left and right edges and sew rings on each pleat on the
back that is folded with right sides together. See picture below.
8. Now figure out how you are going to hang the shade in the window
and connect the wooden slat to the shade. I use staples from a staple
gun, but furniture tacks would also work. The drill in the eye hooks
at the middle and 2" in from the left and right edges (same
as the rings). Tie the string to the bottom rings and string up
through each ring and through the eye hooks. Have all the strings
meet either the left or right eye hook for the handle. I use a drawstring
holder to hold the shade in the desired position. Finally, screw
the wooden slat up into the window. See pictures below.
|
