You know it's an interesting day when "how to quit blogging" is in your Google search box. And not for the reasons you might think either because no, I'm not quitting my blog! And who actually Googles that?
Me. ;)
What I was wanting to read were anecdotes of burnout, the consideration of quitting, and the turn back to blogging like one once loved to do.
I found lots of those stories. I also found a lot of "goodbye" posts as well. The funny thing was looking at those goodbyes and then seeing new blog posts showing up again after 6 months or so.
Have I contemplated quitting? Sure. I think that a lot of bloggers, if they were honest with themselves, would own up to those thoughts as well. But as soon as I start writing that post in my head, the 6 month-later-I-missed-you-so-much-post is written even faster. So instead of wasting my time with that I figured I could be more productive looking at what is driving these recent thoughts...
1. I'm-not-good-enough syndrome. I could be wrong but I think that most bloggers feel this way from time to time. I sure do. Sometimes it's tough reading polished blogs with amazing pictures and projects. It makes me wonder where they get all their time and then I'm left feeling less than great.
2. Time. As I mentioned above, I simply do not have the time in my days to accomplish a quilt a week... unless I want to stay up super late. Now I love doing that sometimes because I'm a night owl but it also tends to hurt Steve's feelings if he goes to bed by himself too often. So there's that priority... I'm a wife first.
And then there's Chaney. As she is branching out and sewing more and more. I may have plans to work on one thing in my studio only to be derailed by her or her best friend and her who want to make other things... like American Girl doll clothes which involves tiny seams and me not even being able to swear because there are eight year old ears right there with me.
3. Pressure. I put a ton of pressure on myself to be perfect. Perfectionism sucks, BTW. It's not a personality trait you ever want to aspire to. But sometimes the pressure builds up and leaves me paralyzed... something to the effect of "if I can't do it perfectly then I can't do it at all".
4. Identity. I'm a quilter. That's my automatic answer when someone asks me about my hobbies. But sometimes small projects appeal to me... sometimes large projects are great... and sometimes just writing is the perfect activity for me; like my Wednesday Words posts.
5. Transparency. I have always said that my desire here is to be real. That's not always easy in the online community but also in real life. But I don't have regrets here either. However, where is that line between being transparent and over-sharing? That's a tough one.
So given those 5 points, what do ya'll think? I value my friends and readers opinions greatly.
What do you like about the blog? What do you not care so much for?
What do you want to see more of? I.E. tutorials... my quilting process... finished quilts... smaller projects... writing about our craft... fabric talk/industry talk, etc. Your input could even be making suggestions for the layout of my blog!
What do you want to see less of? And please don't be mean. I sincerely value your opinions and honest is fine but mean is never alright. ;)
You may even have something that bugs you about the blogging world in general and I would love to hear those things as well. But again, there's no need to be mean while claiming "honesty".
I'm hoping that having some feedback will give me a fresh perspective and even take some of the pressure off of me if it turns out that something I stress about isn't all that important to a reader. I realize that I'm opening myself up here but I truly believe that new ideas will always spark creativity.
I'm not going anywhere though... this post is just an attempt to have a conversation and freshen things up a bit. Thanks so much for your feedback!
35 comments:
Jennifer - Your words are wise and well thought out. I started my blog as a way to record my own projects and thoughts for myself. Along the way, I've occasionally blogged about travels and family. I don't do tutorials but I enjoy and use the tutorials that others are kind enough to share. I don't do any kind of advertising and on a rare occasion, I might click further on something that a blogger has reviewed on their blog. I read blogs to connect with what is happening in the world of quilting. I've found that I enjoy hearing some of the personal stories that some bloggers share. I comment if I feel led to say something because I know we all appreciate being heard and listened to. My blog doesn't get many visits and that is okay with me. We all have our own reasons for why we choose to write a blog and put it out there for all to see. One thing I do notice is that blogging on a daily (or several times a week) basis can be time consuming and it can become an obligation. That's why I just write a blog entry when I have something....no set schedule. As you can see from what I've written, it all comes down to your personal decision BUT that said......I would miss your voice if you stopped but if you need to take a break, that's okay, too. Many have done so and come back (or not). Thanks for sharing. Leslie in CA
Jennifer, I enjoy your blog tremendously and I love and appreciate your honesty in sharing your personal struggles. You are REAL and BRAVE and TALENTED. Someone I suspect I would love as a friend in real life. And you project that beautifully in cyberspace, in a place where there is so much negativity and ugliness. While you may share difficulties, it is always a good thing, in my opinion.
I do love tutorials, I love clicking on the links to posts from your favorite bloggers, I love learning about new techniques.
Like the poster above me said, I would miss you if you stopped posting, but I would also understand. I do not blog, and it seems like a huge time suck from my vantage point.
bottom line... follow your heart and your gut. If you do that, you are not likely to go wrong. xo
Personally, I think you strike an excellent balance between "real life" stories and quilting.
Even if you did want to or have the time to post daily, who has time to follow all those tutorials?? I'll tag some for future use, but at this time I probably have a lifetime of quilt patterns and ideas stored up, even if I never buy another book (which is unlikely).
I hear you on the perfection front. But allowing yourself to be imperfect allows your readers the same! Thanks for letting us read!
I just want to thank you for “That Girl” Quilt Along. I loved every step in the process and thought you did an outstanding job. I appreciate your honesty and always look forward to reading your blog posts. I get sad when a blogger says goodbye, but I totally understand – it must take a tremendous amount of time. I always stay subscribed in Google Reader, and like you said, many times they come back in six months or so and I can enjoy them again.
Since you asked, what bugs me about the blogging world in general, is the assumption that everyone who reads blogs is also a blogger themselves, or has a Facebook account. Many times, in order to enter a giveaway (or whatever), the reader must blog about it or become a follower on Facebook. I am not a blogger, nor do I use Facebook, but I love to read blogs – I subscribe to many in Google Reader, mostly sewing and quilting blogs, yet sometimes I feel shunned, or out of the loop, as if blogs are a closed community welcome to only those who blog. I don’t have what it takes to be a blogger, so I enjoy the works of those who do.
I love tutorials, tips, photos of finished quilts, all of it. I truly appreciate all the work you put into your blog.
Thank you!
Barbara M.
I like the colours and fabrics you use. I don't have any suggestions for you except to say lately I've felt like leaving the blogging world behind too. mostly because I'm not feeling the sense of community that blogging gave me before. it's sometimes frustrating because there seems to be pressure to go to all the big shows and markets, write a successful book and promote it, and on and on. I blog because its fun to share my stuff and to learn from other people.
I was just flipping through your blog so I could answer thoughtfully and came upon many of the things I love about it! Your quilting without obligation series really freed me up mentally because I lost the whole inferiority complex over not producing enough. You have a great mixture of helpful quilting, personal stories, and common sense. A real liI love it when you pop up in my reader window :)
One thing I absolutely can't stand is an apology at the begininning of a post for not posting. What do these people think? That people click on their blog every single day and curse the fact they don't have an new entry. Loosen up and post when it feels right. Who doesn't have a blank period once in a while? Maybe that's the reason a lot of people quit is that they think they are letting people down if they don't post daily so they start with the constant apologies or short "posting soon" entries.
I just found your blog not to long ago, I simply adore the giant granny panties tute, that was the specific reason why I started following your blog. However I did start reading earlier posts and in doing so I came to enjoy your view on life and all the many quirks and perks.
Something I learned very quickly through quilting is we are our own worst critics and we are extremely unforgiving of our own mistakes. I think we forget that we are constantly learning and how do we learn if there are no mistakes? Attaining perfection is impossible, I think if I did attain perfection I'd probably stop quilting, how do you outdo perfection?
The irony of polished blogs and amazing pictures and projects is the fact that it's smoke and mirrors. People see professional blogs and think that's what they have to aspire to in order to be interesting to the larger world, I personally don't follow or read anyone who is overly polished, I'd rather read about the mistakes and imperfections, little girls invading the sewing room to have Mom make them new fashions for their dolls, you know, Life!
It's also true that many perfect pictures aren't perfect, they've been altered, cut, cropped etc to make things look better and not show mistakes ;) If you go to my blog and look at a couple of pictures are you going to examine them minutely and look for wobbly quilting lines or crooked seams? Probably not, you might note some minor mistakes but look at the over all picture and think that I've done an amazing job and say so, where as I looking at the same picture will instantly note a dozen errors and be able to point them all out to you in less time than it would take for you to type out a single sentence. It's all a matter of perspective, another example is you feel inadequate when viewing other people's projects would it help you to know I feel inadequate when looking at your accomplishments? LOL, like I said it's all perspective.
I think you are a fantastic quilter, I would love to obtain your level of skill at some point and in reading some of the comments one in particular caught my eye, "Quilting without Obligation", so ask yourself who are you obligated too that you feel you need to produce a quilt a week, new patterns, keep a perfect house/studio and never make any mistakes then tell that person to take a hike and you'll get to it in your own time, thank you very much lol.
Wow, heavy thoughts :-)
Let me start with my apology for the length of this reply. I am sure it will be long, LOL
Facts, I don't comment a lot on blogs, but I read a lot of them. While I like your blog a lot, I would certainly understand if you walked away for a while or if you didn't.It is your life! Blogging and sharing should never become an obligation.
1. I personally LOVE when pictures don't look professional. One of my favorite posts of all time was a gal who showed a slightly out of focus picture of a quilt she had spent months working on to have her daughter knock a cup of coffee over on to it. Sounds mean to like it? Nope, I liked seeing that life happened and she just laughed it off. It was real. I enjoy BROWSING polished,perfect picture, 100 project a week blogs. I love READING blogs that have meat to them. Yours does.
2.Family first. With that said, I got to a point where I was able to pop out multiple quilts in a short time...The fun and excitement was completely lost. I have gone back to fun vs. speed. Much better place in my opinion :-)
2.5-Chaney. How awesome is it that she sees the value of creating at such a young age and has a direction she would love to follow AND she knows her mama can lead her there. Absolutely precious! While I do not have little ones anymore, I would read a post about Chaney and her friends creative time with mom and cheer. LOUDLY. I also happen to be of the opinion that passing on the craft/skill is one of the most important things we, as parents, can do.
3. I make a point of pointing out where I went wrong with a project. If one person reads, or sees, it and feels better, it has worked. We are human. It simply can't be 100% all of the time.
4.I'm a quilter says a lot!
5. You do a great job! Like I said earlier, I am not a huge commenter, but I do read and pay attention, LOL!
What do I want to see more of-Whatever you put out there. I think it stays real if you put out there what is in your heart, not trying to force what others want.
Less of-Really? it is your blog, your heart, your content, if I don't want to read about "purple unicorn tails" I can skip that post.
The thing about the blogging world and liking/not liking a blog is pretty simple to me. I am not going to like all of them, but someone else will like the ones I don't click with. Kind of like who likes chocolate and who likes vanilla...there is room for everyone. A perfect example of this is a knitting blog I follow. I am NOT a knitter. The gal is super funny and very real. I could not possibly care less about her tutorials or her projects. While they are nice to look at, I do NOT knit. I am there for her sense of humor.
OK, off my soapbox now :-)
Hope you have a great day!!
My 2 cents. People who follow you, know you have a job, and a family, and a life, so I say keep doing what you want to do, and what fits into your schedule, and I'll keep following you. I like that you're "real". FWIW, I think Twitter and Instagram are slowly taking over blogging, but there are still some of us who don't have smart phones, and prefer to read and write paragraphs and pages vs tweets and snapshots.
I think we all feel that way from time to time. I think I've gotten over my insecurities a little bit since there are plenty of blogs out there worse than mine amidst all the incredible ones that I could never aspire to have. I just suddenly realized that I don't blog for the readers, I blog for me. So if they don't want to read it, they don't have to. I think the content of my blog is better for it.
I generally like to read what people want to post. I find if people start trying too hard, or become too obsessed with doing only one thing, I get bored. Like if every post is a sponsored post, that gets old fast. I know that there is the huge debate about "selling out" and frankly, it's up the individual and I try not to judge. As long as they tell me up front, we're good.
I do find that the internet has become the new popularity contest. I don't Facebook, which can be awkward and I occasionally miss out on things because of it, but I'm not going to join up simply so that I can compete with hundreds of other people to win fabric I don't really need. I tire of the incessant "Like me", "Like us" pleas in the body of posts. The button at the bottom is enough. But I also feel that there is a wacky quid pro quo thing happening where people will drop by your blog and say "Follow me and I'll follow you" without really reading or caring, just to get followers. Talk about a bummer. For that reason, I tend to keep my follows private. I worry that some people blog for the wrong reasons - and what the wrong reasons are truly depends on the individual - but if we can all remember to be kind and supportive of each other, that matters less.
I've made some wonderful friends through the quilting blog community, learned a lot and been inspired by the creativity. But I don't worry about my blog not looking like the "supermodel" blogs, or not having the time, money, or resources to produce studio quality photographs. I share about me and a little about my personal life but I try to keep a level of privacy, too. People don't need to know when I use the facilities or details about people (friends, family, etc) who have no control over what I say about their lives. I try to keep that balance.
If blogging was my job, I might have to reconsider my stance on some of these. Thankfully, it's a hobby. :-)
PS. I love your blog. I'm sure I'll love it's evolution, too.
I love your balance! Sometimes you're quilt teacher, sometimes just sharing a project, sometimes pure mom, and you're always transparent and you!
I have been blogging for a little over a year now and I really enjoy it. I blog to share my passion for quilting with whomever wants to read about it. I don't feel any pressure to blog every week or every day. I love posting when I have a finish but also like to post WIPs and ideas and inspiration. I don't have many followers but I do think that the people who read, enjoy my blog.
I follow your blog because I love reading what you are up to. You inspire with your projects and ideas. I have 2 young girls and I especially love to read what you are working on with your daughter and her friends (those are my favorite posts! ). I think you keep things real.
I think quilting and blogging are suppose to be fun! When it isn't fun anymore than it is time to take a break and revisit why and how we are doing things.
I hope you find the answers you are looking for! I look forward to reading more about your adventures in quilting!
Don't you dare give up! I think you've come to the right conclusion yourself - just slow down a bit and only blog about the things that float your boat. I don't like bloggers who post too much anyway - they end up trying to stretch out their content with too much filler. I don't have enough time to read filler. I want the good stuff. And you do good stuff (you don't need to doubt that), so keep it up, just at a schedule that suits your life. I enjoy all your posts - quilting/life/etc -you have a good ratio in my opinion.
Plus, don't forget, your blog is a great way to look back on what you've done. You really can't stop now!
I had your blog bookmarked for ages then my computer died on me and lost all my bookmarks. I'm so glad you emailed me. I found you again and I am now your newest follower.
I love blogging although it's not been a year yet and love every minute of it. I understand how demanding it can be at times especially with a young family and husband to keep happy.
Luckily my kids are grown now and hubby doesn't complain about going to bed alone. LOLLLL He realizes that sewing and blogging are what makes me happy and there's nothing better than a happy wife. LOLL
I love your blog and am always keen to see more tutorials.
Glad to hear that your not giving up and now look forward to your future projects.
Don't feel bad if you need a break from time to time. We'll still be here when you come back.
Maria
I was just thinking yesterday about the ebb and flow of life in general, and hobbies (including blogging) in particular. Firstly hobbies are meant to be de-stressors; they are done for the love and joy of the process and/or the product. If they stress us out because they challenge us way beyond our ability, are too boring or require too much time from us then we need to think about why we are doing them in the first place! They are not our jobs, not our "reasons for being" and so we should be under no obligation to them unless we choose to be. I used to worry that I wasn't blogging regularly enough but then I heard of "blogging without obligation" and totally relaxed my attitude. Now I write what I want, when I want and if someone reads it, great! And if I get comments, even better! The same applies to all my hobbies, I get to choose what I make, how much time I want to spend, who it will be given to, etc -- all my choices, under my control. If I give that control to someone else, I lose my joy in that activity. Of course, that doesn't mean I can't make something requested by another, it just means I am aware that, again, it's my choice whether to do so or not!
As for your blog and why I follow, I love reading about your life which is so different from mine (I'm a novice quilter, a grandmother, retired, in Australia) yet we have things in common -- a love of quilting, struggles with depression. And most of all, I love your honesty!
Really interesting post. I started blogging as a way of chronicling my baby steps into quilting and sewing but it helped me tap into a great community and that is why I continue still. We all need validation in one form or another and blogging helps me with that, even though I don't get much traffic that's ok. It amuses and disappoints me that my family (i live 300 miles away from themat the moment) don't take much of an interest. I got caught up in the "competitiveness" of it all a wee while back so took an active decision to chill about it and that helps.
Try not to pigeonhole yourself into one type - see yourself as a creator of lovely things
Great post Jennifer and one in which many of us can relate to. I am glad you are not "quitting" your blog. I've considered stepping away from my blog many times but know I would probably regret doing so in the end. Keep on keepin' on! Love your blog just as it is.
Wow! I could have written that post myself Jennifer. I may even have "googled" those exact words that you did. What I've always liked about your blog is your honesty. And I couldn't agree with you more about your priorities of your husband and daughter. Family always comes first. I'd say to just trust your gut and take your blog in the direction that works best for you. I feel that a blog is constantly evolving and changing just like we as women evolve and change. I too don't have the time (or the inclination) right now to do "a quilt a week". I've always been the type to have to "feel" what I'm working on or else it just isn't enjoyable to me. Follow your heart and do what works for you. I for one look forward to whatever you post.
All good and normal thoughts Jennifer. I have no criticism. Personally, it's not my business to tell you to do more of one thing or another. It's your blog. Do what you love. I've thought about coming up with a tutorial for something, or doing things that make the readers of my blog happy. In the end, the blog is for me. If someone reads it and derives some measure of happiness or inspiration from me, well, awesome. But even if my mom is the only one who reads it, I'm fine with that, because it's for me. So keep doing what makes you happy.
Okay. One thing. Share your favorite American Girl doll clothes patterns. I've got a few that I love, but I could always use more.
I think your blog is great the way it is. Your posts do seem genuine to me. I don't think you need to strive to do too much. I may read some of them, but I really don't care for blogs that have more finished objects than are humanly possible and that are always touting super secret projects that they can't share with you just yet, and that have a lot of name dropping. When I see you have a new post, I'll click on it first over a lot of others.
I am fairly new to your blog but it is one of my very favorites just because you seem like a normal everyday person that has good and bad days and I like your honesty. I think your blog is great and I always look forward to your next post. You need to follow your heart and do what you feel is necessary. I can only imagine the time it takes to have a blog. I love tutorials but if you don't have very many or any, I am still going to read your blog and look at your pictures. It is fun and inspiring for me to and hear what other everyday sewing people are making and doing.
Thanks for your blog and the best to you.
Hi Jennifer,
I've scaled back a lot on my blog this past year. Hubby is in the Navy and we moved to a duty station that entailed NO DEPLOYMENTS and LOTS of family time. So I'm not sewing much these days which translates into not blogging. Personally for me, (now I'm not a "big time" blogger like yourself and others out there, but i just blog about stuff I make and an occasional personal note. I enjoy reading other bloggers "everything" whether it be tutorials, wips, finished projects and even some personal stuff they decide to share. It makes me feel like I get to know them a bit more, So i like that. What I don't like: jumping through a bunch of hoops for giveaways, and advertising. But that's about it!
I guess I don't get while some people feel like they HAVE TO blog everyday. Why? Why do you have to make it be a chore? (I'm not saying "you" as in you specifically, but the general use of the word)At first I kinda felt bad for not blogging much and then I thought, "why does it really matter?" I blog to chronicle my stuff I make. If other people read it, great. If I have no readers, who cares. If people hate the stuff I make, Oh well...it's not for them anyway. So the pressure is completely off me know about blogging. I guess I kinda sound like a meanie, but what I'm trying to say is really, it doesn't matter what other people think. YOU do what's right for YOU. You are very talented and I love reading your blog. You do great quilt alongs, tutorials, and projects. you are fun to read. But if you decide to scale back and/or quit, IT'S OK! What really matters is you and your family. So if you just want to snap a picture of what you've made and share it on your blog to inspire and show others, then just do that! There is no obligation to post everyday, so don't let it stress you out!
I love your blog. Ilove how you use color, the traditional patterns that you make look fresh and modern. I loved learning how you go about designing your own patterns. I'm greatly inspired to do my own thing. Your are a wonderfully creative person. Please don't stop.
I don't have a blog, but I do follow a couple dozen. Things I really appreciate:
1. Information about your process. I'm trying to move from buying fabric collections and following patterns exactly to mixing-and-matching fabric and tweaking patterns, so I like seeing pictures of fabric stacks and why you decided to use some and not others, as well as how you approach designing a pattern or interpreting a quilt block.
2. Tutorials and patterns. I like trying new things and learning new methods, but I don't expect new tutorials or patterns every week. It's great when it's free, but I don't mind paying for a pattern I like. Everyone deserves to make money doing what they love.
3. Little details that make you real. I can watch tv if I want to see fake "reality."
I have to take blog breaks because I start feeling bad that I can't design a new pattern, sew a charity quilt, and whip up 3 handmade gifts all in one week. I don't quite understand how some bloggers are able to produce so much. I also get fabric envy and have to remind myself that I don't need the latest collection just because every blogger I read is using it right now. As several others have mentioned, I don't like having to like or follow someone else to win a giveaway. I refuse to enter any rafflecopter giveaways.
All that being said, I don't know how you manage to do all you do and still stay sane. I do enjoy your blog, and I will keep reading, even if you start posting less often.
A real heartfelt post- just like you. I think that you have to do what feels right to you. I know that someone who posts every day or multiple times a day- it happens- must not live the life that I do. I can hardly find time to sew most weeks and my children aren't even little any more. I read over 100 blogs to at least keep current on the latest fabric, trends, etc. I don't need every post, picture, project to be big or perfect. It just makes me feel like I must not be doing something right since there is no way that I can turn out that amount of work, much less perfectly. Don't stress and just post when you can.
I just had to go and check my google reader - I have 193 blogs in my reader, all of them quilting/sewing craft blogs. Yours is in my top 5. I have rarely left comments but I love your blog because:
you are honest
your family life is not 'perfect' (i.e. you don't have 2.4 kids and live a lush lifestyle with a perfect husband - although Steve sounds pretty good :) you've had problems in the past and so have I - I guess the way you are honest about that but don't go overboard is appealing to me.
I've always felt like I 'know' you (although obviously I don't!!!)
I seriously love your quilting/patchwork style. I found you when you started your that girl, that quiltalong and I have to admit my quilt is STILL waiting to be quilted but I do love it!
Honestly, there's nothing I would change about your blog except to encourage you to be more forgiving of yourself and less of a perfectionist :) Only because I care about you and want you to be happy - your work is amazing and I believe so are you!
I really love quiltalongs so if you wanted to have another one that would be great - but I am just being selfish! :)
I enjoy your blog and am glad I get a chance to support it! You strike a good balance of inspiration and down-to-earth "real-ness" (Is that a word??)
I have to tell you, I love your blog! And I think your #1 reason is only in your head. I always think your stuff is beautiful and professional!
I recently left blogging, and I am much happier, but I never enjoyed it much to begin with. I tried to use the blog to keep myself accountable, but just ended up feeling guilty.
I think you should show your "side-tracked" projects! Things you make with your family are important too!
I really like your blog. I like your quilts and I like your stories about sewing with your daughter and her friends. My recommendation would be to just write about what you are interested in at the moment. If you are enjoying it, I think that shows in your writing and that will keep people reading more than trying to give the big old blogging universe what it wants to read.
I followed one blog "Charming Chatter " and she was so very inspiring. She quilted, she shared recipes, and then one day she signed off... it has been a year and still no Kelly.
Jennifer,
I think your posts are wonderful. Not too overdone, but also frequent enough that you keep us "involved". Do whatever you're interested in..big projects, little projects. If you don't love it, don't do it. There are too many pressures in life and our hobbies should not be pressured. Keep on keeping on. I love your blog.
Briawna
Hi, Jennifer. I love your blog. You were one of the first blogs I started to follow several months ago when I got back into quilting after several years away. I think you're very talented, and I love seeing you piece traditonal blocks with modern fabrics. I love reading about your life with Steve and Chaney and I love reading your quilt stories and tutorials.
Now I am a quilter, not a sewist, but that doesn't mean I don't follow other bloggers who also sew clothes, knit, and do other crafts. I may not pay as much attention on those days, but I am still a loyal follower. If a blogger posts once or twice a week, I am happy; I follow so many bloggers now that I can't keep up anyway.
I agree with another reader who, when answering the question about what she'd like to see less of, she replied, "Giveaways I have to jump through hoops for." Exactly. They want you to leave a comment, follow them, leave a comment that you're following them, times four, and it's not even worth it. I keep thinking, "Why? Because it looks cool that you have 900 comments on your blog? Even though they're meaningless fluff?" So I'm glad you don't do that. You don't, do you?
Along the same lines, and you don't seem to do this either, is the incessant plugging of certain online quilt shops, a few of which I am a customer--but still, it does get kind of tiring to hear about it in such a way that you have to think to yourself, "She has got to be getting something for this." I don't care. It's great. I'm happy for these bloggers, and thanks for getting me such wonderful discounts at these shops, but enough already. Quilters alone, who shop online, are what make it seem like there's no problem with the economy. I know I'm one of them.
Anyway, keep blogging, Jennifer. Please. It's apparent that your little world is well loved :)
Hmm...
Maybe you need to do a blogging without obligation series????
I have really slacked off on my blog. I don't think people are reading blogs as much anymore anyway so the guilt is low. It's all pinterest and flickr and stuff...instant connections with minimal words. Visual people are flocking to that. I just can't invest that much effort in it. I am tired of blogging too but I do like the connections I've made with a handful of people (like Josie up there!) and that keeps me from shutting it all down...that and some professional obligations to promote published items.
I agree wholeheartedly that I hate hearing apologies for not blogging and I hate those transparent posts where someone is obviously just posting for the sake of posting to get their page views from regular readers. It is painfully obvious when someone does this and has let blogging become a job they hate vs. a hobby they enjoy. I also hate when every post becomes a giveaway. Sadly I will be doing a couple of giveaways so I guess I'm a hypocrite..I'm giving away a couple of publications I was in so hopefully that is better than just giving away fabric every few days. It has really made me want to quit reading one of my favorite blogs. She used to post stuff she found at thrift stores and what she was working on and now it's all just marketing. It's sad.
So post when you want to post! I will be here reading it. Sew some different things. Yes, it's a quilt blog, but you are a multi- dimensional person and you are allowed to grow and explore your creative side. You might inspire others to do the same. Isn't it about sharing and inspiration? So what is the end result of that inspiration is a shirt or a bag instead of a quilt?
Love you and your blog! Keep it real...just KEEP IT ;)
I enjoy visiting your blog and seeing what you are up to, Jennifer. I like the mix of content you share with us. You have a strong and sensible voice, and are very creative and generous in sharing your creativity with your readers.
I find a lot of quilt inspiration here. Can't wait for you to show us the stretched pinwheel design...
; )
All in good time, my dear.
I can very much relate to this post. I think blogging without obligation and trying to stay true to myself is what I am aiming for while I journal my quilting. You are one of those bloggers that inspire me to go on doing just that!
I really agree with what one of the other posters mentioned. This is YOUR blog, not mine or anyone else's. You should only include what makes you feel good. As soon as you start feeling an obligation to the readers, or worry about what to include then you're not being true to yourself. I've read your blog for a couple of years. If I didn't find something that speaks to me I wouldn't keep coming back. But it shouldn't be your focus to try to please us readers.
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