May Britt at Abyquilt has been asked to write an article in the Norwegian Quilt Association magazine about blogging. If you'd like to help her out and give her input go check out her post dated, August 24th and leave a comment. I had a wonderful time reading the responses she's gotten so far. In fact as I was posting my comment I decided maybe it was worthy of a post all it's own so here it is (with a little extra added) Heck it's my blog I can ramble if I want. LOL!
Why do I blog? I've always wanted to keep a quilt journal but I just never seemed to get around to it. Then Bonnie Hunter started her blog and I thought to myself, you can do that too! So I did. :-)
Sometimes I wonder just how many people started blogging because of Bonnie. I know when I first started blogging about a year ago there were very few traditional quilt bloggers out there. There were TONS of art quilt blogs but art quilting just ain't my thing so there really wasn't a forum for the rest of us. Then Bonnie started the Mavericks and it fit my quilting style better but not really. Because I'm not a maverick quilter. I'm a traditional, scrap quilter who occasionally likes to color outside the lines. Then Judy started the Stash Quilts ring and I found a home that fit me just right. And in the last year I've seen more and more quilt blogs started that focus on traditional quilting. And there are probably a lot of new art quilt blogs too but I follow very few of them so I only know about the ones I come into contact with. Mostly one's who've left a comment on my blog so I've gone to check theirs out. But in general I don't normally follow the art quilt rings. Just not enough time to keep up with everyone!
Okay back to today's topic. :-)
Blogging lets me chronical not just my quilting activities but little bits about my life at the time. I've belonged to different internet groups over the years but with the exception of one small private one I belong to I just don't get the same satisfaction from them that I do from blogging. Here I can say whatever I want without having to worry about following someone else's rules. There ARE no rules on my blog! With groups I tend to lurk. Here I let it all hang out. LOL!
I love the people I've met thru my blog. From all over the world. And I love reading their blogs and seeing not just what they're working on but the little glimpses they show about their daily lives. I've been on vacation with them and on quilt retreats but I've also shared their hard times too. You feel like you really get to know someone as a whole person not just a quilter.
I'm a VERY shy, introverted person in real life. But for some reason that doesn't come thru in my blog. I do find it amazing that anyone wants to read what I have to say and was just blown away a few days ago when I checked my own blog on bloglines and realized that over 50 people have added me to their bloglines. How cool is that!
I love that I've re-connected with my sister after many years. Not that we've been estanged but just when we each married and she had children and we had different interests and we've lived many miles apart for many years we just lost that closeness we had as children. And now thru my blog she's started quilting and has her own blog now and it just seems that we're maybe not so far away from each other after all.
The negative - same as everyone else. Too much time on the computer, not enough spent stitching. BUT to be honest I really didn't stitch any more before. In fact blogging has me stitching more. Because I want to have something to show. Because I get so inspired by everyone else. And to be honest I spent just as much time on the computer before. Just before it was spent playing mindless computer games. Now it's spent connecting to friends all around the world. So I guess there really ISN'T a negative to blogging for me. :-)
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23 comments:
Thank you for your comment on my question why do you blog. You also got a nice blog.
Have a nice quiltingday
Yeah Nancy! Well said!!!
Cheers!
Evelyn
Well said - I agree 100% (except I do spent a bit too much time blogging... I'll not mention how long I plan to be at work today/tonight/tomorrow - maybe? At least I took the bus, so I don't have to worry about finding a parking space.)
I too find that while I spend time on the computer, I probably spend more time stitching now than before... I blog in order to have a record of what I've done... Its neat to look back and see what I did in the last 4 months say... Its a record for me. The comments also motivate me. I want them so I get sewing something interesting....
well, gee-I have to agree with you as well Nancy-for being a shy person, you come across as a person NOT shy about speaking your mind :-)
I'd have never figured you as shy, Nancy! I've always felt like I've known you forever! Guess it's true that quilting is the thread that binds!
((HUGS))
The story is often the same, but it's so nice to find so many of us looking for the same things. I'm so glad I found blogging. It has really been a perfect fit for me.
Nancy, you are a favorite part of my morning. Thank you for putting into words the things I would like to express.
Nancy, your comment about being shy everywhere but your blog hit home. I tell people I'm a non-shy introvert. Meaning I like people (in person) just fine, but I get more energy from being alone. Although I'm a new blogger, I'm finding blogging meets my needs and helps me process my own thoughts.
Plus it's really gotten me quiltingly motivated. :-) I can't wait to finish a top so I can post a picture!
I also find that quilting has made me closer to my mom and 2 of my sisters. It gives us something in common, something to work on together, and a common interest to talk about.
Very nicely expressed!
I think the "My blog/my rules" aspect is what makes blogging just right for me.
Jeanne :)
A really, really, really great post Nancy!!! *VBS* I think you said it well for many of us. Somehow the sharing seems more personal than in the online message board groups.
I hurt when you ache and miss your mama. You are there for me, and so many others as "rough spots" happen. Maybe there are as many reasons as there are quilters, but I'm sure glad to be hanging out with this bunch!!! Hugs, Finn
I have been blogging for a few of years (family blog, personal blog, and good pal blog, quilt blog - yes, I keep 4 blogs going!!) and love how many people I can keep in touch with at once, love how many new pals I have met (including you!) and love that although there are miles between family and friends I can connect (or not) in an instant. Thanks for your thoughts...and btw, I would never have pegged you as shy.
I agree with all of what you said about blogging - especially about being a shy person. I don't belong to any rings yet, but maybe someday I will belong to one.
I totally agree with what you said, esp. the part about sewing MORE now to have more to show that goes for me also. :) xoxo melzie
Wow, your words could have been mine. I have a tendency to be a bit shy and introverted - actually someone described it perfectly (sorry I don't remember where I read this) but I'm a "perimeter person" - staying along the outer circle till I feel comfortable. Blogging has been a perfect fit for me. I've lurked on many boards and e-mail groups and just never felt accepted and part of the "in crowd" and yet in blogging it's been alot different. Thank you for taking the time to put it so eloquently! Hitting that nail right on the head. ;-)
*claps hands*
Yup, me too - I'd rather write than talk, I think.
And have you ever noticed that most bloggers have an above average command of the written word? Not many people blog that can't spell, write a neat sentence, etc.
great post Nancy - I sometimes think I spend too much time reading blogs but I know that since I have started blogging, I am also doing a lot more quilting because I want to have something to blog about.
Nancy,
I agree with all you said. I've even got bloglines now, and I still can't keep up. lol
I am doing more now with the sewing because I want to have show and tell.
Well i think everything i wanted to say has been said. I totally agree with you and the other bloggers comments.
Thanks Nancy for the ramblings. Sometimes I feel like what I've written on my blog is not what I should write on my blog. You made me feel a lot better about what I put on there! I am also inspired by everyone!
I just have to add my thanks too, Nancy, like the others who have commented I think you have summed up perfectly what blogging is about.
Dear Nancy, I'm another Nancy (seems for what is now an uncommon name, there are a LOT of Nancys that quilt.) Anyway, I'm one of those art quilter/bloggers...:). yet I think there is a place for all of us in the magical world of threads and needles. Blogging just gives us a place to tell about how we give ourselves permission to play...:)
Nancy Smeltzer
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