Monday, January 5, 2015

Well, Hello 2015...

I think for many of us today is the start of the new year. Vacations are over, kids are back to school and it's time to put those 2015 plans into place.

I may be weird, but I actually love this time of year. I'm a very reflective person and it seems the right time to look forward, make life adjustments, and set some goals.

One of the things that has been on my mind is the blog. Have you noticed that blogging has changed over the past couple of years? Blog posts are less frequent, comments are fewer and, what began for many bloggers as a platform for journaling their creativity, has become a place to promote their business. I'm not implying at all that this is a bad thing - certainly the internet and a blogging platform have given many creative talents the opportunity to get noticed. They're now designing fabric, writing books and providing some fabulous products for all of us to work with and I love seeing that. How I wish all of this was available when I sat down to submit my first book proposal.

And I have to admit, my blogging schedule has slowed. The ease of social media sites like Instagram has created quite a shortcut for posting and commenting. In the past month, I've been thinking about stopping my blog and simply continuing to share on Instagram. I spent several evenings reading through my blog from the beginning and I knew pretty quickly, I couldn't/shouldn't quit. Even if it's for me only, I enjoy my quilting diary and I love that writing a blog post makes me stop, appreciate and reflect on what I've made. I recently read this book, a sequel to Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon.


This quote from the book really struck me:
"good work isn't created in a vacuum, and ... creativity is always, in some sense, a collaboration, the result of minds connected to other minds." ...page 11

Also:
Creatives are always "supporting each other, looking at each other's work, copying from each other, stealing ideas, and contributing ideas." ...page 11

So although I'll be posting regularly on Instagram - I'll be here too. A blog is a place to get more in-depth, share the process, talk about inspiration and peek a little closer into the work/life of the blog writer. And I don't want this to become a place of "here's a new finished quilt", which I think it has in the past several months. I've decided to go for a weekly post {maybe more some weeks}, which will certainly include my finished projects, but will also include what's happening that week in my creative world - good and bad. Hope you'll join me!

I also had fun this past week making a list of what quilts are on my radar. It a long one, but that's what happens with all this creative sharing and I couldn't be more excited about it!

In 2013 and 2014, I did a year long project. I so enjoyed that and feel I'd love another for 2015. I haven't bought the pattern yet, but I'm ready to hit the button and start Bring Me Flowers by Jen Kingwell.

I've wanted to do a Houndstooth quilt and was reignited when I saw Allison's from Cluck Cluck Sew. I'm think of doing mine scrappy with just two colors, probably white and aqua. There's a slick method on Youtube by Missouri Star Quilt Co that I'll try.

I browsed my quilty Pinterest board and found several I'm putting toward the top of the list:
Cracker
Fireworks
Flying Geese
Refresh
Diamond Ring Quilt

Have you seen the new book Vintage Vibe? I love several of the quilts, but I may start with this one:


I always like to try something new and I think it will be the Glam Clam Quilt. I love Clamshells and I'm excited to try this method.

And finally, I've admired this quilt at Urban Outfitters and really want to make it after seeing Rita's version. I'm going to need to make it my own and I'm thinking of some kind of ombre version like this.

I started drawing a bit in 2014 and I hope to continue that and make it a habit in 2015.


So those are my creative plans! I've been piecing here and there over the holidays and have a few things to get quilted first. I also finished up my Charley Harper quilt and will share a tutorial later this week.




I feel excited and optimistic for 2015! I wish all of you the same!

30 comments:

  1. Glad you're not going to quit, I really enjoy seeing what you're doing and haven't mastered Instagram!

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  2. Cindy, I am overjoyed that you are going to continue your blog. A day with one of your posts is a good day. I have been disappointed over the last year at the number of bloggers who have neglected their sites in favor of Instagram and Pinterest. For people like me who enjoy knowing what's going on in the minds of creative bloggers and quilters, not just what they're working on, there's just no substitute for an honest-to-goodness post. I'm sure you've made many of your followers happy.

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  3. I love seeing your work, Cindy. I have been reading quilting blogs for just the past year so I didn't know what blogs used to be. I'm a lurker, mostly, when it comes to social media, and I need the ideas from all the bloggers to help my creativity. I love the mechanics of sewing but never felt I had the creativity to come up with anything on my own. That's why I read blogs and follow Instagram. You help me be a better sewist. Thanks for staying with the blog.

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  4. I don't think I've ever posted here, but now it the time! I am pleased that you are going to continue the blog. I've enjoyed seeing and been inspired by your quilts. Thanks for the work you do to share what you do on your blog.

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  5. Have to agree with what the others have said - your blog is a really good one and it would be a loss not to have it anymore. Instagram is fine for a pretty picture or two, but to really SAY something you need more words! I like to hear about the process of how you make things.

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  6. I love reading your posts and drooling over your quilts, but I just realized that I never write something back. Thanks for being an inspiration!

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  7. I am glad you are going to continue your blog. I don't really do Instagram and I love your quilts! Good luck on your 2015 goals. I have four more blocks left to put together for my Fireworks quilt. Let me tell you, that pattern is something else. I am sure you won't struggle with it as much as I have though, your skills seem to be much more refined :)

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  8. I bought that book too this year. Its great - has many encouraging bits of information to think about. Love your blog and quilting ideas. Don't ever stop.

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  9. I'm so glad you're not going to quit the blog. I so enjoy following your journey project by project. :)

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  10. I would like to say Thank You! I truly appreciate your blog and others. I am a new quilter and would be completely and totally lost without yall. I don't have any family or friends to ask or get tips from so I rely solely on yall. I get ideas and inspiration but what I've found is that in this "quilt community" everyone is just so darn nice! And willing to help. I get stuck often and yall really don't seem to mind giving pointers and tips. Your knowledge is just awesome! Never underestimate your power to help me create! Lol

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  11. Great to read your post. I started writing a blogpost on this topic today. I hope we will be able to have all long time quilting bloggers motivated to keep writing on their blogs. A weekly post sounds great!

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  12. Cindy, I'm so glad you'll continue your blog. I especially like when you share your processes and your design decisions. I always learn something from seeing the choices a designer has made and understanding why she made them as she did. It's so helpful and inspiring to see someone else's creativity in action. All the best to you in 2015.

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  13. What a great post. I've been struggling with the same thing recently. Since Instagram makes connecting with followers so much faster, I feel like they wouldn't take the time to head over to my blog. But like you I am hanging on, several of my family members read my blog so I figure I can continue on for them and for myself and see what happens along the way :)

    I'm looking forward to seeing what you make this year.

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  14. I am delighted that you have made the decision to continue blogging. Your posts provide deeper insight in to your design and thought process; insights not as easily shared on Instagram.

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  15. Cindy, I am a newbie quilter and a much newer blogger (just one year). Since I am rather new to this quilting/blogging world, I am not sure what it used to be. There are several blogs that are more about business/products and giveaways than creativity. At the same time, I have seen some amazing work by really accomplished artists (who happen to work in fabric). My blog has no ads, no giveaways and no contests. It is truly a documenting of my journey.
    I hope you keep at your blog, the best that you can. I am a follower and would miss it if you discontinued. Hugs & a very Happy New Year!!!

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  16. I'm glad to see that you'll continue your blog. It's the only platform I read.

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  17. I am so glad that you decided to keep blogging. I look at IG but enjoy reading a person's blog and getting to know them better. If fewer posts is what makes it work for you- go for it. I'll be here to read when you do.

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  18. I, too, am glad that you will continue blogging, I prefer the blog reading to Instagram. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your world with us.

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  19. Thank you for continuing to blog, I enjoy reading about and seeing what you create.

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  20. So glad you are going to continue your blog. I much prefer a blog to instagram, and have been disappointed many are pretty much abandoning their blogs. I think blogs are much warmer and personal. So thank you for continuing on. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your Charlie Harper quilt.

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  21. It's so nice to read a blog and see a quilt come together and enjoy the journey and the outcome without being sold something. Please keep blogging.

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  22. This is so creative! Keep blogging xx
    www.hollysway.blogspot.co.uk

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  23. I am glad you will continue to blog; I enjoy reading your posts and seeing your projects! Here's to a very creative new year!

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  24. I have bought the Jen Kingwell pattern, but I am not sure I am over The Circle Game yet! Maybe it will be a winter start rather than a new year start?

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  25. When I grow up I want to be just like you! Love your style and just downloaded Glam Clam in the 8" size...so fun. I've had the same thoughts about blogging....but then I'll run into someone who tells me they read my blog and it's a shot in the arm to keep going. I hope that I'm a shot in your arm!!

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  26. Hi Cindy-Thank you for your dedication to this blog. You are one of my favorite teachers in this blog world. I am fairly new to quilting. I can do math so I enjoy the logic of quilting, but I am challenged by the creative side of quilting and the use of color. I am challenged with time and cannot attend classes at a. LQS so I depend on the blog teachers. You are a great one. Maybe it is a generational thing, I prefer blogs, sharing to IG. Thank you again! Happy Quilting.

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  27. Cindy, I just came across this post after returning to my own blog after an almost year sabbatical from it (am about to return). I took a break for a lot of reasons, but in the end I like sharing my ideas and being in touch with others similarly motivated (like you!). I am an Austin Kleon fan myself, but for me the book that really holds the key to creativity and a sharing economy is The Gift by Lewis Hyde.

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  28. Please continue to blog!!! I love your posts and your creativity. I can hardly wait to see what you come up with in 2015!

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  29. Ditto to all of the above. Please know how much I enjoy your blog and your work. And you solved my Charlie Harper problem perfectly. Can't wait to start framing-in-fabric my favorite images. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  30. Yes, many have stopped blogging and gone to social media outlets. That is fine, but I still prefer blogging. I have been following your awesome blog for a while now, and really enjoy it. This is a well-written and informational blog, plus you are a wonderful quilter. Keep up the good work :)

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