Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Progress; a little more each day!

 Here are the cotton on cotton quilt blocks I am making, using Lisa Bongean's summer block of the month patterns.  I am making the wool version too, but these cotton ones appeal too...I am not making them exactly like hers, but using most of her elements.
 All these are fused, and just need stitching!
And this little quilt is completed, bound, and packaged to gift to the recipient.  Hurrah for finishes!!  (even little ones...)




Hey, I had a thought...now don't fall down at that news, LOL!!  Several bloggers have mentioned that blogging comments and participation seems to be down.  Would you share your thoughts about that with me?  Is it because people are so very busy?  Or that folks are using face book or instagram?

I am thinking this...that we as bloggers sometimes are our own worst enemy.  We are lurkers... We love comments...but don't comment.  We love participation..but don't participate.  I am speaking about myself here.  So...I have a period set aside every night, to comment to you...to respond to you!! I say I am too busy...well that is a bunch of bologna for me!! Yes I run around like a nut from morning to night, but I know very well that I have time for anything that is important to me...and you all are important!! I know all about what you are doing...Vicki at LA quilter, moving home to the south, Bonnie and her travels, Janet and her miniature quilts, and on and on!!  I read with alacrity every post...so...every night, I have a period of time set aside to just comment and enjoy your blogs.  I think if every blogger sat down for 15 minutes and just commented to her friends, and found some new bloggers too...it would be much more busy and fun in blog world!! What do you think?  15 minutes??



Have a great day!!

Julie

46 comments:

Karen said...

Good that you are finding time to stitch. You are one busy gal!

Mary Ann said...

BTW, I talked 4 people into joining at our LQS $5 quilt. I'm teaching and we are all doing the blocks. It is so fun having a group to work with. We are now 1/2 the way thru. It will be fun to see the finished quilts! Mary ANn

audrey said...

It's so true that we have to make time to comment, lurking can be so much faster! I think there are a lot of people who keep up by way things like Bloglovin' which is harder to comment through. Also, for instance, I follow way too many blogs because I don't want to miss out. How could I possibly comment on ALL of them.:) I'd never have time to quilt!

Donna Keating said...

Reasons I don't often comment. 1. I am typing on my phone the past year and I'm not good at it. Used to type on desktop, no problem. 2. The secret codes to prove I'm not a robot are hard to read and it's a pain in the kiester. 3. Oftentimes I don't feel I have anything significant to say. Love your blog and read it through Bloglovin'.

Cindy Nielsen said...

I think we are quite busy during the summer. I find I don't even have time to write my blog posts. I too find the prove your not a robot a pain so I don't comment because of that too.
I do enjoy reading what everyone is doing though even if it is not quilt related. I love your projects!

Kim said...

I agree, I often stop by but son'e comment :0).
I do like to see what you are up to though.

Happy Sewing

Edie said...

I like reading your blog about all your busy-ness. I do try to comment when I think of something to say, but not all the time.
It is also true that it is a busier time of year. I just got back from a 5-day road trip, catching up on reading my blogs.

Loris said...

Love your quilt progress!
Good questions about blog reading. I've been lurking more as my own sewing energy has been diverted to cleaning and remodeling. I don't quite feel like my time is my own right now. Hopefully, that is changing soon :-)
I have read of bloggers spending more time on Instagram. I don't remember to look at it very often though.
I seem to always remember to read blogs though!

Sharon said...

I think the word verification is a pain in the rear and I try it once, then check out. Plus it's that time of year when our yards and gardens beckon us, whether we like it or not. I swear my raspberries were ripening as I was picking them this morning. Now I have a huge bowl full, I have to deal with them and I'll have another bowl tomorrow!

Sharon said...

Also, Blogging, Facebook, pintrest, Instagram, websites....OMG, how can we find time to create.

Betsy said...

Julie I love your blocks. I wanted to do this BOW but could not afford it since I am financially helping my daughter with her first child due in two months! My first grandson is due this September. So I have been enjoying all the bloggers pics of this BOW and your craftiness is always amazing.

Leeanne said...

Lovely projects, especially the first one.
Mmmm... comments everyone will have a different view, depending on their blogs comment volume. We all love the comments, it is helpful & spurs us on! I guess some folks follow so many blogs there just aren't enough hours in the day to comment on all of them everytime.
You seem to get lots of comments, I average around 8. It use to bother me some people got 20 plus comments, but then I decided to let myself off the 'hang-up hook', less stressful.

Terry said...

I'm trying to comment more too and be less of a lurker. :0)

Nancy said...

I spend way to much time reading blogs and not nearly enough time posting and commenting. I think a lot of people have gone to Facebook which I don't do.
I do enjoy your blog so don't stop.

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

I have been making an effort to comment more lately because I do have the time. There seem to be fewer posts this time of year and I think it is because of people traveling and little ones being home from school. I do not Facebook or Instagram, but participation on Flickr in swaps is really down too.

I love sunflowers and have been enjoying seeing your progress!

Chantal said...

You started quite a debate there Julie. Personally, I have time to blog during the weekend mostly. The rest of the time, I don't think I am too busy. It's more like I want to be outside and the computer is in the basement so ... that's that. And a lot of the times I don't want to say the same thing again. Goooorrrrgeous quilt, amazing quilt, etc. It is true, that's exactly how I feel about the quilt but I think the recipient will eventually go "oh sure, she always says that on every blog, big deal!" You know I mean. I need to learn another language to have more adjectives. LOL.
Back to the post, LOVE your Lisa Bongean's block. (and I am not just saying that to comment, I truly do LOVE them). :D

Roxanne said...

Hmmm, interesting to think about. I don't have a blog but keep up with quite a few and don't often comment. I will do so more often!

My sister has surgery tomorrow on her cervical spine and I pray for her and that she has a nurse like you!

Quilter Kathy said...

It does all take time, but being part of the international quilting community is so fun! I have been told that many people read blogs on devices where it is difficult to comment. And with all the sites posting my blog content (feedspot, bloglovin, feedly, etc.) and funneling it to readers, I have no idea how all that works with the commenting process.
And there are so many other venues people are using (pinterest, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, etc) I prefer blogging so I'm sticking with that.

Kathy said...

I always enjoy your blog, and do a lot of the same projects as you, such as the SBOW. I don't think I'm as caught up as you, though! My biggest reason for not commenting is that I'm on the wrong device usually - either phone or tablet, which are hard to use for comments. If I'm at the desktop computer, it's no problem. I'm guilty of not blogging much during the summer either - too much to do outside!

Marlene said...

Great discussion you have generated Julie. I have to admit to being a lurker and only commenting occasionally. I need to make the effort to comment more.

Rebecca in AK said...

I have to admit to being a 'lurker' for a long time. I really enjoyed reading many different blogs, but did not comment. I am not sure why, maybe I thought my comment would not matter? Now that I have started my own blog I am still amazed that people actually read it and take time to leave a comment. I really appreciate each and every comment so now I try to stay up with my blog list and leave a comment each time.

Janet O. said...

I'm really liking your Primitive Gatherings projects. The first one is bright and happy--the second one is more subdued and simply sweet. The recipient of your little heart quilt will be thrilled!I
Blogging is my quilting community and I try to leave comments most of the time.
I only let myself follow a set number of blogs, to try and control the time consumption. Now and then I review my blog roll. If someone hasn't posted for a really long time (like a year or more) I may remove them to make way for a new blog that has caught my eye.
Blogging does take a time commitment, but I have made many dear friends, and been regularly inspired by quilters like you!

AnnieO said...

Love your blocks! I do try to comment frequently because I still prefer blogs to Instagram or Pinterest (I'm not on Instagram and barely on Pinterest). Thanks for speaking up and encouraging more interaction!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

#1 reason why I don't comment more is that I almost always use my iPad these days ... and the mobile app for the reader I use is really not very comment friendly. #2 reason why are those blasted "prove you're not a robot" things!

But I read and am inspired!

antique quilter said...

love the projects but oh my that little quilt is adorable, and red my favorite color!
blogging is a time commitment I found I was spending hours on the computer now I limit my time on the computer don't comment on every blog I read but I am making more of an effort to comment even just a line vs I tend to write more then most commentors. I still like blogging the best I agree with your comments.
Kathie

ria vogelzang said...

You are so true!! We are lurkers..... ;)
I think we just love to see what everyone is up to...
But I agree!!
If we would spend just 15 minutes every day to comment, it would be great for everyone!
Thanks for your lovely blogpost; love those blocks!
Love from the Netherlands, Ria.

Anita in Florida said...

First of all Julie, I love your blog...love all the beautiful quilts you make! Love what a wonderful nurse you are. I am in awe of all you accomplish...wish I was not so darn lazy! I am mostly a lurker...I read blogs when I first get up, with my coffee and meds, so I'm not in the mood to type! Never 'got it' for the Facebook 'like' button (Instagram too)...but wonder if that would be a good thing on blogs! I have been trying to comment more the last few weeks, never this long of a comment!lol...I hadn't posted in awhile and noticed that there are usually no comments lately...my bad, I don't comment, but I WANT comments!! A vicious circle. Anyway have a wonderful day and keep up the beautiful quilts that I can admire but not comment on on...boy I have 'rambled' on this morning!

Me and My Stitches said...

Your SBOW is looking so good - I still can't believe that you are doing TWO versions - I can't seem to keep up on one! But...block 4 is prepped, and #5 should show up today or tomorrow. I try to comment on a lot of blogs - it really doesn't take that much time to leave a quick comment and let people know you were there!

Marian said...

I am definitely a lurker - I check your blog every day but never comment. Most of the time I don't know what to say except "Wow!". What you accomplish in a day amazes me, and then you even find time to blog about it! Since you are doing all the work and I am just sitting here enjoying it, I will try to type a few words to let you know I've been here and appreciate your work :-)

Ruth said...

I try to comment, especially to the ones I "know" and love to read best. I also don't always have anything unique to say and/or they already have lots of comments so I don't feel the need to comment as much. It's hard to always reply to comments - I try, but don't always get it done, then the email gets lost in the shuffle.

Juliann in WA said...

I used to read too many blogs - reading without too much commenting. Then Reader went away and I had to find a new way. Now I try to bookmark the blogs that speak to me and visit them often AND comment.
I don't love the robot verification but I don't mind it as much as the ads that pop up on so many blogs these days. I click off those blogs quickly.

Nancy said...

Some bloggers don't respond to comments and some do. Responses encourage me to comment even more. Some bloggers like to have conversations under their comments. I never go back and reread comments and find their responses because it takes too long.

I've developed friendships by making comments and responding to comments left on my blog.

Yvonne said...

I check your blog on a regular basis as well as Quiltville, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, etc.
I find encouragement from you as a person and as a quilter. How you accomplish so much is a mystery, but then I think you are far younger that I (80) and more organized. Your profession is one of caring and giving of yourself and you project that in your blog posts. In short, I feel like you are a friend to all of your readers.
With regard to your "subject" of commenting on blogs, I do not comment very much but I also enjoy the comments left on blogs. Yvonne

Anonymous said...

Life got busy and I try my best. This year has been the busiest by far. Time at computer is limited and because of the quilting for others slow too. I frequent Instagram but it just isn't the same.

KaHolly said...

In my case, I'm just busy. I try to visit a few blogs a day, and comment on most, but not all. I don't do any of the other social media. I'm still not sure what instagram even is!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I think that I go back and forth, as in sometimes I'll comment frequently, particularly if I am visiting links at a blog party...other times I quickly visit and leave, especially if I am just skimming a blog or two while eating a summer peach, such as right now :) I had to put it down and wipe my sticky hands ha ha : )

When people comment on my blog I try to visit them back within a day or two / three at the most.

Quilt Monkey said...

I admit I'm an incurable lurker!! I comment very occasionally and always feel good when I do. I'm glad to hear I'm not alone in this. I'm going to try to start commenting more now!

Megan said...

Julie - I read your blog regularly but rarely comment. I guess it's because mostly I don't think I have anything 'useful' to add to the conversation. However, I accept that receiving comments helps motivate bloggers, so I'll make more of any effort. Although I'm an avid user of Pinterest, I loathe Facebook, and don't bother with Twitter, Instagram or other forms of social media. The reason for that is that I find the format of blogs much more appealing. I enjoy the text/stories behind the pics, and I want more than 140 characters.

Megan
Sydney, Australia

Lois Arnold said...

All of the above, Julie. We are so busy and we try to read FB, Instagram, Twitter and blogs. Most of the time just reading is all we have time for. I can tell by the traffic on my blog people have stopped by, but few comment. It's actually discouraging when there are none as you wonder whether people were bored or just busy. I don't show all I do because some of my things are being published so I can't which makes it hard to come up with projects to show. The parts and pieces just aren't that interesting! I love all the blogs I read, but only comment once in a while. If I have some time, I sit and sew instead of comment.

Barb said...

great project and I agree. participation makes blogging more fun

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I'm big on leaving comments. Sometimes I just can't think of anything to say, or, I'm so far behind on my reading that I'm hurrying thru too many blogs and don't feel like commenting. It is harder to feel like commenting when I'm way behind on my blog reading. I have 3 trips planned in the next 6 weeks, so, I'm sure I'll be way behind, and won't leave many comments. I know I do appreciate every comment that someone leaves on my blog.

hetty said...

I have noticed the same thing on my blog. I know I have many people stopping by, but not many leave a comment. Also, it seems to me that a lot of the bloggers who used to read my blog now no longer keep their own blogs updated. I assume they are too busy or have lost interest. I still love to blog, but I would also love to have more comments. So, all you lurkers out there... leave a message!
I love your applique blocks!

Linda O said...

You are going gangbusters on the SBOW (times 2!!) I so enjoy reading your block and seeing your creations, but do need to be sure to comment! Have a great 4th!

Jo said...

I've been trying to get around to a few more blogs and commenting too. BTW yours is always one I lurk at...But look, I commented tonight!!

Chookyblue...... said...

I comment on lots of blogs as I think if you want to receive comment have to leave comments also.......it's the interaction with people that makes me want to blog........I always reply to comments too unless they are no reply......if they are new people commenting I always check out there blogs.....I don't have to time to comment on all the blogs I read but I try and spread out who I comment on.......there's no point posting on your own blog and not ever leaving comments otherwise how do you expect others to comment on your own blog.....block your comments if you don't want to interaction but I love that part......interesting reading everyones comments on this post.........

Sandi said...

Julie, I'm so jealousy with your double progress. Two weeks ago this last Friday I got my first two blocks mailed and I'm waiting for my next package. They will send out four the next time I think. I have them finished and love how they look.

You cotton versions are also very lovely.

I know my steam a seam is loosing it also, Minot a great fan of using it on wool but have chosen to use it this time because of all the small pieces. I use some extra fine pins to keep things in place.

I think the trick is to store your fusible in a plastic bag.

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...